株探米国株
英語
エドガーで原本を確認する
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☑  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025
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 Number 001-31921
CMPlogo.jpg
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-3972986
(State or other jurisdiction of
 incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
9900 West 109th Street
Suite 100
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 344-9200
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code and telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value CMP The New York Stock Exchange
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 No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, as of August 7, 2025, was 41,688,657 shares.


COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

1

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
  June 30,
2025
September 30,
2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 79.4  $ 20.2 
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.4 and $3.6 at June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively
202.1  126.1 
Inventories, less allowance of $8.7 and $11.4 at June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively
264.7  414.1 
Other current assets
24.4  26.9 
Total current assets 570.6  587.3 
Property, plant and equipment, net 773.8  806.5 
Intangible assets, net 24.6  82.5 
Goodwill 6.1  6.0 
Other noncurrent assets
162.3  157.8 
Total assets $ 1,537.4  $ 1,640.1 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 68.0  $ 82.1 
Accrued salaries and wages 25.3  22.6 
Current portion of long-term debt —  7.5 
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
7.2  5.2 
Income taxes payable 1.6  13.1 
Accrued interest 3.9  13.3 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 159.1  73.2 
Total current liabilities 265.1  217.0 
Long-term debt, net of current portion 825.3  910.0 
Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion
8.1  11.2 
Deferred income taxes, net 56.0  56.5 
Other noncurrent liabilities 133.1  128.8 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock: $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 authorized shares; 42,197,964 issued shares at June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024
0.4  0.4 
Additional paid-in capital 427.1  420.6 
Treasury stock, at cost — 530,599 shares at June 30, 2025 and 816,013 shares at September 30, 2024
(10.7) (10.2)
Retained (loss) earnings
(70.4) 2.2 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (96.6) (96.4)
Total stockholders’ equity 249.8  316.6 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,537.4  $ 1,640.1 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in millions, except share and per share data)
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  2025 2024 2025 2024
Sales $ 214.6  $ 202.9  $ 1,016.4  $ 908.6 
Shipping and handling cost 56.7  53.2  288.7  255.1 
Product cost 116.7  117.1  575.4  478.0 
Gross profit 41.2  32.6  152.3  175.5 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 24.0  27.5  86.9  106.5 
Loss on impairments, net
0.7  —  53.7  173.4 
Other operating expense (income)
0.6  (0.8) (1.6) (17.4)
Operating income (loss)
15.9  5.9  13.3  (87.0)
Other (income) expense:
Interest income (0.3) (0.2) (0.9) (0.8)
Interest expense 16.3  17.2  51.2  50.4 
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange
8.4  (0.5) 3.1  (1.1)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
7.6  —  7.6  — 
Other (income) expense, net
(2.5) 0.3  2.0  1.9 
Loss before income taxes
(13.6) (10.9) (49.7) (137.4)
Income tax expense
3.4  32.7  22.9  20.4 
Net loss
$ (17.0) $ (43.6) $ (72.6) $ (157.8)
Basic net loss per common share
$ (0.41) $ (1.05) $ (1.74) $ (3.83)
Diluted net loss per common share
$ (0.41) $ (1.05) $ (1.74) $ (3.83)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 41,859  41,342  41,738  41,284 
Diluted 41,859  41,342  41,738  41,284 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited, in millions)
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  2025 2024 2025 2024
Net loss $ (17.0) $ (43.6) $ (72.6) $ (157.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain from change in pension obligations, net of tax of $(0.1) and $0.0 for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $(0.2) and $(0.2) for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively
0.2  0.3  0.6  0.7 
Unrealized loss from change in other postretirement benefits, net of tax of $0.0 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024
—  (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $0.0 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively
0.2  0.9  1.0  (0.3)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
29.5  (4.9) (1.7) (3.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
29.9  (3.8) (0.2) (2.7)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$ 12.9  $ (47.4) $ (72.8) $ (160.5)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

4

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited, in millions)
 
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings (Loss)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
Balance, September 30, 2024 $ 0.4  $ 420.6  $ (10.2) $ 2.2  $ (96.4) $ 316.6 
Total comprehensive loss
—  —  —  (23.6) (33.5) (57.1)
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.2) (0.2) —  —  (0.4)
Stock-based compensation —  3.9  —  —  —  3.9 
Balance, December 31, 2024 $ 0.4  $ 424.3  $ (10.4) $ (21.4) $ (129.9) $ 263.0 
Total comprehensive (loss) income
—  —  —  (32.0) 3.4  (28.6)
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.5) (0.2) —  —  (0.7)
Stock-based compensation —  2.8  —  —  —  2.8 
Balance, March 31, 2025
$ 0.4  $ 426.6  $ (10.6) $ (53.4) $ (126.5) $ 236.5 
Total comprehensive (loss) income —  —  —  (17.0) 29.9  12.9 
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.1) (0.1) —  —  (0.2)
Stock-based compensation —  0.6  —  —  —  0.6 
Balance, June 30, 2025
$ 0.4  $ 427.1  $ (10.7) $ (70.4) $ (96.6) $ 249.8 

 
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
Balance, September 30, 2023
$ 0.4  $ 413.1  $ (8.7) $ 220.9  $ (104.7) $ 521.0 
Total comprehensive (loss) income
—  —  —  (75.3) 13.0  (62.3)
Dividends on common stock ($0.15 per share)
—  —  —  (6.4) —  (6.4)
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.2) (0.6) —  —  (0.8)
Stock-based compensation —  11.9  —  —  —  11.9 
Balance, December 31, 2023
$ 0.4  $ 424.8  $ (9.3) $ 139.2  $ (91.7) $ 463.4 
Total comprehensive loss
—  —  —  (38.9) (11.9) (50.8)
Dividends on common stock ($0.15 per share)
—  —  —  (6.3) —  (6.3)
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.2) (0.8) —  —  (1.0)
Stock-based compensation —  (4.9) —  —  —  (4.9)
Balance, March 31, 2024
$ 0.4  $ 419.7  $ (10.1) $ 94.0  $ (103.6) $ 400.4 
Total comprehensive loss
—  —  —  (43.6) (3.8) (47.4)
Shares issued for stock units, net of shares withheld for taxes —  (0.1) (0.1) —  —  (0.2)
Stock-based compensation —  (0.7) —  —  —  (0.7)
Balance, June 30, 2024
$ 0.4  $ 418.9  $ (10.2) $ 50.4  $ (107.4) $ 352.1 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

5

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
  Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  2025 2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$ (72.6) $ (157.8)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 76.5  78.4 
Amortization of deferred financing costs 3.5  1.9 
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation
7.3  6.3 
Deferred income taxes (0.5) 1.2 
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) 1.0  (0.5)
Loss on impairments, net
53.7  173.4 
Net gain from remeasurement of contingent consideration
(7.9) (23.1)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
7.6  — 
Gain on sale of Fortress assets
(2.4) — 
Other, net 1.3  2.6 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables 14.2  36.8 
Inventories 138.0  (9.9)
Other assets 1.4  (2.0)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities (27.4) (69.4)
Other liabilities 10.9  (10.8)
Net cash provided by operating activities
204.6  27.1 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (53.8) (93.3)
Proceeds from sale of Fortress assets, net of transaction costs
19.6  — 
Other, net (0.5) (1.7)
Net cash used in investing activities (34.7) (95.0)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
244.3  359.6 
Repayments under revolving credit facility
(434.4) (289.2)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
62.1  69.4 
Principal payments on long-term debt
(63.8) (70.3)
Principal payments to pay down term loan
(191.3) — 
Proceeds from 2030 Notes
650.0  — 
Repurchase of 2027 Notes
(350.0) — 
Premium paid to extinguish 2027 Notes
(3.9) — 
Payments for contingent consideration —  (9.1)
Dividends paid —  (12.7)
Payment of deferred financing costs
(15.5) (2.1)
Shares withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations (1.3) (2.0)
Other, net
(7.7) (1.4)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(111.5) 42.2 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 0.8  (0.2)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 59.2  (25.9)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year 20.2  38.7 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 79.4  $ 12.8 

Supplemental cash flow information:    
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 57.9  $ 56.5 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 26.5  $ 21.6 
Net change to property, plant and equipment through accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$ 8.7  $ 16.8 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.    Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation:

Compass Minerals International, Inc. (“CMI”), through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. The Company’s salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications. Its plant nutrition business is the leading North American producer of sulfate of potash (“SOP”), which is used in the production of specialty fertilizers for high-value crops and turf and helps improve the quality and yield of crops, while supporting sustainable agriculture. The Company’s principal products are salt, consisting of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, and SOP. The Company’s production sites are located in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). The Company also provides records management services in the U.K. Except where otherwise noted, references to North America include only the continental U.S. and Canada, and references to the U.K. include only England, Scotland and Wales. References to “Compass Minerals,” “our,” “us” and “we” refer to CMI and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
CMI is a holding company with no significant operations other than those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CMI and its wholly-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024, which was derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. As a result, these consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 (“2024-K”). In the opinion of management, these interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
 
The Company experiences a substantial amount of seasonality in its sales, including its salt deicing product sales. Consequently, Salt segment sales and operating income are generally higher in the first and second fiscal quarters (ending December 31 and March 31) and lower during the third and fourth fiscal quarters (ending June 30 and September 30). In particular, sales of highway and consumer deicing salt and magnesium chloride products vary based on the severity of the winter conditions in areas where the products are used. Following industry practice in North America and the U.K., the Company seeks to stockpile sufficient quantities of deicing salt throughout the first, third and fourth fiscal quarters (ending December 31, June 30 and September 30) to meet the estimated requirements for the winter season. Production of deicing salt can also vary based on the severity or mildness of the preceding winter season. Due to the seasonal nature of the deicing product lines, operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The Company’s plant nutrition business is also seasonal. As a result, the Company and its customers generally build inventories during the plant nutrition business’ low demand periods of the year (which are typically winter and summer, but can vary due to weather and other factors) to ensure timely product availability during the peak sales seasons (which are typically spring and autumn, but can also vary due to weather and other factors).

Fortress

On March 25, 2025, the Company took measures to align the Company’s cost structure to its current business needs as part of a larger strategic refocus to improve the profitability of the Company’s core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses. Specifically, the Company reduced the headcount of its corporate workforce and began the process of exiting the Fortress North America, LLC (“Fortress”) fire retardant business, terminating the employment of all Fortress employees (see Note 9. Operating Segments for further information). As such, the Company will no longer allocate capital and resources to the Fortress fire retardant business and is no longer pursuing an approved fire retardant product.

Impairments. As a result of the above items impacting Fortress, the Company determined that there were indicators of impairment with the associated Fortress intangible assets. Therefore, the Company tested these intangible assets for impairment. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on impairment, net, of $0 and $53.0 million, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, related to Customer relationships and Trade name (see Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Note 12. Fair Value Measurements for further information).

7

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Additionally, the Company performed an impairment test on the remaining Fortress asset group (including property, plant, and equipment (“PP&E”), inventory and in-process research and development (“IPR&D”)), with a carrying amount of $19.7 million. The impairment test under ASC 360, Property, Plant Equipment and Other Assets, compared the asset group’s undiscounted cash flows to its carrying amount. The Company determined the fair value of the asset group using a market approach under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (Level 2 inputs, see Note 12. Fair Value Measurements). The asset group (PP&E, inventory and IPR&D) was not impaired as its fair value, based on market indications, approximated or exceeded its carrying value. The fair value estimates involved significant estimates and assumptions, which may differ from actual outcomes.

At June 30, 2025, the Company performed an impairment test on the remaining Fortress asset group related to property, plant, and equipment and recorded a loss on impairment, net of $0.7 million, during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 (see Note 12. Fair Value Measurements for further information).

Equipment Lease. On May 20, 2025, the Company purchased equipment previously leased for Fortress for $2.8 million, resulting in the termination of the related lease. The Company derecognized the right-of-use asset and lease liability. The carrying value of the lease liability was $1.5 million and the right-of-use asset was $1.4 million at the date of purchase. The $1.3 million difference between the purchase price and the lease liability was recorded as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the purchased equipment. The remaining equipment, with a carrying value of $2.7 million at June 30, 2025, is included in Property, plant and equipment, net, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Contingent Consideration. In connection with the acquisition of Fortress on May 5, 2023, the Company entered into a contingent consideration arrangement for up to $28 million to be paid in cash and/or Compass Minerals common stock upon the achievement of certain performance measures over the next five years, and a cash earn-out based on volumes of certain Fortress fire retardant products sold over a 10-year period. The carrying value of the contingent consideration at December 31, 2024, was $7.9 million, with $0.1 million, included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $7.8 million, included in Other noncurrent liabilities. Given the business ceased operations and had no future expected cash flows, the carrying value of the contingent consideration was reduced to $0 as of March 31, 2025. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded income, included in Other operating expense (income), of $0 and $7.9 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recorded income of $0.9 million and $23.1 million, respectively, included in Other operating expense (income).

Asset Purchase Agreement. On May 30, 2025, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, selling substantially all Fortress assets for $20.0 million in cash. The Company paid approximately $0.4 million of costs related to the sale. The assets included in the sale had a net book value of approximately $17.2 million. The fair value of proceeds received, net of transaction costs, exceeded the carrying amount, resulting in a gain of $2.4 million, recorded in Other (income) expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025.

Presentation. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Current portion of finance lease liabilities and Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion have been presented separately from Accrued expenses and other liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities line items, respectively, in the current year presentation, with conforming reclassifications made for the prior period presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which updates reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily to include enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company will adopt the disclosure requirements of ASU 2023-07 beginning with the annual report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which updates income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and additional disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and is effective for the Company beginning in the annual report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2026. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is permitted. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures.

8

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
In November 2024, the FASB issued amended guidance related to disclosure of disaggregated expenses (“ASU 2024-03”). This amendment requires public business entities to provide detailed disclosures in the notes to financial statements disaggregating specific expense categories, including employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization, as well as certain other disclosures to provide enhanced transparency into the nature and function of expenses. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning in the Company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2028 and interim periods following annual adoption, with early adoption permitted. This guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with retrospective application permitted. Management is currently evaluating ASU 2024-03 to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures.

2.    Revenues:

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents collections under non-cancellable contracts before the related product or service is transferred to the customer. The portion of deferred revenue that is anticipated to be recognized as revenue during the succeeding twelve-month period is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred revenue included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 was approximately $1.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

The following table provides the balances of receivables (in millions):
  June 30,
2025
September 30,
2024
Current Assets:
Receivables related to contracts with customers
$ 101.9  $ 118.1 
Miscellaneous receivables(a)
100.2  8.0 
Total receivables
$ 202.1  $ 126.1 
(a)Refer to Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

See Note 9. Operating Segments for a disaggregation of sales by segment, type and geographical region.

3.    Inventories:
 
Inventories consist of the following (in millions):
  June 30,
2025
September 30,
2024
Finished goods $ 183.9  $ 336.5 
Work in process
6.4  6.4 
Raw materials and supplies(a)
74.4  71.2 
Total inventories(b)
$ 264.7  $ 414.1 
(a)Excludes certain raw materials and supplies of $42.1 million and $42.2 million as of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively, that are not expected to be consumed within the next twelve months, included in Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b)Refer to Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for details of the Fortress disposition during the period ended June 30, 2025.

9

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
4.    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net:
 
Property, plant and equipment, net, consists of the following (in millions):
  June 30,
2025
September 30,
2024
Land, buildings and structures, and leasehold improvements $ 555.5  $ 559.8 
Machinery and equipment 1,141.0  1,149.5 
Office furniture and equipment 24.0  24.1 
Mineral interests 170.3  170.4 
Construction in progress 73.5  56.0 
  1,964.3  1,959.8 
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion (1,190.5) (1,153.3)
Property, plant and equipment, net(a)
$ 773.8  $ 806.5 
(a)Refer to Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for details of the Fortress disposition during the period ended June 30, 2025.

5.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are summarized as follows (in millions):
Corporate & Other
Balance as of September 30, 2024 $ 6.0 
Foreign currency translation adjustment 0.1 
Balance as of June 30, 2025 $ 6.1 

During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded a loss on impairment, net, of $0 and $53.0 million, respectively, related to Fortress customer relationships and trade name definite-lived intangible assets of $52.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively. On May 30, 2025, the Company finalized the sale of the remaining Fortress-related assets, including the remaining $2.2 million of indefinite-lived in-process research and development intangible asset (see Note 1 for further information).

As of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, net intangible assets were $24.6 million and $82.5 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization as of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 was $30.0 million and $31.9 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, aggregate amortization expense was $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and $2.4 million and $3.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 2024, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense is projected to be between $1.0 million and $3.0 million per fiscal year over the next five years.

6.    Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to U.S. statutory depletion, state income taxes (net of federal tax benefit), nondeductible executive compensation over $1 million, foreign income, mining and withholding taxes, base erosion and anti-abuse tax, and valuation allowances recorded on deferred tax assets.

The effective tax rates applied to the nine months ended June 30, 2025 were determined by excluding the U.S. losses from the overall estimated annual effective tax rate computations and a separate estimated annual effective tax rate was computed and applied to the ordinary U.S. losses.

Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred in the U.S. over the three-year period ended June 30, 2025. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as the Company’s projections for future income. On the basis of this evaluation, during the nine months ended June 30, 2025, an additional valuation allowance of $29.0 million has been recorded to recognize only the portion of the U.S. deferred tax assets that is more likely than not to be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for income.
10

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

As of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the Company had $79.6 million and $76.4 million, respectively of gross federal NOL carryforwards that have no expiration date and $7.0 million and $6.1 million at June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively of net operating tax-effected state NOL carryforwards which expire beginning in 2031.

Canadian provincial tax authorities have challenged tax positions claimed by one of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries and have issued tax reassessments for fiscal years 2002-2019. The reassessments are a result of ongoing audits and total $210.4 million, including interest, through June 30, 2025. The Company disputes these reassessments and continues to work with the appropriate authorities in Canada to resolve the dispute. There is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate resolution of this dispute, and any related disputes for other open tax years, may be materially higher or lower than the amounts the Company has reserved for such disputes. In connection with this dispute, local regulations require the Company to post security with the tax authority until the dispute is resolved. The Company has posted collateral in the form of a $160.5 million performance bond and has paid $36.5 million to the Canadian tax authorities (most of which is recorded in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2025, and September 30, 2024), which is necessary to proceed with future appeals or litigation.
 
The Company could be required by local regulations to provide security for additional interest on the above unresolved disputed amounts and for any future reassessments issued by these Canadian tax authorities in the form of cash, letters of credit, performance bonds, asset liens or other arrangements agreeable with the tax authorities until the disputes are resolved.

The Company expects that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial condition. However, the Company can provide no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these matters, and the impact could be material if they are not resolved in the Company’s favor. As of June 30, 2025, the Company believes it has adequately reserved for these reassessments.
 
Additionally, the Company has other uncertain tax positions as well as assessments and disputed positions with taxing authorities in its various jurisdictions.

On July 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted a budget reconciliation package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” (“OBBBA”), which includes both tax and non-tax provisions. The Company is evaluating the effects of these changes and other provisions of this legislation on our consolidated financial statements; however, the Company does not expect the changes resulting from the tax provisions in OBBBA will have a material impact on its results of operations due to the timing of its fiscal year reporting.

7.    Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities:
 
Total long-term carrying value of debt and finance lease liabilities consists of the following (in millions):
  June 30,
2025
September 30,
2024
Secured Debt:
Term Loan due May 2028 $ —  $ 193.8 
Revolving Credit Facility due May 2028 —  190.1 
Subordinated Debt:
8.00% Senior Notes due June 2030
650.0  — 
6.75% Senior Notes due December 2027
150.0  500.0 
AR Securitization Facility expires March 2027 39.7  38.9 
Total principal amount of debt 839.7  922.8 
Finance lease liabilities 15.3  16.4 
Unamortized deferred financing costs (14.4) (5.3)
Total carrying value of debt and finance lease liabilities 840.6  933.9 
Current portion of long-term debt —  (7.5)
Current portion of finance lease liabilities (7.2) (5.2)
Total long-term carrying value of debt and finance lease liabilities $ 833.4  $ 921.2 

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Senior Notes Offering

On June 16, 2025, the Company issued $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.00% Senior Notes due 2030 in a private offering, pursuant to an indenture, dated June 16, 2025 (the “2030 Notes”), among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The 2030 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, with interest payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1, commencing January 1, 2026. The Notes are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The 2030 Notes will mature on June 16, 2030. The Company incurred $13.3 million in deferred financing costs, including arrangement, legal and other fees, and will be amortized to interest expense over the 5-year term of the 2030 Notes.

The Company used the net proceeds from the 2030 Notes to (i) repay all outstanding amounts under its senior secured credit facility, including $43.5 million under the revolving credit facility and $191.3 million under the term loan, (ii) redeem approximately $350.0 million of its outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) at a redemption price of 101.125% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, (iii) pay transaction-related fees and expenses, (iv) increase cash on its balance sheet, and (v) for general corporate purposes. The redemption, completed on June 17, 2025, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $5.7 million, included in Loss on extinguishment of debt in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025. The loss was comprised of a $3.9 million prepayment premium and a $1.8 million write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs. Following the redemption, $150.0 million of the 2027 Notes remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1, with unamortized deferred financing costs of $0.8 million as of June 30, 2025.

Prior to July 1, 2027, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2030 Notes up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount with equity offering proceeds at a redemption price equal to 108% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to certain conditions. On or after July 1, 2027, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2030 Notes at 104% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably to 100% of the principal amount thereof on or after July 1, 2029, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

The indenture governing the 2030 Notes contains covenants limiting other indebtedness, dividends, purchases or redemptions of stock, transactions with affiliates, and mergers and sales of assets.

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

On June 16, 2025, the Company entered into the fifth amendment to its 2023 Credit Agreement, originally dated April 20, 2016, as amended (the “Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement”). The amendment, among other things, (i) fixed the aggregate revolving commitments at $325.0 million, eliminating the automatic periodic step-downs previously included in the December 12, 2024, amendment to the 2023 Credit Agreement, which had scheduled reductions to $250.0 million by July 1, 2026, (ii) permitted the issuance of the 2030 Notes, with net proceeds used to prepay all outstanding loans under the Existing Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including $43.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $191.3 million outstanding under the term loan, plus accrued and unpaid interest, (iii) permitted the Company to utilize certain baskets under covenants restricting the incurrence of indebtedness, liens, investments, dividends, and junior debt prepayments, and (iv) modified the financial maintenance covenants, which are tested on a quarterly basis, as follows: (A) replace the current leverage-based covenant, which required compliance with a maximum ratio of consolidated total net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 6.50x (with a step-down to 5.75x on December 31, 2025, and a further step-down to 4.75x on March 31, 2026) with a leverage-based covenant which requires compliance with a maximum ratio of consolidated first lien net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 2.75x (with a step-down to 2.50x on December 31, 2025) and (B) lower the required minimum ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense from 2.00x (with a step-up to 2.25x on March 31, 2026) to 1.50x. In connection with the prepayment of the term loan, the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.9 million, included in Loss on extinguishment of debt on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, related to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

The revolving credit facility under the Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all existing and future U.S. assets of the Company, the Goderich mine in Ontario, Canada, and capital stock of certain subsidiaries. Borrowings, if any, accrue interest at a rate per annum based on, at the Company’s option, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted EURIBO Rate, Canadian Prime Rate, or Sterling Overnight Index Average, plus applicable margins, subject to a floor of 0.0%. As of June 30, 2025, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Also, as of June 30, 2025, outstanding letters of credit totaling $15.7 million reduced available borrowing capacity to $309.3 million.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
As of September 30, 2024, the weighted average interest rate on all borrowings outstanding under the Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement was approximately 7.7%. Depending on the type, borrowings under the Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement accrued interest at a rate per annum between 7.3% and 9.5% as of September 30, 2024.

Prior Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On December 12, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to its 2023 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, eased the restrictions of certain covenants contained in the agreement. The amendment included increasing the maximum allowed consolidated total net leverage ratio (as defined and calculated under the terms of the amended 2023 Credit Agreement) to 6.5x as of the last day of any quarter through the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2025, then gradually stepping down to 4.50x for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2026 and thereafter. The amendment also decreased the Revolving Commitments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) from $375 million to $325 million with additional reductions stepping down to $250 million on July 1, 2026. In connection with this amendment, the Company paid fees totaling $2.0 million, which were capitalized as deferred financing costs and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the amended 2023 Credit Agreement. Additional arrangement and legal fees of $0 and $1.0 million were recorded to Other expense during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively.

Covenant Compliance and Other Information

The consolidated total net leverage ratio, as defined in the Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement, represents the ratio of consolidated total net debt (aggregate principal amount of total debt, net of unrestricted cash not to exceed $100.0 million) to consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including a maximum Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio and minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, tested quarterly. As of June 30, 2025, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):

Period or Fiscal Year Ending: Principal Amount of Debt
Three months ending September 30, 2025 $ — 
2026 — 
2027 39.7 
2028 150.0 
2029 — 
2030 650.0 
Total $ 839.7 

8.    Commitments and Contingencies:

The Company is subject to legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types from the ordinary course of the Company’s business. If management believes that a loss arising from these actions is probable and can reasonably be estimated, the Company records the amount of the loss or the minimum estimated liability when the loss is estimated using a range and no point is more probable than another. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these actions is assessed and the estimates are revised, if necessary.

Management cannot predict the outcome of legal claims and proceedings with certainty. Nevertheless, management believes that the outcome of legal proceedings and claims, which are pending or known to be threatened, even if determined adversely, will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position given current insurance coverage, except as otherwise described in Note 6. Income Taxes and this Note 8.

On October 21, 2022, a putative securities class was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The lawsuit alleges that the Company and certain former executives of the Company made misleading statements and that shareholders were damaged by these statements. Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on March 13, 2023. On February 7, 2025, the parties reached an agreement in principle to resolve the matter. On March 27, 2025, the parties entered into a Joint Stipulation of Settlement. A motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed with the court on March 28, 2025, and was granted by the court on April 7, 2025.
13

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
A motion for final approval of the settlement was filed with the court on June 25, 2025. On July 30, 2025, the court held a hearing at which it approved the settlement of $48.0 million, including fees and expenses awarded to lead counsel and plaintiffs. The Company’s insurers have consented to and committed to pay the agreed upon settlement. The Company has recorded a liability and corresponding insurance recoveries, included in Receivables, in its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2025.

On February 1, 2023, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the District of Kansas by an individual shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company. The lawsuit alleges that certain directors and executives breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to prevent the dissemination of misstatements and omissions from October 30, 2017, to November 18, 2018. The parties have stipulated to stay this matter through the discovery stage of the putative securities class action. On October 30, 2024, an additional shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the District of Kansas by an individual shareholder, purportedly on behalf of the Company. The lawsuit alleges that certain directors and executives breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by willfully or recklessly causing the Company to make false and/or misleading statements and/or omissions of material fact from October 31, 2017, to October 21, 2022. On February 28, 2025, this matter was consolidated with the derivative matter filed on February 1, 2023. On May 27, 2025, the parties reached an agreement in principle to resolve the consolidated derivative lawsuit in exchange for the Company’s agreement to adopt certain corporate governance reforms. A motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed with the court on July 14, 2025.

On April 24, 2024, a putative securities class action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The complaint alleges that the Company and certain individuals made materially false and misleading statements regarding Fortress North America and that shareholders were damaged by these statements. On December 12, 2024, the court appointed lead plaintiff and counsel. Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on February 10, 2025. The parties have executed a preliminary settlement agreement dated June 30, 2025, to resolve the matter, which has been consented to by the Company’s insurers. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on July 25, 2025, and scheduled a hearing on November 4, 2025, to consider any objections and whether to finally approve the settlement.

On October 30, 2024, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was brought against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company, purportedly on behalf of the Company. The lawsuit alleges that from November 29, 2023 to March 22, 2024, certain current and former officers and directors willfully or recklessly caused the Company to make false and/or misleading statements and/or omissions of material fact regarding the Company’s fire-retardant business. On April 9, 2025, an additional derivative lawsuit was brought against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company, purportedly on behalf of the Company. The lawsuit alleges that certain current and former officers and directors caused Compass Minerals to make misleading statements regarding the Company’s fire-retardant business. In an order dated June 3, 2025, the court consolidated the two derivative actions for the discovery phase of the actions. By order dated June 25, 2025, the court extended plaintiffs’ time to file a consolidated complaint until July 30, 2025, and set August 29, 2025, as the deadline for defendants to respond to the consolidated complaint. On July 30, 2025, the plaintiffs in the consolidated derivative action filed a verified amended consolidated shareholder derivative complaint asserting claims that certain statements made between February 8, 2023 until March 25, 2024 about the Company’s fire retardant business were false and/or misleading. The amended complaint asserts five claims: (1) violation of Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); (2) breach of fiduciary duty; (3) unjust enrichment; (4) waste of corporate assets; and (5) for contribution under Sections 10(b) and 21D of the Exchange Act (against certain former directors and officers). Pursuant to the current scheduling order, the defendant’s response to the amended complaint is due August 29, 2025.

The Company previously had contingent consideration liabilities related to the Fortress acquisition. As a result of the Company’s exit of the Fortress business, a non-cash gain of $7.9 million was recorded during the nine months ended June 30, 2025 to reduce the fair value of the contingent consideration liability to zero. Refer to Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for additional information.

On October 25, 2024, the Company issued a recall for specific production lots of food-grade salt produced at its Goderich Plant following a customer report of a non-organic, foreign material in its product. The Company subsequently expanded the voluntary recall to include food products from the Goderich Plant between September 18 and November 6, 2024. The Company followed recall protocol and notified its BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety certifying body, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). The Company has completed its investigation and continues to assess the scope and magnitude of customer claims related to the recall. At this time, based on currently available information and its applicable insurance coverage, the Company does not believe any incremental losses will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or cash flows in future periods. The recall in the United States, supervised by the FDA, is complete and the matter is closed with FDA. The CFIA has conducted a follow-up inspection of the Goderich Plant to verify compliance with regulatory requirements and identified no non-compliances.

14

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
As of June 30, 2025, the Company has recorded a liability of $101.1 million, included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and estimated insurance recoveries of $95.9 million, included in Receivables, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets associated with the recall matters described above, in addition to all other legal and administrative proceedings.

9.    Operating Segments:
 
The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services, and each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, the Company has presented two reportable segments in its Consolidated Financial Statements: Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces and markets salt, consisting of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, for use in road deicing for winter roadway safety and for dust control, food processing, water softening and other consumer, agricultural and industrial applications. The Plant Nutrition segment produces and markets various grades of SOP. The results of operations for the Company’s fire retardant and records management businesses are included in Corporate and Other in the tables below (see Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for further information on the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business).

Segment information is as follows (in millions):
Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Sales to external customers $ 166.0  $ 44.8  $ 3.8  $ 214.6 
Intersegment sales —  3.2  (3.2) — 
Shipping and handling cost 50.0  6.7  —  56.7 
Operating earnings (loss)(b)(c)(d)
28.1  5.2  (17.4) 15.9 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 17.5  6.2  (0.5) 23.2 
Total assets (as of end of period) 1,032.1  354.0  151.3  1,537.4 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Sales to external customers $ 160.6  $ 38.8  $ 3.5  $ 202.9 
Intersegment sales —  2.8  (2.8) — 
Shipping and handling cost 48.2  5.0  —  53.2 
Operating earnings (loss)(b)(c)(d)
25.9  (1.4) (18.6) 5.9 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 15.7  8.6  1.8  26.1 
Total assets (as of end of period) 1,013.3  408.1  173.8  1,595.2 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Sales to external customers $ 840.9  $ 164.5  $ 11.0  $ 1,016.4 
Intersegment sales —  8.7  (8.7) — 
Shipping and handling cost 263.2  25.5  —  288.7 
Operating earnings (loss)(b)(c)(d)
124.4  0.3  (111.4) 13.3 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 52.4  21.1  3.0  76.5 

15

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Sales to external customers $ 745.3  $ 138.6  $ 24.7  $ 908.6 
Intersegment sales —  6.6  (6.6) — 
Shipping and handling cost 235.9  18.6  0.6  255.1 
Operating earnings (loss)(b)(c)(d)
142.6  (56.7) (172.9) (87.0)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 47.1  25.7  5.6  78.4 

Disaggregated revenue by product type is as follows (in millions):
Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Highway Deicing Salt $ 88.8  $ —  $ —  $ 88.8 
Consumer & Industrial Salt 77.2  —  —  77.2 
SOP —  48.0  —  48.0 
Eliminations & Other —  (3.2) 3.8  0.6 
Sales to external customers $ 166.0  $ 44.8  $ 3.8  $ 214.6 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Highway Deicing Salt $ 84.1  $ —  $ —  $ 84.1 
Consumer & Industrial Salt 76.5  —  —  76.5 
SOP —  41.6  —  41.6 
Eliminations & Other —  (2.8) 3.5  0.7 
Sales to external customers $ 160.6  $ 38.8  $ 3.5  $ 202.9 

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Highway Deicing Salt $ 551.7  $ —  $ —  $ 551.7 
Consumer & Industrial Salt 289.2  —  —  289.2 
SOP —  173.2  —  173.2 
Eliminations & Other —  (8.7) 11.0  2.3 
Sales to external customers $ 840.9  $ 164.5  $ 11.0  $ 1,016.4 
16

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024 Salt Plant
Nutrition
Corporate
& Other(a)
Total
Highway Deicing Salt $ 471.1  $ —  $ —  $ 471.1 
Consumer & Industrial Salt 274.2  —  —  274.2 
SOP —  145.2  —  145.2 
Fire Retardant —  —  14.1  14.1 
Revenue from Services —  —  0.5  0.5 
Eliminations & Other —  (6.6) 10.1  3.5 
Sales to external customers $ 745.3  $ 138.6  $ 24.7  $ 908.6 
(a)Corporate and Other includes corporate entities, records management operations, the Fortress fire retardant business, equity method investments, prior-year lithium costs and other incidental operations and eliminations. Operating earnings (loss) for corporate and other includes indirect corporate overhead, including costs for general corporate governance and oversight, prior-year lithium-related expenses, as well as costs for the human resources, information technology, legal and finance functions.
(b)Corporate operating results were impacted by costs related to a product recall of $0.2 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. Corporate operating results were also impacted by declines in the valuation of the Fortress contingent consideration. The Company recorded net gains of $7.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, and $0.9 million and $23.1 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, related to the Fortress contingent consideration valuation.
(c)The Company recorded impairment of $0.7 million and $53.7 million related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, which impacted operating results. Refer to Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for additional details. The Company also recorded impairments of $175.8 million related to the impairment of Plant Nutrition goodwill, Fortress assets and goodwill and lithium development assets for the nine months ended June 30, 2024, which impacted operating results.
(d)The Company continued to take steps to align its cost structure to its current business needs. These initiatives impacted Corporate operating results and resulted in net severance and related charges, excluding stock-based compensation forfeitures, for reductions in workforce and changes to executive leadership and additional restructuring costs related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business of $0.3 million and $4.3 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. The Company also recorded net severance and related charges, excluding stock-based compensation forfeitures, for reductions in workforce and changes to executive leadership and additional restructuring costs related to the termination of the Company’s lithium development project of $1.5 million and $17.2 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

The Company’s revenue by geographic area is as follows (in millions):
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Revenue 2025 2024 2025 2024
United States(a)
$ 162.0  $ 158.4  $ 720.3  $ 679.4 
Canada 40.1  35.7  239.3  191.4 
United Kingdom 9.8  7.9  46.2  35.0 
Other 2.7  0.9  10.6  2.8 
Total revenue $ 214.6  $ 202.9  $ 1,016.4  $ 908.6 
(a)United States sales exclude product sold to foreign customers at U.S. ports.

10.    Stockholders’ Equity and Equity Instruments:

Equity Compensation Awards

The 2020 Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2020 Plan”) provides for grants of equity awards to executive officers, other employees and directors, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units (“PSUs”), stock options, deferred stock units and other equity-based awards.

Stock-based compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was $2.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $8.6 million and $17.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense recorded in other operating expense (income) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to restructuring was $(2.1) million and $(0.8) million (includes $0.5 million paid in cash) for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $(1.3) million and $(9.7) million (includes $1.8 million paid in cash) for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, there was approximately $7.2 million of total estimated unrecognized compensation cost, assuming attainment of the performance target estimates, related to stock-based compensation arrangements expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.
17

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Non-Employee Director Compensation. Non-employee directors may defer all or a portion of the fees payable for their service into deferred stock units, equivalent to the value of the Company’s common stock. The annual fees related to the director’s equity compensation were granted in deferred stock units or restricted stock units and will vest on the earlier of the day immediately preceding the Issuer's next annual meeting (as long as the meeting is held at least 50 weeks from the grant date) and the first anniversary of the grant date. In relation to these annual fees, the Company granted 47,620 RSUs and 22,322 deferred stock units to the Board of Directors during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. Additionally, as dividends are declared on the Company’s common stock, these deferred stock units are entitled to accrete dividends in the form of additional units based on the stock price on the dividend payment date. Accumulated deferred stock units are distributed in the form of Company common stock at a future specified date or following resignation from the Board of Directors, based upon the Director’s annual election. During the nine months ended June 30, 2025, common shares of 48,192 were issued from treasury shares for Board of Director compensation related to quarterly fees payable and the release of deferred stock units.

RSUs. During the nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company granted 874,938 RSUs which vest after one to three years of service entitling the holders to one share of common stock for each vested RSU. The unvested RSUs do not have voting rights but are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends or other distributions that may be declared on the Company’s common stock equal to the per-share dividend declared. The closing stock price on the date of each grant was used to determine the fair value of RSUs.

PSUs. During the nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company granted 289,941 PSUs based upon certain performance criteria and metrics (“2025 Scorecard PSUs”). The actual number of shares of common stock that may be earned with respect to 2025 Scorecard PSUs is calculated based upon the attainment of certain thresholds for free cash flow and return on capital employed during each year of the three-year performance period and may range from 0% to 200% for each measure. Additionally, a modifier will increase or decrease the payout by 20% based upon relative total shareholder return against the Company’s peer group.

To estimate the fair value of the 2025 Scorecard PSUs on the grant date, the Company used a Monte-Carlo simulation model. This model uses historical stock prices to estimate expected volatility and the Company’s correlation to the peer group. The input for the expected stock price volatility ranged from 44% to 49% based on the respective grant dates. In addition, the Company used inputs for the risk-free rate that ranged from 3.9% to 4.2% based on the respective grant dates, expected dividend yield of 0%, and the Company’s closing stock price on the grant date to estimate the fair value of the 2025 Scorecard PSUs. The Company will adjust the expense of the 2025 Scorecard PSUs based upon its estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately vest at each interim date during the vesting period.

Options. Substantially all of the stock options granted vest ratably, in tranches, over a four-year service period. Unexercised options expire after seven years. Options do not have dividend or voting rights. Upon vesting, each option can be exercised to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation activity during the nine months ended June 30, 2025:
  Stock Options RSUs
PSUs(a)
  Number Weighted-average
exercise price
Number Weighted-average
fair value
Number Weighted-average
fair value
Outstanding at September 30, 2024
187,023  $ 62.85  451,091  $ 27.93  229,469  $ 40.26 
Granted —  —  922,558  12.66  289,941  15.43 
Exercised(b)
—  —  —  —  —  — 
Released from restriction(b)
—  —  (350,878) 23.28  —  — 
Cancelled/expired (53,513) 62.07  (261,484) 17.80  (128,678) 29.19 
Outstanding at June 30, 2025
133,510  $ 63.16  761,287  $ 15.04  390,732  $ 25.48 
(a)Until the performance period is completed, PSUs are included in the table at the target level at their grant date and at that level represent one share of common stock per PSU.
(b)Common stock was reissued from treasury shares for vested and earned RSUs, net of units surrendered in lieu of taxes of 113,656 units, during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. As a result, the Company paid taxes for restricted unit withholding of approximately $1.3 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2025.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (“AOCL”)

The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net loss, net amortization of the unrealized loss of the pension obligation, the change in the unrealized gain in other postretirement benefits, the change in the unrealized gain (loss) on natural gas and foreign currency cash flow hedges and currency translation adjustment (“CTA”). The components of and changes in AOCL are as follows (in millions):

Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025(a)
Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Other Post-Employment Benefits Foreign Currency Total
Beginning balance $ (1.3) $ (6.2) $ 1.4  $ (90.3) $ (96.4)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(b)
(0.8) —  —  (1.7) (2.5)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL(c)
1.8  0.6  (0.1) —  2.3 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1.0  0.6  (0.1) (1.7) (0.2)
Ending balance $ (0.3) $ (5.6) $ 1.3  $ (92.0) $ (96.6)
(a)With the exception of the CTA, for which no tax effect is recorded, the changes in the components of AOCL presented in the tables above are reflected net of applicable income taxes.
(b)The Company recorded foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2025, in AOCL related to intercompany notes which were deemed to be of a long-term investment nature.
(c)The amounts reclassified from AOCL to expense (income) impacted the product cost line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

11.    Derivative Financial Instruments:
 
The Company is subject to various types of market risks, including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate transaction and translation risk and commodity pricing risk. Management may take actions to mitigate the exposure to these types of risks, including entering into forward purchase contracts and other financial instruments. The Company manages a portion of its commodity pricing risks and foreign currency exchange rate risks by using derivative instruments. From time to time, the Company may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk. The Company does not seek to engage in trading activities or take speculative positions with any financial instrument arrangement. The Company enters into natural gas derivative instruments and foreign currency derivative instruments with counterparties it views as creditworthy. However, the Company does attempt to mitigate its counterparty credit risk exposures by, among other things, entering into master netting agreements with some of these counterparties. The Company records derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets and liabilities recorded as of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 were not material.

Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the related change in value of the underlying hedged item. Depending on the exposure being hedged, the Company must designate the hedging instrument as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge or a net investment in foreign operations hedge. For the qualifying derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value is recognized through earnings when the underlying transaction being hedged affects earnings, allowing a derivative’s gains and losses to offset related results from the hedged item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any ineffectiveness related to these instruments accounted for as hedges was not material for any of the periods presented. For derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedges, the entire change in fair value is recorded through earnings in the period of change.

Natural Gas Derivative Instruments

Natural gas is consumed at several of the Company’s production facilities, and changes in natural gas prices impact the Company’s operating margin. The Company seeks to reduce the earnings and cash flow impacts of changes in market prices of natural gas by fixing the purchase price of up to 90% of its forecasted natural gas usage. It is the Company’s policy to consider hedging portions of its natural gas usage up to 36 months in advance of the forecasted purchase. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had entered into natural gas derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its natural gas purchase requirements through September 2026. As of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the Company had agreements in place to hedge forecasted natural gas purchases of 1.4 million and 2.3 million MMBtus, respectively. All natural gas derivative instruments held by the Company as of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024 qualified and were designated as cash flow hedges. As of June 30, 2025, the Company expects to reclassify from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months $0.3 million of net losses on derivative instruments related to its natural gas hedges.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Refer to Note 12. Fair Value Measurements for the estimated fair value of the Company’s natural gas derivative instruments as of June 30, 2025.

The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s derivatives (in millions):
  Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location June 30, 2025 Consolidated Balance Sheet Location June 30, 2025
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts Other current assets $ 0.6  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 0.9 
Commodity contracts Other assets 0.1  Other noncurrent liabilities 0.1 
Total derivatives(a)
$ 0.7  $ 1.0 
(a)The Company has master netting agreements with its commodity hedge counterparties and accordingly has netted in its Consolidated Balance Sheets $0.7 million of its commodity contracts that are in receivable positions against its contracts in payable positions.

  Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2024 Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2024
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts Other current assets $ 0.5  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 1.7 
Commodity contracts Other assets 0.1  Other noncurrent liabilities 0.2 
Total derivatives(a)
$ 0.6  $ 1.9 
(a)The Company has master netting agreements with its commodity hedge counterparties and accordingly has netted in its Consolidated Balance Sheets $0.6 million of its commodity contracts that are in receivable positions against its contracts in payable positions.

12.    Fair Value Measurements:

The Company’s financial instruments are measured and reported at their estimated fair values. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. When available, the Company uses quoted prices in active markets to determine the fair values for its financial instruments (Level 1 inputs) or, absent quoted market prices, observable market-corroborated inputs over the term of the financial instruments (Level 2 inputs). The Company does not have any unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market inputs (Level 3 inputs), except as stated below.
 
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy for each type of instrument carried at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2025 Using
  Total Carrying Value at
June 30, 2025
Quoted Prices in Active Market
(Level One)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level Two)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level Three)
Asset Class:
Mutual fund investments in a non-qualified savings plan(a)(b)
$ 3.4  $ 3.4  $ —  $ — 
Derivatives – natural gas instruments, net 0.7  —  0.7  — 
Total assets at fair value $ 4.1  $ 3.4  $ 0.7  $ — 
Liability Class:        
Derivatives - natural gas instruments, net $ (1.0) $ —  $ (1.0) $ — 
Liabilities related to non-qualified savings plan (3.4) (3.4) —  — 
Total liabilities at fair value $ (4.4) $ (3.4) $ (1.0) $ — 
(a)Includes mutual fund investments of approximately 25% in common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 5% in common stock of small to mid-cap U.S. companies, 10% in bond funds, 20% in short-term investments and 40% in blended funds.
(b)The investments related to a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement on behalf of certain members of management. The Company has a liability for the related-party transaction recorded on Other noncurrent liabilities for deferred compensation obligation.

Valuation Techniques: The Company holds marketable securities associated with its deferred contribution and pre-tax savings plans, which are valued based on readily available quoted market prices. The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage its risk of changes in natural gas prices and foreign exchange rates (see Note 11. Derivative Financial Instruments). The fair values of the natural gas and foreign currency derivative instruments are determined using market data of forward prices for all of the Company’s contracts. 

Other Fair Value Measurements

The Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value in the statement of financial position for which it is practicable to estimate that value (in millions):

Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2025 Using
  Total Carrying Value at
June 30, 2025
Quoted Prices in Active Market
(Level One)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level Two)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level Three)
8.00% Senior Notes due June 2030
$ 650.0  $ —  $ 671.2  $ — 
6.75% Senior Notes due December 2027
150.0  —  151.3  — 

Valuation Techniques: Observable market-based inputs were used to estimate fair value for Level 2 inputs, based on available trading information. Cash and cash equivalents, receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to their liquid and short-term nature.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The following fair value hierarchy table summarizes the Company’s assets that were written down to their fair value on a nonrecurring basis (in millions):

Fair Value Measurements at the Measurement Date Using
  Measurement Date Total Carrying Value at
Measurement Date
Quoted Prices in Active Market
(Level One)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level Two)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level Three)
Total Gains (Losses)
Intangible assets, net
Definitive-lived intangible assets(a)
March 31, 2025 $ —  $ —  $ —  $ —  $ (53.0)
Property, plant, and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment, net(b)
June 30, 2025 $ —  $ —  $ —  $ —  $ (0.7)
(a)     At March 31, 2025, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $53.0 million related to definite-lived intangible assets after determining that no future cash flows were expected from these assets. As a result, the Fortress definite-lived intangible assets were assigned a fair value of zero using the income approach under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (see Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation for further information).
(b)     At June 30, 2025, Fortress-related property, plant, and equipment, net with a carrying value of $0.7 million was written down to their fair value of $0, resulting in a Loss on impairment, net of $0.7 million, due to no future expected use of property, plant, and equipment, net at June 30, 2025.


13.    Earnings per Share:
 
On April 22, 2024, the Board of Directors determined not to declare dividends for the foreseeable future in order to align the Company’s capital allocation priorities with its corporate focus on accelerating cash flow generation and debt reduction. The Company calculated earnings per share using the treasury stock method during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025. The Company calculated earnings per share using the two-class method during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024. The two-class method requires allocating the Company’s net earnings to both common shares and participating securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in millions, except for share and per-share data):
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  2025 2024 2025 2024
Numerator:
Net loss
$ (17.0) $ (43.6) $ (72.6) $ (157.8)
Less: net earnings allocated to participating securities(a)
—  —  —  (0.2)
Net loss available to common stockholders
$ (17.0) $ (43.6) $ (72.6) $ (158.0)
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, shares for basic earnings per share(b)
41,859  41,342  41,738  41,284 
Weighted-average awards outstanding
—  —  —  — 
Shares for diluted earnings per share 41,859  41,342  41,738  41,284 
Basic net loss per common share $ (0.41) $ (1.05) $ (1.74) $ (3.83)
Diluted net loss per common share $ (0.41) $ (1.05) $ (1.74) $ (3.83)
(a)Weighted participating securities include RSUs and PSUs that receive non-forfeitable dividends and consist of 632,000 and 698,000 weighted participating securities for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.
(b)For the calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share, the Company uses the more dilutive of either the treasury stock method or the two-class method to determine the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. The Company had 1,558,000 and 1,657,000 weighted-average equity awards outstanding for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, and 874,000 and 1,427,000 weighted-average equity awards outstanding for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, that were anti-dilutive.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
14.    Related Party Transactions:

During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded SOP sales from related parties of approximately $0.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively, to certain subsidiaries of Koch, Inc., compared to $0.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, during the three and nine ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the Company recorded approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of receivables from related parties on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no payable amounts outstanding as of June 30, 2025.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.


Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our mining and industrial operations; geological conditions; weather conditions; our continued ability to access ambient lake brine in the Great Salt Lake; dependency on a limited number of key production and distribution facilities and critical equipment; the inability to fund necessary capital expenditures or successfully complete capital projects; uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable reserves and resources; the useful life of our mine properties; conversion of mineral resources into mineral reserves; strikes, other forms of work stoppage or slowdown or other union activities; supply constraints or price increases for energy and raw materials used in our production processes; our indebtedness and inability to pay our indebtedness; restrictions in our debt agreements that may limit our ability to operate our business or require accelerated debt payments; tax liabilities; the inability of our customers to access credit or a default by our customers of trade credit extended by us; financial assurance requirements; our payment of any dividends; the seasonal demand for our products; the impact of anticipated changes in potash product prices and customer application rates; the impact of competition on the sales of our products; inflation risks; increasing costs or a lack of availability of transportation services; risks associated with our international operations and sales, including the impact of any tariffs and changes in currency exchange rates; conditions in the sectors where we sell products and supply and demand imbalances for competing products, including the impact of any tariffs; our rights and governmental authorizations to mine and operate our properties; risks related to unanticipated litigation or investigations or pending litigation or investigations or other contingencies; compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; environmental liabilities; compliance with foreign and United States (“U.S.”) laws and regulations related to import and export requirements and anti-corruption laws; changes in laws, industry standards and regulatory requirements, including any changes in tariffs imposed; product liability claims and product recalls; misappropriation or infringement claims relating to intellectual property; inability to obtain required product registrations or increased regulatory requirements; our ability to successfully implement our strategies; risks related to labor shortages and the loss of key personnel; a compromise of our computer systems, information technology or operations technology or the inability to protect confidential or proprietary data; climate change and related laws and regulations; our ability to expand our business through acquisitions and investments, realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions and investments and integrate acquired businesses; outbreaks of contagious disease or similar public health threats; domestic and international general business and economic conditions; our ability to successfully remediate the material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting disclosed in this Form 10-Q; and other risks referenced from time to time in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended September 30, 2024 (“2024 Form 10-K”).
 
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include without limitation statements about our outlook, including expected sales volumes and costs; existing or potential capital expenditures; capital projects and investments; the industry and our competition; projected sources of cash flow; potential legal liability; proposed or recently enacted legislation and regulatory action; the seasonal distribution of working capital requirements; our reinvestment of foreign earnings outside the U.S.; payment of future dividends and ability to reinvest in our business; our ability to optimize cash accessibility, minimize tax expense and meet debt service requirements; future tax payments, tax refunds and valuation allowances; leverage ratios; realization of potential savings from our restructuring activities; outcomes of matters with taxing authorities; the effects of currency fluctuations and inflation, including our ability to recover inflation-based cost increases; the seasonality of our business; and the effects of climate change. These forward-looking statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.
 
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “Compass Minerals,” “our,” “us” and “we” refer to Compass Minerals International, Inc. (“CMI,” the parent holding company) and its consolidated subsidiaries.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Except where otherwise noted, references to North America include only the continental U.S. and Canada, and references to the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) include only England, Scotland and Wales. Except where otherwise noted, all references to tons refer to “short tons” and all amounts are in U.S. dollars. One short ton equals 2,000 pounds and one metric ton equals 2,204.6 pounds. Compass Minerals and Protassium+ and combinations thereof, are trademarks of CMI or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting practices (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the reporting date and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could vary from these estimates. We have identified the critical accounting policies and estimates that we believe are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. The policies set forth below require significant subjective or complex judgments by management, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

On March 25, 2025, we took measures to align our cost structure to our current business needs as part of a larger strategic refocus to improve the profitability of our core Salt and Plant Nutrition businesses, including the process of exiting the Fortress North America, LLC (“Fortress”) fire retardant business and terminating the employment of all Fortress employees.

As a result of the above items impacting Fortress, we determined that there were indicators of impairment with the associated Fortress intangible assets. Therefore, we tested these intangibles for impairment. As there were no future cash flows expected related to these intangible assets, customer relationships was determined to have a fair value of zero using an income approach under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (Level 3 inputs, see Note 12. Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q). Consequently, we recorded an impairment loss of $0 and $53.0 million, recorded in Loss on impairments, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively.

Additionally, we performed an impairment test on the remaining Fortress asset group (including property, plant, and equipment (“PP&E”), inventory and in-process research and development (“IPR&D”)), with a carrying amount of $19.7 million. The impairment test under ASC 360, Property, Plant Equipment and Other Assets, compared the asset group’s undiscounted cash flows to its carrying amount. We determined the fair value of the asset group using a market approach under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. The fair value of the asset group was based on relevant third-party non-binding offers received for the specific asset group (Level 2 inputs, see Note 12. Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q). The asset group (PP&E, inventory and IPR&D) was not impaired as its fair value, based on market indications, approximated or exceeded its carrying value. The fair value estimates involved significant estimates and assumptions, which may differ from actual outcomes. At June 30, 2025, the Company performed an impairment test on the remaining Fortress asset group related to property, plant, and equipment and recorded a loss on impairment, net of $0.7 million, during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025.

A discussion of our critical accounting estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements is presented under the heading "Management’s Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2024 Form 10-K.

Company Overview

Compass Minerals is a leading global provider of essential minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash (“SOP”) specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. As of June 30, 2025, we operate 12 production and packaging facilities, including:
•The largest rock salt mine in the world in Goderich, Ontario, Canada;
•The largest dedicated rock salt mine in the U.K. in Winsford, Cheshire;
•A solar evaporation facility located near Ogden, Utah, which is both the largest sulfate of potash specialty fertilizer production site and the largest solar salt production site in the Western Hemisphere; and
•Several mechanical evaporation facilities producing consumer and industrial salt.

Our Salt segment provides highway deicing salt to customers in North America and the U.K. as well as consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial food preparation, and other salt-based products for consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications in North America. In the U.K., we operate a records management business utilizing excavated areas of our Winsford salt mine with one other location in London, England.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Our Plant Nutrition segment produces and markets SOP products in various grades worldwide to distributors and retailers of crop inputs, as well as growers and for industrial uses. We market our SOP under the trade name Protassium+®. 

In May 2023, we completed the purchase of Fortress, a fire retardant company working to develop long-term aerial and ground fire retardant products to help combat wildfires. As discussed in Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, we exited the fire retardant business and recorded a $0 and $53.0 million loss on impairment of long-lived assets during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, respectively. At June 30, 2025, the Company performed an impairment test on the remaining Fortress asset group related to property, plant, and equipment and recorded a loss on impairment, net of $0.7 million, during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025.

We continue to monitor the effects of the recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration during the second quarter of 2025, the reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries, and the impact on our business. Our salt and fertilizer production in Canada is qualified under the United States-Mexico-Canada (“USMCA”) trade agreement. Accordingly, our exports from Canada into the United States are exempt from tariffs at this time.

On July 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted a budget reconciliation package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” (“OBBBA”), which includes both tax and non-tax provisions. We are evaluating the effects of these changes and other provisions of this legislation on our consolidated financial statements; however, we do not expect the changes resulting from the tax provisions in OBBBA will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations due to the timing of our fiscal year reporting.

Consolidated Results of Continuing Operations

The following is a summary of our consolidated results of continuing operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
2645264626472648

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Commentary: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Total sales increased 6%, or $11.7 million, due to higher Salt and Plant Nutrition segment sales. The increase in sales for Salt reflected higher deicing and consumer and industrial sales volumes, which was partially offset by lower combined average sales prices. Plant Nutrition sales increased from the prior year due to an increase in sales volumes, partially offset by lower average sales prices.
•Operating income of $15.9 million improved $10.0 million from $5.9 million in the prior-year period, primarily reflecting higher Salt and Plant Nutrition operating earnings. Salt operating earnings increased $2.2 million as higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product costs were partially offset by lower average sales prices. Plant Nutrition operating income improved from a prior period operating loss primarily due to higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product costs, which were partially offset by lower average sales prices and higher per-unit distribution costs.
•Diluted net loss per common share of $0.41 improved by $0.64 from $1.05 loss per common share in the prior-year period.

Commentary: Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Total sales increased 12%, or $107.8 million, due to higher Salt and Plant Nutrition segment sales, partially offset by lower sales by the Fortress fire retardant business. The increase in Salt sales was primarily driven by higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower combined average sales prices. The increase in Plant Nutrition sales from the prior year primarily reflects higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower average sales price. The results of operations of the Fortress business include sales of $14.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2024, and no sales in fiscal 2025. On May 30, 2025, we completed the sale of the Fortress fire retardant assets.
•Operating income of $13.3 million increased $100.3 million from an operating loss of $87.0 million in the prior-year period, primarily reflecting the impairment related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business (see Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q). Corporate and Other operating loss decreased from the prior year primarily due to the prior year $74.8 million lithium asset impairment and $50.0 million of goodwill, long-lived asset and inventory impairments related to the Fortress business, partially offset by the current year Fortress asset impairments of $53.7 million. These operating losses were partially offset by the net non-cash reduction in our Fortress-related contingent consideration of $7.9 million in the current year and $23.1 million in the prior year. Plant Nutrition operating loss decreased due primarily to a prior year $51.0 million goodwill impairment, higher current year sales prices and lower per-unit product costs, which were partially offset by higher distribution costs. In addition, Salt operating earnings decreased due to lower average sales prices and higher per-unit product costs, which were partially offset by higher Salt sales volumes.
•Diluted net loss per common share of $1.74 decreased by $2.09 from $3.83 loss per common share in the prior-year period.

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
66766677
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Commentary: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
Gross Profit: Increased 26%, or $8.6 million; Gross Margin increased 3 percentage points to 19%
•Salt segment gross profit increased $2.2 million primarily due to higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product costs, which were partially offset by lower combined average sales prices (see Salt operating results).
•The gross profit of the Plant Nutrition segment increased $5.9 million due to higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product costs, which were partially offset by higher distribution costs and lower average sales prices (see Plant Nutrition operating results).

Commentary: Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024
Gross Profit: Decreased 13%, or $23.2 million; Gross Margin decreased 4 percentage points to 15%
•Salt segment gross profit decreased $17.9 million, primarily due to lower average sales prices and higher per-unit product costs, partially offset by higher sales volumes (see Salt operating results).
•The gross profit of the Plant Nutrition segment increased $4.7 million due to higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product costs, partially offset by lower average sales prices and higher per-unit distribution costs (see Plant Nutrition operating results).
•Gross profit was also unfavorably impacted by earnings in the prior period related to the Fortress fire retardant business in May 2023.

OTHER EXPENSES AND INCOME

Commentary: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
SG&A: Decreased $3.5 million; Decreased 2.4 percentage points as a percentage of sales from 13.6% to 11.2%
•The decrease in SG&A expense was primarily due to lower corporate professional services and compensation.

Loss on Impairments, net: $0.7 million during the current period
•We recorded an impairment loss of $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business (see Item 1, Note 1).

Other Operating (Expense) Income: Changed $1.4 million from income of $0.8 million to an expense $0.6 million
•The decrease in other operating (expense) income was primarily the result of lower restructuring charges in the current period.

Interest Income: Increased $0.1 million to $0.3 million
•The increase in interest income during the current period is primarily due to the higher average cash balance in the current year.

Interest Expense: Decreased $0.9 million to $16.3 million
•Interest expense decreased $0.9 million due to lower credit facility levels in the current period.

Loss (Gain) on Foreign Exchange: Rose $8.9 million from a $0.5 million gain in the prior-year period to an $8.4 million loss
•We realized a loss on foreign exchange of $8.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to a gain of $0.5 million in the same quarter of the prior-year period, primarily reflecting the translation of our intercompany loans from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt: $7.6 million in the current period
•We realized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025 comprised of a $3.9 million prepayment premium related to the partial redemption of 2027 Notes and a $3.7 million write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the partial redemption of 2027 Notes and repayment of the term loan. Refer to Note 8. Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Other (Income) Expense, net: Changed $2.8 million to income of $2.5 million
•The change is due primarily to the gain related to the sale of the Fortress assets in the current period.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Income Tax Expense: Decreased $29.3 million from $32.7 million to $3.4 million
•Tax expense decreased by $29.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 versus the three months ended June 30, 2024 primarily due to a year to date catch up recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2024 for the change in the annual effective tax rate calculations with the US loss jurisdiction having a separate annual effective tax rate applied to US losses and a foreign annual effective tax applied to foreign income. The change in the annual effective tax rate calculation began with the interim period ended June 30, 2024.
•Our effective tax rate was (25.0)% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, which is primarily driven by the income mix by country with income recognized in foreign jurisdictions, for which tax expense was recorded, offset by losses recognized in the U.S. for which a valuation allowance has been recorded against the U.S. tax benefit carryforward.
•Our income tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024 differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to U.S. statutory depletion, state income taxes, nondeductible executive compensation, foreign income, mining and withholding taxes, valuation allowance expense and base erosion and anti-abuse tax.

Commentary: Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024
SG&A: Decreased $19.6 million; Decreased 3.2 percentage points as a percentage of sales from 11.7% to 8.5%
•The decrease in SG&A expense was primarily due to lower corporate compensation and lower lithium expenses.

Loss on Impairments, net: Decreased $119.7 million to $53.7 million
•We recorded an impairment loss of $53.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business (see Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q).
•During the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded goodwill impairments of $51.0 million related to our Plant Nutrition segment and $32.0 million related to our Fortress operations (within the Corporate and Other segment). The Plant Nutrition impairment was primarily the result of reduced cash flow assumptions impacting expected profitability of the Plant Nutrition segment. The Fortress impairment was primarily related to uncertainty surrounding our magnesium chloride-based fire retardants which impacted projected future revenues and cash flows. Also, during the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded a $15.6 million long-lived asset impairment, net, related to Fortress magnesium chloride-based products.
•We recorded an impairment loss of $74.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2024 related to the termination of the lithium development.

Other Operating Income: Decreased $15.8 million from $17.4 million to $1.6 million
•The decrease in other operating expense was due to a decrease in the contingent consideration related to the Fortress acquisition, partially offset by severance costs resulting from the decision to discontinue the pursuit of the lithium development and corporate restructuring charges in the current period.

Interest Income: Increased $0.1 million to $0.9 million
•The increase in interest income during the current period is primarily due to the higher average cash balance in the current year.

Interest Expense: Increased $0.8 million to $51.2 million
•Interest expense increased due to higher debt levels and higher interest rates in the current year-to-date period.

Loss (Gain) on Foreign Exchange: Changed by $4.2 million from a gain of $1.1 million in the prior-year period to a loss of $3.1 million
•We realized a loss on foreign exchange of $3.1 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a gain of $1.1 million in the same period of the prior fiscal year, due primarily reflecting the translation of our intercompany loans from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt: $7.6 million in the current period
•We realized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.6 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2025 comprised of a $3.9 million prepayment premium related to the partial redemption of 2027 Notes and a $3.7 million write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the partial redemption of 2027 Notes and repayment of the term loan. Refer to Note 8. Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Other Expense, net: Increased $0.1 million to $2.0 million
•The increase is due primarily to fees paid and the write-off of previously capitalized fees when we modified our debt agreements in the current period, partially offset by the gain related to the sale of the Fortress assets.

Income Tax Expense: Increased $2.5 million from $20.4 million to $22.9 million
•The increase in income tax expense was primarily driven by the increase in foreign book income in the nine months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2024. Additionally, the majority of the impairments recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024 were either not tax deductible or the tax benefit was offset by tax expense for a valuation allowance on the related deferred tax asset.
•Our effective tax rate of (46%) for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 is primarily driven by the income mix by country with income recognized in foreign jurisdictions offset by losses recognized in the U.S., for which a valuation allowance has been recorded against the U.S. tax benefit carryforward. Additionally, the majority of the impairments recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024 were either not tax deductible or the tax benefit was offset by tax expense for a valuation allowance on the related deferred tax asset. See Note 6. Income Taxes in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q.
•Our income tax provision for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024 differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to U.S. statutory depletion, state income taxes, base erosion and anti-abuse tax, nondeductible executive compensation, foreign income, mining and withholding taxes and valuation allowance expense.

Operating Segment Performance

The following financial results represent consolidated financial information with respect to the operations of our Salt and Plant Nutrition segments. Sales primarily include revenue from the sales of our products, or “product sales,” and the impact of shipping and handling costs incurred to deliver our salt and plant nutrition products to our customers.

The results of operations of the Fortress business include sales of $0 and $14.6 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and no sales in fiscal 2025. The results of operations of the consolidated records management business and other incidental revenues include sales of $3.8 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $11.0 million and $10.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. These sales are not material to our consolidated financial results and are not included in the following operating segment financial data.

Salt Results

QTD 2025 QTD 2024
YTD 2025
YTD 2024
Salt Sales (in millions)
$ 166.0  $ 160.6  $ 840.9  $ 745.3 
Salt Operating Earnings (in millions)
$ 28.1  $ 25.9  $ 124.4  $ 142.6 
Salt Sales Volumes (thousands of tons)
Highway deicing 1,144  1,090  7,714  6,401 
Consumer and industrial 400  393  1,428  1,403 
Total tons sold 1,544  1,483  9,142  7,804 
Average Salt Sales Price (per ton)
Highway deicing $ 77.63  $ 77.20  $ 71.52  $ 73.60 
Consumer and industrial $ 193.26  $ 194.35  $ 202.60  $ 195.37 
Combined $ 107.54  $ 108.27  $ 91.99  $ 95.50 
Commentary: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Salt sales increased $5.4 million, or 3%, primarily due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower average sales prices for our consumer and industrial products.
•Salt sales volumes increased 4% in total, or 61,000 tons, which increased sales by approximately $5.3 million. Highway deicing sales volumes increased 5%, reflecting an increase in sales volumes to highway and liquid magnesium chloride customers. Consumer and industrial sales volumes increased 2%, primarily due to higher non-deicing volumes.
•Combined average sales prices decreased 1%, partially offsetting the volume increase by approximately $0.1 million driven by a decrease in consumer and industrial product average sales prices.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
•Highway deicing average sales price increased 1% reflecting product sales mix. Consumer and industrial average sales price decreased 1% reflecting non-deicing product sales.
•Salt operating earnings increased $2.2 million, as higher sales volumes, lower per-unit production costs and lower per-unit distribution costs were offset by lower average sales prices.

Commentary: Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Salt sales increased $95.6 million, or 13%, primarily due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower combined average sales prices.
•Salt sales volumes increased 17%, increasing sales by approximately $101.3 million. Highway deicing sales volumes increased 21% reflecting more winter weather events in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of the prior year. Consumer and industrial sales volumes increased 2% primarily due to higher consumer deicing volumes.
•Combined average sales prices decreased 4%, partially offsetting the volume increase by approximately $5.7 million driven by a decrease in highway average sales prices.
•Highway deicing average sales prices decreased 3% across all product categories. Consumer and industrial average sales prices increased 4% due to price increases taken to offset inflation realized in prior years. The lower average sales prices are also reflective of sales mix.
•Salt operating earnings decreased $18.2 million, due primarily to lower combined average sales prices and higher per-unit product costs, partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower per-unit distribution costs.

Plant Nutrition Results

QTD 2025 QTD 2024
YTD 2025
YTD 2024
Plant Nutrition Sales (in millions)
$ 44.8  $ 38.8  $ 164.5  $ 138.6 
Plant Nutrition Operating Earnings (Loss) (in millions)
$ 5.2  $ (1.4) $ 0.3  $ (56.7)
Plant Nutrition Sales Volumes (thousands of tons)
68  56  263  205 
Plant Nutrition Average Sales Price (per ton)
$ 659  $ 691  $ 625  $ 676 
Commentary: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Plant Nutrition sales increased 15%, or $6.0 million, due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower average sales prices.
•Plant Nutrition sales volumes increased 21% year over year driven by more consistent production which has allowed for increased sales. The higher sales volumes increased sales by approximately $8.2 million.
•Plant Nutrition average sales prices decreased 5%, which contributed approximately $2.2 million to the decrease in sales. Global supply and demand dynamics for fertilizer products resulted in weakening average sales prices versus the comparable prior year period.
•Plant Nutrition operating earnings increased $6.6 million to $5.2 million from an operating loss in the prior-year period of $1.4 million. Plant Nutrition operating earnings were impacted by higher sales volumes and lower per-unit product cost, partially offset by lower average sales prices and higher per-unit distribution costs.

Commentary: Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2024
•Plant Nutrition sales increased 19%, or $25.9 million, due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by lower average sales prices.
•Plant Nutrition sales volumes increased 28%, or 58,000 tons, which resulted in a $39.3 million increase in sales driven by more consistent production which allowed for increased sales.
•Plant Nutrition average sales prices decreased 8%, partially offsetting the increase in sales volume by $13.4 million. Average sales prices decreased due to supply conditions of potassium-based fertilizers globally.
•Plant Nutrition operating loss decreased $57.0 million to operating earnings of $0.3 million, primarily reflecting the 2024 write-off of goodwill, lower average sales prices, higher per-unit distribution costs and higher per-unit product costs, partially offset by higher sales volumes.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Outlook

•We expect Salt segment sales volumes and adjusted EBITDA to range from 10.7 million to 11.0 million tons and $220 million to $229 million, respectively, in fiscal year 2025.
•Approximately 70% of the company's North American highway deicing bidding process for the upcoming winter season has been completed. Based on regional bid results to date, we expect our average contract selling price for the coming season to be approximately 2% to 4% higher than prices in fiscal 2025. Committed bid volumes are expected to be up approximately 3% to 5% compared to fiscal 2025, which is consistent with expectations following a stronger North American highway deicing season compared to recent history.
•Plant Nutrition segment sales volumes are expected to improve to a range of 320,000 to 325,000 tons in fiscal year 2025. Positive production trends in 2025 have allowed us to pursue business beyond normally serviced markets, leading to incremental sales. For fiscal year 2025, we are expecting adjusted EBITDA in a range of $24 million to $27 million.
•Fiscal year 2025 capital expenditures are expected to be in the $75 million to $85 million range.

Adjusted EBITDA
 
Management uses a variety of measures to evaluate our performance. While our consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, provide an understanding of our overall results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, we analyze components of the consolidated financial statements to identify certain trends and evaluate specific performance areas. In addition to using U.S. GAAP financial measures, such as gross profit, net earnings and cash flows generated by operating activities, management uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) adjusted for items management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used to evaluate the operating performance of our core business operations because our resource allocation, financing methods, cost of capital and income tax positions are managed at a corporate level, apart from the activities of the operating segments, and our operating facilities are located in different taxing jurisdictions, which can cause considerable variation in net earnings. We also use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our operating performance and return on capital against other companies, and to evaluate potential acquisitions or other capital projects. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not calculated under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows or other financial data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as a measure of our overall profitability or liquidity.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization, each of which are an essential element of our cost structure and cannot be eliminated. Furthermore, Adjusted EBITDA excludes other cash and non-cash items, including stock-based compensation, interest income, (gain) loss on foreign exchange, other (income) expense, net and other significant items that management does not consider indicative of normal operations. Other significant items, such as executive transition costs, restructuring charges and impairment charges involve distinct initiatives that are not reflective of core operating activities and affect the comparability of our operational results across reporting periods. Our borrowings are a significant component of our capital structure and interest expense is a continuing cost of debt. We are also required to pay income taxes, a required and ongoing consequence of our operations. We have a significant investment in capital assets and depreciation and amortization reflect the utilization of those assets in order to generate revenues. Our employees are vital to our operations and we utilize various stock-based awards to compensate and incentivize our employees. Consequently, any measure that excludes these elements has material limitations. While EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used as measures of operating performance, these terms are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased 25.0%, or $8.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in gross profit and a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 18%, or $33.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to a reduction in gross profit and a reduction in gain related to the Fortress contingent consideration of $15.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as used by management is set forth in the table below (in millions):
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  2025 2024 2025 2024
Net loss
$ (17.0) $ (43.6) $ (72.6) $ (157.8)
Interest expense 16.3  17.2  51.2  50.4 
Income tax expense
3.4  32.7  22.9  20.4 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 23.2  26.1  76.5  78.4 
EBITDA 25.9  32.4  78.0  (8.6)
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Stock-based compensation - non-cash 0.6  (0.7) 7.3  6.3 
Interest income (0.3) (0.2) (0.9) (0.8)
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange
8.4  (0.5) 3.1  (1.1)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
7.6  —  7.6  — 
Product recall costs(a)
0.3  —  2.1  — 
Restructuring charges(b)
0.3  1.5  4.3  17.2 
Loss on impairments, net(c)
0.7  —  53.7  175.8 
Other (income) expense, net
(2.5) 0.3  2.0  1.9 
Adjusted EBITDA $ 41.0  $ 32.8  $ 157.2  $ 190.7 
(a)We recorded costs related to a recall of food-grade salt produced at our Goderich plant. Refer to Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for additional details.
(b)We incurred severance and related charges due to reductions in workforce and changes to executive leadership and additional restructuring costs related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025. We also incurred severance and related charges for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, related to reductions in workforce and changes to executive leadership and additional restructuring costs related to the termination of our lithium development project.
(c)For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded impairments of property, plant, and equipment during the three months ended June 30, 2025 and intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, both related to the exit of the Fortress fire retardant business. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded impairments of long-lived assets related to the termination of the lithium development project; Fortress goodwill, intangible assets and inventory; and Plant Nutrition goodwill.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Historically, our cash flows from operating activities have generally been adequate to fund our basic operating requirements, ongoing debt service and sustaining investment in our property, plant and equipment. We have also used cash generated from operations to fund capital expenditures, pay dividends, fund smaller acquisitions and repay our debt. To a certain extent, our ability to meet our short- and long-term liquidity and capital needs is subject to general economic, financial, competitive and weather conditions, effects of climate change, geological variations in our mine deposits and other factors that are beyond our control. Historically, our working capital requirements have been the highest in the first fiscal quarter (ending December 31) and lowest in the third fiscal quarter (ending June 30). When needed, we may fund short-term working capital requirements by accessing our $325 million revolving credit facility and our revolving AR Securitization Facility with a capacity, which is subject to certain conditions, of up to $100.0 million. As of June 30, 2025, we had liquidity of approximately $388.7 million, comprised of $79.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $309.3 million of availability under our $325 million revolving credit facility.

We have been able to manage our cash flows generated and used across Compass Minerals to indefinitely reinvest earnings in our foreign jurisdictions or efficiently repatriate those funds to the U.S. As of June 30, 2025, we had $29.6 million of cash and cash equivalents that was either held directly or indirectly by foreign subsidiaries. In fiscal 2024, we did not repatriate any unremitted foreign earnings. During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, we revised our permanently reinvested assertion. We are expecting to repatriate approximately $11 million of unremitted foreign earnings from our U.K. operations on which there was no income tax impact as of June 30, 2025. It is our current intention to continue to reinvest the remaining undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries indefinitely. We review our tax circumstances on a regular basis with the intent of optimizing cash accessibility and minimizing tax expense.

In addition, the amount of permanently reinvested earnings is influenced by, among other things, the profits generated by our foreign subsidiaries and the amount of investment in those same subsidiaries. The profits generated by our U.S. and foreign subsidiaries are impacted by the transfer price charged on the transfer of our products between them. Canadian provincial taxing authorities continue to challenge our transfer prices of certain items.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The final resolution of these challenges may not occur for several years. We currently expect the outcome of these matters will not have a material impact on our results of operations. However, it is possible the resolution could materially impact the amount of earnings attributable to our foreign subsidiaries, which could impact the amount of permanently reinvested foreign earnings. See Note 6. Income Taxes in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, for a discussion regarding our Canadian tax reassessments.

Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred in the U.S. over the three-year period ended June 30, 2025. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as our projections for future income. On the basis of this evaluation, during the nine months ended June 30, 2025, an additional valuation allowance of $29.0 million has been recorded to recognize only the portion of the U.S. deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are increased or reduced or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for income.

Indebtedness

As of June 30, 2025, we had $839.7 million of outstanding indebtedness, consisting of $650.0 million outstanding under our 8.00% Senior Notes due 2030, $150.0 million outstanding under our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2027, $0 of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured credit facilities under the Credit Agreement (term loans and our revolving credit facility), and $39.7 million of outstanding loans under the accounts receivable financing facility (“AR Securitization Facility”) (see Note 7. Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for more detail regarding our debt). Outstanding letters of credit totaling $15.7 million as of June 30, 2025 further reduced available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility to $309.3 million.

We may borrow amounts under the revolving credit facility or enter into additional financing to fund our working capital requirements, potential acquisitions and capital expenditures, and for other general corporate purposes.

Our ability to make scheduled interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, to modify our indebtedness, to fund planned capital expenditures, and to fund acquisitions will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, climate-related, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings under our revolving credit facility, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months.

Our debt service obligations could, under certain circumstances, materially affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations. As a holding company, CMI’s investments in its operating subsidiaries constitute substantially all of its assets. Consequently, our subsidiaries conduct substantially all of our consolidated operating activities and own substantially all of our operating assets. The principal source of the cash needed to pay our obligations is the cash generated from our subsidiaries’ operations and their borrowings. Furthermore, we must remain in compliance with the terms of the 2023 Credit Agreement governing our credit facilities, including the consolidated total net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio, in order to pay dividends to our stockholders. We must also comply with the terms of our indentures governing our 6.75% Senior Notes due December 2027 and our 8.00% Senior Notes due June 2030, which limit the amount of dividends we can pay to our stockholders.

On June 16, 2025, we issued $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.00% Senior Notes due 2030 in a private offering, pursuant to an indenture, dated June 16, 2025 (the “2030 Notes”), among us, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The 2030 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, with interest payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1, commencing January 1, 2026. The Notes are guaranteed by certain of our domestic subsidiaries. The 2030 Notes will mature on June 16, 2030. We incurred $13.3 million in deferred financing costs, including arrangement, legal and other fees, and will be amortized to interest expense method over the 5-year term of the 2030 Notes.

We used the net proceeds from the 2030 Notes to (i) repay all outstanding amounts under its senior secured credit facility, including $43.5 million under the revolving credit facility and $191.3 million under the term loan, (ii) redeem approximately $350.0 million of its outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) at a redemption price of 101.125% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, (iii) pay transaction-related fees and expenses, (iv) increase cash on its balance sheet, and (v) for general corporate purposes. The redemption, completed on June 17, 2025, resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $5.7 million, included in Loss on extinguishment of debt in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The loss was comprised of a $3.9 million prepayment premium and a $1.8 million write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs. Following the redemption, $150.0 million of the 2027 Notes remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1, with unamortized deferred financing costs of $0.8 million as of June 30, 2025.

On June 16, 2025, we entered into the fifth amendment to its 2023 Credit Agreement, originally dated April 20, 2016, as amended (the “Amended and Restated 2023 Credit Agreement”). The amendment, among other things, (i) fixed the aggregate revolving commitments at $325.0 million, eliminating the automatic periodic step-downs previously included in the December 12, 2024, amendment to the 2023 Credit Agreement, which had scheduled reductions to $250.0 million by July 1, 2026, (ii) permitted the issuance of the 2030 Notes, with net proceeds used to prepay all outstanding loans under the Existing Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including $43.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $191.3 million outstanding under the term loan, plus accrued and unpaid interest, (iii) permitted the Company to utilize certain baskets under covenants restricting the incurrence of indebtedness, liens, investments, dividends, and junior debt prepayments, and (iv) modified the financial maintenance covenants, which are tested on a quarterly basis, as follows: (A) replace the current leverage-based covenant, which required compliance with a maximum ratio of consolidated total net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 6.50x (with a step-down to 5.75x on December 31, 2025, and a further step-down to 4.75x on March 31, 2026) with a leverage-based covenant which requires compliance with a maximum ratio of consolidated first lien net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 2.75x (with a step-down to 2.50x on December 31, 2025) and (B) lower the required minimum ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense from 2.00x (with a step-up to 2.25x on March 31, 2026) to 1.50x. In connection with the prepayment of the term loan, we recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.9 million, included in Loss on extinguishment of debt on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, related to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.

On December 12, 2024, we entered into the fourth amendment to our 2023 Credit Agreement, which, among other things, eased the restrictions of certain covenants contained in the agreement. The amendment included increasing the maximum allowed consolidated total net leverage ratio (as defined and calculated under the terms of the amended 2023 Credit Agreement) to 6.5x as of the last day of any quarter through the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2025, then gradually stepping down to 4.50x for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2026 and thereafter. The amendment also decreased the Revolving Commitments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) from $375 million to $325 million with additional reductions stepping down to $250 million on July 1, 2026.

As of June 30, 2025, we were in compliance with our debt covenants.

Capital Allocation

Principally due to the nature of our deicing business, our cash flows from operations have historically been seasonal, with the majority of our cash flows from operations generated during the first half of the calendar year. When we have not been able to meet our short-term liquidity or capital needs with cash from operations, whether as a result of the seasonality of our business or other causes, we have met those needs with borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We expect to meet the ongoing requirements for debt service, any declared dividends and capital expenditures from these sources. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

We manage our capital allocation considering our long-term strategic objectives, required spending to sustain our business and focus on generating adequate returns on capital. On April 22, 2024, our Board of Directors determined not to declare dividends for the foreseeable future in order to align our capital allocation policy with our corporate focus on accelerating cash flow generation and debt reduction. While our equipment and facilities are generally not impacted by rapid technology changes, our operations require refurbishments and replacements to maintain structural integrity and reliable production and shipping capabilities. When possible, we incorporate efficiency, environmental and safety improvement capabilities into our routine capital projects and we plan the timing of larger projects to balance with our liquidity and capital resources. Changes in our operating cash flows may affect our future capital allocation and spending.

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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The table below provides a summary of our cash flows by category:
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities were $204.6 million
Net cash provided by operating activities were $27.1 million
» Net loss was $72.6 million.
» Net loss was $157.8 million.
» Non-cash depreciation and amortization expense was $76.5 million.
» Non-cash depreciation and amortization expense was $78.4 million.
» Non-cash stock-based compensation expense was $7.3 million.
» Non-cash stock-based compensation expense was $6.3 million.
» Non-cash loss on impairments, net, was $53.7 million.
» Non-cash loss on impairments, net, was $173.4 million.
» Non-cash gain from remeasurement of contingent consideration was $7.9 million.
» Non-cash gain from remeasurement of contingent consideration was $23.1 million.
» Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt was $7.6 million.
» Working capital items were a use of operating cash flows of $55.3 million.
» Working capital items were a source of operating cash flows of $137.1 million.
Investing Activities:
Net cash flows used in investing activities were $34.7 million.
Net cash flows used in investing activities were $95.0 million.
» Net cash flows used in investing activities included $53.8 million of capital expenditures.
» Net cash flows used in investing activities included $93.3 million of capital expenditures.
» Included net proceeds from the sale of Fortress of $19.6 million.
Financing Activities:
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $111.5 million.
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $42.2 million.
» Included repayments, net of borrowings, on our revolving credit facility of $190.1 million. » Included borrowings, net of repayments, on our revolving credit facility of $70.4 million.
» Included repayments, net of borrowing, on our long-term debt of $1.7 million. » Included repayments, net of borrowing, on our long-term debt of $0.9 million.
» Included principal payments to pay down the term loan of $191.3 million.
» Included the payment of dividends of $12.7 million.
» Included proceeds from the issuance of 2030 Notes of $650.0 million.
» Included the payment of contingent consideration of $9.1 million.
» Included the repurchase of 2027 Notes of $350.0 million and a premium paid related to the repurchase of $3.9 million.
» Included the payment of deferred financing costs of $15.5 million.

As mentioned above, our Salt segment’s business is seasonal and our Salt segment results and working capital needs are heavily impacted by the severity and timing of the winter weather, which generally occurs from December through March of each year. Customers tend to replenish their inventory prior to the start of the winter season and following snow events; consequently, the number and timing of snow events during the winter season will impact the amount of our accounts receivable and inventory at the end of each quarter. Our operating cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2025, reflect the seasonal decrease in inventory due to the end of the winter season. During the nine months ended June 30, 2024, we paid liabilities accrued as of September 30, 2023, including the remaining $10 million settlement payment to the SEC, accrued incentive compensation and other liabilities. Additionally, at the end of Fortress’ contract term with the USFS, we recognized revenue previously deferred in accrued liabilities and decreased our contingent consideration liability.

Product Recall

On October 25, 2024, we issued a recall for specific production lots of food-grade salt produced at our Goderich Plant following a customer report of a non-organic, foreign material in its product. We subsequently expanded the voluntary recall to include food products from the Goderich Plant between September 18 and November 6, 2024. The products recalled included both products sold prior and subsequent to September 30, 2024.
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COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
We followed recall protocol and notified our BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety certifying body, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). We worked with the CFIA to obtain and assess the reported foreign material, complete the necessary investigation, and determine the next steps. The recall in the United States, supervised by the FDA, is complete and the matter is closed with FDA. Refer to Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for additional details.

We continue to assess the scope and magnitude of additional customer claims. At this time, based on currently available information and our applicable insurance coverage, we do not believe any incremental losses will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in future periods.

Other Matters

See Note 6. Income Taxes and Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for a discussion regarding labor, environmental and litigation matters.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements    
 
See Note 1. Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Effects of Currency Fluctuations and Inflation
 
Our operations outside of the U.S. are conducted primarily in Canada and the U.K. Therefore, our results of operations are subject to both currency transaction risk and currency translation risk. We incur currency transaction risk whenever we or one of our subsidiaries enters into either a purchase or sales transaction using a currency other than the local currency of the transacting entity. With respect to currency translation risk, our financial condition and results of operations are measured and recorded in the relevant local currency and then translated into U.S. dollars for inclusion in our historical consolidated financial statements. Exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar have fluctuated significantly from time to time and may do so in the future. The majority of revenues and costs are denominated in U.S. dollars, with Canadian dollars and British pounds sterling also being significant. Significant changes in the value of the Canadian dollar or British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to meet interest and principal payments on U.S. dollar-denominated debt, including borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities.

Although inflation has not had a significant impact on our operations in the current period, our efforts to recover inflation-based cost increases from our customers may be hampered as a result of the structure of our contracts and the contract bidding process as well as the competitive industries, economic conditions and countries in which we operate. For more information, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2024 Form 10-K.

Seasonality

We experience a substantial amount of seasonality in our sales, including our salt deicing product sales. Consequently, our Salt segment sales and operating income are generally higher in the first and second fiscal quarters (ending December 31 and March 31) and lower during the third and fourth fiscal quarters of each year (ending June 30 and September 30). In particular, sales of highway and consumer deicing salt and magnesium chloride products vary based on the severity of the winter conditions in areas where the product is used. Following industry practice in North America and the U.K., we seek to stockpile sufficient quantities of deicing salt throughout the first, third and fourth fiscal quarters (ending December 31, June 30 and September 30) to meet the estimated requirements for the winter season. Our plant Nutrition business is also seasonal. As a result, we and our customers generally build inventories during the plant Nutrition business’ low demand periods of the year (which are typically winter and summer, but can vary due to weather and other factors) to ensure timely product availability during the peak sales seasons (which are typically spring and autumn, but can also vary due to weather and other factors).

Climate Change

The potential impact of climate change on our operations, product demand and the needs of our customers remains uncertain. Significant changes to weather patterns, a reduction in average snowfall or regional drought within our served markets or at our Ogden facility could negatively impact customer demand for our products and our costs, as well as our ability to produce our products. For example, prolonged periods of mild winter weather could reduce the demand for our deicing products. Drought or excessive precipitation could similarly impact demand for our SOP products, as well as continue to impact the amount and quality of feedstock used to produce SOP at our Ogden facility due to changes in brine levels, mineral concentrations or other factors, which could have a material impact on our Plant Nutrition results of operations.
37

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Climate change could also lead to disruptions in the production or distribution of our products due to major storm events or prolonged adverse conditions, changing temperature levels, lake level fluctuations or flooding from sea level changes. Climate change or governmental initiatives to address climate change may affect our operations and necessitate capital expenditures in the future, although capital expenditures for climate-related projects are not expected to be material in fiscal 2025. For more information, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Part I, Item 1 “Business—Environmental, Health and Safety and Other Regulatory Matters” in our 2024 Form 10-K.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our business is subject to various types of market risks that include interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity pricing risk. Management has taken actions to mitigate our exposure to commodity pricing and foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into natural gas derivative instruments and foreign currency contracts. We may take further actions to mitigate our exposure to interest rates, exchange rates and changes in the cost of fuel consumed at our production locations or the cost of transporting our products due to variations in our contracted carriers’ cost of fuel, which is typically diesel fuel. However, there can be no assurance that our hedging activities will eliminate or substantially reduce these risks. We do not enter into any financial instrument arrangements for speculative purposes. Our market risk exposure related to these items has not changed materially since September 30, 2024.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as amended (the Exchange Act) under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as a result of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as described below, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of September 30, 2024.

Per Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), the term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud due to inherent limitations of internal controls. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

In light of the material weaknesses described below, management performed additional analysis and other procedures to ensure that our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Accordingly, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

A material weakness, as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, is a deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
38

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, we previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The Company, due to a limited allocation of trained, knowledgeable resources, did not conduct an effective risk assessment process to identify and evaluate at a sufficient level of detail all relevant risks of material misstatement, including fraud risks associated with the necessary approval of transactions. Additionally, the Company did not have an effective information and communication process that identified and assessed the source of and controls necessary to ensure the reliability of information used in financial reporting and that ensured complete, reliable information was made available to financial reporting personnel on a timely basis to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. As a consequence of the material weaknesses described above, internal control deficiencies related to the design and operation of process-level controls were determined to be ineffective throughout the Company’s financial reporting processes.

Remediation Efforts and Status of Material Weakness

We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the material weaknesses that have been identified including the following:

•We are enhancing our risk assessment process to ensure it is sufficiently robust to identify and analyze all relevant risks of material misstatements, including the impact of significant changes in the business on the identification of risks and the internal control structure.

•We have hired additional accounting professionals who possess the requisite technical accounting and internal control over financial reporting knowledge.

•We are educating and training control owners regarding internal control processes to mitigate identified risks and to fulfill internal control over financial reporting responsibilities.

•We are implementing a policy and internal controls to ensure that all manual journal entries are properly approved, specifically we are redesigning and implementing process level control activities over manual journal entries.

•We are redesigning and implementing a balance sheet account reconciliation policy, including an approval process and additional process level controls, that includes the appropriate level of precision around aging, thresholds, support and documentation.

•We are establishing monitoring and oversight controls to identify non-recurring, complex transactions and designing and implementing process level controls to ensure the accuracy and completeness of our financial statements and related disclosures.

•We are redesigning our corporate organization structure to ensure effective information and communication across the organization and to support financial reporting processes and internal controls.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the remediation efforts noted above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
39

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
 
We are involved in the legal proceedings described in Note 6. Income Taxes and Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q and, from time to time, various routine legal proceedings and claims arising from the ordinary course of our business. These primarily involve tax assessments, disputes with former employees and contract labor, commercial claims, product liability claims, personal injury claims and workers’ compensation claims. Management cannot predict the outcome of legal proceedings and claims with certainty. Nevertheless, management believes that the outcome of legal proceedings and claims, which are pending or known to be threatened, even if determined adversely, will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, except as otherwise described in Note 6. Income Taxes and Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q. There have been no material developments since September 30, 2024 with respect to our legal proceedings, except as described in Note 6. Income Taxes and Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

For a discussion of the risk factors applicable to Compass Minerals, please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended September 30, 2024.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(a)None.

(b)None.

(c)None.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Item 5.    Other Information

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K.
 
40

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Item 6.    Exhibits

Exhibit
No.
Exhibit Description
19
101**
The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and (vii) document and entity information tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
104**
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*    Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.
**    Submitted electronically with this Report.
41

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
  COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
   
Date: August 11, 2025 By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
  Peter Fjellman
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)
42
EX-4.1 2 cmp-q32025xex41indentureda.htm EX-4.1 Document
Exhibit 4.1
Executed Version


COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Issuer
and
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

8.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030

INDENTURE
DATED AS OF JUNE 16, 2025

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Trustee




TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.1 Definitions
Section 1.2 Other Definitions
Section 1.3 [Reserved]
Section 1.4 Rules of Construction
Section 1.5 Limited Condition Transactions
Section 1.6 Acts of Holders
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
Section 2.1 Form and Dating
Section 2.2 Execution and Authentication
Section 2.3 Registrar; Paying Agent
Section 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
Section 2.5 Holder Lists
Section 2.6 Transfer and Exchange
Section 2.7 Replacement Notes
Section 2.8 Outstanding Notes
Section 2.9 Treasury Notes
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes
Section 2.11 Cancellation
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest
Section 2.13 [Reserved]
Section 2.14 Computation of Interest
Section 2.15 CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code Numbers
Section 2.16 Issuance of Additional Notes
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.1 Notices to Trustee
Section 3.2 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption
Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption
Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price
Section 3.6 Notes Redeemed in Part
Section 3.7 Optional Redemption
Section 3.8 Mandatory Redemption
Section 3.9 Offer to Purchase
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.1 Payment of Notes
Section 4.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency
Section 4.3 Provision of Financial Information
-i-



Section 4.4 Compliance Certificate
Section 4.5 Taxes
Section 4.6 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
Section 4.7 Limitation on Restricted Payments
Section 4.8 Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
Section 4.9 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt
Section 4.10 Limitation on Asset Sales
Section 4.11 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates
Section 4.12 Limitation on Liens
Section 4.13 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
Section 4.14 Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control
Section 4.15 Corporate Existence
Section 4.16 [Reserved]
Section 4.17 Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Section 4.18 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Books and Records
Section 4.19 Covenant Suspension
Section 4.20 Note Guarantee
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.1 Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
Section 5.2 Successor Person Substituted
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.1 Events of Default
Section 6.2 Acceleration
Section 6.3 Other Remedies
Section 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults
Section 6.5 Control by Majority
Section 6.6 Limitation on Suits
Section 6.7 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment
Section 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee
Section 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
Section 6.10 Priorities
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee
Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee
Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee
Section 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer
Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults
Section 7.6 [Reserved]
Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity
Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee
-ii-



Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification
Section 7.11 [Reserved]
Section 7.12 Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Issuer
Section 7.13 Calculations in Respect of Securities
ARTICLE VIII
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.1 Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
Section 8.2 Defeasance and Discharge
Section 8.3 Covenant Defeasance
Section 8.4 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
Section 8.5 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 8.6 Repayment to Issuer
Section 8.7 Reinstatement
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders of the Notes
Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders of Notes
Section 9.3 [Reserved]
Section 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents
Section 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes
Section 9.6 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc
ARTICLE X
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.1 Note Guarantees
Section 10.2 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee
Section 10.3 Severability
Section 10.4 Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability
Section 10.5 [Reserved.]
Section 10.6 Releases Following Sale of Assets
Section 10.7 Release of a Guarantor
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.1 Satisfaction and Discharge
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.1 [Reserved]
Section 12.2 Notices
Section 12.3 [Reserved]
Section 12.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
Section 12.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
Section 12.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents
-iii-



Section 12.7 Legal Holidays; Non-Business Days
Section 12.8 No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Partners, Officers or Directors
Section 12.9 Governing Law, Waiver of Jury Trial
Section 12.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
Section 12.11 Successors
Section 12.12 Severability
Section 12.13 Counterpart Originals
Section 12.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc
Section 12.15 U.S.A
-iv-



EXHIBITS
Exhibit A    FORM OF 8.000% SENIOR NOTE
Exhibit B     FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C     FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D     FORM OF NOTATIONAL GUARANTEE

-v-



Exhibit E FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS INDENTURE (this “Indenture”), dated as of June 16, 2025, is by and between Compass Minerals International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or the “Issuer”), the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a national banking institution organized under the laws of the United States, not in its individual capacity but solely in its representative capacity as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of (i) $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Initial Notes”) issued on the date hereof and (ii) any additional Notes (as defined herein) that may be issued on any other Issue Date (as defined herein) (the “Additional Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, all necessary acts and things have been done to make (i) the Notes, when duly issued and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and (ii) this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company in accordance with the terms hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Company has received good and valuable consideration for the execution and delivery of this Indenture, and the Company will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the issuance of the Notes.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the benefit of each other and the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:
ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.1    Definitions.
“2027 Notes” means the $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2027 issued by the Company pursuant to the indenture, dated as of November 26, 2019, by and between the Company, the guarantors named therein and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association), as trustee.
“Acquired Debt” means Debt (i) of a Person (including an Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.
“Additional Assets” means:
(i) any property or assets (other than Capital Interests) used or to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a Similar Business (it being understood that capital expenditures on property or assets already used in a Similar Business or to replace any property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale shall be deemed an investment in Additional Assets); (ii) the Capital Interests of a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Interests by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

1


(iii) Capital Interests constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Additional Guarantor” has the meaning set forth Section 10.2 of this Indenture.
“Additional Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Indenture, as issued pursuant to Article II hereof and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings that correspond to the foregoing.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Note Custodian, Paying Agent (so long as Trustee serves in such capacity) or co-registrar.
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any date of redemption, the greater of (x) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (y) the excess of (i) the present value at such redemption date of (a) the redemption price of such Note at July 1, 2027 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.7(ii)) plus (b) all required interest payments due on the Note through July 1, 2027 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer or transaction involving a Global Note or beneficial interests therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Note, Euroclear and Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable to such payment, tender, redemption, transfer or transaction and as in effect from time to time.
“Asset Acquisition” means:
(i) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(ii) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices.
“Asset Sale” means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, a Delaware LLC Division or dispositions pursuant to any consolidation or merger) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person (including to the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in any single transaction or series of transactions of:
(i) Capital Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals pursuant to local law); or (ii) any other property or assets (other than in the normal course of business, including any sale or other disposition of assets that are obsolete, worn out or no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or permanently retired equipment);

2


provided, however, that the term “Asset Sale” shall exclude:
(a) any asset disposition permitted by Section 5.1 that constitutes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(b) any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of property or assets, the gross proceeds of which (exclusive of indemnities) do not exceed in any one or related series of transactions the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets;
(c) sales or other dispositions of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents;
(d) sales of interests in or assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(e) the sale and leaseback of any assets within 90 days of the acquisition thereof;
(f) the disposition of assets that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, are no longer used or useful in the business of such entity;
(g) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;
(h) dispositions of assets (other than Capital Interests or all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) to the extent that (1) such assets are exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement assets or (2) the proceeds of such transfer are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(i) the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person to the extent that the Related Business Assets received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries are of equivalent or greater Fair Market Value than the Related Business Assets transferred;
(j) the creation of a Permitted Lien (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien);
(k) leases or subleases, licenses and sublicenses in the ordinary course of business to third Persons not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
(l) any disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;
(m) dispositions of overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business, without recourse and consistent with past practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of receivables);

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(n) the lapse, abandonment, cancellation or non-exclusive or licensing or sublicensing of immaterial intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business;
(o) transfers of inventory or goods held for sale in the ordinary course of business;
(p) an issuance of Capital Interests by a Subsidiary to the Company or to another Subsidiary;
(q) any transfer of accounts receivable, or a fractional undivided interest therein, by a Receivable Subsidiary in a Permitted Receivables Facility;
(r) any release of any intangible claims or rights in connection with a lawsuit, dispute or other controversy;
(s) sales of accounts receivable to a Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility for the fair value thereof; including cash or other financial accommodation, such as the provision of letters of credit by such Receivable Subsidiary on behalf of or for the benefit of the transferor of such accounts receivable (for the purposes of this clause (t), Purchase Money Notes will be deemed to be cash);
(t) foreclosures on assets to the extent they would not otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default;
(u) the surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(v) transfers of (1) condemned assets as a result of the exercise of “eminent domain” or other similar policies to the respective governmental authority or agency that has condemned the same (whether by deed in lieu of condemnation or otherwise), (2) leased real property or any water or similar rights to the respective governmental authority or agency in connection with a reversion of such real property or water or similar rights to such governmental authority or agency to the extent required by or otherwise agreed to with such governmental authority or agency, in each case, solely to the extent that the Company determines in good faith that such transfers would not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (3) transfers of properties that have been subject to a casualty to the respective insurer of such assets as part of an insurance settlement;
(w) dispositions of investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture agreements and similar binding agreements; provided that the requirements of the covenant described under Section 4.10, to the extent applicable, are complied with in connection therewith; or
(x) the unwinding, settlement or early termination of any Hedging Obligations or Swap Contract in accordance with its terms.

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For purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions that, if effected as a single transaction, would constitute an Asset Sale shall be deemed to be a single Asset Sale effected when the last such transaction which is a part thereof is effected.
“Asset Sale Offer” means an Offer to Purchase required to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 to all Holders.
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however that if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations”.
“Average Life” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including any sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment requirements) of such Debt multiplied by (b) the amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.
“Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.
“Board of Directors” means (i) with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, its board of directors or any duly authorized committee thereof; (ii) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of such corporation or any duly authorized committee thereof; and (iii) with respect to any other entity, the board of directors or similar body of the general partner or managers of such entity or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which the Trustee, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or place of payment is authorized or required by applicable law, regulation or executive order to close or be closed. Any days referenced within this document that are not defined as Business Days shall be calendar days.
“Canadian Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of Canada, any province thereof or any jurisdiction within Canada.
“Capital Interests” in any Person means any and all shares, interests (including Preferred Interests), participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person and any rights (other than Debt securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.

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“Capital Lease Obligations” means any obligation of a Person under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
“Capital Markets Debt” means any Debt consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar Debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act or (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such Debt securities to registration thereof with the Commission. The term “Capital Markets Debt” (i) shall not include the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Notes) and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be construed to include any Debt issued to institutional investors in a direct placement of such Debt that is not resold by an intermediary (it being understood that, without limiting the foregoing, a financing that is distributed to not more than ten Persons (provided that multiple managed accounts and Affiliates of any such Persons shall be treated as one Person for the purposes of this definition) shall be deemed not to be underwritten), or any Debt under the Credit Agreement, commercial bank or similar Debt, Capital Lease Obligations or recourse transfer of any financial asset or any other type of Debt Incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”
“Certificated Notes” means Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, other than the Global Notes.
“CFC” means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.
“CFC Holdco” means any Subsidiary that holds no material assets other than capital stock and/or indebtedness of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company that are CFCs or other CFC Holdcos.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:
(i) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), but excluding any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of such plan;
(ii) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), other than (a) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of such plan and (b) any one or more parents of the Company in which no “person” directly or indirectly, holds beneficial ownership of Voting Interests representing more than 50.0% of the aggregate voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Voting Interests of such parent, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the Voting Interests of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

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(iii) the Company consolidates with or merges with or into any Person, or sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Interests of the Company is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Interests of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Interests of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Interests of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not constitute a Change of Control under the foregoing clause (iii) so long as immediately following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (a) who beneficially owned the Capital Interests of the Company immediately prior to such transaction continue to beneficially own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Interests of the Company or other surviving Person, as the case may be, or (b) continue to beneficially own sufficient Voting Interests in the Company or other surviving Person, as the case may be, to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for the Company or other surviving Person, as the case may be, and in either case no “person” beneficially owns more than 50% of the Voting Interest of the Company or other surviving Person, as the case may be. Furthermore, (a) the transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not itself constitute a Change of Control and (b) a Person or group shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.
“Common Interests” of any Person means Capital Interests in such Person that do not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to Capital Interests of any other class in such Person.
“Company” or “Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor thereto.
“Compass Canada” means Compass Minerals Canada Corp., a corporation continued and amalgamated under the laws of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada and any successor thereto.
“Compass UK” means Compass Minerals UK Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales and any successor thereto.
“Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period:

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(i) increased, without duplication, by the following, in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;
(b) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, including (without limitation) amortization of deferred financing costs but excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period;
(c) consolidated income tax expense for such period;
(d) any costs or expense incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Interests), in each case after the Issue Date solely to the extent that such cash proceeds or net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (iii) of the first paragraph under Section 4.7;
(e) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves, retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), start-up or initial costs for any project or new production line, division or new line of business or other business optimization expenses or reserves, including (without limitation) costs or reserves associated with improvements to information technology and accounting functions, integration and facilities opening costs or any one-time costs, in each case incurred in connection with a Specified Transaction;
(f) any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring expenses, losses or charges;
(g) any other non-cash charges or adjustments, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (1) the Company may elect not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (2) to the extent the Company elects to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in such future period to such extent), and excluding any such non-cash charge or adjustment in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period and any such non-cash charge that results from the write-off or write-down of inventory; provided that, the foregoing exclusion with respect to inventory shall be limited to solely finished good inventory and any changes in valuation policy, impairment charges, write-off and write-down of spare parts inventory, in each case, will be permitted and not subject to the exclusion under this clause (g);
(h) any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment, permitted acquisition or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination;

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(i) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination, expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption;
(j) the amount of any equity-based or non-cash compensation charges or expenses, including any such charges or expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights;
(k) any unrealized losses in respect of Swap Contracts or any Hedging Obligations;
(l) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Existing Debt Repayments; and
(m) cost synergies and cost savings of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries related to operational changes, restructuring, reorganizations, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and similar restructuring initiatives (“Synergies”) and costs, charges, accruals, reserves or expenses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable or related to such Synergies (“Costs of Synergies”), in each case relating to any Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition, Investment, merger or consolidation or any similar transaction by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business or any initiatives relating to restructuring, reorganization, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and similar restructuring initiatives, in each case, that are set forth in an Officer’s Certificate and that are factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Company, as certified in the applicable certificate) and, in the case of Synergies, are reasonably anticipated by the Company in good faith to result from actions taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken within eighteen (18) months following the consummation of such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition, Investment, merger or consolidation or any similar transaction or the decision to implement such restructuring initiative (calculated on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” and net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions to the extent already included in consolidated net income for such period); and
(ii) decreased, without duplication, and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income:
(a) non-cash gains or adjustments (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in any prior period) and all other non-cash items of income for such period;
(b) all gains and income from investments recorded using the equity method; (c) all cash payments made during such period on account of accruals, reserves and other non-cash charges added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (i)(g) above;

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(d) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
(e) the amount of any expenses, charges or losses covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Investment, permitted acquisition or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (i)(h) above to the extent not indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of the date of determination by the Company that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement;
(f) the amount of any expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (i)(i) above to the extent not reimbursed within 365 days of the date of determination by the Company that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount would be reimbursed by the insurer; and
(g) any unrealized gains in respect of Swap Contracts or any Hedging Obligations for such period.
“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as one period, for which financial information in respect thereof is available immediately preceding the date of the transaction (the “Transaction Date”) giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the “Four Quarter Period”) to the aggregate amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period. In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” and “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall be calculated by the Company after giving effect (i) to the cost of any compensation, remuneration or other benefit paid or provided to any employee, consultant, Affiliate or equity owner of the entity involved in any Asset Acquisition to the extent such costs are eliminated or reduced (or public announcement has been made of the intent to eliminate or reduce such costs) prior to the date of such calculation and not replaced; and (ii) on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation, to any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset Acquisitions, Investments, mergers, consolidations, discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), any designations of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or any designations of any Reserved Indebtedness Amount occurring during the Four Quarter Period or any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the Incurrence or assumption of any such Acquired Debt), Investment, merger, consolidation, or designation occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made by the Company in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, except that such pro forma calculations may also include Synergies and Costs of Synergies calculated by the Company as set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.”
Furthermore, in calculating “Consolidated Fixed Charges” for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”:

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(i) interest on outstanding Debt determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Debt in effect on the Transaction Date; and
(ii) if interest on any Debt actually Incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four Quarter Period.
If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person, the above clause shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt.
“Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period of:
(i) Consolidated Interest Expense; and
(ii) the product of (a) all cash dividends and other distributions paid or accrued during such period in respect of Disqualified Capital Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than dividends paid in Qualified Capital Interests), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any period, the total consolidated interest expense (including interest attributable to Capital Lease Obligations in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (without duplication) (i) any cash interest or other cash financing costs accrued during such period in respect of Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP less interest income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period; provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense will exclude (a) the amortization or write-off of Debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees, commissions, fees and expenses, (b) any expensing of interim loan commitment and other financing fees and (c) non-cash interest on any convertible or exchangeable notes that exists by virtue of the bifurcation of the Debt and equity components of convertible or exchangeable notes and the application FSP APB 14-1 or any successor or similar provision, plus (ii) all cash dividends paid or payable during such period in respect of Disqualified Capital Interests issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such dividends shall be multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the effective combined tax rate of the Company (expressed as a decimal) for such period (as estimated by a responsible officer in good faith) and plus (iii) all discount, interest, yield, fees, premiums and other similar charges or costs in respect of all Permitted Receivables Facility (to the extent payable by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) for such period that are paid in cash. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall exclude one-time financing fees (including arrangement, amendment and contract fees), deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, costs in respect of Swap Contracts relating to interest rate protection, commissions, and expenses and, in each case, the amortization thereof.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall be excluded, without duplication:

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(i) all extraordinary gains or losses (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), income, expenses or charges;
(ii) the income (or loss) of any Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall be increased, to the extent of such Person’s net income, by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents (or to the extent subsequently converted into cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents during such period) to the Company or, subject to clause (iv) below, any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary by such Person in such period;
(iii) solely for purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of Section 4.7, the income (or loss) of any Person that is not the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall be increased, to the extent of such Person’s net income, by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents (or to the extent subsequently converted into cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents during such period) to the Company or, subject to clause (iv) below, any consolidated Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary by such Person in such period;
(iv) the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its organizational documents or any contractual obligation (other than under this Indenture) or laws applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary;
(v) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification or interpretation of accounting policies during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income;
(vi) any fees and expenses incurred during such period (including, without limitation, any premiums, make-whole or penalty payments), or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated on or prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each, case whether or not successful;
(vii) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the closing of any acquisition permitted hereunder (other than any such acquisition in the ordinary course of business) that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition, in each case in accordance with GAAP;
(viii) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses on disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations;
(ix) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions, discontinued operations or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Interests of any Person in each case other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the Company);

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(x) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities recorded using the equity method or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP;
(xi) any equity-based or other non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, profits interests or other rights or equity-based incentive programs;
(xii) the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the Company’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP (including in the inventory (including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy methods, including changes in capitalization of variances), property and equipment, software, goodwill, intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items thereof) resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to any consummated acquisition or joint venture investment or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of Taxes;
(xiii) any income (or loss) for such period attributable to the extinguishment, conversion, buy-back or cancellation of Debt, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments;
(xiv) any fees and expenses paid in connection with the issuance of the Notes;
(xv) any non-cash impairment charges or asset write-off or write-down resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 or Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards or Accounting Standards Codification;
(xvi) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards or Accounting Standards Codification;
(xvii) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Debt (including any net gain or loss resulting from obligations under Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any foreign currency translation gains or losses; and
(xviii) the income or loss of, and any amounts referred to in clause (ii) of this proviso paid to, any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Company to the extent such income or loss or such amounts are attributable to the noncontrolling interest in such consolidated Restricted Subsidiary.
“Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all Funded Debt secured by Liens on the assets or property of such specified Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries less unrestricted cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the Transaction Date giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio and (b) the Reserved Indebtedness Amount as of such date to be secured by Liens of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries to (ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of such Person for the Four Quarter Period.

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In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, this ratio shall be calculated by the Company after giving effect (i) to the cost of any compensation, remuneration or other benefit paid or provided to any employee, consultant, Affiliate or equity owner of the entity involved in any Asset Acquisition to the extent such costs are eliminated or reduced (or public announcement has been made of the intent to eliminate or reduce such costs) prior to the date of such calculation and not replaced; and (ii) on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation, to any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset Acquisitions, Investments, mergers, consolidations, discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) or designations of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary occurring during the Four Quarter Period or any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the Incurrence or assumption of any such Acquired Debt), Investment, merger, consolidation, or designation occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made by the Company in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, except that such pro forma calculations may also include Synergies and Costs of Synergies calculated by the Company as set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.”
“Consolidated Total Assets” of any Person as of any date means the total assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which an internal consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries is available, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is located at 1505 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108, Attn: CCT Administrator for Compass Minerals International, Inc, and which address may be updated as the Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee.
“Costs of Synergies” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.”
“Credit Agreement” means the Company’s credit agreement, entered into as of April 20, 2016 (as amended and restated as of November 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 as of June 29, 2021, by Amendment No. 2 as of June 13, 2022 and by Amendment No. 3 as of November 16, 2022, as amended and restated as of May 5, 2023 and as amended by Amendment No. 4 dated as of December 12, 2024) by and among the Company as the US borrower, Compass Mineral Canada Corp., as the Canadian borrower, Compass Minerals UK Limited as the UK borrower, several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent for the lenders and as collateral agent for the secured parties, with respect to the revolving credit facility, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, refinancings or replacements thereof and any one or more indentures, agreements, credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, supplement or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture or agreement that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.9) or adds the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or holders.

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“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, including the Credit Agreement, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities, agreements or indentures), providing for revolving credit loans, asset-based loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith.
“Debt” means at any time (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person, or non-recourse, the following:
(i) all indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed or for the deferred purchase price of property, excluding any trade payables or other current liabilities Incurred in the normal course of business;
(ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments;
(iii) all reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit (other than letters of credit that are secured by cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents), bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities (excluding obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued in respect of trade payables) issued for the account of such Person; provided that such obligations shall not constitute Debt except to the extent drawn and not repaid within five Business Days;
(iv) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property or assets acquired by such Person;
(v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(vi) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Disqualified Capital Interests in such Person at the time of determination;
(vii) any Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations of such Person at the time of determination;
(viii) Attributable Debt with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to which such Person is a party; and
(ix) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, (a) such Person has Guaranteed or (b) is secured by (or the holder of such Debt or the recipient of such dividends or other distributions has an existing right, whether contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon the property or other assets of such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt.

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For purposes of the foregoing: (i) the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Capital Interests that do not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Interests as if such Disqualified Capital Interests were repurchased on any date on which Debt shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that, if such Disqualified Capital Interests are not then permitted to be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Disqualified Capital Interests; (ii) the amount outstanding at any time of any Debt issued with original issue discount shall be the principal amount of such Debt less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Debt at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such Debt shall be deemed Incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof; (iii) the amount of any Debt described in clause (vii) above is the net amount payable (after giving effect to permitted set off) if such Swap Contracts or Hedging Obligations are terminated at that time due to default of such Person; (iv) the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix)(a) above shall be the maximum liability under any such Guarantee; (v) the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix) (b) above shall be the lesser of (a) the maximum amount of the obligations so secured and (b) the Fair Market Value of such property or other assets; and (vi) interest, fees, premium, and expenses and additional payments, if any, will not constitute Debt. For purposes of determining any particular amount of Debt, Guarantees, Liens, obligations with respect to letters of credit and other obligations supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount will not be included.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Debt” will exclude (i) any endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any realization of a Permitted Lien, (iii) Debt that has been defeased or satisfied in accordance with the terms of the documents governing such Debt, (iv) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, (a) customary indemnification obligations and (b) post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment is otherwise contingent; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter, and (v) all liabilities related to operating leases, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 842 (or any successor provision).
The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, only upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligations, of any contingent obligations at such date. If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person, the amount of Debt of such Person shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt.
“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Note” means a Certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.6(iii) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Delaware LLC” means any limited liability company organized or formed under the laws of the State of Delaware.
“Delaware LLC Division” means the statutory division of any Delaware LLC into two or more Delaware LLCs pursuant to Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.3 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof, and, thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

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“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as “Designated Non-Cash Consideration” pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.
“Disqualified Capital Interests” means any Capital Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Capital Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Capital Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Capital Interests), in whole or in part, (iii) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (iv) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Debt or any other Capital Interests that would constitute Disqualified Capital Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes; provided that (a) only the portion of such equity security which is required to be redeemed, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof before such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Capital Interests, (b) any equity security that would constitute Disqualified Capital Interests solely because the holders of the equity security have the right to require the Company to repurchase such equity security upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale will not constitute Disqualified Capital Interests if the terms of such equity security provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such equity security pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.7 and (c) if such Capital Interests are issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Capital Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability. The amount of Disqualified Capital Interests deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Capital Interests or portion thereof, exclusive of accrued dividends.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
“Eligible Bank” means a bank or trust company that (i) is licensed, chartered or organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or Canada, or any state, territory, province or possession thereof, (ii) as of the time of the making or acquisition of an Investment in such bank or trust company, has combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and (iii) the senior Debt of which is rated at least “A-2” by Moody’s or at least “A” by S&P.
“Eligible Cash Equivalents” means any of the following Investments:
(i) securities issued or directly and fully Guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition;
(ii) time deposits in and certificates of deposit of any Eligible Bank; provided that such Investments have a maturity date not more than two years after date of acquisition and that the Average Life of all such Investments is one year or less from the respective dates of acquisition;

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(iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any Eligible Bank;
(iv) direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof; provided that such Investments mature, or are subject to tender at the option of the holder thereof, within 365 days after the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, have a rating of at least A from S&P or A-2 from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency);
(v) commercial paper of any Person other than an Affiliate of the Company and other than structured investment vehicles; provided that such Investments have one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s and mature within 180 days after the date of acquisition;
(vi) overnight and demand deposits in and bankers’ acceptances of any Eligible Bank and demand deposits in any bank or trust company to the extent insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation against the Bank Insurance Fund;
(vii) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or A by Moody’s;
(viii) money market funds substantially all of the assets of which comprise Investments of the types described in clauses (i) through (vii) above; and
(ix) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) above or funds equivalent to those referred to in clause (viii) above denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to in such clauses and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in jurisdictions outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Restricted Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction, all as determined in good faith by the Company.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Excluded Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary, (iii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iv) any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary, (v) any Receivables Subsidiary (or similar entity), (vi) any captive insurance Subsidiary, (vii) any not-for-profit Subsidiary and (viii) any Domestic Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable requirement of law or contractual obligation from Guaranteeing the Notes or which would require a consent, approval, license or authorization of any governmental authority to provide such a Guarantee (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received and in any event only for so long as such restriction exists, and with respect to any such restriction under a contractual obligation, only to the extent existing on the Issue Date or on the date the applicable Person becomes a Subsidiary and not entered into in contemplation thereof).

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“Existing Debt Repayments” means the repayment (i) of Term Loans and Revolving Loans (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) of the 2027 Notes, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), in connection with the Transactions.
“Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the consideration received or paid in any transaction or series of transactions, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Company.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is (i) a CFC, (ii) a Subsidiary of an entity described in the preceding clause (i) or (iii) a CFC Holdco.
“Four Quarter Period” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
“Funded Debt” means, with respect to any Person, all Debt of such Person of the types described in (i) clauses (i), (ii), (v) and (vii) of the definition of “Debt” as would be required to be reflected on the liability side of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP as determined on a consolidated basis, (ii) solely with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar facilities that have been drawn but not yet reimbursed, clause (iii) of the definition of “Debt” and (iii) clause (ix) of the definition of “Debt” in respect of Debt of other Persons of the type described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States; provided that leases will be accounted for using the accounting principles in effect on the Issue Date and any change in the accounting for leases after the Issue Date will be disregarded. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, all calculations, ratios and computations with respect to leases contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP as in effect as of the Issue Date.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend identified as such in Section 2.6(vii)(b) hereto.
“Global Notes” means the Notes (which may be either Restricted Global Notes or Unrestricted Global Notes) in global form and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that are in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Goderich Mine” means (a) all freehold lands owned by Compass Canada at the Goderich mine site, in the County of Huron, in the Province of Ontario, Canada; (b) that certain mining lease no. 107377 between Compass Canada and the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Northern Development and Mines; (c) all salt already found or which may hereafter be found to exist in or under the foregoing; (d) each lease made between Compass Canada and The Corporation of the Town of Goderich with respect to port lands; and (e) the rights of Compass Canada pursuant to the port user agreement, right of first refusal agreements and other port related agreements made from time to time among the Town of Goderich, Goderich Port Management Corporation and Compass Canada.

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“Guarantee” means, as applied to any Debt of another Person, (i) a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the normal course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such Debt, (ii) any direct or indirect obligation, contingent or otherwise, of a Person guaranteeing or having the effect of guaranteeing the Debt of any other Person in any manner and (iii) an agreement of a Person, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment (or payment of damages in the event of non-payment) of all or any part of such Debt of another Person (and “Guaranteed” and “Guaranteeing” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include a contractual commitment by one Person to invest in another Person for so long as such Investment is reasonably expected to constitute a Permitted Investment.
“Guarantor” means each Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate agreement, currency agreement or commodity agreement, excluding commodity agreements relating to raw materials used in the ordinary course of the Company’s business (including any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction).
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the security register.
“Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary designated by the Company as an “Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary” if and for so long as such Restricted Subsidiary does not have (a) total assets as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are available exceeding 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets and (b) total revenues for the most recent four fiscal quarter period of the Company for which financial statements are available exceeding 5.0% of the total revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such period; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of total assets of all Immaterial Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii), as applicable, of Section 4.3, may not exceed 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets and (ii) the aggregate total revenues of all Immaterial Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent four fiscal quarter period of the Company for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii), as applicable, of Section 4.3, may not exceed 10.0% of the total revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such period; provided, further, that the Company may designate any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary as a Material Restricted Subsidiary in order to cause the above required terms to be satisfied.
“Incur” or “incur” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person; provided, however, that a change in GAAP or an interpretation thereunder that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt. Debt otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Incurrence,” “Incurred,” and “Incurring” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing. A Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Debt Incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall not be a separate Incurrence of Debt. In addition, the following shall not be deemed a separate Incurrence of Debt:

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(i) amortization of Debt discount or accretion of principal with respect to a non-interest-bearing or other discount security;
(ii) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Debt of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Interests in the form of additional Capital Interests of the same class and with the same terms;
(iii) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Debt arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Debt; and
(iv) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, ING Financial Markets LLC, Rabo Securities USA, Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.
“Intellectual Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States of America, state, provincial, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, service-marks, technology, know-how and processes, recipes, formulas, trade secrets, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
“Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance, Guarantee for the benefit of (or other extension of credit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property or assets to another Person or any other payments for property or services for the account or use of another Person) another Person, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Interest or other evidence of beneficial ownership in another Person; (ii) the purchase, acquisition or Guarantee of the Debt of another Person; and (iii) the purchase or acquisition of the business or assets of another Person substantially as an entirety, but shall exclude: (a) accounts receivable and other extensions of trade credit in accordance with the Company’s customary practices; (b) the acquisition of property and assets from suppliers and other vendors in the normal course of business; and (c) prepaid expenses and workers’ compensation, utility, lease and similar deposits in the normal course of business.
“Issue Date” means the date of original issuance of the Notes under this Indenture.
“Issuer” or “Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor thereto.
“LCT Election” has the meaning set forth Section 1.5 of this Indenture.
“LCT Test Date” has the meaning set forth Section 1.5 of this Indenture.
“Legal Holiday” means any day that is not a Business Day.
“Lien” means, with respect to any property or other asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure Debt, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, easement, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or other asset (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

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“Limited Condition Transaction” means (i) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Interests or otherwise and which may include, for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction that may constitute a Change of Control), whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing, (ii) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Debt requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment, (iii) any Restricted Payment requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof and (iv) any Asset Sale or a disposition excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale.”
“Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
“Material Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company.
“Material Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to Asset Sales of any Person, cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents received, net of (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Person incurred in connection with such a sale, including, without limitation, all legal, accounting, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred and all federal, state, foreign and local Taxes arising in connection with such an Asset Sale that are paid or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP by such Person; (ii) all payments made by such Person on any Debt that is secured by such properties or other assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such properties or other assets or that must, by the terms of such Lien or such Debt, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such transaction or by applicable law, be repaid to any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof) in connection with such Asset Sale; (iii) all contractually required distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person as a result of such transaction; (iv) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the property disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale; and (v) payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Debt) relating to the property sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale; provided, however, that (a) in the event that any consideration for an Asset Sale (which would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds) is required by (1) contract to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made or (2) GAAP to be reserved against other liabilities in connection with such Asset Sale, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is released to such Person from escrow or otherwise; and (b) any non-cash consideration received in connection with any transaction subsequently converted to cash shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is so converted.

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“Net Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of (i) the consolidated Funded Debt of such specified Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries less unrestricted cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately preceding the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Net Leverage Ratio to (ii) the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Four Quarter Period.
“Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Receivable Subsidiary.”
“Note Custodian” means the Trustee when serving as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
“Note Guarantees” means the Guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, and “Note Guarantee” means any of them.
“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Indenture.
“Offer” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
“Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum, dated June 3, 2025, relating to the offering by the Company of Initial Notes and any future offering memorandum relating to Additional Notes.
“Offer to Purchase” means a written offer (the “Offer”) sent by the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, by first class mail, postage prepaid (or, to the extent permitted or required by the Applicable Procedures, sent electronically), to each Holder at its address appearing in the Note Register on the date of the Offer, offering to purchase up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Offer at the purchase price set forth in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the offer shall specify an expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 15 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing or sending of such Offer and a settlement date (the “Purchase Date”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date and, in connection with a Change of Control, such Purchase Date may be no earlier than the date of the consummation of the Change of Control. The Company shall notify the Trustee at least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing or sending of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by first class mail (or, to the extent permitted or required by the Applicable Procedures, sent electronically) by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state:
(i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made;
(ii) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;
(iii) the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such amount has been determined pursuant to this Indenture’s covenants requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the “Purchase Amount”); (iv) the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the “Purchase Price”);

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(v) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in a minimum amount of $2,000 principal amount (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);
(vi) the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, if applicable;
(vii) that, unless the Company defaults in making such purchase, any Note accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date, but that any Note not tendered or tendered but not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue interest at the same rate;
(viii) that, on the Purchase Date, the Purchase Price will become due and payable upon each Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;
(ix) that each Holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Note or cause such Note to be surrendered at the place or places set forth in the Offer prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Note being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) (or if the Note is a Global Note, pursuant to the Applicable Procedures);
(x) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Company (or its paying agent) receives, not later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of his tender (or if the Note is a Global Note, pursuant to the Applicable Procedures);
(xi) that (a) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such Notes and (b) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (or if a Global Note, by Applicable Procedures), with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased); and
(xii) if applicable, that, in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in the aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so tendered (or if a Global Note, an adjustment shall be made on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interest attached thereto).

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“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary or any vice president of such Person.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary or any vice president.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel delivered to the Trustee, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Participant” means, with respect to DTC, a Person who has an account with DTC.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, covenant defeasance or similar payment with respect to, any Notes on behalf of the Issuer.
“Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the Company’s common stock purchased by the Company in connection with the issuance of any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction, less the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction, does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of such Permitted Convertible Indebtedness issued in connection with the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.
“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness” means Debt of the Company that is either (i) convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock of the Company (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the common stock of the Company) (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock or such other securities) or (ii) sold as units with call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are in each case exercisable for common stock of the Company and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock).
“Permitted Debt” means:
(i) Debt Incurred under and Guarantees of the Credit Facilities by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that, the aggregate principal amount of all indebtedness Incurred or issued under this clause (i) and outstanding at any one time, does not exceed the sum of (a)(1) $325.0 million, plus (2) indebtedness Incurred to refinance the 2027 Notes outstanding after giving effect to the Transactions and (without duplication) any indebtedness Incurred to refinance such indebtedness, in each case that complies with clause (iv) of Refinancing Debt minus any amount refinanced pursuant to clause (xxvi) below and (3) an amount equal to the greater of (x) $85.0 million and (y) 50.0% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, and (b) an additional amount, if after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such additional amount (including a pro forma application of any acquisition or other transaction consummated in connection therewith and other appropriate pro forma adjustments of the net proceeds therefrom), the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio would have been equal to or less than 2.25:1.00 and (without duplication) any Refinancing Debt in respect thereof; provided that for the purposes of determining the amount that may be Incurred under this clause (i)(b) only, all Debt Incurred under this clause (i)(b) shall be deemed to be included in clause (i) of the definition of “Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio”;

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(ii) (a) Debt under the Notes issued on the Issue Date and (b) the 2027 Notes outstanding on the Issue Date and, in the case of each clauses (a) and (b), the contribution, indemnification and reimbursement obligations owed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any of the other of them in respect of amounts paid or payable on such Notes, or 2027 Notes, as applicable;
(iii) Guarantees of the Notes and the 2027 Notes;
(iv) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date (other than clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above);
(v) Debt owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that: (a) if the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Debt and the payee is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Debt is unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes and (b) if for any reason the payee ceases to be the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, such Debt shall cease to be Permitted Debt under this clause (v) and shall be deemed to constitute a new Incurrence of Debt of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, for purposes of this Indenture;
(vi) Guarantees Incurred by the Company of Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, other than pursuant to clause (xxii) below;
(vii) Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt under the Credit Agreement; provided that (a) such Debt is Permitted Debt or is otherwise Incurred in accordance with Section 4.9, other than pursuant to clause (xxii) below and (b) such Guarantees are subordinated to the Notes to the same extent as the Debt being Guaranteed;
(viii) Debt Incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance obligations (including Debt owing to any insurance company in connection with the financing of any insurance premiums permitted by such insurance company in the ordinary course of business) or other Debt with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnity, bid, performance, warranty, release, appeal, surety and similar bonds, standby letters of credit, letters of credit for operating purposes and performance and completion guarantees provided or incurred (including Guarantees thereof) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(ix) Debt under Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations;
(x) [Reserved];
(xi) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Debt outstanding at any time may not exceed the greater of (x) $67.0 million in the aggregate and (y) 4.0% of Consolidated Total Assets; (xii) Debt arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, contribution, earnout, adjustment of purchase price, incentive, non-compete or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

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(xiii) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of Preferred Interests; provided, however, that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Interests that results in any such Preferred Interests being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Interests to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Interests by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (xiii);
(xiv) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Debt is extinguished within ten Business Days of Incurrence;
(xv) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted pursuant to this definition, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Debt that may be Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors at any time under this clause (xv) and the first paragraph under Section 4.9 shall collectively not exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(xvi) Purchase Money Notes Incurred by any Receivable Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary in a Permitted Receivables Facility and Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness;
(xvii) Debt of the Company to the extent the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease the Notes under Article VIII;
(xviii) Guarantees in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(xix) Debt consisting of take-or-pay obligations on customary business terms contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

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(xx) Debt assumed in connection with an acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding (x) $75.0 million (less the aggregate principal amount of Debt Incurred under subclause (x) of clause (xxi) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” then outstanding) plus (y) any additional amount so long as, the Net Leverage Ratio does not exceed 4.50:1.00 on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such Incurrence of Debt (and the application of the proceeds thereof); provided that in each case (a) such Debt exists at the time such acquisition is consummated and is not created or Incurred in connection therewith or in contemplation thereof, (b) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than such Person so acquired in such acquisition or any other Person that such Person merges with or that acquires the assets of such Person in connection with such acquisition) shall have any liability or other obligation with respect to such Debt, (c) if such Debt is secured, no Lien thereon shall extend to or cover any other assets other than the assets acquired in such acquisition (other than the proceeds or products thereof, accessions or additions thereto and improvements thereon) or attach to any other property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (d) in addition to any such Debt otherwise permitted under any other clauses of this definition of “Permitted Debt” and the first paragraph under Section 4.9, the amount of any such Debt assumed by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of Debt Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors under clause (xxi) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” then outstanding, shall not exceed $50.0 million;
(xxi) Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred to finance an acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding (x) $75.0 million (less the aggregate principal amount of Debt Incurred under subclause (x) of clause (xx) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” then outstanding) plus (y) any additional amount so long as, the Net Leverage Ratio does not exceed 4.50:1.00 on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such Incurrence of Debt (and the application of the proceeds thereof); provided that (a) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than such Person so acquired in such acquisition or any other Person that such Person merges with or that acquires the assets of such Person in connection with such acquisition) shall have any liability or other obligation with respect to such Debt, (b) if such Debt is secured, no Lien thereon shall extend to or cover any other assets other than the assets acquired in such acquisition (other than the proceeds or products thereof, accessions or additions thereto and improvements thereon) or attach to any other property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (c) in addition to any such Debt otherwise permitted under any other clauses of this definition of “Permitted Debt” and the first paragraph under Section 4.9, the aggregate principal amount of any such Debt Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of Debt assumed by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors under clause (xx) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” then outstanding, shall not exceed $50.0 million;
(xxii) (a) Debt of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than Compass Canada or any Canadian Restricted Subsidiaries), including in respect of local lines of credit, letters of credit, bank guarantees, receivables financings, factoring arrangements, sale and leaseback transactions and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding; provided, that if such Debt is secured, it shall be secured (1) in the case of Debt Incurred by Compass UK, only by the Goderich Mine and (2) in the case of Debt Incurred by any other Foreign Subsidiary, only by the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary and (b) Debt of Compass Canada or any Canadian Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200.0 million at any one time outstanding; provided, that if such Debt is secured, it shall be secured only by the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary;
(xxiii) (i) Debt representing deferred compensation or stock-based compensation to employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Debt consisting of obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements Incurred in connection with any Permitted Investment hereunder;
(xxiv) Debt issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors, employees, managers and consultants, and their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in lieu of or combined with cash payments, to finance the purchase or redemption of Capital Interests of the Company owned by any such Person to the extent such purchase or redemption is permitted by clause (v) of the second paragraph under Section 4.7;

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(xxv) Debt Incurred by, or representing Guarantees in respect of Debt of, joint ventures in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding;
(xxvi) Refinancing Debt with respect to Debt Incurred or outstanding pursuant to clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and this clause (xxvi); and
(xxvii) all premium (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges, amortization of original issue discount, interest paid in kind and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clause (i) through (xxvi) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” above;
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debt permitted under clauses (i), (xi), (xv), (xx), (xxi), (xxii) and (xxv) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” shall not constitute “Refinancing Debt” under clause (xxvi) of this definition of “Permitted Debt.”
“Permitted Investments” means:
(i) Investments in existence on the Issue Date and any extensions or replacements thereof on terms no less favorable and in amounts no greater than exist on the Issue Date;
(ii) Investments in cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents;
(iii) Investments in property and other assets owned or used by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the normal course of business;
(iv) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, lease, utility, workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business;
(v) Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated or wound-up into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vii) Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations;
(viii) receivables owing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and advances to suppliers, in each case if created, acquired or made in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
(ix) Investments received in settlement of obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and as a result of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (x) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted under this definition, in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding;

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(xi) loans (and Guarantees of third-party loans) and advances to officers, directors and employees of the Company and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;
(xii) Investments the payment for which consists solely of Capital Interests of the Company;
(xiii) any Investment in any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale consummated in compliance with Section 4.10 or any other disposition of property or assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
(xiv) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(xv) Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivable Subsidiary) of Debt otherwise permitted by Section 4.9;
(xvi) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Receivable Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivable Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility, so long as any Investment in a Receivable Subsidiary is in the form of a Purchase Money Note or an Investment in Capital Interests;
(xvii) loans or advances to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
(xviii) Investments in any Person made in exchange for, out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Interests);
(xix) Investments in connection with cash management services, treasury arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past or industry practice;
(xx) Additional Investments so long as the Net Leverage Ratio does not exceed 4.00:1.00 on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such Investment;
(xxi) Additional Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $50.0 million;
(xxii) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in joint ventures or similar arrangements at any one time outstanding not to exceed $75.0 million; and
(xxiii) Investments of any Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in Subsidiaries of any such Person); provided that such Investment was not made in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.

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“Permitted Liens” means:
(i) Liens existing at the Issue Date (other than Liens securing the Credit Agreement);
(ii) Liens that secure (a) Debt incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt,” (b) Hedging Obligations and Swap Contracts relating to such Credit Facilities and permitted under the agreements related thereto and (c) fees, expenses and other amounts payable under such Debt or payable pursuant to cash management agreements or agreements with respect to similar banking services relating to such Debt and permitted under the agreements related thereto;
(iii) any Lien for Taxes or assessments or other governmental charges or levies not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);
(iv) any warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, landlord’s, carriers, materialmen, repairmen, construction, contractors or other similar Liens arising by law for sums not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);
(v) survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other similar 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 its properties which do not materially adversely affect the value of the Company or materially impair the operation of the business of such Person, taken as a whole;
(vi) pledges or deposits (a) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of statutory obligations or the requirements of any official body; (b) to secure the performance of tenders, bids, trade, contracts, governmental contracts and other similar contracts, surety, stay, judgment and appeal bonds or performance bonds, leases, purchase, construction, sales or servicing contracts (including utility contracts) and other similar obligations Incurred in the normal course of business consistent with industry practice; (c) to obtain or secure obligations with respect to letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties or assurances given in connection with the activities described in clauses (a) and (b) above, in each case not Incurred or made in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property or services or imposed by ERISA or the Code in connection with a “plan” (as defined in ERISA); or (d) arising in connection with any attachment unless such Liens shall not be satisfied or discharged or stayed pending appeal within 60 days after the entry thereof or the expiration of any such stay;
(vii) Liens on property or assets existing at the time of acquisition thereof (and not created or Incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, such transaction); provided that such Liens are not extended to the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets acquired;
(viii) Liens on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not created or Incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, such transaction); provided that such Liens are not extended to the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets acquired; (ix) (a) Liens securing Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (b) Liens securing Debt of a non-Guarantor Subsidiary owed to and held by a non-Guarantor Subsidiary;

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(x) for the avoidance of doubt, other Liens (not securing Debt) incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or the ownership of their assets which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(xi) Liens in favor of customs or revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xii) licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business;
(xiii) Liens to secure Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (xi) of the definition of “Permitted Debt;” provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover any assets other than such assets acquired or constructed with the proceeds of such Capital Lease Obligation, Synthetic Lease Obligation or Purchase Money Debt;
(xiv) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(xv) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligation in respect of banker’s acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(xvi) Liens securing Debt Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant or equipment of such Person; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto and any proceeds thereof), and the Debt (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 270 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;
(xvii) [Reserved];
(xviii) Liens (a) that are contractual rights of set-off (1) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Debt, (2) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations and other cash management activities incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (3) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (b) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 and Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (1) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (2) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary account agreements encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

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(xix) Liens created by or resulting from any litigation or other proceedings which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, including Liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in good faith prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review or for which the time to make an appeal has not yet expired; or final unappealable judgment Liens which are satisfied within 15 days of the date of judgment; or Liens Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of obtaining a stay or discharge in the course of any litigation or other proceeding to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is a party;
(xx) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Debt;
(xxi) any interest of title of an owner of equipment or inventory on loan or consignment to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(xxii) (a) deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers and (b) Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(xxiii) Liens on the Capital Interests of a Receivable Subsidiary and accounts receivable and related assets described in the definition of “Permitted Receivables Facility Assets,” in each case, Incurred in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility;
(xxiv) Liens securing Hedging Obligations and Swap Contracts so long as any related Debt is permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture;
(xxv) options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights relating to Investments in joint ventures, partnerships and the like permitted to be made under this Indenture;
(xxvi) Liens attaching to earnest money deposits (or equivalent deposits otherwise named) made in connection with proposed acquisitions;
(xxvii) (a) set-off rights not otherwise set forth in clause (xviii) above, or (b) Liens arising in connection with repurchase agreements that constitute Investments;
(xxviii) Liens not otherwise permitted under this Indenture in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;
(xxix) Liens on property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America, any state thereof or any instrumentality of either to secure certain payments pursuant to any contract or statute;
(xxx) Liens on assets acquired pursuant to an acquisition (and the proceeds thereof) or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to an acquisition; provided that (a) solely in the case of a Lien securing Debt incurred under clause (xx) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”, such Lien was not created in contemplation thereof, (b) such Lien does not at any time encumber any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (c) the Debt secured thereby is incurred under clause (xx) or (xxi) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”;

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(xxxi) Liens securing Debt incurred under clause (xxii) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”, subject to the limitations and requirements set forth in clause (xxii) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”;
(xxxii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; provided that any such Lien attaches only to the assets that is the subject of such arrangement;
(xxxiii) Liens on cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents used to defease or to satisfy and discharge Debt; provided that such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is permitted by this Indenture;
(xxxiv) Liens not otherwise permitted pursuant to this definition, so long as the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 2.25:1.00 on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such Incurrence of Debt; and
(xxxv) Liens to secure any permitted extension, renewal, refinancing or refunding (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in part, of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clauses (i) through (xxxiv) above; provided that such Liens do not extend to any other property or assets and the principal amount of the obligations secured by such Liens is not increased; provided further that the Incurrence of any Lien pursuant to this clause (xxxv) shall reduce the capacity available under the clause pursuant to which the original Lien was Incurred as if and to the same extent that the Lien Incurred pursuant to this clause (xxxv) were Incurred pursuant to such other clause.
“Permitted Receivables Facility” means the receivables facility or facilities created under the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents providing for the sale, contribution, assignment or other transfer (including a “back-up” security interest pledge) by the Company and/or one or more other Receivables Sellers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to the Receivables Subsidiary (either directly or through another Receivables Seller) for fair value as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company (and calculated in a manner typical for such transactions, including a fair market discount from the face value of the applicable Permitted Receivables Facility Assets), which in turn shall sell, assign, transfer or pledge interests in the respective Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (with the Receivables Subsidiary permitted to issue notes or other evidences of Debt secured by Permitted Receivables Facility Assets or investor certificates, purchased interest certificates or other similar documentation evidencing interests in the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) in return for the cash used by the Receivables Subsidiary (together with any cash Investment or other capital contribution received by the Receivables Subsidiary and/or any intercompany Debt issued by the Receivables Subsidiary to a Receivables Seller) to purchase the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets from the Company and/or the respective Receivables Sellers, in each case as more fully set forth in the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.

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“Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” means (i) Receivables and equitable, beneficial or undivided interests in Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries which are sold, assigned or otherwise transferred (including by way of a “back-up” security interest pledge) to the Receivables Subsidiary pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so sold, assigned or otherwise transferred to, or established by or on behalf of, the Receivables Subsidiary, and all collections or other proceeds thereof, (ii) loans to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries secured by Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries which are made pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility and (iii) investments by or cash belonging to a Receivables Subsidiary credited to accounts owned by the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Permitted Receivables Facility Documents” means each of the documents and agreements entered into in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility, including all documents and agreements relating to the issuance, funding and/or purchase of certificates and purchased interests, or the issuance of notes or other evidence of Debt secured by such notes, all of which documents and agreements (including any amendments thereto) shall be customary for transactions of this type (in the good faith determination of the Company).
“Permitted Receivables Related Assets” means any other assets or contractual rights that are customarily transferred or established, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving receivables similar to Receivables and any collections or other proceeds of any of the foregoing, including guarantees, insurance policies and underlying collateral.
“Permitted Warrant Transaction” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) relating to the Company’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the common stock of the Company) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock) sold by the Company substantially concurrently with any purchase by the Company of a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Preferred Interests,” as applied to the Capital Interests in any Person, means Capital Interests in such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Common Interests in such Person.
“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.6(vii)(a) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
“Purchase Amount” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
“Purchase Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
“Purchase Money Debt” means Debt:
(i) Incurred to finance the purchase or construction (including additions and improvements thereto) of any assets (other than Capital Interests) of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(ii) that is secured by a Lien on such assets where the lender’s sole security is to the assets so purchased or constructed; and in either case that does not exceed 100% of the cost and to the extent the purchase or construction prices for such assets are or should be included in “addition to property, plant or equipment” in accordance with GAAP.

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“Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note of a Receivable Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, which note must be repaid from cash available to the Receivable Subsidiary, other than amounts required to be established as reserves pursuant to agreements, amounts paid to investors in respect of interest, principal and other amounts owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables. The repayment of a Purchase Money Note may be subordinated to the repayment of other liabilities of the Receivable Subsidiary on terms determined in good faith by the Company to be substantially consistent with market practice in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility.
“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Qualified Capital Interests” in any Person means a class of Capital Interests other than Disqualified Capital Interests.
“Qualified Equity Offering” means the issue and sale of common shares of the Company (other than to a Subsidiary) in a bona fide public or private offering.
“Receivables” means all accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from sales of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services rendered no matter how evidenced whether or not earned by performance).
“Receivables Sellers” means the Company and those Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Receivables Subsidiaries) that are from time to time party to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.
“Receivable Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company:
(i) that is formed solely for the purpose of, and that engages in no activities other than activities in connection with, financing accounts receivable of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that “accounts receivable” includes providing letters of credit on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(ii) that is designated by the Board of Directors as a Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate that is delivered to the Trustee;
(iii) that is either (a) a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) an Unrestricted Subsidiary designated in accordance with Section 4.17;

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(iv) no portion of the Debt or any other obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which (a) is at any time Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees of obligations (other than any Guarantee of Debt) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (b) is at any time recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (c) subjects any asset of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings (such Debt, “Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness”); (v) with which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than (a) contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might reasonably be expected to be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, (b) fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable in connection with such a Permitted Receivables Facility as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and (c) any Purchase Money Note issued by such Receivable Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or any letters of credit provided by such Receivable Subsidiary on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(vi) with respect to which neither the Company nor any other Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (a) to subscribe for additional shares of Capital Interests therein or make any additional capital contribution or similar payment or transfer thereto except in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility or (b) to maintain or preserve the solvency or any balance sheet term, financial condition, level of income or results of operations thereof.
“Refinancing Debt” means Debt that refunds, refinances, renews, replaces or extends any Debt permitted to be Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, whether involving the same or any other lender or creditor or group of lenders or creditors, but only to the extent that:
(i) the Refinancing Debt is subordinated to the Notes to at least the same extent as the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, if such Debt was subordinated to the Notes;
(ii) the Refinancing Debt is scheduled to mature either (a) no earlier than the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended or (b) at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes;
(iii) the Refinancing Debt has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Debt is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended;
(iv) such Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that is less than or equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal or accreted amount (in the case of any Debt issued with original issue discount, as such) then outstanding under the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premiums owed, if any, not in excess of preexisting prepayment provisions on such Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended and (c) the amount of reasonable and customary fees, expenses and costs related to the Incurrence of such Refinancing Debt; and
(v) such Refinancing Debt is Incurred by the same Person or Persons (or their successors) that initially Incurred the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, except that the Company may Incur Refinancing Debt to refund, refinance, renew, replace or extend Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and, solely with respect to that portion of the 2027 Notes outstanding after giving effect to the Transactions (but, in any event, not to exceed $250.0 million), such indebtedness may be guaranteed by any of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

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“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Global Note” means a global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
“Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents) used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person unless, upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Reserved Indebtedness Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9 of this Indenture.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee or Paying Agent, any officer within the corporate trust department of such Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, including any vice president, assistant vice president, trust officer or any other officer of such Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer of such Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject matter.
“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
“Restricted Payment” means any of the following:
(i) any dividend or other distribution declared and paid on the Capital Interests in the Company or on the Capital Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are held by, or declared and paid to, any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (a) dividends, distributions or payments made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company and (b) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to other holders of Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis);
(ii) any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Capital Interests in the Company (including the conversion into, or exchange for, Debt, of any Capital Interests) other than any such Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company);
(iii) any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company) to redeem, repurchase, defease (including an in substance or legal defeasance) or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including pursuant to mandatory repurchase covenants), prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment, Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or Note Guarantees (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); except payments of principal and interest in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, within one year of the due date thereof;

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(iv) any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in any Person, other than a Permitted Investment; and
(v) any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as set forth in Regulation S.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that has not been designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in accordance with this Indenture.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A Global Note” means the Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which property is sold or transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and is thereafter leased back as a capital lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act, but shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Similar Business” means (i) any business, services or other activities conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, (ii) any business, services or other activities that are similar, incidental, ancillary, complementary or related to, or an extension, development or expansion of, the businesses, services or other activities in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries were engaged on the Issue Date and (iii) a Person conducting a business, service or activity specified in clauses (i) and (ii), and any Subsidiary thereof.
“Specified Transaction” means, with respect to any period, any acquisition, Investment, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Debt, Restricted Payment and subsidiary designation, in each case, that is permitted by this Indenture, and operating improvements, restructurings, cost saving initiatives or other similar initiatives or any other event that by the terms of this Indenture requires pro forma compliance with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a pro forma basis.
“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, repurchase obligations, indemnities and servicing obligations entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable securitization transaction as determined in good faith by the Company, including Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any of the foregoing obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

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“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to (i) any Note or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable and (ii) any other Debt or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in the instrument governing such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt or such installment of interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the Notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees. Each such Subsidiary Guarantee will be in the form prescribed by this Indenture.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means the Subsidiaries of the Company who are party to this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Guarantor that executes a supplemental indenture providing a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns.
“Swap Contract” means (i) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, any fuel price caps and fuel price collar or floor agreements and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices and any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (ii) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
“Synergies” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.”
“Synthetic Lease Obligations” means any monetary obligation of a Person under (i) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (ii) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any bankruptcy or insolvency laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

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“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other similar charges imposed by any government or other taxing authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Transaction Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”
“Transactions” the sale of the Notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom and the concurrent amendment to the Credit Agreement.
“Treasury Rate” means the yield to maturity at the date of redemption of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date of redemption (or, if such statistical release is no longer published, any publicly available source for similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to July 1, 2027; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to July 1, 2027 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate will be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the then remaining term of the Notes to July 1, 2027 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
“Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(i) any Subsidiary designated as such by an Officer’s Certificate as set forth below where neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt, but excluding in the case of a Receivable Subsidiary any Standard Securitization Undertakings); provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may pledge Capital Interests or property or assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary on a non-recourse basis as long as the pledgee has no claim whatsoever against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than to obtain that pledged Capital Interests or property or assets, or (b) is directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (except in the case of a Receivable Subsidiary any Standard Securitization Undertakings); and
(ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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“Voting Interests” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Interests in such Person entitling the holders thereof generally to vote on the election of members of the Board of Directors or comparable body of such Person.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is also a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary all the Capital Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
SECTION 1.2    Other Definitions.
Term
Defined in Section
“Affiliate Transaction”
4.11
“covenant defeasance” 8.3
“covenant suspension” 4.19
“defeasance” 8.2
“Discharge” 11.1
“Event of Default” 6.1
“Excess Proceeds” 4.10
“Initial Liens” 4.12
“LCT Election” 1.5
“LCT Test Date” 1.5
“Note Register” 2.3
“Offer Amount” 3.9
“redemption date” 3.1
“Registrar” 2.3
“Reserved Indebtedness Amount” 4.9
“Surviving Entity” 5.1

SECTION 1.3    [Reserved].
SECTION 1.4    Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein;
(ii) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined;
(iii) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms;
(iv) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation;”
(v) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall;”

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(vi) unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any organizational document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns, (c) any reference to any law, including the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, substituting, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (d) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights;
(vii) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” shall mean “from and excluding”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” shall mean “to and including;”
(viii) section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Indenture;
(ix) unless otherwise specified, any reference to a Section or an Article refers to such Section or Article of this Indenture;
(x) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP or a successor to GAAP;
(xi) “or” is not exclusive; and
(xii) provisions apply to successive events and transactions.
SECTION 1.5    Limited Condition Transactions.
(i) When calculating the availability under any basket or ratio under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales), in each case, at the option of the Company (the Company’s election to exercise such option, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination for availability under any such basket or ratio and whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the “LCT Test Date”) the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an irrevocable notice, declaration of a Restricted Payment or similar event) and, if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales) and any related pro forma adjustments, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (in the case of Debt, for example, whether such Debt is committed, issued or Incurred at the LCT Test Date or at any time thereafter); provided, that (a) compliance with such ratios, tests or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales) and (b) Consolidated Interest Expense will be calculated by the Company using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Debt or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith.

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(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has made an LCT Election: (a) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with (or satisfied) as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets of the Company or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction, such baskets, tests or ratios will be deemed not to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied (or satisfied) with as a result of such fluctuations; (b) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default), such requirements and conditions will be deemed not to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing); and (c) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction.
SECTION 1.6    Acts of Holders.
(i) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are received by a Responsible Officer, the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, delivered to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.1 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.6.
(ii) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(iii) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(iv) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

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(v) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.
(vi) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and DTC that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(vii) The Issuer may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.
ARTICLE II

THE NOTES
SECTION 2.1    Form and Dating.
(i) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes initially shall be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Trustee shall authenticate the Notes, upon receipt of a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, which order shall set forth the number of separate notes, the principal amount of each such Note to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, the registered holders of each of the said Notes and delivery instructions.
(ii) The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

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The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee as Note Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.
Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and transfers of interests. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with written instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.6 hereof.
Except as set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor of the Depositary or its nominee. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Bank” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to all transfers of beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Notes that are held by members of, or Participants, in DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream.
(iii) The aggregate principal amount of each Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as Note Custodian.
(iv) Section 2.1(iii) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.2, authenticate and deliver the Global Notes that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Note Custodian.
Participants shall have no rights either under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Note Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any Agent or other agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation (or any liability) to any Holder, any member of (or a participant in) DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC (or its nominee) or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to the Notes. The Trustee may rely (and shall be fully protected in relying) upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any Beneficial Owners in the Notes.

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(v) Notes issued in certificated form, including Global Notes, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
SECTION 2.2    Execution and Authentication. An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Notes: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then-outstanding Notes; or (c) if the issuance of any Notes pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Notes and/or this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer directing the Trustee to authenticate and deliver the Notes and certifying that all conditions precedent to the issuance of the Notes contained herein have been complied with (in accordance with Section 12.4), and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 12.4 authenticate (i) the Initial Notes for original issue up to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes, (ii) Additional Notes for original issue from time to time after the Issue Date in such principal amounts as may be set forth in a written order of the Issuer described in this sentence; provided that the issuance of such Additional Notes shall be subject to Section 2.16 and 4.19. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed such amount except as provided in Section 2.16 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer.
SECTION 2.3    Registrar; Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment to a Paying Agent. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (the “Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents; provided, however, that at all times there shall be only one Note Register. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Issuer shall notify the Trustee and the Holders in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Issuer or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent.

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The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the office or agency of the Company for such purposes and as the office or agency of the Company where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served and the Trustee as the agent of the Issuer to receive such notices and demands.
The Issuer may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes, and the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
The Issuer initially appoints DTC to act as the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
SECTION 2.4    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in writing of any Default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon the occurrence of events specified in Section 6.1(viii) hereof, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
SECTION 2.5    Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten (10) Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, including the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by each Holder thereof.
SECTION 2.6    Transfer and Exchange.
(i) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (a) the Company delivers to the Trustee written notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Notes or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (b) the Company in its sole discretion notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause issuance of the Notes in certificated form. Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (a) or (b) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.7 and 2.11 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee (upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof)in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to Section 2.7 or 2.11 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.6(i), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.6(ii) or (iii) hereof.

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(ii) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (a) or (b) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs as applicable:
(a) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred only to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.6(ii)(a).
(b) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests (other than a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Global Note), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1)(A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (B) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (2)(A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (B) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (A) above. Upon notification from the Registrar that all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture, the Notes and otherwise applicable under the Securities Act have been satisfied, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.6(viii) hereof.
(c) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of clause (b) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof; and
(2) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof.

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(d) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of clause (b) above and:
(1) [reserved];
(2) [reserved];
(3) [reserved]; or
(4) the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(B) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof; and
(C) in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (4), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (4) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (4) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(iii) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(a) If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (2)(a) thereof; (2) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;

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(3) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(4) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(a) thereof;
(5) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(b) thereof; or
(6) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Registrar, shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(viii) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(iii)(a) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 2.6(iii)(a) hereof, a holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:
(1) [reserved];
(2) [reserved];
(3) [reserved];
(4) the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof;
(B) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof; and

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(C) in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and the Company, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(c) If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon written notice by the Registrar of satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.6(ii)(b) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(viii) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery (upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof) to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(iii)(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall make available for delivery such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(iii)(c) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(a) If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (2)(b) thereof;
(2) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(3) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof;
(4) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(a) thereof; (5) if such Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(b) thereof; or

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(6) if such Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee, upon notice of receipt of such documentation by the Registrar, shall cancel the Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of subparagraph (1) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note and, in the case of subparagraph (2) above, the Rule 144A Global Note, and, in the case of subparagraph (3) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(b) A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(1) [reserved];
(2) [reserved];
(3) [reserved];
(4) the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(c) thereof;
(B) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof; and
(C) in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (4), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Definitive Notes are being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.6(iv)(b), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(c) A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

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(d) If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4) or (c) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4) or (c) above.
(v) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.6(v), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.6(v).
(a) Restricted Definitive Notes may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof if the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (1) thereof;
(2) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (2) thereof; and
(3) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by Item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(b) Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(1) [reserved];
(2) [reserved];
(3) [reserved];
(4) the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in Item (1)(b) thereof;

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(B) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in Item (4) thereof; and (C) in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (4), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act, and such Restricted Definitive Note is being exchanged or transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States.
(c) A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request for such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. Unrestricted Definitive Notes cannot be exchanged for or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note.
(vi) [Reserved].
(vii) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
(a) Private Placement Legend.
(1) Except as permitted by subparagraph (2) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S], ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S.

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PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”]
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(d), (iii)(c), (iv)(b), (iv)(c), (v)(b) or (v)(c) of this Section 2.6 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(b) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6(viii) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6(i) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

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(viii) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in part and not in whole, or if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interest on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests on such Global Note, by the Trustee, the Note Custodian or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such increase.
(ix) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(a) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, subject to Section 2.6, the Company shall execute and, upon the Company’s written order, signed by one or more Officers of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes at the Registrar’s request.
(b) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or transfer Tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such stamp or transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.6, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.5 hereto).
(c) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(d) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture and the Note Guarantees, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(e) The Company and the Registrar shall not be required (1) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.2 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (2) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (3) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date or (4) to register the transfer of a Note other than in denominations of $2,000 or multiple integrals of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(f) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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(g) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof.
(h) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.6 to effect a transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
(i) The Trustee and the Registrar shall have no obligation or duty (nor any liability) to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or Beneficial Owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(j) The transferor of any Note shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information reasonably requested by the Trustee to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable Tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
SECTION 2.7    Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon the written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer of the Issuer, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
SECTION 2.8    Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.1 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

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SECTION 2.9    Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes shown on the Note Register as being owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by such entity until legal title to such Notes passes to such entity.
SECTION 2.10    Temporary Notes. Until Certificated Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers of the Issuer. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers authenticate Certificated Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.11    Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder or which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. All Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. Subject to Section 2.7 hereof, the Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practice, and evidence of their cancellation will be delivered to the Issuer upon Issuer's written request.
SECTION 2.12    Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date and shall promptly thereafter notify the Trustee of any such date. At least ten (10) days before the special record date, the Issuer (or the Trustee, in the name and at the request and expense of the Issuer) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Holders a notice (mailed by first class mail or electronically delivered, where possible)that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.13    [Reserved].
SECTION 2.14    Computation of Interest. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 2.15 CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee may use CUSIP, ISIN and Common Code numbers, as appropriate, in notices (including notices of redemption) as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers or codes either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

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The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or Common Code numbers.
SECTION 2.16    Issuance of Additional Notes. The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture that shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price, amount of interest payable on the first interest payment date applicable thereto and any customary escrow provisions (and if such issuance is done in a transaction other than a registered public offering, transfer restrictions); provided that such issuance is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including Section 4.9. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be, without limitation, treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a Board Resolution of its Board of Directors and in an Officer’s Certificate, a copy of each of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(i) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;
(ii) the issue price, the issue date, the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes, the first interest payment date and the amount of interest payable on such first interest payment date applicable thereto and the date from which interest shall accrue; and
(iii) whether such Additional Notes shall bear the Private Placement Legend set forth in Section 2.6(vii)(a).
The Company shall also provide an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.4 in connection with the Board Resolution and Officer’s Certificate referenced above. No Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may affect the Trustee’s own rights, privileges, protections, powers, immunities, indemnities or limitations of liability under this Indenture or otherwise with respect to any Additional Notes except as the Trustee may agree in writing.
ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
SECTION 3.1    Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before a date fixed for redemption (the “redemption date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price, calculated as described under “Applicable Premium” in Section 1.1, will be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.
If the Issuer is required to make an Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 15 days prior to the mailing of the Offer (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before the scheduled purchase date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the offer to purchase shall occur, (ii) the terms of the offer, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be purchased, (iv) the purchase price and (v) the purchase date and further setting forth a statement to the effect that (a) the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries has effected an Asset Sale and there are Excess Proceeds aggregating more than $40.0 million or (b) a Change of Control has occurred, as applicable.

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SECTION 3.2    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed by lot, on a pro rata basis or by any other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in a manner that complies with applicable requirements of the Depositary); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail (or, to the extent permitted or required by the Applicable Procedures, electronically) at least 10 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note (or if a Global Note, an adjustment shall be made on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interest attached thereto). The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not previously called for redemption and if the Notes are Certificated Notes shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000.
SECTION 3.3    Notice of Redemption. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuer shall send or cause to be sent by electronic transmission or by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price, or if not then known, the manner of determination thereof, and the amount of accrued interest, if any to be paid;
(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Notes to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note (or if a Global Note, an adjustment shall be made on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interest attached thereto);
(iv) the name, telephone number and address of the Paying Agent;
(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(vi) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
(viii) whether the notice of redemption is conditional, and a brief description of any applicable conditions; and (ix) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

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At the Issuer’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and including a copy of such notice which complies with the requirements as provided in the preceding paragraph. The notice sent in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not a Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by electronic transmission or by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any other Note.
Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption; provided that notices of redemption may be conditioned at the direction of the Company on one or more conditions precedent, such as, without limitation, a Change of Control or a financing transaction. If a redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice of redemption shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in the Company’s sole discretion), or that such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in the Company’s sole discretion) by the redemption date as stated in such notice, or by the redemption date as so delayed. The Company will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) delaying or rescinding any such conditional redemption in the event that any such condition precedent shall not have been satisfied (or waived), and thereafter such redemption and notice of redemption shall be so delayed, or rescinded and of no force or effect, as applicable. Upon receipt of such notice from the Company delaying or rescinding such conditional redemption, the Trustee will promptly send a copy of such notice to the Holders of the Notes to be redeemed in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
SECTION 3.4    Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such date, unless such notice of redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent as permitted by the last paragraph of Section 3.3 hereof, in which case such notice of redemption becomes irrevocable once the conditions set forth therein are satisfied.
SECTION 3.5    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price. On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each redemption date or the date on which Notes must be accepted for purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall, upon receipt of a written request from the Issuer, promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of (including any Applicable Premium), and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
If Notes called for redemption or tendered in an Asset Sale Offer or Offer to Purchase are paid or if Issuer has deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and unpaid and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or tendered and not withdrawn in an Asset Sale Offer or Offer to Purchase (regardless of whether certificates for such securities are actually surrendered).

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If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1 hereof.
SECTION 3.6    Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Certificated Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and, upon the written request of an Officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
SECTION 3.7    Optional Redemption.
(i) Except as set forth below, the Company will not be entitled to redeem the Notes at its option prior to July 1, 2027. At any time prior to July 1, 2027, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (a) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (b) the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption, plus (c) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date). Calculation of the Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.
(ii) On or after July 1, 2027, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the years indicated below (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date):

Year
Percentage
2027 104.000  %
2028 102.000  %
2029 and thereafter 100.000  %

(iii) In addition, at any time or from time to time prior to July 1, 2027, the Company, at its option, may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 108.000% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that (a) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and (b) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering (disregarding the date of closing of any over-allotment or other “greenshoe” option with respect thereto).

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(iv) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed in accordance with Section 3.2.
(v) At any time, in connection with any Offer to Purchase the Notes, including, without limitation, any Offer to Purchase in connection with a Change of Control or an Asset Sale, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Company, or any third party making such a tender offer in lieu of the Company, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 10 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder (excluding any early tender or incentive fee) in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
(vi) The Company may, at any time and from time to time, acquire Notes by means other than a redemption, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions, or otherwise, subject to compliance with this Indenture and compliance with all applicable securities laws.
SECTION 3.8    Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
SECTION 3.9    Offer to Purchase. In the event that the Issuer shall be required to commence an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, the Issuer shall follow the procedures specified below.
Unless otherwise required by applicable law, an Offer to Purchase shall specify the Expiration Date of the Offer to Purchase, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 15 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing or sending of such Offer, and the Purchase Date for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. On the Purchase Date, the Company shall purchase the aggregate principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.14 hereof (the “Offer Amount”), or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Offer to Purchase. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. If the Purchase Date is on or after the interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee in its sole discretion) prior to the mailing or sending of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by first class mail (or, to the extent permitted or required by the Applicable Procedures, sent electronically) by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.
On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Purchase Date, the Issuer shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) in immediately available funds the aggregate purchase price equal to the Offer Amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be held for payment in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9. On the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary (or if a Global Note, by Applicable Procedures), the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, (ii) deliver or cause the Paying Agent or depositary, as the case may be, to deliver to the Trustee Notes so accepted and (iii) deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9.

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The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five (5) Business Days after the Expiration Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, at the written request of the Issuer, shall authenticate and mail or deliver at the expense of the Issuer such new Note to such Holder, equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of such Holder’s Notes surrendered (or if a Global Note, an adjustment shall be made to the Schedule of Exchanges of Interest attached thereto); provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce in a newspaper of general circulation or in a press release provided to a nationally recognized financial wire service the results of the Offer to Purchase on the Purchase Date.
The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and any regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of an Asset Sale Offer or Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Sections 3.9, 4.10 or 4.14 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under Section 3.9, 4.10 or 4.14, as applicable, by virtue of such compliance.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.9, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1 through 3.6 hereof.
ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS
SECTION 4.1    Payment of Notes.
(i) The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid for all purposes hereunder on the date the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds, as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time), money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all such principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
(ii) The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof.

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If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 4.3    Provision of Financial Information. So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Trustee:
(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports of the Company containing substantially all of the information that would have been required to be contained in an Annual Report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act (but only to the extent similar information is included in this offering memorandum), including (a) “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (b) audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or, to the extent the Company is a reporting company, the Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed under the Exchange Act;
(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, quarterly reports of the Company containing substantially all of the information that would have been required to be contained in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act (but only to the extent similar information is provided in this offering memorandum), including (a) “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (b) unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act actually filed while the Company is a reporting company; and
(iii) within five Business Days after the occurrence of each event that would have been required to be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, current reports containing substantially all of the information that would have been required to be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no such current report will be required to be furnished if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event is not material to Holders or the business, assets, operations, financial positions or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, such reports (a) will not be required to comply with Section 302 or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission, or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K (with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures contained therein) and (b) will not be required to contain the separate financial information for Subsidiary Guarantors contemplated by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.
So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will also maintain a public website to which the reports required by this Section 4.3 are posted.
In addition, the Company shall furnish to Holders, prospective investors, broker-dealers and securities analysts, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Notes are not freely transferable under the Securities Act.

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Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the Holders if it has filed (or, in the case of an Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 Form 8-K, furnished) such reports with the Commission and such reports are publicly available, it being understood that the Trustee shall not be deemed to have actual or constructive knowledge of any information contained therein.
To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this Section 4.3 and such information is subsequently provided, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause (iii) under Section 6.1 until 180 days after the receipt of the written notice delivered thereunder.
Delivery of reports, information and documents, and other publicly available information (including on EDGAR), to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and its receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice or actual notice or actual or constructive knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including compliance with any of the Company’s covenants under this Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with its covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the Commission or on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any website under this Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.
SECTION 4.4    Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate (that need not comply with Section 12.4 and Section 12.5) signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, or the chief accounting officer, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether each has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture (including, with respect to any Restricted Payments made during such year, the basis upon which the calculations required by Section 4.7 hereof were computed, which calculations may be based upon the Company’s latest available financial statements), and further stating that, to his or her knowledge, each entity is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that, to his or her knowledge, no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.5    Taxes. The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which appropriate reserves have been taken in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

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SECTION 4.6    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and any Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any right, remedy or power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such right, remedy or power as though no such law has been enacted.
SECTION 4.7    Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless, at the time of and after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment:
(i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof;
(ii) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) pursuant to the provisions described in the first paragraph under Section 4.9; and
(iii) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments and all Permitted Investments pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” made on or after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii) through (ix), (xvi) and (xvii) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.7), shall not exceed the sum (without duplication) of:
(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first full fiscal quarter after the Issue Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment, plus
(b) 100% of the aggregate amount of proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of property other than cash) received by the Company subsequent to the Issue Date either (1) as a contribution to its common equity capital, (2) from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of its Qualified Capital Interests or (3) from the sale of Qualified Capital Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any minority investment, including Qualified Capital Interests issued upon the conversion or exchange of Debt or Disqualified Capital Interests of the Company, and from the exercise of options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Qualified Capital Interests (other than, in each case, Capital Interests or Debt sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(c) 100% of the net reduction in Investments (other than Permitted Investments except to the extent such Permitted Investment is made pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”) made on and after the Issue Date in any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary resulting from dividends, repayment of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, plus
(d) to the extent that any Investment (other than (1) Permitted Investments except to the extent such Permitted Investment is made pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” and (2) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries) that was made on and after the Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise disposed of, liquidated or repaid for cash or other assets, an amount equal to the net cash return of capital (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, advances or other transfers of assets, repayments, income and similar amounts) or net Fair Market Value of return of capital by means of such sale, disposal or liquidation of such Investment, plus

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(e) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case on or after the Issue Date, the net cash return of capital or net Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), plus
(f) 100% of any dividends, distributions, interest payments, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar payments received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on and after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary or other Investment (other than a Permitted Investment except to the extent such Permitted Investment is made pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”), in the case of clauses (b) through (f), to the extent such amounts were not otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.
Notwithstanding whether the foregoing provisions would prohibit the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from making a Restricted Payment, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make the following Restricted Payments:
(i) the payment of any dividend on Capital Interests in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days after declaration thereof if at the declaration date such payment was permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.7;
(ii) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Qualified Capital Interests of the Company by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, Qualified Capital Interests, or out of net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of other Qualified Capital Interests of the Company; provided that the amount of any net proceeds that are utilized for such Restricted Payment will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.7;
(iii) the retirement of any shares of Preferred Interests or Disqualified Capital Interests by conversion into, or by exchange for, shares of Preferred Interests or Disqualified Capital Interests, or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of Preferred Interests or Disqualified Capital Interests;
(iv) the redemption, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition or retirement for value of any Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Note Guarantee out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of (a) new subordinated Debt of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, Incurred in accordance with this Indenture or (b) of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company; provided that the amount of any net proceeds that are utilized for such Restricted Payment will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.7;

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(v) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of Capital Interests in the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (or any payments to a direct or indirect parent company of the Company for the purposes of permitting any such repurchase) held by directors, officers, consultants, agents or employees or former directors, officers, consultants, agents or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) upon death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or alteration of employment status or pursuant to the terms of any agreement under which such Capital Interests were issued; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for such purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of such Capital Interests does not exceed $20.0 million in any calendar year; provided, further, that any unused amounts in any calendar year not to exceed $10.0 million may be carried forward to the next succeeding calendar year; provided, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (a) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) to directors, employees, officers or consultants of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the Issue Date; provided, however, that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.7; plus (b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (provided, however, that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by the proviso of this clause (v) in any calendar year and, to the extent any payment described under this clause (v) is made by delivery of Debt and not in cash, such payment shall be deemed to occur only when, and to the extent, the obligor on such Debt makes payments with respect to such Debt);
(vi) the repurchase of Capital Interests deemed to occur (a) upon the exercise of stock options, warrants, settlements or similar rights to the extent such Capital Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options, warrants, settlements or similar rights, (b) as a result of common shares utilized to satisfy Tax withholding obligations upon exercise of stock options or vesting of other equity awards or (c) upon the cancellation of stock options, warrants or other equity awards;
(vii) cash payments in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for the Capital Interests of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(viii) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Capital Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any class or series of Preferred Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case issued or Incurred in compliance with Section 4.9 to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charges;”
(ix) purchase or acquire shares of the Company’s Capital Interests in open-market purchases for matching contributions to any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employee stock purchase plan, deferred compensation plan or other benefit plan;
(x) to the extent no Default in any payment in respect of principal or interest under the Notes or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale, the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of any subordinated Debt pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those contained in Section 4.10 and Section 4.14, at a Purchase Price not greater than 101% of the principal amount thereof (in the case of a Change of Control) or at a percentage of the principal amount thereof not higher than the principal amount applicable to the Notes (in the case of an Asset Sale), plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that prior to or contemporaneously with such defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition, the Company has made an Offer to Purchase with respect to the Notes and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered for payment and not withdrawn in connection therewith; (xi) payments or deliveries required by the terms of, and otherwise in connection with the performance of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ obligations under, any Permitted Warrant Transaction (including, without limitation, making payments and/or deliveries due upon exercise and settlement or termination thereof);

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(xii) to the extent no Default in any payment in respect of principal or interest under the Notes or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof, other Restricted Payments not in excess of the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (in each case to the extent not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income net of, with respect to any Restricted Payment that constitutes an Investment in any particular Person made in reliance on this clause, the return thereon received after the Issue Date as a result of any sale for cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents, repayment, redemption, liquidating distribution or other realization for cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents, not to exceed the amount of Investments made after the Issue Date in such Person in reliance on this clause);
(xiii) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for nominal value of common stock or preferred stock purchase rights in each case issued in connection with any shareholder rights plan that may be adopted by the Company;
(xiv) (a) the repurchase or other acquisition of shares of, or options to purchase shares of, common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any share repurchase plan approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and (b) the payment of dividends by the Company in respect of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to (a) and (b) of this clause (xiv) shall collectively not exceed $100.0 million in any calendar year;
(xv) to the extent no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof, other Restricted Payments; provided that the Net Leverage Ratio shall not be in excess of 3.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment;
(xvi) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by and complying with, the provisions of this Indenture described below under Section 4.10 (other than clauses (g) and (j) under the definition of “Asset Sale”) and Section 5.1; and
(xvii) any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary may declare and pay cash dividends to its equity holders generally so long as the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary which owns the Capital Interests in the Restricted Subsidiary paying such dividend receives at least its proportional share thereof (based upon its relative holding of the class of Capital Interests in the Restricted Subsidiary paying such dividends).
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, in no event shall the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary be permitted to transfer or dispose of any Material Intellectual Property (other than non-exclusive licenses of Material Intellectual Property) to any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, in the good faith determination of the Company, would be permitted under the requirements of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustment made in good faith to the Company’s financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income.

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If any Person in which an Investment is made, which Investment constitutes a Restricted Payment when made, thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture, all such Investments previously made in such Person shall no longer be counted as Restricted Payments for purposes of calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph under this Section 4.7, in each case to the extent such Investments would otherwise be so counted.
If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers, conveys, sells, leases or otherwise disposes of an Investment in accordance with Section 4.10, which Investment was originally included in the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (iii) of the first paragraph under this Section 4.7, the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments shall be reduced by the lesser of (i) the net cash proceeds from the transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of such Investment or (ii) the amount of the original Investment, in each case, to the extent (a) originally included in the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (iv) of the definition of “Restricted Payments”, and (b) such amount does not otherwise increase (including pursuant to any of clauses (a) through (f) thereof) the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of the first paragraph under this Section 4.7.
For purposes of this Section 4.7, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.7, in the event that a Restricted Payment or Investment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in clauses (i) through (xvii) of this Section 4.7 or clauses (i) through (xxiii) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” or is entitled to be made pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.7, the Company will be entitled to classify such Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) on the date of its payment or date of determination or later reclassify such Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.7 or the definition of “Permitted Investments” and/or one or more of the exceptions contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments” as of the date of such reclassification.
SECTION 4.8    Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, cause or suffer to exist or become effective or enter into any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to the following encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(i) any encumbrance or restriction in existence on the Issue Date, including pursuant to (a) the Credit Agreement or by any other agreement or documents entered into in connection with the Credit Agreement, (b) the 2027 Notes, and (c) any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, or refinancings, of any of the foregoing agreements or documents; provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings, in the good faith judgment of the Company, are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend or other payment restrictions than those contained in these agreements on the Issue Date or refinancings thereof;

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(ii) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement relating to an acquisition of property, so long as the encumbrances or restrictions in any such agreement relate solely to the property so acquired (and are not or were not created in anticipation of or in connection with the acquisition thereof);
(iii) any encumbrance or restriction which exists with respect to a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the Issue Date, which is in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, but not created in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, and which is not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
(iv) any instrument governing Debt or Capital Interests of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Debt or Capital Interests was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Debt, such Debt was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;
(v) any encumbrance or restriction under this Indenture, the Notes and any Note Guarantees;
(vi) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a permitted renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension of Debt issued pursuant to an agreement containing any encumbrance or restriction referred to in the foregoing clauses (ii) through (v), so long as the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension agreement are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Debt being renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or extended in the good faith judgment of the Company;
(vii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease, contract, or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder;
(viii) any encumbrance or restriction by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation, order, license, permit or similar restriction;
(ix) any encumbrance or restriction under the sale of assets or Capital Interests, including, without limitation, any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(x) restrictions on cash and other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into the ordinary course of business;
(xi) customary provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements, sale leaseback agreements and other similar agreements;
(xii) purchase money obligations (including Capital Lease Obligations) for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property so acquired of the nature described in clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.8; (xiii) Liens securing Debt otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, including pursuant to Section 4.12, that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

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(xiv) any Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Receivable Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility; provided that such restrictions apply only to such Receivable Subsidiary or the receivables and related assets described in the definition of “Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” which are subject to such Permitted Receivables Facility;
(xv) any other agreement governing Debt entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are either (a) not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date or (b) not materially more disadvantageous to Holders than is customary in comparable financings of such type (as determined by the Company in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) and in the case of subclause (b) above either (1) the Company determines (in good faith) that such encumbrance or restriction will not materially impair the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes or (2) such encumbrances or restrictions apply only during the continuance of a default in respect of payment or a financial maintenance covenant relating to such Debt; and
(xvi) existing under any agreement relating to Debt Incurred by Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9 and Refinancing Debt in respect thereof; provided that such restrictions are customary for a financing of such type and apply only to the Persons Incurring such Debt (including Guarantees thereof) and their Subsidiaries.
Nothing contained in this Section 4.8 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (i) creating, Incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted under Section 4.12 or (ii) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred in accordance with Section 4.9 and Section 4.12 hereof.
SECTION 4.9    Limitation on Incurrence of Debt. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Debt (including Acquired Debt); provided that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Debt (including Acquired Debt) if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, (i) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a pro forma basis as if any such Debt (including any other Debt being Incurred contemporaneously), and any other Debt Incurred since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, and any other Debt repaid since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period had been repaid at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, would be greater than 2.00 to 1.00 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the Incurrence of such Debt; provided further that the aggregate principal amount of Debt that may be Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors at any time under this paragraph and clause (xv) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” shall collectively not exceed the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 4.5% of Consolidated Total Assets.
If, during the Four Quarter Period or subsequent thereto and prior to the date of determination, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have engaged in any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investments, mergers, consolidations or shall have designated any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for the Four Quarter Period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investments, mergers, consolidations, or designation, as the case may be, and the application of any proceeds therefrom as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investments, mergers, consolidations or designation had occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.

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If the Debt which is the subject of a determination under this provision is Acquired Debt, or Debt Incurred in connection with the simultaneous acquisition of any Person, business, property or assets, or Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary being designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, then such ratio shall be determined by giving effect (on a pro forma basis, as if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period) to (x) the Incurrence of such Acquired Debt or such other Debt by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) the inclusion, in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, of the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of the acquired Person, business, property or assets or redesignated Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the first paragraph of this Section 4.9, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Permitted Debt.
For purposes of the Company determining any particular amount of Debt under this Section 4.9, (i) Debt Incurred under the Credit Agreement and Debt Incurred to refinance the 2027 Notes outstanding after giving effect to the Transactions and any Debt Incurred to refinance such Debt, in each case, shall at all times be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and (ii) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included. For purposes of determining any particular amount of Debt under this Section 4.9, if obligations in respect of letters of credit are Incurred pursuant to the Credit Facilities and are being treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and the letters of credit relate to other Debt, then such other Debt shall not be deemed to have been Incurred. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.9, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Debt described above, including categories of Permitted Debt and under clause (i) in the first paragraph of this Section 4.9, the Company, in its sole discretion, may classify and divide, and from time to time may reclassify and redivide, all or any portion of such item of Debt, except as set forth in clause (i) in the first sentence of this paragraph, and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Debt in one of such types. For purposes of determining compliance of any non-U.S. dollar-denominated Debt with this Section 4.9, the amount outstanding under U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Debt denominated in a foreign currency shall at all times be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Debt was Incurred, in the case of the term Debt, or first committed, in the cases of the revolving credit Debt; provided, however, that if such Debt is Incurred to refinance other Debt denominated in the same or different currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such Debt being refinanced.

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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.9 and the Incurrence or creation of any Liens on such Debt pursuant to Section 4.12, including for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, in connection with the Incurrence, issuance or assumption of any Debt pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.9 or the definition of “Permitted Debt,” the Company may elect, at its option, to treat all or any portion of the committed amount of such Debt (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) which is to be Incurred (or any commitment in respect thereof) (any such committed amount elected until revoked as described below, the “Reserved Indebtedness Amount”), as being Incurred as of such election date, and, if the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, is complied with (or satisfied) with respect thereto on such election date, any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing thereunder (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) will be deemed to be permitted under this Section 4.9, and the related Liens, if any, shall be permitted pursuant to Section 4.12, whether or not the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, at the actual time of any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing (or issuance or creation of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances thereunder) is complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default); provided that for purposes of subsequent calculations of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, the Reserved Indebtedness Amount shall be deemed to be outstanding, whether or not such amount is actually outstanding, for so long as such commitments are outstanding or until the Company revokes an election of a Reserved Indebtedness Amount.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unless the Company elects otherwise, if, on any date, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any transaction or series of related transactions (i) Incurs Debt as permitted by a ratio-based or ratio-referent clause or provision and (ii) Incurs Debt under a non-ratio-based or non-ratio-referent clause or provision, then the applicable ratio will be calculated on such date with respect to any Incurrence under the applicable ratio-based or ratio referent clause or provision without giving effect to the Incurrence under such non-ratio-based or non-ratio-referent clause or provision made in connection with such transaction or series of related transactions.
None of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors will Incur any Debt that pursuant to its terms is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt unless such Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee to the same extent; provided that Debt will not be considered subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt solely by virtue of being unsecured or secured to a greater or lesser extent or with greater or lower priority or by virtue of structural subordination.
SECTION 4.10    Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(i) the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Capital Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this clause (ii), each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee), or any Guarantees of Debt of Persons other than the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, that are assumed (contractually or otherwise) by the Person acquiring such assets to the extent that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have no further liability with respect to such liabilities; (b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 365 days of their receipt to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

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(c) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (ii) or (iv) of the next paragraph of this Section 4.10; and
(d) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (d) that is at that time outstanding in the aggregate, not to exceed the greater of (x) $25.0 million and (y) 1.75% of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets, in each case at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Cash Proceeds at its option:
(i) to permanently repay Debt and, if the obligation repaid is revolving credit Debt, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, under (a) the Credit Agreement, (b) other Debt of the Company outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Debt subordinated by its terms to the Notes) with a Stated Maturity prior to the maturity of the Notes, including, without limitation, the 2027 Notes, (c) other Debt of the Company, other than Debt that is owed to a Restricted Subsidiary, which is secured by a Lien that is permitted by this Indenture (other than Debt subordinated by its terms to the Notes), and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, and (d) Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes, other than Debt that is owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(ii) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Interests of, any Person, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Interests, such Person is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(iii) (a) to invest (including capital expenditures) in or commit to invest in Additional Assets (including by means of an investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary); (b) to invest (including capital expenditures) in any one or more businesses, properties or assets that replace the businesses, property and/or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, with any such investment made by way of a capital or other lease valued at the present value of the minimum amount of payments under such lease (as reasonably determined by the Company); or (c) to make expenditures for maintenance, repair or improvement of existing properties and assets in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
(iv) to acquire other assets (other than inventory) that are used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(v) [Reserved]; or
(vi) any combination of the foregoing.
In addition to the foregoing, any acquisition of the type described in clauses (ii) or (iv) and/or any capital expenditure described in clause (iii), in each case made within 180 days prior to an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to satisfy this paragraph with respect to the application of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale.

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Any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the first two preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.10 or that are not applied for investment or to make capital expenditures as permitted by the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) in respect of a project for which binding contractual commitments have been entered into and have not been abandoned or rejected prior to the end of such 365-day period shall constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided, however, that the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of a project that is abandoned or rejected shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds” at the time the relevant project is so abandoned or rejected, as applicable; provided further, however, that the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds that is not actually reinvested within 545 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds.”
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets, the Company will (and at any time the Company may), within 30 days, make an Offer to Purchase (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) and to all holders of other Debt ranking pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to Asset Sales, equal to the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Offer to Purchase will be equal to at least 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to Purchase, the Company may use those funds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and they will no longer constitute Excess Proceeds. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Debt tendered into such Offer to Purchase exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company shall determine the aggregate principal amount of Notes and pari passu Debt to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such pari passu Debt tendered, and the Notes to be purchased shall be selected pursuant to Applicable Procedures if they are Global Notes, or if they are not global Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased by lot or by any other method that the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. Upon completion of each Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. Pending the final application of any Net Cash Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise temporarily invest the Net Cash Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
SECTION 4.11    Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of related transactions, contract, agreement, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to have been obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary with an unaffiliated party; and

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(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution (for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be obligated to review or evaluate such resolution) adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Company approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.
The foregoing limitations do not limit, and shall not apply to:
(a) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.7 and Permitted Investments permitted under this Indenture;
(b) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation and indemnities and other benefits to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary who are outside directors;
(c) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation (including awards or grants in cash or securities and other payments) and other benefits (including retirement, health, option, deferred compensation and other benefit plans) and indemnities to officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as determined by the Board of Directors thereof in good faith;
(d) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(e) any agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendment or modification thereto so long as such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;
(f) any contribution of capital to the Company;
(g) transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.1 hereof;
(h) any transaction with a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in such joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity;
(i) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by the Company, than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;
(j) transactions effected as part of a Permitted Receivables Facility;
(k) loans (or Guarantees of third-party loans) and advances to officers, directors and employees of the Company and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes; and (l) the issuance or sale of any Capital Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Interests) of the Company.

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SECTION 4.12    Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to enter into, create, Incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) (the “Initial Liens”), on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, which Liens secure Debt, without securing the Notes and all other amounts due under this Indenture equally and ratably with (or prior to) the Debt secured by such Initial Lien until such time as such Debt is no longer secured by such Initial Lien; provided that if the Debt so secured is subordinated by its terms to the Notes or a Note Guarantee, the Lien securing such Debt will also be so subordinated by its terms to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee at least to the same extent. Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.
SECTION 4.13    Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:
(i) the consideration received in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the property sold;
(ii) prior to and after giving effect to the Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the Company and such Restricted Subsidiary comply with Section 4.9; and
(iii) at or after such time the Company and such Restricted Subsidiary also comply with Section 4.10, if applicable.
SECTION 4.14    Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control. Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control or, at the Company’s option, prior to the consummation of a Change of Control but after the Change of Control is publicly announced, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.7, the Company will send a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control and making an Offer to Purchase to the Holders of all of the outstanding Notes at a Purchase Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount tendered, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the Purchase Date, on the Purchase Date specified in such notice, which date will be no earlier than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date on which such notice is mailed or sent, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. For purposes of the foregoing, an Offer to Purchase shall be deemed to have been made if (i) within 60 days following the date of the consummation of a transaction or series of transactions that constitutes a Change of Control, the Company commences an Offer to Purchase for all outstanding Notes at the Purchase Price (provided that the running of such 60-day period shall be suspended, for up to a maximum of 30 days, during any period when the commencement of such Offer to Purchase is delayed or suspended by reason of any court’s or governmental authority’s review of or ruling on any materials being employed by the Company to effect such Offer to Purchase, so long as the Company has used and continues to use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and conclude such Offer to Purchase promptly) and (ii) all Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase are purchased on the terms of such Offer to Purchase.
The Company shall not be required to make an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes such Offer to Purchase contemporaneously with or upon a Change of Control in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase or (ii) a notice of redemption has been given as described in Section 3.7.

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The Company will be required to comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase of the Notes as described above. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
In addition, an Offer to Purchase may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of launching the Offer to Purchase.
SECTION 4.15    Corporate Existence. Subject to Section 4.14 and Article V hereof, as the case may be, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 4.16    [Reserved].
SECTION 4.17    Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company to be an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” as provided below, in which event such Subsidiary and each other Person that is then or thereafter becomes a Subsidiary of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Company may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee unless (i) such Subsidiary owns any Capital Interests of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Material Intellectual Property (other than any non-exclusive license thereof); provided that either:
(a)    the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less; or
(b)    the Company could make a Restricted Payment at the time of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.7 and such amount is thereafter treated as a Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the amount available for Restricted Payments thereunder.
An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) all the Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9 and (ii) all the Liens on the property and assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.12.
SECTION 4.18    Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Books and Records.

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(i) Subject to, and in compliance with, the provisions of Article X, the Issuer shall cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Guarantor to be maintained and kept in good operating condition, repair and working order (ordinary wear and tear and casualty loss excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereto; provided that the Issuer shall not be obligated to make such repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements that would not result in a material adverse effect on the ability of the Issuer or any Guarantors to satisfy its obligations under the Notes, any Guarantees and this Indenture.
(ii) The Issuer shall maintain, and shall cause any Guarantor to maintain, insurance with responsible carriers against such risks and in such amounts, and with such deductibles, retentions, self-insured amounts and co-insurance provisions, as are customarily carried by similar businesses or similar size in the locations which such business is conducted, including property and casualty loss, workers’ compensation and interruption of business insurance.
(iii) The Issuer shall, and shall cause any Guarantor to, keep proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions of the Issuer and any Guarantor, in accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 4.19    Covenant Suspension.
(i) If on any date following the date of this Indenture:
(b) the Notes are rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s and BBB- or higher by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and
(c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
then, beginning on that date and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the covenants specifically listed in Sections 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.17 and clause (iii) of Section 5.1 will be suspended (“covenant suspension”).
(ii) During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless such designation would have been permitted pursuant Section 4.17 if a suspension period had not been in effect at such time.
(iii) Upon the occurrence of a covenant suspension event as described above, the amount of Net Cash Proceeds shall be set at zero.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the rating assigned by either such rating agency should subsequently decline and the Notes are not rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s and BBB- or higher by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency), the foregoing covenants will be reinstated as of and from the date of such rating decline. Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.7 will be made as if Section 4.7 had been in effect since the date of this Indenture, except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended. Debt Incurred during any suspension period will be classified initially to have been Incurred pursuant to clause (iv) of the definition of “Permitted Debt.” Notwithstanding that the suspended covenants may be reinstated, no Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with such suspended covenants during any suspension period (or upon termination of any covenant suspension period or after that time based solely on events that occurred during the suspension period).

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The Company shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee indicating the occurrence of any suspended or reinstated covenants. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such events have occurred or notify the Holders of any suspended or reinstated covenants. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate to any Holder of Notes upon request.
SECTION 4.20    Note Guarantee. If any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, issues or guarantees (or is an issuer or guarantor of) (i) the Credit Agreement or (ii) any other Capital Markets Debt that is in excess of $100.0 million, then such Domestic Subsidiary will become a Subsidiary Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Domestic Subsidiary will Guarantee the Notes within 30 Business Days of the later of (a) the date on which it issues or guarantees such other Debt or (b) the date on which it becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
If the Guaranteed Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect, the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Debt must be subordinate in right of payment to the Note Guarantee to at least the extent that the Guaranteed Debt is subordinated to the Notes.
ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS
SECTION 5.1    Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease. The Company will not in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person (other than a merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Company in which the Company is the continuing Person or the merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into or with another Restricted Subsidiary or another Person that as a result of such transaction becomes or merges into a Restricted Subsidiary), or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis), taken as a whole, to any other Person (including, in each case, by way of a Delaware LLC Division), unless:
(i) either: (a) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person that acquires, by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease, Delaware LLC Division or other disposition, all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company (such Person, the “Surviving Entity”), (1) shall be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (2) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Notes and the performance of the covenants and obligations of the Company under this Indenture; provided that at any time the Company or its successor is not a corporation, there shall be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a corporation;

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(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (iii) immediately after giving effect to any such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions) as if such transaction or series of transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not continuing) could Incur $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) under the provisions described in the first paragraph of Section 4.9 or the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would not be less than immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions; and
(iv) the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be obligated to review or evaluate such certificate or opinion), each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure to satisfy the requirements of the preceding clauses (ii) and (iii) will not prohibit:
(a) a merger between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) a merger between the Company and an Affiliate solely for the purpose of converting the Company into a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia so long as the amount of Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
For all purposes of this Indenture and the Notes, Subsidiaries of any Surviving Entity will, upon such transaction or series of transactions, become Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to this Indenture and all Debt, and all Liens on property or assets, of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries that was not Debt, or were not Liens on property or assets, of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions shall be deemed to have been Incurred upon such transaction or series of transactions.
Upon any transaction or series of transactions that are of the type described in, and are effected in accordance with, conditions described in this Section 5.1, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, under this Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named as the Company therein; and when a Surviving Entity duly assumes all of the obligations and covenants of the Company pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations.
Subject Section 10.6 and Section 10.7, each Subsidiary Guarantor will not, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, to any other Person (including, in each case, by way of a Delaware LLC Division), unless:
(v) (a) either: (1) such Subsidiary Guarantor, another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company shall be the continuing Person or (2) the Person (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor, another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which such Subsidiary Guarantor is merged, or the Person that acquires, by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease, Delaware LLC Division or other disposition, all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor (such Person, the “Successor Guarantor”), (A) shall be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (B) the Successor Guarantor shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, the Guarantee of the Company’s due and punctual payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Notes and the performance of the covenants and obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture;

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(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and
(c) the Successor Guarantor delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be obligated to review or evaluate such certificate or opinion), each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture; or
(vi) such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition transaction complies with Section 4.10.
Subject to certain limitations described herein, upon any transaction or series of transactions that are of the type described in, and are effected in accordance with, conditions described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the Successor Guarantor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if such Successor Guarantor had been named as such Subsidiary Guarantor therein; and when such Successor Guarantor duly assumes all of the obligations and covenants of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Subsidiary Guarantor shall be relieved of all such obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) liquidate or dissolve if (a) the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interest of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Holders and (b) any assets or business of such Subsidiary Guarantor not otherwise disposed of or transferred in accordance with this Section 5.1 and Section 4.10 or, in the case of any such business, discontinued, shall be transferred to, or otherwise owned or conducted by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, after giving effect to such liquidation or dissolution, (ii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and (iii) change its name.
SECTION 5.2 Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company (and, if necessary, any co-issuer) is merged or to which such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and shall exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein and when such successor Person duly assumes all the obligations and covenants of the Company pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations; provided, however, that in the event of a transfer or lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the payment of principal and interest or other obligations on the Notes.

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ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.1    Events of Default. Each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default”:
(i) default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);
(ii) default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(iii) failure to perform or comply with Section 4.3 and continuance of such failure to perform or comply for a period of 120 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;
(iv) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(v) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;
(vi) a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least $50.0 million, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or shall constitute a failure to pay at least $50.0 million of such Debt when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;
(vii) the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts covered by insurance where coverage has not been disclaimed or denied), by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgment or judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(viii) (a) the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(1) commences a voluntary case; (2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

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(3) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary,
and the order or decree under this clause (b) remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
SECTION 6.2    Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture and all amounts owing to the Trustee have been paid.
In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (vi) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (vi) of Section 6.1 shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) of Section 6.1 occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

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SECTION 6.3    Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 6.4    Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than as a result of an acceleration), which shall require the consent of all of the Holders of the Notes then outstanding.
SECTION 6.5    Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust power conferred on it. However, (i) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to determine whether any direction is prejudicial to any Holder) or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability or financial risk, and (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
SECTION 6.6    Limitation on Suits. A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(i) the Holder gives to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such notice from the Company;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer and provide to the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, cost, fee damage, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and the provision of such indemnity and/or security; and
(v) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
SECTION 6.7    Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

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SECTION 6.8    Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
SECTION 6.9    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable upon the conversion or exchange of the Notes or on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, fees, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, fees, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. The Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
SECTION 6.10    Priorities. Any money received or collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest upon presentation of the Notes and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: to the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee), its agents and attorneys for all amounts due under Section 7.7 hereof, including payment of all reasonable compensation, expense and liabilities incurred (including the reasonable costs and expense of counsel), and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

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SECTION 6.11    Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.1    Duties of Trustee.
(i) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has obtained actual knowledge or has received written notice thereof, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(ii) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has obtained actual knowledge:
(a) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(b) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions specifically required to be furnished to it to determine whether or not they conform as to form with the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts or conclusions stated therein).
(iii) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraphs (ii) or (v) of this Section 7.1;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof.
(iv) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Article VII.

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(v) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
(vi) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(vii) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless either (a) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Event of Default or (b) written notice of such Event of Default shall have been received by a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
(viii) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder. The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.
(ix) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections and immunities as set forth in paragraphs (v), (vi) of this Section and in Section 7.2, each with respect to the Trustee.
SECTION 7.2    Rights of Trustee.
(i) The Trustee, as Trustee and acting in each of its capacities hereunder, may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting on any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.
(ii) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of the Trustee’s own choosing and the advice of such counsel and any Opinion of such Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on the advice or opinion of such counsel or on any Opinion of Counsel.
(iii) The Trustee may act through its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee will not be responsible or liable for any act or omission by any Depositary.
(iv) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute gross negligence. Any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution. Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate.

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(v) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or a Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company or such Guarantor.
(vi) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the claims, costs, losses, fees, damages, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction and the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the trustee does not have an affirmative duty to determine whether any direction is prejudicial to any Holder) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability or financial risk. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of an Event of Default (and shall not be required to take any action related to an Event of Default) unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice or obtained actual knowledge of an Event of Default.
(vii) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or documents, or inquire as to the performance by the Company of any of its covenants in this Indenture, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine during normal business hours the books, records and premises of the Company or any Guarantor, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(viii) The rights, privileges, protections, powers, immunities, limitations of liability and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its rights to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each Agent, custodian and other Persons employed to act hereunder.
(ix) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(x) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.3 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or actual or constructive knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
(xi) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, any provision of any present or future law or regulation or act of any governmental authority, strikes, work stoppages, labor disputes, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes, disease, epidemics, pandemics, quarantines, recognized national emergencies or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, malware or ransomware attack, unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex system or other applicable wire or funds transfer system, or unavailability of any securities clearing system; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

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The Trustee assumes no responsibility and will have no liability for the accuracy, correctness, adequacy or completeness of the information concerning the Company or its Affiliates or any other party contained in this Indenture, the Offering Memorandum or the related documents or for any failure by the Company or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance, correctness, adequacy, completeness or accuracy of such information. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be responsible or liable for determining whether any Asset Sale has occurred or any Asset Sale Offer with respect to the Notes is required, and whether any Change of Control has occurred or whether any Offer to Purchase with respect to the Notes is required. The Trustee will not be responsible or liable for determining, confirming, or verifying the redemption price. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be responsible or liable for monitoring the Company’s rating status, making any request upon any rating agency, or determining whether any rating decline with respect to the Notes has occurred. The Trustee will not be responsible or liable for determining, confirming, or verifying the redemption price. The Trustee, in each of its capacities, will be entitled to those certain rights, privileges, immunities, indemnities, limitations of liability, and protections, as more fully set forth in this Indenture.
(xii) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable to any Person for special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(xiii) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any direction, certificate, certification, notice, instruction, agreement, order, evidence, notification, request, withdrawal of a request, or other communication to or for the Trustee (in any of its capacities hereunder) shall be made in writing and in English. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
SECTION 7.3    Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must either eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 hereof.
SECTION 7.4    Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or Note Guarantees, and it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer’s or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible or liable for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible or liable for any statement or recitals herein or any statement in the Notes, any statement or recital in the Offering Memorandum or any document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication on the Notes. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Issuer’s compliance with or breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty, or covenant, or agreement of any Person, other than the Trustee, made in this Indenture.

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SECTION 7.5    Notice of Defaults. If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send electronically or mail to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has obtained actual knowledge or has received written notice at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, on any Note, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.
SECTION 7.6    [Reserved].
SECTION 7.7    Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties will agree from time to time in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses, disbursements, and advances incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, fees and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Issuer and any Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee (which for purposes of this Section 7.7 shall include its officers, directors, employees and agents) against any and all claims, costs, fees, damages, losses, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses and court costs of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any Guarantor (including this Section 7.7) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights, powers or duties hereunder except to the extent any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable for any consequential or punitive damages of any kind.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through gross negligence or willful misconduct, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor under this Section 7.7 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge or termination for any reason or assignment of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal or interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge, termination or assignment for any reason of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
In addition, and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(viii) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

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“Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.7 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.
SECTION 7.8    Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.8.
The Trustee may resign at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
The Trustee may resign under this Indenture at any time after giving notice to the Company, the paying agent (if other than the Trustee) and the Holders. The Trustee may be removed under this Indenture at any time by thirty (30) days’ advance written notice signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee, paying agent and the Holders for ineligibility, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other incapability to act.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall notify each Holder of such event and shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Promptly after that, and upon payment of the retiring Trustee’s fees, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and all other amounts payable to it hereunder the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided in Section 7.7 hereof, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall deliver notice of its succession to each Holder.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, with all fees, costs, and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with such petition paid by the Company.

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No such resignation or removal shall be effective until a successor Trustee has been appointed. The Company may appoint a temporary trustee until the appointment of such successor. The Trustee is entitled to merge with, convert with, consolidated with, acquire, or be acquired by any other entity or to sell or transfer all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets and need not notify any other party prior to such merger or acquisition. Any entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted with or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business or assets of the Trustee shall be the successor to the Trustee under the transaction agreement(s), without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act (except for the giving of notice of such transaction) on the part of any of the parties thereto.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
The Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.9    Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee or any Agent consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or any Agent, as applicable.
SECTION 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. The Trustee together with its affiliates shall at all times have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent annual report of condition.
SECTION 7.11    [Reserved].
SECTION 7.12    Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Issuer. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Issuer may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than twenty Business Days after the date any officer of the Issuer actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
SECTION 7.13    Calculations in Respect of Securities. The Company will be responsible for making calculations called for under the Securities. These calculations include, but are not limited to, redemption price, determination of premiums, if any, additional amounts, if any, original issue discount, if any, and conversion rates and adjustments, if any. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders of the Securities. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when applicable, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Notes upon the written request of such Holder.

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ARTICLE VIII

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.1    Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.
SECTION 8.2    Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.4(i); (ii) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10 and 4.2 hereof; (iii) the rights, powers, privileges, protections, trusts, duties, indemnities, limitations of liability, benefits and immunities of the Trustee, including without limitation thereunder, under Section 7.7, 8.5 and 8.7 hereof and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; (iv) the Company’s rights pursuant to Section 3.7; and (v) the provisions of this Article VIII. Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.3 hereof.
SECTION 8.3    Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.17 and 5.1 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, Sections 6.1(iii) and (v) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default. If the Issuer exercises its defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

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SECTION 8.4    Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance:
(i) the Issuer must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the Holders of such Notes: (a) money in an amount, (b) U.S. government obligations, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount or (c) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized banking or nationally recognized financial advisory firm selected by the Company, expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the entire indebtedness in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes on the Stated Maturity thereof or (if the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) the redemption date thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Notes;
(ii) in the case of defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (a) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case (a) or (b) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Beneficial Owners of such Notes will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur;
(iii) in the case of covenant defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Beneficial Owners of such outstanding Notes will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance were not to occur;
(iv) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Notes shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect thereto (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien to secure such borrowing);
(v) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; and
(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (ii) above with respect to a defeasance need not to be delivered if all Notes not therefore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, or (ii) will become due and payable at Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

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SECTION 8.5    Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.6 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. government obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust, shall not be invested, and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or any Subsidiary acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer shall pay, reimburse and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. government obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the written request of the Issuer and be relieved of all liability with respect to any money or non-callable U.S. government obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or nationally recognized banking or nationally recognized financial advisory firm selected by the Issuer, expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4(i) hereof) and which opinion shall be at the expense of the Issuer, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.
SECTION 8.6    Repayment to Issuer. Subject to applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its written request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 8.7    Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. government obligations in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

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ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.1    Without Consent of Holders of the Notes. Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holders, the Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantors (except that any existing Subsidiary Guarantors need not execute a supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to clause (vii) below) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture and any Note Guarantees for any of the following purposes:
(i) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company in this Indenture, any Note Guarantees and the Notes;
(ii) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders, to make any changes that would provide any additional benefits or rights to the Holders, to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer, or to secure the Notes;
(iii) to add additional Events of Default;
(iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of the Certificated Notes;
(v) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture by a successor Trustee;
(vi) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(vii) to add a Subsidiary Guarantor or to release a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Indenture;
(viii) to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission, mistake or inconsistency;
(ix) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such actions pursuant to this clause (ix) shall not adversely affect the legal interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(x) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the “Description of Notes”.
SECTION 9.2    With Consent of Holders of Notes. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture, including the definitions herein; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:

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(i) change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the redemption price therefor;
(ii) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;
(iii) modify or change any provision of this Indenture affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, including without limitation, amend, modify or waive any provision that would allow for the subordination of the Notes or any Note Guarantee to any other Debt;
(iv) modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby; or
(v) terminate any Note Guarantees required to be maintained under this Indenture (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past Default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a Default:
(a) in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Issuer); or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected,
each of which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall require the consent of all the Holders of the Notes outstanding.
SECTION 9.3    [Reserved].
SECTION 9.4    Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. When an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it thereafter binds every Holder.
The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for determining which Holders consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver. If the Issuer fixes a record date, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished for the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof or (ii) such other date as the Issuer shall designate.

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SECTION 9.5    Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate (upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.2) new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
After any amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment, supplement or waiver. The failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.6    Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, privileges, powers, protections, indemnities, duties, limitation of liability or immunities of the Trustee. In signing or refusing to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.1 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Issuer and any Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE X

NOTE GUARANTEES
SECTION 10.1    Note Guarantees.
(i) Subject to this Article X, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise (including, without limitation, the amount that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Law), together with interest on the overdue principal, if any, and interest on any overdue interest to the extent lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or of any such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(ii) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

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(iii) Subject to Section 6.6, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that, in the event of a default in payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on such Note, whether at its Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption, purchase or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holder of such Note, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against each of the Guarantors to enforce such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that if, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee or any of the Holders are prevented by applicable law from exercising their respective rights to accelerate the maturity of the Notes, to collect interest on the Notes, or to enforce or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Notes, such Guarantor shall pay to the Trustee for the account of the Holders, upon demand therefor, the amount that would otherwise have been due and payable had such rights and remedies been permitted to be exercised by the Trustee or any of the Holders.
(iv) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Issuer or any Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee of each of the Guarantors, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. This paragraph (iv) shall remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by the Trustee or any Holder in reliance upon such amount required to be returned. This paragraph (iv) shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
(v) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.2 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (b) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.2 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantees.
SECTION 10.2 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee. To the extent a Restricted Subsidiary is subsequently required to be designated as an additional Guarantor (such Restricted Subsidiary, an “Additional Guarantor”) pursuant to Section 4.20, to evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1, each Additional Guarantor shall agree to execute and deliver a supplemental indenture to this Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E to this Indenture providing for a Note Guarantee by such Additional Guarantor and that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. Such notation of Note Guarantee shall be signed on behalf of such Additional Guarantor by an officer of such Additional Guarantor (or, if an officer is not available, by a board member or director or another authorized person) on behalf of such Additional Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature and shall be delivered to the Trustee.

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In case the officer, board member or director of such Additional Guarantor who shall have signed such notation of Note Guarantee shall cease to be such officer, board member or director before the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, such Note nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered as though the Person who signed such notation of Note Guarantee had not ceased to be such officer, board member or director.
Each Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect and apply to all the Notes notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee. The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.
SECTION 10.3    Severability. In case any provision of any Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 10.4    Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability. Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that any Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Federal Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount that will not, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
SECTION 10.5    [Reserved.]
SECTION 10.6    Releases Following Sale of Assets. Any Guarantor shall be released and relieved of any obligations under this Note Guarantee, (i) in connection with any sale or other disposition by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, if the Issuer or the Guarantor applies the Net Proceeds of that sale or other disposition in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof; or (ii) in connection with any sale of all of the capital stock of a Guarantor by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, if the Issuer applies the Net Cash Proceeds of that sale in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof. Upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be obligated to review or evaluate such certificate or opinion) to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

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Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under this Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article X.
SECTION 10.7    Release of a Guarantor. A Note Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally terminated, and such Subsidiary’s obligations under the Note Guarantee and this Indenture will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, upon:
(i) a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of the Subsidiary Guarantor or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) otherwise permitted by this Indenture, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary;
(ii) the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor’s becoming an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(iii) the termination of the Debt or Guarantee that caused the creation of the Note Guarantee unless the termination is by or as a result of payment in connection with the enforcement of remedies under such other Debt or Guarantee; provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;
(iv) such Subsidiary Guarantor becoming an Excluded Subsidiary other than as a result of a transaction in violation of this Indenture;
(v) the Company exercising its defeasance option or covenant defeasance option with respect to this Indenture in accordance with Article VIII or the Company’s obligations under this Indenture being satisfied and discharged in accordance with this Indenture; or
(vi) With the consent of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture as described in Article IX.
If the Note Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor is deemed to be released or is automatically released, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating the identity of the released Subsidiary Guarantor, the basis for release in reasonable detail, and that such release complies with this Indenture. The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of the Company’s request for such release accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to the compliance with this Section 10.7, and an Opinion of Counsel (for informational purposes only and the Trustee shall not be obligated to review or evaluate such certificate or opinion). Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes as provided in its Note Guarantee.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, without the consent of the Holders in accordance with Article IX, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Indenture if such Subsidiary Guarantor either (i) ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor as a result of a transaction undertaken by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary resulting in such Subsidiary Guarantor ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) ceases to be a Subsidiary but the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, retains any direct or indirect Capital Interest in, or otherwise controls, such Person, unless the transaction pursuant to which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or ceases to be a Subsidiary is entered into for legitimate bona fide business purposes (other than for purposes of releasing Note Guarantees under this Indenture) in good faith with an unaffiliated third party (or with a joint venture entity pursuant to a joint venture entered into for legitimate bona fide business purposes with an unaffiliated third party).

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SECTION 10.8    Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its guarantee and waivers pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 11.1    Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
(i) either: (a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or (b) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable or (2) will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year (a “Discharge”) under irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes, not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or date of redemption;
(ii) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture by the Company;
(iii) the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;
(iv) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be; and
(v) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the Discharge have been complied with.
Notwithstanding Discharge, the rights, powers, trusts, privileges, protections, duties, indemnities, limitations of liability and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith shall survive.
ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.1    [Reserved].
SECTION 12.2    Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others address:

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If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
9900 West 109th Street, Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Treasurer
Email: Treasury@compassminerals.com
With a copy to:
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
One Liberty Plaza,
New York NY 10006
Attention: Duane Mclaughlin
Email:dmclaughlin@cgsh.com
Telephone: +1 2122252106
If to the Trustee:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
1505 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Administrator for Compass Minerals International, Inc.
Email: cctbondholdercommunications@computershare.com
Telephone: 800 344-5128
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail or electronically delivered, where possible, to his or her address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders of the Notes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Holder receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.
The Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with notices, instructions, directions or other communications sent by email, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by persons believed by the Trustee to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Issuer.

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The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Issuer; and the Trustee shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Issuer a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such notices, instructions, directions or other communications. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions, directions or other communications to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. The Issuer shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications transmitted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture are complete and correct. Any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications shall be conclusively deemed to be valid instructions from the Issuer to the Trustee for the purposes of this Indenture.
SECTION 12.3    [Reserved].
SECTION 12.4    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officer’s Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied (provided, however, that no conditions precedent Opinion of Counsel is required in connection with the initial issuance of the Notes).
SECTION 12.5    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
SECTION 12.6    Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
SECTION 12.7    Legal Holidays; Non-Business Days.
(i) If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

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(ii) If any interest payment date, the maturity date, any redemption date, or any earlier required repurchase date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay.
SECTION 12.8    No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Partners, Officers or Directors. No director, officer, employee, shareholder, Affiliate, general or limited partner or incorporator, past, present or future, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any personal liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, any Note Guarantee or this Indenture by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee, shareholder, Affiliate, general or limited partner or incorporator. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., is acting under this Indenture solely as Trustee and not individually and recourse against it as trustee for the obligations of the Company under this Indenture shall be limited solely to the assets held by the Trustee (if any) solely in its representative capacity as Trustee.
No recourse may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law, be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantors on the Notes or under this Indenture or any related documents, any certificate or other writing delivered in connection therewith, against (i) the Trustee in its individual, personal or corporate capacity, (ii) any partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer, director, employee, agent, successor or assign of the Trustee, each in its individual capacity, or (iii) any holder of equity in the Trustee.
Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
SECTION 12.9    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 12.10    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 12.11    Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
SECTION 12.12    Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 12.13 Counterpart Originals. This Indenture (and any document executed in connection with this Indenture, except for the Notes) shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature.

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Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall authenticate the Notes by manual signature and the Issuer shall execute the Notes by manual signature.
SECTION 12.14    Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 12.15    U.S.A. Patriot Act. The Company acknowledges that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
[Signatures on following page]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Indenture]




NAMSCO INC.
COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA INC.
COMPASS MINERALS LOUISIANA INC.
COMPASS MINERALS USA LLC
GREAT SALT LAKE HOLDINGS, LLC
GSL CORPORATION
COMPASS MINERALS OGDEN INC.
CLYMAN BAY RESOURCES, INC.
COMPASS MINERALS LITHIUM CORP OF AMERICA INC.
FRS GROUP LLC
FORTRESS NORTH AMERICA, LLC



By: /s/ Peter Fjellman
Name:
Peter Fjellman
Title:
Chief Financial Officer




[Signature Page to Indenture]




DOVE CREEK GRAZING, LLC
By: /s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Manager
[Signature Page to Indenture]




COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By: /s/ Corey J. Dahlstrand
Name: Corey J. Dahlstrand
Title: Vice President
[Signature Page to Indenture]




EXHIBIT A
FORM OF 8.000% SENIOR NOTE
(Face of Note)
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]


A-1



COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
8.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030
 
No.      
   
CUSIP No. (144A) 20451NAJ0; (Reg S) U2038LAB8
ISIN No. (144A) US20451NAJ00; (Reg S) USU2038LAB81
Compass Minerals International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of ______________ Dollars ($__________), or such other principal sum as shall be set forth in the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto, on July 1, 2030.
Interest Payment Dates: January 1 and July 1, beginning January 1, 2026
Record Dates: December 15 and June 15
Reference is made to further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

A-2



In WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: June 16, 2025


COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By:    
Name:
Title:
A-3




TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
Dated: June 16, 2025
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee (Reverse of Note) 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

By:_______________________________________
    Authorized Signatory

A-4



Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1.    Interest.
(a)    Compass Minerals International, Inc., an Delaware corporation, or its successor (together, “Compass”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note (the “Notes”) at 8.000% per annum. Compass will pay interest in United States dollars (except as otherwise provided herein) semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 2026 or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including June 16, 2025; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (but after January 1, 2026), interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of the Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. Compass shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The interest rate on the Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.
2.    Method of Payment.
Compass will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) on the applicable Interest Payment Date to the Persons who are registered Holders of the Notes at the close of business on the December 15 and June 15 preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.
The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of Compass maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of Compass, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided written wire transfer instructions to Compass and the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
Any payments of principal of and interest on this Note prior to Stated Maturity shall be binding upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted hereon. The amount due and payable at the maturity of this Note shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Note at an office of the Trustee or the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes.
3.    Paying Agent and Registrar.
Initially, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. Compass may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. Compass or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4.    Indenture.
Compass issued the Notes under an indenture dated June 16, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between Compass and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture.
A-5



To the extent the provisions of this Note are inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. The Notes issued on the Issue Date are senior unsecured obligations of Compass. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.
5.    Optional Redemption.
Except as set forth below, the Company will not be entitled to redeem the Notes at its option prior to July 1, 2027. At any time prior to July 1, 2027, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption, plus (c) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date). Calculation of the Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.
On or after July 1, 2027, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the years indicated below (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date):
Year   Percentage  
2027
    104.000  %
2028
    102.000  %
2029 and thereafter
    100.000  %

In addition, at any time or from time to time prior to July 1, 2027, the Company, at its option, may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 108.000% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and (ii) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering (disregarding the date of closing of any over-allotment or other “greenshoe” option with respect thereto).
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed by lot, pro rata or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (subject to Applicable Procedures).
At any time, in connection with any Offer to Purchase the Notes, including, without limitation, any Offer to Purchase in connection with a Change of Control or an Asset Sale, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Company, or any third party making such a tender offer in lieu of the Company, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 10 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder (excluding any early tender or incentive fee) in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
The Issuer may, at any time and from time to time, acquire Notes by means other than a redemption, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions, or otherwise, subject to compliance with the Indenture and compliance with all applicable securities laws.
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6.    Mandatory Redemption.
Compass shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
7.    [Reserved].
8.    Repurchase at Option of Holder.
(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, Compass will make an Offer to Purchase for all of the outstanding Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to but not including the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, Compass will mail or deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer required by the Indenture.
(b)    Upon the occurrence of certain Asset Sales, Compass may be required to offer to purchase the Notes.
(c)    Holders of the Notes that are the subject of an Offer to Purchase will receive notice of an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Asset Sale or a Change of Control from Compass prior to any related Purchase Date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form titled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” appearing below.
9.    Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be delivered at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in a minimum amount of $2,000 principal amount (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes or portions hereof called for redemption, unless Compass defaults in the payment of the redemption price.
10.    Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in initial denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of the Notes may be registered and the Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and Compass may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. Compass need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
11.    Persons Deemed Owners.
The registered holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
12.    Amendment, Supplement and Waiver.
Subject to the following paragraphs, the Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes.
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(a)    Without the consent of any Holders, Compass, any Subsidiary Guarantors (except that any existing Subsidiary Guarantors need not execute a supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to clause (vii) below) and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture and any Note Guarantees for any of the following purposes:
(i)    to evidence the succession of another Person to Compass and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of Compass in the Indenture, any Note Guarantees and the Notes;
(ii)    to add to the covenants of Compass for the benefit of the Holders, to make any changes that would provide any additional benefits or rights to the Holders, to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon Compass, or to secure the Notes;
(iii)    to add additional Events of Default;
(iv)    to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of the Certificated Notes;
(v)    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture by a successor Trustee;
(vi)    to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;
(vii)    to add a Subsidiary Guarantor or to release a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the Indenture;
(viii)    to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission, mistake or inconsistency;
(ix)    to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, provided that such actions pursuant to this clause (ix) shall not adversely affect the legal interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Compass; or
(x)    to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the “Description of Notes”.
(b)    With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, Compass, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to the Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under the Indenture, including the definitions therein; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:
(i)    change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the redemption price therefor;
(ii)    reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain Defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture;
(iii) modify or change any provision of the Indenture affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, including without limitation, amend, modify or waive any provision that would allow for the subordination of the Notes or any Note Guarantee to any other Debt;
A-8



(iv)    modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby; or
(v)    terminate any Note Guarantees required to be maintained under the Indenture (other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture).
(c)    The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past Default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a Default:
(i)    in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Issuer); or
(ii)    in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected, each of which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall require the consent of all the Holders of the Notes outstanding.
13.    Defaults and Remedies.
Events of Default include:
(a)    default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);
(b)    default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(c)    failure to perform or comply with the Indenture provisions described under Section 4.3 thereof and continuance of such failure to perform or comply for a period of 120 days after written notice thereof has been given to Compass by the Trustee or to Compass and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;
(d)    except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Subsidiary Guarantor or Compass not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(e)    default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of Compass or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to Compass by the Trustee or to Compass and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;
(f)    a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by Compass or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least $50.0 million, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or shall constitute a failure to pay at least $50.0 million of such Debt when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;
A-9



(g)    the entry against Compass or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts covered by insurance where coverage has not been disclaimed or denied), by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgment or judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(h)    Compass, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A)    commences a voluntary case;
(B)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(C)    consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(D)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(E)    generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or
(ii)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A)    is for relief against Compass or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(B)    appoints a custodian of Compass or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of Compass or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(C)    orders the liquidation of Compass or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree under this clause (ii) remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (h) above with respect to Compass) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to Compass (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture and all amounts owing to the Trustee have been paid.
In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (f) above has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (f) shall be remedied or cured by Compass or a Restricted Subsidiary of Compass or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (h) above occurs with respect to Compass, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. For further information as to waiver of Defaults, see Article IX of the Indenture.
A-10



If a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of a Default or has obtained actual knowledge of a Default, the Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any Default (except Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest) if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders to do so.
14.    Trustee Dealings with Compass.
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for Compass, any Guarantor or their respective Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with Compass, any Guarantor or their respective Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
15.    No Recourse Against Others.
No director, officer, employee, shareholder, Affiliate, general or limited partner or incorporator, past, present or future, of Compass or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any personal liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, any Note Guarantee or the Indenture by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee, shareholder, Affiliate, general or limited partner or incorporator. The Trustee will act under the Indenture solely as Trustee and not individually and recourse against it as trustee for the obligations of the Company under the Indenture shall be limited solely to the assets held by the Trustee (if any) solely in its representative capacity as Trustee.
No recourse may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law, be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of Compass or any Subsidiary Guarantors on the Notes or under the Indenture or any related documents, any certificate or other writing delivered in connection therewith, against (i) the Trustee in its individual capacity, (ii) any partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer, director, employee, agent, successor or assign of the Trustee, each in its individual capacity, or (iii) any holder of equity in the Trustee.
Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
16.    Authentication.
This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
17.    Abbreviations.
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
18.    CUSIP, ISIN or Common Numbers.
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP, ISIN, and Common Code numbers in notices (including notices of redemption) as a convenience to the Holders. No representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers or codes either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed thereon.
19.    Governing Law.
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
A-11



Compass shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Compass Minerals International, Inc. 9900 West 109th Street, Suite 100 Overland Park, Kansas 66210 Attention: Treasurer, Treasury@compassminerals.com To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

A-12



ASSIGNMENT FORM
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
_________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
_________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
and irrevocably appoint                                                agent to transfer this Note on the books of Compass. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
_________________________________________________________________________________
                Your
Date:_______________        Signature:_______________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears
on the face of this Note)
Signature guarantee:_________________________________________________________________________
(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a
recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

A-13



OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by Compass Minerals International, Inc. pursuant to Section 4.10 (Asset Sale) or 4.14 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box below:
Section 4.10 Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by Compass Minerals International, Inc. pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________________
Date:                Your
                Signature:_______________________________________________
    (Sign exactly as your name appears
    on the other side of this Note.)
Tax Identification Number:__________________________________________________________________________
Signature Guarantee:________________________________________________________________________
(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a
recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

A-14



SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for other 8.000% Senior Notes have been made:
 
Date of Exchange  
Amount of
Decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
 
Amount of
Increase in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
 
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
Following Such
Decrease (or Increase)
 
Signature of
Authorized Officer
of Trustee or Note
Custodian




A-15



EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
9900 West 109th Street, Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Treasurer, Treasury@compassminerals.com
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
1505 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
Attention: Corporate Trust Services - Compass Minerals International, Inc. Administrator
Email: #nacctdapsreorg@computershare.com
Phone: (800) 344-5128

Re: Compass Minerals International, Inc. 8.00% Senior Notes due 2030
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between Compass Minerals International, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
                        (the “Transferor”), owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $            in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                             (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
2. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
B-1



3. ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(i) ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(ii) ☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or
(iii) ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
4. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
(i) ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 144A, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
B-2



Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
    
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:


Name:

Title:


Dated:



B-3



ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
☐ a beneficial interest in the:
☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP         ), or
(ii)    ☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP         ); or
☐ a Restricted Definitive Note.
After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
☐ a beneficial interest in the:
☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP         ), or
☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP         ), or
☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP         ); or
☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or
☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.



B-4



EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
9900 West 109th Street, Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Treasurer, Treasury@compassminerals.com
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
1505 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
Attention: Corporate Trust Services - Compass Minerals International, Inc. Administrator
Email: #nacctdapsreorg@computershare.com
Phone: (800) 344-5128

Re: Compass Minerals International, Inc. 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030
(CUSIP     )
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between Compass Minerals International, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”) and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
    (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $    in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note
☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
C-1



☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficiary interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes
☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the
[CHECK ONE]
☐ 144A Global Note    ☐ Regulation S Global Note
with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

C-2



This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
[Insert Name of Owner]
By:
Name:
Title:
Dated:    



C-3



EXHIBIT D
FORM OF NOTATIONAL GUARANTEE
Each Guarantor listed below (hereinafter referred to as the “Guarantor,” which term includes any successors or assigns under that certain Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2025 (the “Indenture”), by and between Compass Minerals International, Inc. (“Compass”) and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), has guaranteed the 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) and the obligations of Compass under the Indenture, which include (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of Compass, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest, if any, on the Notes, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of Compass to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article X of the Indenture, (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and (iii) the payment of any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Note Guarantee or the Indenture.
The obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Note Guarantee.
No stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future of each Guarantor shall have any liability under this Note Guarantee by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator.
This is a continuing Note Guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of Compass’ obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until released in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. This is a Note Guarantee of payment and not of collection.
This Note Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Note Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
THE TERMS OF ARTICLE X OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

D-1



Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
Dated as of    
[NAME OF GUARANTOR]
By:
Name:
Title:





D-2



EXHIBIT E
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS
[     - insert number] Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of [    ] [ ], 20[ ], among Compass Minerals International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),         (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a         and a subsidiary of the Company, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Guarantors (as defined in this Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of June 16, 2025, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Indenture, the Company has notified the Trustee that the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture;
WHEREAS, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture to provide its Note Guarantee in accordance with Article 10.1 of the Indenture and all things necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture, and the Note Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary valid and binding agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, in accordance with the terms thereof, have been done; and
WHEREAS, the Company has provided to the Trustee such documents as are required to be provided to it under Sections 10.1 and 10.2 of the Indenture, has directed the Trustee to join with it and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, and pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Indenture, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of each other and the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:
1.    Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2.    Guarantor. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to be a Guarantor under this Indenture and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to Guarantors, including Article 10 thereof. Pursuant to Section 10.2 of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary has executed and delivered a notation of guarantee substantially in the form provided by Exhibit D to the Indenture.
3.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
E-1



5.    Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture (and any document executed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture, except for any Additional Notes) shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall authenticate any Additional Notes by manual signature and the Issuer shall execute any Additional Notes by manual signature.
6.    Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
7.    The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, the Note Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary. All of the provisions contained in the Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, protections, powers, benefits, immunities, indemnities, and limitations of liability of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of this Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like force and effect as though fully set forth in full herein.

E-2



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.
[COMPANY]
By:
Name:
Title:
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:
Name:
Title:
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:


E-3

EX-10.1 3 cmp-q32025xex101amendmentn.htm EX-10.1 Document
Exhibit 10.1
[EXECUTED VERSION]
AMENDMENT NO. 5 dated as of June 16, 2025 (this “Amendment”), to the CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 20, 2016, as amended and restated as of November 26, 2019, as further amended and restated as of May 5, 2023 (as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “US Borrower”), COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP., a corporation continued and amalgamated under the laws of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada (the “Canadian Borrower”), COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “UK Borrower” and, together with the US Borrower and the Canadian Borrower, the “Borrowers”), the other LOAN PARTIES party hereto, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
WHEREAS pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrowers on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS the US Borrower intends to issue, as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (as defined below), senior unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650,000,000 (the “New Senior Notes”), the net proceeds of which shall be applied to (a) prepay all Loans outstanding as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and (b) redeem a portion of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date;
WHEREAS the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as set forth herein; and
WHEREAS the Required Lenders are willing to amend such provisions of the Credit Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendments. Effective as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, (a) the Credit Agreement will be amended to reflect the changes set forth in Exhibit A hereto (with the text in underline reflecting additions to the Credit Agreement and text in reflecting deletions to the Credit Agreement), (b) Exhibit E to the Credit Agreement will be replaced in its entirety with Exhibit B hereto and (c) Annex B-1 to the Credit Agreement will be replaced in its entirety with Annex B-1 hereto. In addition, effective as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, Section 4 to Amendment No. 4 will be amended to restate clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the first sentence of such Section to read as follows: “(b) [reserved], (c) [reserved] and (d) [reserved]”.



SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each of the Lenders that this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by an authorized officer of such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date (the “Amendment No. 5 Effective Date”):
(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders;
(b) as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(c) each representation and warranty set forth in Section 2 hereof and each other representation and warranty made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly relates to an earlier date (in which case such representation and warranty is true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language is true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates;
(d) (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrowers a notice of voluntary prepayment, delivered in accordance with Section 2.10 of the Credit Agreement, with respect to all Loans to be outstanding as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, (ii) the New Senior Notes shall have been issued, (iii) a portion of the net proceeds of the New Senior Notes shall have been applied to prepay in full all Loans outstanding as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (including all accrued but unpaid interest thereon and fees thereon) and (iv) a portion of the net proceeds of the New Senior Notes shall have been funded to the trustee for the Senior Notes in an amount sufficient to redeem at least $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes (which redemption shall occur no later than the second Business Day following the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date); and
(e) the fees and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 7 hereof shall have been paid on or substantially simultaneously with (but in no event later than) the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.
SECTION 4. Credit Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment (a) shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, any Borrower or any other Loan Party under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and (b) shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.



Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Borrower or any other Loan Party to any future consent to, or waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances. After the date hereof, any reference in the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement shall mean the Credit Agreement as modified hereby. This Amendment shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 5. Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction and Waivers; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF A DIFFERENT GOVERNING LAW.
(b) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 9.13 AND 9.16 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTIONS WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.
SECTION 6. Counterparts; Electronic Execution; Amendment. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Amendment on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic means), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Amendment shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that (a) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party party hereto hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf.



or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Amendment shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (ii) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Amendment in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (iii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Amendment based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Amendment, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (iv) waives any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (collectively, the “Lender-Related Parties” and each, a “Lender-Related Party”) for any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damage or liabilities of any kind (collectively, “Liabilities”) arising solely from any Lender-Related Party’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature. As used herein, “Electronic Signatures” means any electronic sound, symbol or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record. This Amendment may not be amended nor may any provision hereof be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by each Borrower and each other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.
SECTION 7. Fees and Expenses.
(a) The US Borrower hereby agrees to pay to JPMorgan, for its own account and for the account of each Lender that consents to this Amendment, such fees that have been separately agreed to by the US Borrower and JPMorgan. The fees payable pursuant to this Section 7(a) will be paid in immediately available funds on, and subject to the occurrence of, the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and shall not be refundable.
(b) The US Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Amendment to the extent required under Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 8. Headings. The Section headings used in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

[Signature Pages Follow]




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer


COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.
By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer


COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED
By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer





NAMSCO INC.
COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA INC.
COMPASS MINERALS LOUISIANA INC.
COMPASS MINERALS USA LLC
GREAT SALT LAKE HOLDINGS, LLC
GSL CORPORATION
COMPASS MINERALS OGDEN INC.
CLYMAN BAY RESOURCES, INC.
COMPASS MINERALS WINNIPEG UNLIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
CMP CANADA INC.
COMPASS MINERALS NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY
COMPASS RESOURCES CANADA COMPANY
COMPASS CANADA POTASH HOLDINGS INC.
COMPASS MINERALS WYNARD INC.
COMPASS MINERALS LITHIUM CORP OF AMERICA INC.


By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

DOVE CREEK GRAZING, LLC

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

COMPASS CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: CMP Canada Inc., its General Partner


By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer





COMPASS MINERALS (EUROPE) LIMITED
COMPASS MINERALS UK HOLDINGS LIMITED
DEEPSTORE HOLDINGS LIMITED
COMPASS MINERALS STORAGE & ARCHIVES LIMITED

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

NASC NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

By: NASC NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY, as general partner

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer

CMI NOVA SCOTIA COMPANY

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer





COMPASS MINERALS DO BRASIL LTDA

By:
/s/ Peter Fjellman
Name: Peter Fjellman
Title: Chief Financial Officer





FRS GROUP LLC

By:
/s/ Jared M. Campbell
Name: Jared M. Campbell
Title: Assistant Secretary


FORTRESS NORTH AMERICA, LLC

By:
/s/ Jared M. Campbell
Name: Jared M. Campbell
Title: Assistant Secretary





JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its respective capacities as Administrative Agent, a Revolving Lender, an Issuing Bank and a Term Lender
By:
/s/ James Shender
Name: James Shender
Title: Executive Director












































LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

COMMERCE BANK
By: /s/ Eric Tomoehlen
Name: Eric Tomoehlen
Title: Senior Vice President



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Megan Pridmore
Name: Megan Pridmore
Title: Executive Director



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.,
By: /s/ Aaron McLean
Name: Aaron McLean
Title: Authorized Signatory



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

ING CAPITAL LLC
By: /s/ Remko van de Water
Name: Remko van de Water
Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Remco Meeuwis
Name: Remco Meeuwis
Title: Director



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH
By: /s/ Matthew Plominski
Name: Matthew Plominski
Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Reggie Crichlow
Name: Reggie Crichlow
Title: Vice President



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By: /s/ Dhirendra Udharamaney
Name: Dhirendra Udharamaney
Title: Director



LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO
AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 20,
2016, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 26, 2019, AS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY
5, 2023 (AS FURTHER AMENDED,
RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME
TO TIME), AMONG COMPASS
MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
THE SEVERAL BANKS AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM
TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ David Bentzinger
Name: David Bentzinger
Title: Senior Vice President
PNC BANK, CANADA BRANCH
By: /s/ Cameron Ruff
Name: Cameron Ruff
Title: Senior Vice President



EXHIBIT A

Form of Amended Credit Agreement dated as of April 20, 2016 as amended and restated as of November 26, 2019,

[See attached]




Exhibit A

US $575,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT,
as further amended and restated as of May 5, 2023,

among
COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
as US Borrower,
COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP.,
as Canadian Borrower,
COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED,
as UK Borrower,
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
_______________________________________________
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
BOFA SECURITIES, INC., COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH, ING CAPITAL LLC, PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH, ING CAPITAL LLC, PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Co-Syndication Agents
and
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as Documentation Agent



TABLE OF CONTENTS
    Page
i


ii


iii







iv


ANNEXES:
Annex A    Existing Letters of Credit
Annex B-1    Revolving Commitments
Annex B-2    Term Loan Commitments
Annex B-3    L/C Commitments
Annex B-4    Swing Line Commitments
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 1.01(a)    Mortgaged Property
Schedule 3.07    Equity Interests
Schedule 3.16    Insurance
Schedule 3.17    UCC Filing Jurisdictions
Schedule 5.18    Post-Closing Undertakings
Schedule 6.01    Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02    Existing Liens
Schedule 6.06    Existing Investments
Schedule 6.08    Existing Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 6.11    Existing Restrictive Agreements
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit B    Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit C-1    Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit C-2    Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit C-3    Form of Swing Line Note
Exhibit D-1    Form of US Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D-2    Form of US Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D-3    Form of US Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D-4    Form of US Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E Form of Borrowing Notice Exhibit F Form of Solvency Certificate CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 20, 2016, as amended and restated as of November 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No.


v


1 as of June 29, 2021, by Amendment No. 2 as of June 13, 2022 and by Amendment No. 3 as of November 16, 2022, and as further amended and restated by the 2023 A&R Agreement as of May 5, 2023 (as further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “US Borrower”), COMPASS MINERALS CANADA CORP., a corporation continued and amalgamated under the laws of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada (the “Canadian Borrower”), COMPASS MINERALS UK LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “UK Borrower” and, together with the US Borrower and the Canadian Borrower, the “Borrowers”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties hereto (the “Lenders”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders extend credit in the form of (a) Term Loans to the US Borrower (such term and each other capitalized term used herein having the meaning set forth in Section 1.01, unless otherwise defined herein) on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to $200,000,000 and (b) Revolving Loans at any time and from time to time on and after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and prior to the Revolving Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding (when taken together with the face amount of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans then outstanding) the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $375,000,000 (or, on and after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date, $325,000,000), which will provide sublimits for Revolving Loans to the Canadian Borrower and for Revolving Loans to the UK Borrower in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $40,000,000 and $10,000,000, respectively. The Borrowers have requested that the Issuing Banks issue Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount at any one time outstanding the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $50,000,000. On the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date the proceeds of the Term Loans and the Revolving Loans may be used (i) to fund the Existing Debt Refinancing and (ii) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection thereof (provided that the aggregate amount of the proceeds of the Revolving Loans used for the purpose described in clause (i) will not exceed $67,000,000). Following the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date the proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit may be used to provide for ongoing working capital requirements of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and for other general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, distributions and Permitted Acquisitions of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. The proceeds of the Incremental Loans are to be used for ongoing working capital requirements of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and other general corporate purposes;
WHEREAS, (a) the US Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor desires to secure the Obligations of the US Borrower by granting to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and Lien upon substantially all of the property and assets of the US Borrower and the other Domestic Subsidiary Guarantors and (b)
1


the Canadian Borrower desires to secure the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower by granting to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Lien on the Goderich Mine, in each case subject to the limitations described herein and in the Security Documents; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrowers, and the Issuing Banks are willing to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the US Borrower, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01    Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.01 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.01.
“2023 A&R Agreement” shall mean the Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of May 5, 2023, among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders and Issuing Banks party thereto and the Administrative Agent.
“2023 A&R Amendment No. 1” shall mean Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2024.
“2023 A&R Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” shall mean the date on which A&R Amendment No. 1 became effective in accordance with its terms (which date, for the avoidance of doubt, is March 27, 2024).
“2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 of the 2023 A&R Agreement.
“Accounting Change” shall mean any change in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
“Additional Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(c).
“Additional Refinancing Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.28(a).
“Adjusted Daily Simple RFR” shall mean, (a) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Sterling, an interest rate per annum equal to the Daily Simple RFR for Sterling, (b) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars, an interest rate per annum equal to (i) the Daily Simple RFR for Dollars, plus (ii) 0.10% per annum and (c) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, an interest rate per annum equal to (i) the Daily Simple RFR for Canadian Dollars, plus (ii) 0.29547% per annum; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
2


“Adjusted EURIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the EURIBO Rate for such Interest Period, multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate; provided that if the Adjusted EURIBO Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Adjusted Term CORRA Rate” shall mean, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term CORRA for such calculation, plus (b) 0.29547% per annum for a one-month Interest Period or 0.32138% per annum for a three-month Interest Period; provided that if the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.10% per annum; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Administrative Agent” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMCB”), in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders hereunder (and any permitted successors and assigns in such capacity) or, as applicable, such Affiliates thereof as it shall from time to time designate for the purpose of performing its obligations hereunder in such capacity, including initially with respect to any Loan made to the Canadian Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch. References to “Administrative Agent” shall also include JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch and any other Person designated by JPMCB, in each case acting in its capacity as “Security Trustee”, “Trustee”, “Agent” or “Collateral Agent” under any Security Document relating to Collateral provided under the laws of any Canadian jurisdiction or United Kingdom jurisdiction, or acting in any similar capacity under any other Security Document under the laws of the United States of America or any other jurisdiction.
“Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.08 the term “Affiliate” shall also include any Person that directly or indirectly owns 10% or more of any class of Equity Interests of the Person specified or that is an officer or director of the Person specified.
3


“Agents” shall mean the collective reference to the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Documentation Agent.
“Agreed Currency” shall mean Dollars and each Alternative Currency.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“All-In Yield” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees or Floor; provided that original issue discount and upfront fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a four-year life to maturity (or, if less, the stated life to maturity at the time of incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness); provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees, underwriting fees or other fees not paid to all providers of such Indebtedness.
“Alternative Currency” shall mean each of the following currencies: Canadian Dollars, Euros and Sterling.
“Amendment No. 1” shall mean Amendment No. 1 and Waiver to this Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2021.
“Amendment No. 2” shall mean Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2022.
“Amendment No. 2 Effective Date” shall mean the date on which Amendment No. 2 became effective in accordance with its terms (which date, for the avoidance of doubt, is June 13, 2022).
“Amendment No. 3” shall mean Amendment No. 3 to this Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2022.
“Amendment No. 4” shall mean Amendment No. 4 to this Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2024.
“Amendment No. 4 Effective Date” shall mean the date on which Amendment No. 4 became effective in accordance with its terms (which date, for the avoidance of doubt, is December 12, 2024).
“Amendment PeriodNo. 5” shall mean Amendment No. 5 to this Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2025.
“Amendment Period TerminationNo. 5 Effective Date” shall mean the date on which providedSection 6.13
4


Amendment No. 5 became effective in accordance with its terms (which date, for the avoidance of doubt, is June 16, 2025).
“Anti-Corruption Laws” shall mean all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Acts (Canada) and other similar legislation in any other jurisdictions (as any of the foregoing laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or replaced).
“Anti-Terrorism Laws” shall mean any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224, the PATRIOT Act, the laws comprising or implementing the Bank Secrecy Act, and the laws administered by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (as any of the foregoing laws may from time to time be amended, renewed, extended, or replaced).
“Applicable Amortization Percentage” shall mean, for each payment date occurring (a) on or prior to the first anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, 0.625%, (b) after the first anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date but prior to the second anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, 0.625%, (c) after the second anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date but prior to the third anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, 1.25%, (d) after the third anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date but prior to the fourth anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, 1.25% and (e) after the fourth anniversary of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date but prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date, 1.25%.
“Applicable ECF Percentage” shall mean, for any fiscal year of the US Borrower, (a) 50.0% if the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is greater than 3.50:1.00, (b) 25.0% if the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is less than or equal to 3.50:1.00 and greater than 3.00:1.00 and (c) 0.0% if the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is less than or equal to 3.00:1.00.
“Applicable Margin” shall mean the percentage per annum as set forth below and determined based on the applicable Level determined by reference to the applicable Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.02 (such Level, the “Leverage Level”), with Level I being the “lowest” level and Level VIII being the “highest” level. For the avoidance of doubt, on the A&R Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Leverage Level shall be Level V.

5



Level
Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark and RFR Loans Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans
I ≤ 2.50:1.00 1.750% 0.750%
II
> 2.50 :1.00
but
≤ 3.25:1.00
2.000% 1.000%
III
>3.25:1.00
but
≤ 4.00:1.00
2.250% 1.250%
IV
> 4.00:1.00
but
< 4.50:1.00
2.500% 1.500%
V
> 4.50:1.00
but
< 5.00:1.00
2.750% 1.750%
VI
> 5.00:1.00
but
< 5.50:1.00
3.000% 2.000%
VII
> 5.50:1.00
but
< 6.00:1.00
3.250% 2.250%
VIII > 6.00:1.00 3.500% 2.500%

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Leverage Level resulting from a change in the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date that is three Business Days after delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) of the consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that the Leverage Level shall be deemed to be in Level VIII at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders if the US Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) or the Compliance Certificate required pursuant to Section 5.02(b) during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements and such certificate are delivered.
Furthermore, the Applicable Margin in respect of any Incremental Loans, Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans, Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Loans shall be the applicable percentages per annum set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment, Extension Offer or Refinancing Amendment, respectively.
6


“Applicable Time” shall mean, with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.
“Approved Electronic Communications” shall mean, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to any Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 9.02(b) or Section 9.02(d), including through the Platform.
“Approved Fund” shall mean any Person (other than a natural person and any holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Arrangers” shall mean, collectively, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., BofA Securities, Inc., Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, ING Capital LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunner of the Credit Facilities.
“Asset Sale” shall mean (a) any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of Property (excluding any Disposition pursuant to Section 6.04(a), Section 6.04(b), Section 6.04(c), Section 6.04(d), Section 6.04(e), Section 6.04(g), Section 6.04(i), Section 6.04(j), Section 6.04(k), Section 6.04(l), Section 6.04(m), Section 6.04(n) or Section 6.04(o)), other than Dispositions resulting in gross proceeds (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) not exceeding (i) $5,000,000 with respect to any Disposition or series of related Dispositions and (ii) $20,000,000 in the aggregate for all Dispositions during any fiscal year of the US Borrower and (b) any Disposition pursuant to Section 6.04(p).
“Assignment and Assumption” shall mean an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.06), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness” shall mean, when used with respect of any Sale and Leaseback, as at the time of determination, the present value of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, if such Sale and Leaseback results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of Capital Lease Obligation.
7


“Attributable Receivables Indebtedness” at any time shall mean the principal amount of Indebtedness which (a) if a Permitted Receivables Facility is structured as a secured lending agreement, would constitute the principal amount of such Indebtedness or (b) if a Permitted Receivables Facility is structured as a purchase agreement, would be outstanding at such time under the Permitted Receivables Facility if the same were structured as a secured lending agreement rather than a purchase agreement.
“Available Amount” shall mean, as at any date, an amount, not less than zero in the aggregate, determined on a cumulative basis equal to, without duplication:
(a)    50% of Consolidated Net Income (calculated without giving effect to the adjustments described in clauses (d) through (l) of the definition thereof) for the period (taken as one period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter of the US Borrower after which the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date occurs, to the end of the US Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable; plus
(b)    beginning on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, the cumulative amount of cash and Cash Equivalent proceeds from (i) contributions received by the US Borrower to its common equity capital or (ii) the issuance and sale of Equity Interests (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) of the US Borrower, including Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) issued upon the conversion or exchange of Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, and from the exercise of options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) to the extent not previously applied for a purpose other than use in the Available Amount and excluding any such cash and Cash Equivalents contributed or otherwise funded by any Restricted Subsidiary; plus
(c) beginning on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the US Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the Closing Date, the fair market value of the Investments of the US Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the time of such re-designation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) so long as such Investments were originally made pursuant to Section 6.06(t); provided, in each case, that such amount does not exceed the amount of such Investment made pursuant to Section 6.06(t) as such amount is reduced by any returns contemplated by clause (d) below prior to such time; plus
8


(d)    beginning on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, an amount equal to any returns or net reduction in Investments (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, advances or other transfer of assets, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in cash or Cash Equivalents by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date in respect of any Investments made pursuant to Section 6.06(t); provided, in each case, that such amount does not exceed the amount of such Investment made pursuant to Section 6.06(t); plus
(e)    beginning on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, the aggregate amount actually received in cash or Cash Equivalents by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date from:
(i)    the sale (other than to the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) of the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any minority investment; or
(ii)    any dividend or other distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary or received in respect of any minority investment; or
(iii)    any interest, repayments of principal and similar payments by an Unrestricted Subsidiary or in respect of any minority investment; minus
(f)    [reserved]; minus
(g)    the aggregate amount of the Available Amount used to make Investments pursuant to Section 6.06(t) after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and prior to such time; minus
(h)    the aggregate amount of the Available Amount used to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 6.05(j) after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and prior to such time.
For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this defined term, references to Sections are to the corresponding Sections under this Agreement and under the Existing Credit Agreement.
“Available Tenor” shall mean, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any Agreed Currency, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.17(e).
9


“Bail-In Action” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of any Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” shall mean (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country which has implemented, or which at any time implements, Article 55 BRRD, the relevant implementing law or regulation as described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule from time to time; and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Bank Levy” shall mean (i) the UK bank levy as set out in the Finance Act 2011, (ii) the French taxe pour le financement du fonds de soutien as set out in Article 235 ter ZE bis of the French tax code (Code Général des Impôts), (iii) the German bank levy as set out in the German Restructuring Fund Act 2010 (Restrukturierungsfondsgesetz) (as amended), and (iv) any substantively similar bank levy or Tax in any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, in each case, to the extent in force (or formally announced though not yet enacted into law) as at the date of this Agreement or (if applicable) as at the date the relevant Lender accedes as a Lender to this Agreement.
“Bankruptcy Code” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.
“Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a per annum rate of interest equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (after giving effect to any Floor) for a one-month interest period as published two US Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a US Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding US Government Securities Business Day), plus 1.00%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology); provided, further, that, if the Base Rate determined based on the foregoing is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the NYFRB Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, then the Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively.
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If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.17 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until any amendment has become effective pursuant to Section 2.17(b)), then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.
“Base Rate Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Loans.
“Base Rate Loan” shall mean a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate and, in any event, shall include all Swing Line Loans.
“Benchmark” shall mean, initially, with respect to any Loan, the Relevant Rate for such Agreed Currency; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event or a Term CORRA Reelection Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date, have occurred with respect to the applicable Relevant Rate or the then-current Benchmark for such Agreed Currency, then “Benchmark” shall mean the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior Benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.17(b).
“Benchmark Replacement” shall mean, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided that, in the case of any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency (other than Canadian Dollars), “Benchmark Replacement” shall mean the alternative set forth in clause (2) below:
(1)    in the case of any Loan denominated in (a) Dollars, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollars and (b) Canadian Dollars, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Canadian Dollars; and
(2)    the sum of (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event, and the delivery of a Term CORRA Notice, on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date the “Benchmark Replacement” for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars shall revert to and shall be deemed to be the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate.
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If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” shall mean, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” shall mean, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Revolving Loan denominated in Dollars, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “US Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “RFR Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Benchmark Replacement Date” shall mean, with respect to any Benchmark, the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1)    in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
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(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (3) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date; or
(3)    in the case of a Term CORRA Reelection Event, the date that is thirty days after the date a Term CORRA Notice (if any) is provided to the Lenders and the US Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17(c).
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or clause (2) above with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” shall mean, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, the CORRA Administrator, the central bank for the Agreed Currency applicable to such Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation
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thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” shall mean, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clause (1) or clause (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.17 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.17.
“Beneficial Ownership Certification” shall mean a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” shall mean 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Benefit Plan” shall mean any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“BHC Act Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k)) of such Person.
“Blocked Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.21(b).
“Board of Governors” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America, or any successor thereto.
“Borrower DTTP Filing” shall mean an HM Revenue & Customs’ Form DTTP2, duly completed and filed by the UK Borrower, which:
(a)    where it relates to a UK Treaty Lender that is a Lender on the day this Agreement is entered into, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated opposite that Lender's name in Annex B-1, and is filed with HMRC within 30 days of the date of this Agreement; or
(b)    where it relates to a UK Treaty Lender that is not a party to this Agreement on the date on which this Agreement is entered into, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated in respect of that Lender in the relevant Assignment and Assumption or as otherwise notified to the UK Borrower in writing within 15 days of
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the relevant UK Treaty Lender becoming a party to this Agreement and is filed with HMRC within 30 days of that date.
“Borrowers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Borrowing” shall mean (a) a borrowing of Swing Line Loans made on the same date and (b) a borrowing of Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) of the same Class, Type and currency, made, converted or continued by the US Borrower, the Canadian Borrower or the UK Borrower, as the case may be, on the same date and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
“Borrowing Date” shall mean any Business Day specified by a Borrower in a Borrowing Notice as a date on which the relevant Lenders are requested to make Loans hereunder.
“Borrowing Notice” shall mean, with respect to any request for borrowing of Loans hereunder, a notice from a Borrower, substantially in the form of, and containing the information prescribed by, Exhibit E, delivered to the Administrative Agent.
“Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by Compass Minerals do Brasil Ltda pursuant to Schedule 5.18.
“Business Day” shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall (a) be, in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings in the applicable Agreed Currency of such RFR Loan, any such day that is only a RFR Business Day, (b) be, in relation to Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars and in relation to the calculation or computation of CORRA or the Canadian Prime Rate, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Toronto, Ontario; (c) be, in relation to Loans denominated in Euros and in relation to the calculation or computation of the EURIBO Rate, any day which is a TARGET Day; and (d) be, in relation to Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, any such day that is a US Government Securities Business Day.
“Calculation Date” shall mean (a) the last Business Day of each calendar quarter of the US Borrower, (b) each date (with such date to be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) that is on or about the date of (i) a Borrowing Notice or a notice delivered pursuant to Section 2.13, in each case with respect to any Revolving Loan or (ii) the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit and (c) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Business Day as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Canadian Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
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“Canadian Dollars” or “C$” shall mean lawful money of Canada.
“Canadian Pension Plan” shall mean a “registered pension plan”, as such term is defined in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), which is or was sponsored, administered or contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by the Canadian Borrower or under which the Canadian Borrower has or may incur any actual or contingent liability.
“Canadian Prime Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on such date (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information service that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that if any of the above rates shall be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN Index shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the PRIMCAM Index. The Canadian Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. The Administrative Agent or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Canadian Prime Rate.
“Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Canadian Prime Rate Loans.
“Canadian Prime Rate Loan” shall mean any Revolving Loan made by the Revolving Lenders to the Canadian Borrower in Canadian Dollars and accruing interest based on the Canadian Prime Rate.
“Canadian Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of Canada, any province thereof or any jurisdiction within Canada.
“Canadian Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Canadian Revolving Loans.
“Canadian Revolving Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Lender as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Canadian Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lender as of such date.
“Canadian Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Loan made to the Canadian Borrower pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 2.04(a).
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“Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, without duplication, with respect to any Person, (a) any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset, including capitalized leasehold improvements, which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations; provided that, in any event, “Capital Expenditures” shall exclude: (i) any Permitted Acquisition and any other Investment permitted hereunder; (ii) any expenditures to the extent financed with any Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale or Recovery Event reinvested pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or Section 2.11(b), as applicable; (iii) expenditures for leasehold improvements for which such Person is reimbursed in cash or receives a credit; and (iv) capital expenditures to the extent they are made with the cash and Cash Equivalent proceeds of equity contributions (other than in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests) made to the US Borrower after the Closing Date.
“Capital Lease” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any lease of, or other arrangement conveying the right to use, any property by such Person as lessee that has been or should be accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Lease Obligations” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any Capital Lease, any lease entered into as part of any Sale and Leaseback or any Synthetic Lease, or a combination thereof, which obligations are (or would be, if such Synthetic Lease or other lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease) required to be classified and accounted for as Capital Leases on a balance sheet of such person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof (or the amount that would be capitalized, if such Synthetic Lease or other lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease) determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Collateralize” shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Banks or Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
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“Cash Equivalents” shall mean, as at any date of determination, any of the following: (a) marketable securities (i) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the government of the United States of America or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States of America and the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition and having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (c) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurocurrency time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (i) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator), (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $1,000,000,000 and (iii) has a rating of at least AA- from S&P and Aa3 from Moody’s; (d) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition; (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or A by Moody’s; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (c) of this definition; and (g) shares of money market, mutual or similar funds which (i) invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition; (ii) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000 and (iii) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.
“Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.
“Cash Management Bank” shall mean any Person that is a counterparty to a Cash Management Agreement and that (a) is an Agent or an Arranger (or an Affiliate of an Agent or an Arranger), (b) at the time it enters into such Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender), (c) if such Cash Management Agreement is in effect on the Closing Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Closing Date, (d) if such Cash Management Agreement is in effect on the Restatement Effective Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Restatement Effective Date or (e) if such Cash Management Agreement is in effect on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.
“CBR Loan” shall mean a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Central Bank Rate.
“CBR Spread” shall mean, with respect to any Loan that is replaced by a CBR Loan, the Applicable Margin applicable to such Loan.
CDO Rate
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CDO Screen Rate
“Central Bank Rate” shall mean the greater of (I)(A) for any Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, the Bank of England’s (or any successor thereto) “Bank Rate” as published by the Bank of England (or any successor thereto) from time to time, or (b) Euro, one of the following three rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion: (1) the fixed rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), or, if that rate is not published, the minimum bid rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), each as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time, (2) the rate for the marginal lending facility of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time or (3) the rate for the deposit facility of the central banking system of the Participating Member States, as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time, plus (B) the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment, and (II) the Floor.
“Central Bank Rate Adjustment” shall mean, for any day, for any Loan denominated in (a) Euros, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of the Adjusted EURIBO Rate for the five most recent Business Days preceding such day for which the EURIBO Screen Rate was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest Adjusted EURIBO Rate applicable during such period of five Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of Euro in effect on the last Business Day in such period, or (b) Sterling, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Sterling Borrowings for the five most recent RFR Business Days preceding such day for which Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Sterling Borrowings was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest such Adjusted Daily Simple RFR applicable during such period of five RFR Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of Sterling in effect on the last RFR Business Day in such period. For purposes of this definition, (x) the term Central Bank Rate shall be determined disregarding clause (B) of the definition of such term and (y) the EURIBO Rate on any day shall be based on the EURIBO Screen Rate, as applicable, on such day at approximately the time referred to in the definition of such term for deposits in Euros for a maturity of one month.
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“CFC” shall mean a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.
“Change in Law” shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a)    any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) shall have (x) acquired beneficial ownership or control of 35% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of the voting and/or economic interest in the Equity Interests of the US Borrower; or (y) obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the US Borrower;
(b)    the US Borrower shall cease to directly or indirectly own and control 100% (on a fully diluted basis) of each class of outstanding Equity Interests of either the Canadian Borrower or, except pursuant to a Disposition made in accordance with Section 6.04(f), the UK Borrower;
(c)    [reserved]; or
(d)    any “change of control” or similar event (however denominated) shall occur under any indenture or other agreement with respect to Material Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.
“Class” (a) when used with respect to any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments, (b) when used with respect to Commitments, refers to whether such Commitments are Original Revolving Commitments, Incremental Revolving Commitments, Extended Revolving Commitments of a given Extension Series, Other Revolving Commitments of a given Refinancing Series, Original Term Loan Commitments, Incremental Term Commitments, Extended Term Commitments of a given Extension Series or Refinancing Term Commitments of a given Refinancing Series and (c) when used with respect to Loans, refers to whether such Loans are Original Revolving Loans, Incremental Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans of a given Extension Series, Other Revolving Loans of a given Refinancing Series, Original Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans, Refinancing Term Loans of a given Refinancing Series or Extended Term Loans of a given Extension Series.
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Loans that are not fungible for United States federal income tax purposes shall be construed to be in different Classes or tranches. Commitments that, if and when drawn in the form of Loans, would yield Loans that are construed to be in different Classes or tranches pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be construed to be in different Classes or tranches of Commitments corresponding to such Loans. There shall be no more than an aggregate of two Classes of Revolving Facilities and five Classes of Term Loan Facilities under this Agreement at any one time.
“Closing Date” shall mean April 20, 2016.
“CME Term SOFR Administrator” shall mean CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited, as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).
“Code” shall mean the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral” shall mean all Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document, but in any event excluding Excluded Assets.
“Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Original Term Loan Commitment, Incremental Term Commitment, Extended Term Commitment, Refinancing Term Commitment, Original Revolving Commitment, Incremental Revolving Commitment, Extended Revolving Commitment or Other Revolving Commitment.
“Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(a).
“Commitment Fee Rate” shall mean the percentage per annum as set forth below and determined based on the applicable Level determined by reference to the applicable Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.02 (such Level, the “Leverage Level”), with Level I being the “lowest” level and Level VIII being the “highest” level.
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For the avoidance of doubt, on the A&R Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Leverage Level shall be Level V.

Level
Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio Commitment Fee Rate
I ≤ 2.50:1.00 0.250%
II
> 2.50:1.00 but
< 3.25:1.00
0.300%
III
> 3.25:1.00 but
< 4.00:1.00
0.350%
IV
> 4.00:1.00 but
< 4.50:1.00
0.400%
V
> 4.50:1.00 but
< 5.00:1.00
0.450%
VI
> 5.00:1.00 but
< 5.50:1.00
0.500%
VII
> 5.50:1.00 but
< 6.00:1.00
0.550%
VIII > 6.00:1.00 0.600%

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Leverage Level resulting from a change in the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) of the consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that the Leverage Level shall be deemed to be in Level VIII at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders if the US Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) or the Compliance Certificate required pursuant to Section 5.02(b) during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements and such certificate are delivered.
“Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period:
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(a)    increased, without duplication, by the following, in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i)    Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;
(ii)    all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, including (without limitation) amortization of deferred financing costs but excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period;
(iii)    consolidated income tax expense for such period;
(iv)    any costs or expense incurred by the US Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the US Borrower or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the US Borrower (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), in each case after the Closing Date solely to the extent that such cash proceeds or net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Available Amount and not previously applied for a purpose other than use in the Available Amount;
(v)    the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves, retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), start-up or initial costs for any project or new production line, division or new line of business or other business optimization expenses or reserves, including (without limitation) costs or reserves associated with improvements to information technology and accounting functions, integration and facilities opening costs or any one-time costs, in each case incurred in connection with a Specified Transaction; provided that the aggregate amount included for such period pursuant to this clause (a)(v), when taken together with the aggregate amount of cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies that increase Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such period pursuant to Section 1.08(b), shall not exceed 15% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (determined prior to giving effect to such increase) for such period;
(vi)    any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring expenses, losses or charges; provided that the aggregate amount included pursuant to this clause (a)(vi) for such period shall not exceed 5% of the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (determined prior to giving effect to such adjustment) for such period;
23


(vii) any other non-cash charges or adjustments, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the US Borrower may elect not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (B) to the extent the US Borrower elects to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in such future period to such extent), and excluding any such non-cash charge or adjustment in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period and any such non-cash charge that results from the write-off or write-down of inventory; provided that, except for purposes of the computation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in determining the Applicable Margin and the Commitment Fee Rate, the US Borrower may include in the computation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for each of the four fiscal quarters of the US Borrower ending after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date an amount (not to exceed, in the aggregate, $10,000,000 for all such fiscal quarters) of non-cash charges resulting from the write-off or write-down of spare parts that have been recorded on the balance sheet of the US Borrower as inventory rather than as property, plant and equipment;
(viii)    any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Investment, Permitted Acquisition or sale, conveyance, transfer or other Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the US Borrower has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination;
(ix)    to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the US Borrower has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination, expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption;
(x)    [reserved];
(xi)    the amount of any equity-based or non-cash compensation charges or expenses, including any such charges or expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights;
(xii)    any unrealized losses in respect of Swap Contracts or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction; and

(xiii)    any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Existing Debt Refinancing; and

(b)    decreased, without duplication, and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income:
(i)    non-cash gains or adjustments (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in any prior period) and all other non-cash items of income for such period;
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(ii)    all gains and income from investments recorded using the equity method;
(iii)    all cash payments made during such period on account of accruals, reserves and other non-cash charges added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (a)(vii) above;
(iv)    any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
(v)    the amount of any expenses, charges or losses covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Investment, Permitted Acquisition or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (a)(viii) above to the extent not indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of the date of determination by the US Borrower that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement;
(vi)    the amount of any expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption added to Consolidated Net Income in a previous period pursuant to clause (a)(ix) above to the extent not reimbursed within 365 days of the date of determination by the US Borrower that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount would be reimbursed by the insurer; and
(vii)    any unrealized gains in respect of Swap Contracts or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction for such period.
“Consolidated Current Assets” shall mean, at any date, all amounts (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) that would be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Current Liabilities” shall mean, at any date, all amounts that would be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (a) the current portion of Consolidated Funded Debt and (b) all Indebtedness consisting of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans.
“Consolidated First Lien Debt” shall mean, as of any date, all Consolidated Total Debt under this Agreement and all other Consolidated Total Debt that is secured by a Lien on any of the Collateral on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Liens securing the Obligations, in each case as of such date.
“Consolidated First Lien Net Debt” shall mean, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Consolidated First Lien Debt as of such date (net of Unrestricted Cash as of such date the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $100,000,000).
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“Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated First Lien Net Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.
“Consolidated Funded Debt” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of all Funded Debt of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any Test Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for such Test Period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Test Period.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to any period, total consolidated interest expense (including interest attributable to Capital Lease Obligations in accordance with GAAP) of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (without duplication) (a) any cash interest or other cash financing costs accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP plus (b) all cash dividends paid or payable during such period in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests issued by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such dividends shall be multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the effective combined tax rate of the US Borrower (expressed as a decimal) for such period (as estimated by a Responsible Officer in good faith) plus (c) all discount, interest, yield, fees, premiums and other similar charges or costs in respect of all Permitted Receivables Facilities for such period that are paid in cash. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall exclude one-time financing fees (including arrangement, amendment and contract fees), deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, costs in respect of Swap Contracts relating to interest rate protection, commissions, and expenses and, in each case, the amortization thereof.
“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall be excluded, without duplication:
(a)    except as required by Section 1.08, the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, or is merged into or consolidated with the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
26


(b) the income (or loss) of any Person that is not the US Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (or, solely for purposes of the computation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in determining the Applicable Margin and the Commitment Fee Rate, is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the US Borrower or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary), or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall be increased, to the extent of such Person’s net income, by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or to the extent subsequently converted into cash or Cash Equivalents during such period) to the US Borrower or, subject to clause (c) below, any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary (or, solely for purposes of the computation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in determining the Applicable Margin and the Commitment Fee Rate, any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) by such Person in such period;
(c)    the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary of the US Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its Organizational Documents or any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary;
(d)    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification or interpretation of accounting policies during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income;
(e)    any fees and expenses incurred during such period (including, without limitation, any premiums, make-whole or penalty payments), or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated on or prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each, case whether or not successful;
(f)    accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the closing of any acquisition permitted hereunder (other than any such acquisition in the ordinary course of business) that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition, in each case in accordance with GAAP;
(g)    any net after-tax effect of gains or losses on disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations;
(h)    any net after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person in each case other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the US Borrower);
(i) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities recorded using the equity method or as a result of a Change in Law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP;
27


(j)    any equity-based or other non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, profits interests or other rights or equity-based incentive programs;
(k)    the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the US Borrower’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP (including in the inventory (including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy methods, including changes in capitalization of variances), property and equipment, software, goodwill, intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items thereof) resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to any consummated acquisition or joint venture investment or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of Taxes;
(l)    any cancellation of debt income, including any such income arising from the purchase of any Loans pursuant to Section 9.06(g); and
(m)    except for purposes of the computation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio in determining the Applicable Margin and the Commitment Fee Rate, the income or loss of, and any amounts referred to in clause (b) of this proviso paid to, any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the US Borrower to the extent such income or loss or such amounts are attributable to the noncontrolling interest in such consolidated Restricted Subsidiary.
“Consolidated Secured Debt” shall mean, as of any date, all Consolidated Total Debt under this Agreement and all other Consolidated Total Debt that is secured by a Lien on a material portion of the Collateral, in each case as of such date.
“Consolidated Secured Net Debt” shall mean, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Consolidated Secured Debt as of such date (net of Unrestricted Cash as of such date the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $100,000,000).
“Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Net Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.
“Consolidated Total Assets” shall mean the total assets of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the US Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the initial delivery of financial statements pursuant to such Sections, Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement).
28


“Consolidated Total Debt” shall mean, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date.
“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.
“Consolidated Total Net Debt” shall mean, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date (net of Unrestricted Cash as of such date the Dollar Equivalent of which shall not exceed $100,000,000).
“Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Net Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.
“Convertible Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the US Borrower permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Agreement that is either (a) convertible or exchangeable into common stock of the US Borrower (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock) or (b) sold as units with call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are in each case exercisable for common stock of the US Borrower and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common stock).
“Consolidated Working Capital” shall mean, at any date, (a) Consolidated Current Assets on such date minus (b) Consolidated Current Liabilities on such date.
Continuing Directors
“Contract Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow.”
“Contractual Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.
“Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Co-Syndication Agents” shall mean Bank of America, N.A., Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, ING Capital LLC, PNC Bank National Association, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, each in their capacity as co-syndication agent under this Agreement.
29


“CORRA” shall mean the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average administered and published by the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).
“CORRA Administrator” shall mean the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).
“CORRA Determination Date” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple CORRA”.
“CORRA Rate Day” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple CORRA”.
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor shall mean, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
“Covered Entity” shall mean any of the following:
(1)    a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(2)    a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(3)    a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Covered Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.23.
“Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness incurred solely by a Borrower in the form of one or more Classes of Loans or Commitments under this Agreement, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans and Revolving Commitments (and any Revolving Loans outstanding thereunder) of such Borrower, or any then-existing Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness of such Borrower (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Liens securing the other Obligations hereunder and is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral securing the relevant Borrower’s Obligations, (ii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors guaranteeing the relevant Borrower’s Obligations, (iii) such Indebtedness is incurred solely to refinance, in whole or part, Refinanced Debt, and the proceeds thereof shall be substantially contemporaneously applied to prepay such Refinanced Debt, interest and any premium (if any) thereon, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, and any Revolving Commitments so refinanced shall be concurrently terminated, (iv) such Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Revolving Commitments, the unused amount of such Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments, the applicable amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, any premium, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith, (v) such Indebtedness has a maturity no earlier, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter, than the maturity date or the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity, as applicable, of the Refinanced Debt, (vi) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except as otherwise provided above and with respect to pricing, premiums, fees, rate floors and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to the terms and conditions applicable to the Refinanced Debt (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) and (vii) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, all accrued interest, fees, premiums (if any) and penalties in connection therewith shall be paid, and all commitments in respect thereof shall be terminated, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred or obtained.
30


“Credit Extension” shall mean (a) the making of a Loan or (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
“Credit Facilities” shall mean each of (a) the Original Term Loan Commitments and the Original Term Loans made thereunder (the “Original Term Loan Facility”), (b) any Incremental Term Loan Facility, (c) any Extended Term Loans of a given Extension Series (each, an “Extended Term Loan Facility”), (d) any Refinancing Term Loans of a given Class (each, a “Refinancing Term Loan Facility”), (e) the Original Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder (the “Original Revolving Facility”), (f) any Incremental Revolving Commitments that constitute a separate Class and the extensions of credit made thereunder (each, an “Incremental Revolving Facility”), (g) any Extended Revolving Commitments of a given Extension Series and the extensions of credit made thereunder (each, an “Extended Revolving Facility”) and (h) any Other Revolving Commitments of a given Refinancing Series and the extensions of credit made thereunder (each, an “Other Revolving Facility”).
“CTA 2009” shall mean the United Kingdom Corporation Tax Act 2009.
“Daily Simple CORRA” shall mean, for any day (a “CORRA Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to CORRA for the day (such day, a “CORRA Determination Date”) that is five RFR Business Days prior to (a) if such CORRA Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such CORRA Rate Day or (b) if such CORRA Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such CORRA Rate Day, in each case, as such CORRA is published by the CORRA Administrator on the CORRA Administrator’s website. Any change in Daily Simple CORRA due to a change in CORRA shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in CORRA without notice to the US Borrower. If by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on any given CORRA Determination Date, CORRA in respect of such CORRA Determination Date has not been published on the CORRA Administrator’s website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple CORRA has not occurred, then CORRA for such CORRA Determination Date will be CORRA as published in respect of the first preceding RFR Business Day for which such CORRA was published on the CORRA Administrator’s website, so long as such first preceding RFR Business Day is not more than five Business Days prior to such CORRA Determination Date.
31


“Daily Simple RFR” shall mean, for any day (an “RFR Interest Day”), an interest rate per annum equal to, for any RFR Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, SONIA for the day that is five RFR Business Days prior to (i) if such RFR Interest Day is an RFR Business Day, such RFR Interest Day or (ii) if such RFR Interest Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such RFR Interest Day, (b) Dollars, Daily Simple SOFR and (c) Canadian Dollars, Daily Simple CORRA.
“Daily Simple SOFR” shall mean, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day, a “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five RFR Business Days prior to (a) if such SOFR Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (b) if such SOFR Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the US Borrower.
“Debtor Relief Laws” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors’ Arrangement Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default” shall mean any event, occurrence or condition which is, or upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute, an Event of Default.
“Default Right” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“Defaulting Lender” shall mean, subject to Section 2.24(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank and the US Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable Default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the US Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank and the US Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower) or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or of a Bail-In Action, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.
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Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.24(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the US Borrower, each Issuing Bank, each Swing Line Lender and each Lender.
“Designated Non-Cash Consideration” shall mean the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 6.04 that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the fair market value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash within 180 days following the consummation of such Disposition).
“Disposition” shall mean, with respect to any Property, any sale, lease, sublease, assignment, conveyance, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition thereof (including (i) by way of merger or consolidation, (ii) any Sale and Leaseback and (iii) any Synthetic Lease); and the terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.
“Disqualified Equity Interests” shall mean any Equity Interests that, by their terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which they are convertible or for which they are exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) require the payment of any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Qualified Equity Interests), (b) mature or are mandatorily redeemable or subject to mandatory repurchase or redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in each case in whole or in part and whether upon the occurrence of any event, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation on a fixed date or otherwise (including as the result of a failure to maintain or achieve any financial performance standards) or (c) are or become convertible into or exchangeable for, automatically or at the option of any holder thereof, any Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other assets other than Qualified Equity Interests, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of issuance of such Equity Interests (other than (i) following Payment in Full or (ii) upon a “change in control”; provided that any payment required pursuant to this clause (ii) is subject to the prior Payment in Full); provided, however, that if such Equity Interests are issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the US Borrower or the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by a Group Member in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.
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“Disqualified Institution” shall mean, on any date, (a) any Person designated by the US Borrower as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and (b) any other Person that is a competitor of the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which Person has been designated by the US Borrower as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including by posting notice to the Platform) not less than five Business Days prior to such date; provided that “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the US Borrower has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time.
“Documentation Agent” shall mean Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., in its capacity as documentation agent under this Agreement.
“Dollar Equivalent” shall mean, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined in accordance with Section 1.07 using the Spot Rate with respect to such Alternative Currency.
“Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
“Domestic Loan Party” shall mean the US Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction within the United States of America.
“Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean each Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary.
“DQ List” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(h).
“Dutch Auction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(g).
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“EEA Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” shall mean (a) any of the member states of the European Union, (b) Iceland, (c) Liechtenstein and (d) Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Eligible Assignee” shall mean any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.06(b)(iii), Section 9.06(b)(v) and Section 9.06(b)(vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.06(b)(iii)). For the avoidance of doubt, any Disqualified Institution is subject to Section 9.06(h).
“EMU Legislation” shall mean the legislative measures of the European Union for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.
“Environmental Laws” shall mean any and all laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, guidelines, codes, decrees, or other legally binding requirements (including principles of common law) of any Governmental Authority, regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, the preservation or protection of the environment, natural resources or human health (including employee health and safety), or the generation, manufacture, use, labeling, treatment, storage, handling, transportation or Release of, or exposure to, Materials of Environmental Concern, as has been, is now, or may at any time hereafter be, in effect.
“Environmental Liability” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties, attorney or consultant fees or indemnities) resulting from or based upon (a) non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) Release or threatened Release of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) any investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring required under Environmental Laws or required by a Governmental Authority (including Governmental Authority oversight costs that the party conducting the investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring is required to reimburse) or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interest” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or nonvoting), of equity of such Person, including, if such Person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), if such Person is a limited liability company, membership interests, and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of property of, such partnership, whether outstanding on the date hereof or issued on or after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, but excluding debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity interests.
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“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with any Group Member, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of Section 302 or 303 of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code. Any former ERISA Affiliate of the Group Members shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of the Group Members within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of any Group Member and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which any Group Member could be liable under the Code or ERISA.
“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Single Employer Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30 day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation in effect on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date); (b) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Single Employer Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Single Employer Plan; (d) the termination of any Single Employer Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Single Employer Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) a determination that any Single Employer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (f) a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “critical” or “endangered” status under Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (g) the receipt by any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Single Employer Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Single Employer Plan; (h) the adoption of any amendment to a Single Employer Plan that would require the provision of security pursuant to Section 436(f) of the Code; (i) the receipt by any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (j) the failure by any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to make a required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (k) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to any Group Member; (l) the receipt from the IRS of notice of disqualification of any Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, or the disqualification of any trust forming part of any Plan intended to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code; (m) the imposition of a lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Code with respect to any Single Employer Plan; (n) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Plan; or (o) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any fine, penalty, tax or related charge under Chapter 43 of the Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Plan.
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“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“EURIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros and for any Interest Period, the EURIBO Screen Rate, two TARGET Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
“EURIBO Screen Rate” shall mean the euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute (or any other Person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on page EURIBOR01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters as published at approximately 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) two TARGET Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Administrative Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the US Borrower.
“Euros” or “€” shall mean the single currency of the Participating Member States.
“Event of Default” shall mean any of the events specified in Section 7.01; provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
“Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, for any fiscal year of the US Borrower, the excess, if any, of:
(a)    the sum, without duplication, of:
(i)    Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year;
(ii)    the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization, but excluding any non-cash losses on the Disposition of Property by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash charge in any future fiscal year or amortization of a prepaid cash gain that was paid in a prior fiscal year);
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(iii)    the amount of the decrease, if any, in Consolidated Working Capital (other than a result of a reclassification of assets or liabilities from the short to the long-term or vice versa) for such fiscal year; and
(iv)    the aggregate amount of non-cash losses on the Disposition of Property by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(b)    the sum, without duplication, of:
(i)    the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (but excluding any non-cash gains on the Disposition of Property by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries);
(ii)    (A) Capital Expenditures made by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year (or paid in cash following the end of such fiscal year and prior to the date the mandatory prepayment is required to be made pursuant to Section 2.11(d); provided that any such expenditure included in this clause (b)(ii) pursuant to this parenthetical shall not be deducted in calculating Excess Cash Flow for the fiscal year in which it is made) and (B) cash consideration paid in cash during such fiscal year to make Investments permitted under this Agreement (other than Investments in Cash Equivalents), in each case, except to the extent (A) funded by the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than proceeds of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans) or Capital Lease Obligations of the US Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) funded with the proceeds of Equity Interests issued by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(iii)    the aggregate amount of all principal payments of long-term Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such fiscal year, in each case, to the extent made by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash with internally generated cash, excluding (x) all voluntary and mandatory prepayments or repurchases of Term Loans, (y) all prepayments, redemptions or repurchases of Junior Indebtedness except to the extent permitted under Section 6.07(a) and (z) all prepayments of revolving Indebtedness, in each case during such fiscal year;
(iv)    the amount of the increase, if any, in Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year (other than a result of a reclassification of assets or liabilities from the short to the long-term or vice versa);
(v)    the aggregate amount of non-cash gains on the Disposition of Property by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income;
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(vi) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in other fiscal years, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts with third parties that are not Affiliates (the “Contract Consideration”) entered into prior to or during such fiscal year relating to acquisitions that constitute long-term Investments permitted under this Agreement or Capital Expenditures, in each case, to the extent expected to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the US Borrower following the end of such fiscal year; provided that, to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash actually utilized to finance such Investments or Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters; and
(vii)    any fees or expenses paid in cash during such fiscal year in connection with any Investment, Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Excluded Assets” shall mean:
(a)    any currently owned or leased Real Property (other than Material Real Property);
(b)    commercial tort claims where the amount of damages claimed by the applicable Loan Party is less than $500,000;
(c)    any building, structure or improvement located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards; provided that the US Borrower has certified in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such building, structure or improvement has a fair market value of less than or equal to $100,000 (unless the Required Lenders have determined that such building, structure or improvement is otherwise material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole); provided further that in the event that any such building, structure or improvement subsequently has a fair market value in excess of $100,000 (or is otherwise determined by the Required Lenders to be material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole), the Loan Parties shall comply with all applicable Flood Insurance Laws in accordance with Section 5.07(b) prior to any such building, structure or improvement ceasing to be an Excluded Asset;
(d) governmental licenses, state or local franchises, charters and authorizations and any other property and assets to the extent that the Administrative Agent may not validly possess a security interest therein under applicable Requirements of Law (including rules and regulations of any Governmental Authority or agency) or the pledge or creation of a security interest in which would require governmental consent, approval, license or authorization that has not been obtained, other than to the extent such prohibition or limitation on possessing a security interest therein is rendered ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Requirements of Law notwithstanding such prohibition or limitation;
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(e)    any lease, license, Permit or agreement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein (i) is prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law other than to the extent such prohibition is rendered ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Requirements of Law notwithstanding such prohibition or (ii) to the extent and for so long as it would violate or invalidate the terms thereof (in each case, after giving effect to the relevant provisions of the UCC or other applicable Requirements of Law) or would give rise to a termination right of an unaffiliated third party thereunder or require consent of an unaffiliated third party thereunder (except to the extent such provision is overridden by the UCC or other Requirements of Law), in each case, only to the extent that such limitation on such pledge or security interest is otherwise permitted under Section 6.11;
(f)    Margin Stock (to the extent a security interest therein would violate the provisions of the regulations of the Board of Governors, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X) and Equity Interests in any Person other than Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries that cannot be pledged without the consent of unaffiliated third parties;
(g)    any property or assets to the extent the creation or perfection of pledges thereof, or security interests therein, in each case as contemplated hereunder or under the Security Documents could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse tax consequences or material adverse regulatory consequences to the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as reasonably determined by the US Borrower;
(h)    any intent-to-use trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto and acceptance thereof by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of or void such intent-to-use trademark application or any registration that may issue therefrom under applicable federal law;
(i)    particular assets if and for so long as, if reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, the cost of creating a pledge or security interest in such assets exceed the practical benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom;
(j)    any Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary or of a FSHCO in excess of 65% of the Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO;
(k)    any assets located outside the United States (other than the Goderich Mine which shall be mortgaged pursuant to the Goderich Mine Mortgage solely to secure the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower) to the extent that such assets require action under the law of any non-US jurisdiction to create or perfect a security interest in such assets under such non-US jurisdiction, including any Intellectual Property registered in any non-US jurisdiction; and
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(l)    Equity Interests in Receivables Entities and any intercompany Indebtedness owing by any Receivables Entity to the applicable Receivables Seller representing the discount on the Receivables sold to such Receivables Entity by such Receivables Seller;
provided, however, that Excluded Assets shall not include any proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Assets referred to in clauses (a) through (l) (unless such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would independently constitute Excluded Assets referred to in clauses (a) through (l)).
“Excluded Information” shall mean any non-public information with respect to the US Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities to the extent such information could have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, an assigning Term Lender’s decision to assign Term Loans or a purchasing Term Lender’s decision to purchase Term Loans.
“Excluded Perfection Assets” shall mean:
(a)    motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title (in each case to the extent not constituting inventory) and airplanes;
(b)    letter of credit rights, except to the extent constituting supporting obligations for other Collateral as to which perfection of the security interest in such other Collateral is accomplished solely by the filing of a UCC financing statement or another method that is required by the Security Documents for such other Collateral;
(c)    cash and Cash Equivalents (other than proceeds of Collateral as to which perfection of the security interest in such proceeds is accomplished solely by the filing of a UCC financing statement or automatically), deposit accounts (in each case, other than proceeds of Collateral held in such accounts as to which perfection of the security interest in such proceeds is accomplished solely by the filing of a UCC financing statement or automatically and other than any Collateral Account (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement)) and any other assets requiring perfection through control agreements or by “control” (other than (i) in respect of Equity Interests in the US Borrower and in Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as provided for in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement); and
(d)    particular assets if and for so long as, if reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, the cost of perfecting a pledge or security interest in such assets exceed the practical benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom.
“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the US Borrower, (b) solely in respect of a guarantee of (and the creation of a Lien to secure) the Obligations of the US Borrower or of any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, (i) any Foreign Subsidiary, (ii) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a CFC, and (iii) any FSHCO, (c) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (d) any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary, (e) any Receivables Entity (or similar entity), (f) any captive insurance Subsidiary, (g) any not-for-profit Subsidiary, (h) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation from guaranteeing the Obligations or which would require a consent, approval, license or authorization of any Governmental Authority to provide such a guarantee (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received and in any event only for so long as such restriction exists, and with respect to any such restriction under a Contractual Obligation, only to the extent existing on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or on the date the applicable Person becomes a Subsidiary and not entered into in contemplation thereof) and (i) any other Subsidiary with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the burden or cost of such entity providing a guarantee or pledging assets to secure the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom.
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“Excluded Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder (determined after giving effect to any and all keepwell, support and/or other guarantee agreements for the benefit of such Guarantor made by the other Loan Parties) at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.
“Excluded Taxes” shall mean any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of any Recipient, US federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or becomes a party to this Agreement (other than pursuant to an assignment request by any Borrower under Section 2.25) or (ii) such Recipient (if the Recipient is a Lender or an Issuing Bank) changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.20, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Recipient’s assignor immediately before such Recipient became a party hereto or to such Recipient immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.20(h) or Section 2.20(i), (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, (e) withholding Taxes payable under Part XIII of the Income Tax Act (Canada) that are imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Recipient as a consequence of such Recipient not dealing at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) with the Canadian Borrower at the time of such payment, (f) withholding Taxes payable under Part XIII of the Income Tax Act (Canada) that are imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of Recipient as a consequence of the Recipient being a “specified non-resident shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) of the Canadian Borrower, or not dealing at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) with a “specified shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) of the Canadian Borrower, (g) in the case of any Recipient, any Canadian withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in the Loan or Commitment at the time such Lender (i) becomes a party to this Agreement (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Canadian Borrower under Section 2.25), or (ii) if the Recipient is a Lender or an Issuing Bank, changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.20, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Recipient's assignor immediately before such Recipient became a party hereto or to such Recipient immediately before it changed its lending office and (h) any Bank Levy.
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“Executive Order No. 13224” shall mean the Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001, as the same as been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.
“Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean the Credit Agreement dated as of April 20, 2016 (as amended and restated on the Restatement Effective Date and as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date), among the Borrowers, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
“Existing Debt Refinancing” shall mean the repayment in full of (i) the 4.875% senior notes due 2024 in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 pursuant to that certain indenture dated as of June 23, 2014 between the US Borrower, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (ii) all outstanding obligations under the Term Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date), in each case together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, outstanding as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
“Existing Letters of Credit” shall mean the letters of credit described in Annex A.
“Extended Revolving Commitment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b)(i).
“Extended Revolving Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Extended Revolving Loan” shall mean any loan made pursuant to an Extended Revolving Commitment.
“Extended Term Commitment” shall mean a commitment of an Extending Term Lender to make Extended Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.27.
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“Extended Term Loan Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Extended Term Loans” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a)(i).
“Extending Revolving Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b)(i).
“Extending Term Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a)(i).
“Extension” shall mean a Term Loan Extension or a Revolving Extension.
“Extension Amendment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(d).
“Extension Offer” shall mean a Term Loan Extension Offer or a Revolving Extension Offer.
“Extension Series” shall mean any Term Loan Extension Series or any Revolving Extension Series, as the case may be.
“FASB ASC” shall mean the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate; provided, however, that if such rate shall be less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero for all purposes of this Agreement.
“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” shall mean the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
“Federal Reserve Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
“First Incremental Amendment” shall mean the Incremental Amendment dated as of September 28, 2016, among each Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.
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“First Incremental Effective Date” shall mean the date on which the First Incremental Amendment became effective in accordance with its terms.
“Fixed Incremental Component” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Flood Certificate” shall mean a “Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any successor Governmental Authority performing a similar function.
“Flood Insurance Laws” shall mean, collectively, (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (e) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.
“Floor” shall mean the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted EURIBO Rate, each Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or the Central Bank Rate, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted EURIBO Rate, each Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or the Central Bank Rate shall be 0.00%.
“Foreign Benefit Event” shall mean, with respect to any Foreign Pension Plan, (a) the existence of unfunded liabilities in excess of the amount permitted under any applicable law, or in excess of the amount that would be permitted absent a waiver from a Governmental Authority, (b) the failure to make the required contributions or payments, under any applicable law, on or before the due date for such contributions or payments, (c) the receipt of a notice by a Governmental Authority relating to the intention to terminate any such Foreign Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee or similar official to administer any such Foreign Pension Plan, or alleging the insolvency of any such Foreign Pension Plan, (d) the incurrence of any liability by any Group Member under any applicable law on account of the complete or partial termination of such Foreign Pension Plan or the complete or partial withdrawal of any participating employer therein or (e) the occurrence of any transaction that is prohibited under any applicable law and that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any liability by any Group Member, or the imposition on any Group Member of any fine, excise tax or penalty resulting from any noncompliance with any applicable law.
“Foreign Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Foreign Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date and executed and delivered by the Borrowers and each Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Foreign Lender” shall mean a Lender that is not a US Person.
“Foreign Loan Party” shall mean the Canadian Borrower, the UK Borrower and each Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor.
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“Foreign Pension Plan” shall mean any plan, fund (including any superannuation fund) or other similar program (including any Canadian Pension Plan) established or maintained outside the United States of America by the US Borrower or any one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.
“Foreign Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary.
“Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of the US Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean each Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Foreign Subsidiary.
“Fronting Exposure” shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to any Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of outstanding Swing Line Loans made by such Swing Line Lender other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.
“FSHCO” shall mean any entity substantially all the assets of which consist of Equity Interests and/or debt interests of one or more CFCs.
“Funded Debt” shall mean, with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person of the types described in (a) clauses (a) through (c) and clause (e) of the definition of “Indebtedness” as would be required to be reflected on the liability side of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP as determined on a consolidated basis, (b) solely with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar facilities that have been drawn but not yet reimbursed, clause (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness” and (c) clauses (h) and (i) of the definition of “Indebtedness” in respect of Indebtedness of other Persons of the type described in the immediately preceding clauses (a) and (b).
“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States of America, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
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“Goderich Mine” shall mean (a) all freehold lands owned by the Canadian Borrower at the Goderich mine site, in the County of Huron, in the Province of Ontario, Canada; (b) that certain mining lease no. 107377 between the Canadian Borrower and the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Northern Development and Mines; (c) all salt already found or which may hereafter be found to exist in or under the foregoing; (d) each lease made between the Canadian Borrower and The Corporation of the Town of Goderich with respect to port lands; and (e) the rights of the Canadian Borrower pursuant to the port user agreement, right of first refusal agreements and other port related agreements made from time to time among the Town of Goderich, Goderich Port Management Corporation and the Canadian Borrower.
“Goderich Mine Mortgage” shall mean a registered demand debenture in the nominal principal amount of $100,000,000 made by the Canadian Borrower in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, creating a first-ranking charge over the Goderich Mine.
“Governmental Act” shall mean any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Granting Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(f).
“Grantor” shall mean any Loan Party that is party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
“Group Member” shall mean each of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and “Group Members” shall refer to each such Person, collectively.
“Guarantee and Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date and executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the US Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Guarantee Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit), if to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any Property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee Obligation” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.
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The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (1) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (2) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the US Borrower in good faith.
“Guarantors” shall mean the collective reference to the US Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
“Hedge Bank” shall mean any Person that is a counterparty to a Swap Contract permitted under Article VI and that (a) is an Agent or an Arranger (or an Affiliate of an Agent or an Arranger), (b) at the time it enters into such Swap Contract, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender), (c) if such Swap Contract is in effect on the Closing Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Closing Date, (d) if such Swap Contract is in effect on the Restatement Effective Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Restatement Effective Date, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract or (e) if such Swap Contract is in effect on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract.
“Highest Lawful Rate” shall mean the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.
“Historical Audited Financial Statements” shall mean the audited consolidated balance sheets of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal years ended 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal years, including the notes thereto.
“HMRC” shall mean H.M. Revenue & Customs of the United Kingdom.
“HMRC DT Treaty Passport Scheme” shall mean HMRC’s Double Taxation Treaty Passport scheme.
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“Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) designated by the US Borrower, in writing to the Administrative Agent, as an “Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary” if and for so long as such Restricted Subsidiary does not have (a) total assets as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the US Borrower for which financial statements are available exceeding 5% of the Consolidated Total Assets and (b) total revenues for the most recent four fiscal quarter period of the US Borrower for which financial statements are available exceeding 5% of the total revenues of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such period; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of total assets of all Immaterial Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the US Borrower for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable, may not exceed 10% of the Consolidated Total Assets and (ii) the aggregate total revenues of all Immaterial Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent four fiscal quarter period of the US Borrower for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable, may not exceed 10% of the total revenues of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for such period; provided, further, that the US Borrower may designate, in writing to the Administrative Agent, any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary as a Material Restricted Subsidiary in order to cause the above required terms to be satisfied.
“Incremental Incurrence-Based Component” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Incremental Amendment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(f).
“Incremental Commitments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(r).
“Incremental Facility Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(d).
“Incremental Lenders” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(c).
“Incremental Loan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b).
“Incremental Loan Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Incremental Revolving Commitments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Incremental Revolving Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Incremental Revolving Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(c).
“Incremental Revolving Loan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b).
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“Incremental Term Commitments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Incremental Term Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(c).
“Incremental Term Loan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b).
“Incremental Term Loan Facility” shall mean a term loan facility established pursuant to Section 2.26.
“Incremental Tranche A-1 Term Loans” shall mean the Incremental Term Loans made to the US Borrower on the First Incremental Effective Date in accordance with Section 1 of the First Incremental Amendment.
“Indebtedness” shall mean, of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of Property or services, including seller notes or earn-out obligations appearing on such Person’s balance sheet in accordance with GAAP (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to Property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such Property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations or Attributable Indebtedness of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under bankers’ acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, (h) all Attributable Receivables Indebtedness, (i) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above, (j) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on Property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation and (k) for the purposes of Section 6.01 and Section 7.01(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of Swap Contracts.
“Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b).
“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b).
“Intellectual Property” shall mean the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States of America, state, provincial, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, service-marks, technology, know-how and processes, recipes, formulas, trade secrets, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
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“Intellectual Property Security Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
“Intercreditor Agreements” shall mean, collectively, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in each case to the extent in effect.
“Interest Payment Date” shall mean (a) as to any Term Benchmark Loan, (i) the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan and (ii) the applicable Maturity Date of such Loan; provided, however, that, if any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Loan is longer than three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; (b) as to any RFR Loan, (i) each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Borrowing of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month) and (ii) the applicable Maturity Date of such Loan; and (c) as to any Base Rate Loan, Canadian Prime Rate Loan or Swing Line Loan, (i) the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and (ii) the applicable Maturity Date of such Loan.
“Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the period commencing on the date such Term Benchmark Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Loan and ending on the date that is one, three or (except in the case of a Term Benchmark Loan bearing interest at the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate) six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by a Borrower in its Borrowing Notice; provided that (i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Term Benchmark Loan that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable Maturity Date.
“Inventory Assets” shall mean inventory from time to time owned by any Restricted Subsidiary of the US Borrower.
“Investment” shall mean, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person.
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For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment (including without regard to any write-downs or write-offs).
“IRS” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Issuing Bank” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Bank of Nova Scotia and any other Revolving Lender from time to time designated by the US Borrower as an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.07(i) (in each case, other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank in accordance with the terms hereof). Any reference to “Issuing Bank” herein shall, except as the context may otherwise require, be to the Issuing Bank that issues a particular Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit (including Existing Letters of Credit) to be issued by Affiliates or branches of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate or branch with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate or branch.
“ITA 2007” shall mean the United Kingdom Income Tax Act 2007.
“Junior Indebtedness” shall mean, collectively, the Senior Notes, the New Senior Notes and any Indebtedness of any Group Member that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to all or any portion of the Obligations.
“Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean a customary intercreditor agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be entered into by and among the US Borrower, the other Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and one or more Other Debt Representatives.
“Landlord Consent and Estoppel” shall mean, with respect to any Leasehold Property, a letter, certificate or other instrument in writing from the lessor under the related lease, pursuant to which, among other things, the landlord consents to the granting of a Mortgage on such Leasehold Property by the Loan Party tenant, such Landlord Consent and Estoppel to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, but in any event sufficient for the Administrative Agent to obtain a title policy with respect to such Mortgage.
“Latest Maturity Date” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity date of any Original Term Loan, Incremental Term Loan, Extended Term Loan, Refinancing Term Loan, Original Revolving Loan, Incremental Revolving Loan, Extended Revolving Loan, Other Revolving Loan, Original Term Loan Commitment, Incremental Term Commitment, Extended Term Commitment, Refinancing Term Commitment, Original Revolving Commitment, Incremental Revolving Commitment, Extended Revolving Commitment or Other Revolving Commitment, in each case, as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.
“L/C Borrowing” shall mean an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Loan.
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“L/C Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Issuing Bank’s L/C Commitment is set forth on Annex B-3 or, if an Issuing Bank has been designated in accordance with Section 2.07(i), is the amount set forth for such Issuing Bank as its L/C Commitment in the Register.
“L/C Credit Extension” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof, extension of the expiry date thereof or increase in the amount thereof.
“L/C Obligations” shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit (including any and all Letters of Credit for which documents have been presented that have not been honored or dishonored) plus (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 2.07(d) or Section 2.07(e). For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.13 and Rule 3.14 of The International Standby Practices 1998, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (“ISP98”), if such Letter of Credit is governed by ISP98, or by operation of Rule 29(a) of The Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Revision, Publication No. 600 (“UCP 600”), if such Letter of Credit is governed by UCP 600, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. The L/C Obligations of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Percentage of the total L/C Obligations at such time.
“LCAT Election” shall mean the US Borrower’s election to treat a specified Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder as a Limited Condition Transaction, which election shall be made in writing to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date the definitive agreement for such Permitted Acquisition or other Investment is executed.
“LCAT Test Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.08(c).
“Leasehold Property” shall mean any leasehold interest of any Loan Party as lessee under any lease of real property.
“Lenders” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes each Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender.
“Letter of Credit” shall mean a standby letter of credit issued or to be issued by an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Agreement.
“Letter of Credit Application” shall mean an application, in such form as the relevant Issuing Bank may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing Bank to issue a Letter of Credit.
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“Letter of Credit Commitment Period” shall mean the period beginning on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and ending on the Revolving Termination Date with respect to the Original Revolving Commitments and Original Revolving Loans.
“Letter of Credit Fees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(b).
“Letter of Credit Sublimit” shall mean the lesser of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate unused amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any property, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), judgment liens, pledge, encumbrance, claim, charge, assignment, hypothecation, deposit arrangement, security interest or encumbrance of any kind or any arrangement to provide priority or preference in the nature of a security interest or any filing of any financing statement under the UCC, PPSA or any other similar notice of Lien under any similar notice or recording statute of any Governmental Authority, including any easement, servitude, right-of-way or other encumbrance on title to real property, in each of the foregoing cases whether voluntary or imposed or arising by operation of law, and any agreement to give any of the foregoing, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“Limited Condition AcquisitionTransaction” shall mean (1) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or acquisition of Equity Interests or otherwise) permitted hereunder by the US Borrower or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, (2) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment, (3) any Restricted Payment requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof and (4) any Asset Sale or a disposition excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”.
“Loan” shall mean any extension of credit by a Lender to a Borrower under this Agreement in the form of a Term Loan, Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan.
“Loan Documents” shall mean, collectively, (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Notes, (iii) the Security Documents, (iv) the Foreign Guarantee Agreement, (v) the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, (vi) each Intercreditor Agreement to the extent then in effect, (vii) each Letter of Credit Application, (viii) any Refinancing Amendment, Incremental Amendment or Extension Amendment, (ix) the Restatement Agreement, (x) the 2023 A&R Agreement and (xi) all other documents, certificates, instruments or agreements executed and delivered by or on behalf of a Loan Party for the benefit of any Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender in connection herewith on or after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
“Loan Parties” shall mean, collectively, each Borrower and each Guarantor.
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“Local Time” shall mean (a) with respect to a Loan or Borrowing made to, or a Letter of Credit issued for the account of, the US Borrower, New York City time; (b) with respect to a Loan or Borrowing made to the Canadian Borrower, Toronto time; and (c) with respect to a Loan or Borrowing made to the UK Borrower, London time.
“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.
“Master Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on and/or material adverse developments with respect to (a) the business, financial condition or results of operation of the Group Members taken as a whole; (b) the ability of any Loan Party to fully and timely perform its Obligations; or (c) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, any Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party under any Loan Document.
“Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans, the Letters of Credit and the Guarantee Obligations under the Loan Documents) of any one or more Group Members in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 or more. For purposes of determining “Material Indebtedness”, the “principal amount” of any Swap Contract at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value of such Swap Contract at such time.
“Material Intellectual Property” shall mean Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the US Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by the US Borrower.
“Material Real Property” shall mean any Real Property, or group of related tracts of Real Property, acquired (whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions) or owned in fee or leased by any Loan Party, in each case, in respect of which the fair market value (including the fair market value of improvements owned or leased by such Loan Party and located thereon) on such date of determination exceeds $15,000,000. For purposes of clarity, “Material Real Property” shall include the Goderich Mine.
“Material Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Restricted Subsidiary other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary.
“Materials of Environmental Concern” shall mean any petroleum or petroleum derivatives, radioactive materials (including NORM), polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances and other material, substance or waste that is listed, regulated, or otherwise defined as hazardous, toxic, radioactive, a pollutant or a contaminant (or words of similar regulatory intent or meaning), or that could give rise to liability under any Environmental Law.
“Maturity Date” shall mean the Term Loan Maturity Date or the Revolving Termination Date, as applicable.
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“Minimum Collateral Amount” shall mean, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to the L/C Obligations of all Issuing Banks with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (ii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks in their sole discretion.
“Minimum Extension Condition” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(c).
“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Mortgaged Properties” shall mean, as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, all Real Property listed on Schedule 1.01(a), as to which the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the Mortgages, and each other parcel of Real Property owned or leased by a Loan Party with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.12(c).
“Mortgages” shall mean each of the mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document creating or purporting to create a Lien on any Mortgaged Property in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. Each Mortgage shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower.
“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) received by any Group Member, net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, consulting fees, amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset which is the subject of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a Security Document or any Lien on all or any part of the Collateral), and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred by any Group Member in connection therewith; (ii) Taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by any Group Member as a result thereof; (iii) the amount of any reasonable reserve established in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (ii) above) (A) associated with the assets that are the subject of such event and (B) retained by any Group Member, provided that the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds of such event occurring on the date of such reduction and (iv) the pro rata portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (iv)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of any Group Member as a result thereof and (b) in connection with any issuance of any Equity Interests or issuance or sale of debt securities or instruments or the incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, consulting fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.
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“New Senior Notes” shall mean the 8.000% Senior Notes due 2030 of the US Borrower.
“New Senior Notes Indenture” shall mean the Indenture dated as of June 16, 2025 between the US Borrower as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein).
“Non-Consenting Lender” shall mean any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of each Lender, each affected Lender or each Lender or each affected Lender with respect to a particular Class of Loans, in each case, in accordance with the terms of Section 9.01 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders (or, in the case of any consent, waiver or amendment that requires the approval of each Lender or each affected Lender with respect to a particular Class of Loans, the Required Class Lenders of such Class).
“Non-Core Assets” shall mean assets with an aggregate fair market value of not more than $5,000,000.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
“Non-Public Information” shall mean information which has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
“Note” shall mean any promissory note evidencing any Loan.
“NYFRB” shall mean the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“NYFRB Rate” shall mean, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or, for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided, however, that, if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a Federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day to the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided further, however, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero for all purposes of this Agreement.
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“Obligations” shall mean the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, relating to any Group Member, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities owed by any Group Member to any Agent, any Arranger, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Hedge Bank or Cash Management Bank, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, any Secured Hedge Agreement, any Secured Cash Management Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to any Arranger, any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant hereto) or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations of any Guarantor shall in no event include any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.
“Organizational Documents” shall mean, collectively, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the certificate of incorporation or articles of incorporation and by-laws (or similar constitutive documents) of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or memorandum and articles of association (or similar constitutive documents) of such Person, (iii) in the case of any limited partnership, the certificate of formation and limited partnership agreement (or similar constitutive documents) of such Person (and, where applicable, the equity holders or shareholders registry of such Person), (iv) in the case of any general partnership, the partnership agreement (or similar constitutive document) of such Person, (v) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing, and (vi) any shareholder, voting trust or similar agreement between or among any holders of Equity Interests of such Person.
“Original Revolving Commitments” shall mean the commitments of the Revolving Lenders in effect as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to fund Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(a), as further described in clause (a) of the definition of “Revolving Commitment”.
“Original Revolving Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Original Revolving Loans” shall mean the Revolving Loans made by Lenders to the Borrowers under the Original Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04(a) or pursuant to Section 3 of the 2023 A&R Agreement.
“Original Term Loan Commitments” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “Restatement Term Commitments” in the 2023 A&R Agreement.
“Original Term Loan Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Original Term Loans” shall mean the term loans made by Lenders to the US Borrower pursuant to Section 4 of the 2023 A&R Agreement as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
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“Other Connection Taxes” shall mean, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Debt Representative” shall mean, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt, any series of Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt or any Indebtedness issued or incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(r) that is secured by the Collateral on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with, or on a junior basis to, the Credit Facilities, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.
“Other Revolving Commitments” shall mean one or more Classes of revolving commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.
“Other Revolving Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Other Revolving Loans” shall mean one or more Classes of Revolving Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.
“Other Taxes” shall mean all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.25).
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” shall mean, for any date, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar borrowings by US-managed banking offices of depositary institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).
“Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean a customary intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to be entered into by and among the US Borrower, the other Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and one or more Other Debt Representatives.
“Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(d).
“Participant Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(d).
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“Participating Member State” shall mean any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
“PATRIOT Act” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.
“Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.13(a).
“Payment in Full” shall mean (a) the termination of all Commitments, (b) the cancellation or expiration of each Letter of Credit (except to the extent cash collateralized or backstopped, in each case, in a manner agreed to by the US Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank or as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank shall have been made) and (c) the payment in full in cash of all Loans and other amounts owing to any Lender, any Agent or any Arranger in respect of the Obligations (other than (i) contingent or indemnification obligations not then due and (ii) obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements).
“Payment Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.13(b).
“Payment Office” shall mean, with respect to any currency, the office specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its payment office with respect to such currency by notice to the US Borrower and the Lenders.
“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).
“Perfection Certificate” shall mean a certificate in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that provides information with respect to the assets of each Domestic Loan Party.
“Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Term CORRA”.
“Permits” shall mean any and all franchises, licenses, leases, permits, approvals, notifications, certifications, registrations, authorizations, exemptions, qualifications, easements, and rights of way.
“Permitted Acquisition” shall mean any transaction or series of related transactions by the US Borrower or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary for the direct or indirect (a) acquisition of all or substantially all of the Property of any Person, or of all or substantially all of any business or division of any Person, (b) acquisition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any Person that the US Borrower or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary do not already own in such Person, and otherwise causing such Person to become a Restricted Subsidiary or (c) merger or consolidation or any other combination with any Person, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), if each of the following conditions is met, or if the Required Lenders have otherwise consented in writing thereto:
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(i)    no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;
(ii)    after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period, is no greater than 4.00:1.00;
(iii)    the Person to be acquired shall not be liable for any Indebtedness except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01;
(iv)    the aggregate consideration in respect of Equity Interests in Persons that do not become Loan Parties upon consummation of such acquisition, and in respect of assets that are acquired by Persons that are not Loan Parties in connection with such acquisition, shall not for all such acquisitions exceed $50,000,000;
(v)    the Property, business, division or Person so acquired is involved solely in a business permitted under Section 6.12;
(vi)    all actions required to be taken with respect to any Property, business, division or Person so acquired under Section 5.12 and Section 5.13 shall have been taken (or arrangements for the taking of such actions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been made); and
(vii)    all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law.
“Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the US Borrower’s common stock purchased by the US Borrower in connection with the issuance of any Convertible Indebtedness; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction, less the proceeds received by the US Borrower from the sale of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction, is in an amount that is determined by the US Borrower in good faith to be reasonable for instruments of that type and, in any event, not in excess of the net proceeds received by the US Borrower from the issuance of such Convertible Indebtedness in connection with the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.
“Permitted Equity Liens” shall mean Liens permitted under Section 6.02(a), Section 6.02(c), Section 6.02(j), Section 6.02(u), Section 6.02(v), Section 6.02(w) and Section 6.02(x).
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“Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt” shall mean secured Indebtedness incurred solely by the US Borrower in the form of one or more series of junior lien secured notes or loans pursuant to a credit agreement, indenture or other agreement (other than this Agreement); provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by all or less than all of the Collateral on a basis junior in priority to the Liens securing the Obligations hereunder and the obligations in respect of any Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt and is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors, (iii) such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained solely to refinance, in whole or part, Refinanced Debt, and the proceeds thereof shall be substantially contemporaneously applied to prepay such Refinanced Debt, interest and any premium (if any) thereon, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt, and any Revolving Commitments so refinanced shall be concurrently terminated; (iv) such Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Revolving Commitments, the unused amount of such Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments, the applicable amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, any premium, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith, (v) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligations (other than pursuant to customary asset sale, event of loss and change of control prepayment provisions and a customary acceleration right after an event of default), in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (vi) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (other than with respect to pricing, premiums, fees, rate floors and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to or (taken as a whole) no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions applicable to the Refinanced Debt (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness), (vii) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as or more favorable to the Loan Parties than the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (viii) an Other Debt Representative validly acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or, if a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement has previously been entered into, execute a joinder to such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form provided in such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.
“Permitted Liens” shall mean the collective reference to Liens permitted by Section 6.02.
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“Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt” shall mean any secured Indebtedness incurred solely by the US Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans pursuant to a credit agreement, indenture or other agreement (other than this Agreement); provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by all or less than all of the Collateral on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Liens securing the Obligations hereunder and is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors, (iii) such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained solely to refinance, in whole or part, Refinanced Debt, and the proceeds thereof shall be substantially contemporaneously applied to prepay such Refinanced Debt, interest and any premium (if any) thereon, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt, and any Revolving Commitments so refinanced shall be concurrently terminated, (iv) such Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Revolving Commitments, the unused amount of such Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments, the applicable amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, any premium, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith, (v) such Indebtedness has a maturity no earlier than the maturity of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Refinanced Debt, (vi) such Indebtedness is not subject to any mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemption provisions, unless the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of such Indebtedness is accompanied by the prepayment of a pro rata portion of the outstanding principal of the Term Loans hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11, (vii) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (other than with respect to pricing, premiums, fees, rate floors and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to or (taken as a whole) no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions applicable to the Refinanced Debt (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness), (viii) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as or more favorable to the Loan Parties than the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (ix) an Other Debt Representative validly acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or, if a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement has previously been entered into, execute a joinder to such Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form provided in such Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (x) if applicable, an Other Debt Representative validly acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or, if a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement has previously been entered into, execute a joinder to such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form provided in such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.
“Permitted Prior Liens” shall mean Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02 (other than Section 6.02(a), Section 6.02(k), Section 6.02(w), Section 6.02(x) and Section 6.02(y)).
“Permitted Receivables Facility” shall mean the receivables facility or facilities created under the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents providing for the sale, contribution, assignment or other transfer (including a “back-up” security interest pledge) by the US Borrower and/or one or more other Receivables Sellers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to the Receivables Entity (either directly or through another Receivables Seller) for fair value as reasonably determined in good faith by the US Borrower (and calculated in a manner typical for such transactions, including a fair market discount from the face value of the applicable Permitted Receivables Facility Assets), which in turn shall sell, assign, transfer or pledge interests in the respective Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (with the Receivables Entity permitted to issue notes or other evidences of Indebtedness secured by Permitted Receivables Facility Assets or investor certificates, purchased interest certificates or other similar documentation evidencing interests in the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) in return for the cash used by the Receivables Entity (together with any cash Investment or other capital contribution received by the Receivables Entity and/or any intercompany Indebtedness issued by the Receivables Entity to a Receivables Seller) to purchase the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets from the US Borrower and/or the respective Receivables Sellers, in each case as more fully set forth in the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.
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“Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” shall mean (a) Receivables and equitable, beneficial or undivided interests in Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the US Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries which are sold, assigned or otherwise transferred (including by way of a “back-up” security interest pledge) to the Receivables Entity pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so sold, assigned or otherwise transferred to, or established by or on behalf of, the Receivables Entity, and all collections or other proceeds thereof, (b) loans to the US Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries secured by Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the US Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries which are made pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility and (c) investments by or cash belonging to a Receivables Entity credited to accounts owned by the US Borrower or any Subsidiary.
“Permitted Receivables Facility Documents” shall mean each of the documents and agreements entered into in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility, including all documents and agreements relating to the issuance, funding and/or purchase of certificates and purchased interests, or the issuance of notes or other evidence of Indebtedness secured by such notes, all of which documents and agreements (including any amendments thereto) shall be customary for transactions of this type (in the good faith determination of the US Borrower).
“Permitted Receivables Related Assets” shall mean any other assets or contractual rights that are customarily transferred or established, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving receivables similar to Receivables and any collections or other proceeds of any of the foregoing, including guarantees, insurance policies and underlying collateral.
“Permitted Refinancing Debt” shall mean any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness; provided that (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder; (ii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a maturity no earlier than the maturity of, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; (iii) at the time thereof, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iv) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is unsecured, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is unsecured; (v) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms, taken as a whole, at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; (vi) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is secured, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is secured by no more collateral than the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; (vii) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subject to an Intercreditor Agreement, an Other Debt Representative validly acting on behalf of the holders of such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness shall become a party to such Intercreditor Agreement and (viii) the primary obligors and guarantors in respect of such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended remain the same (or constitute a subset thereof).
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“Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt” shall mean unsecured Indebtedness incurred solely by the US Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated unsecured notes or loans pursuant to a credit agreement, indenture or other agreement (other than this Agreement); provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any Lien, (ii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors, (iii) such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained solely to refinance, in whole or part, Refinanced Debt, and the proceeds thereof shall be substantially contemporaneously applied to prepay such Refinanced Debt, interest and any premium (if any) thereon, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, and any Revolving Commitments so refinanced shall be concurrently terminated, (iv) such Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Revolving Commitments, the unused amount of such Revolving Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Commitments, the applicable amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, any premium, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith, (v) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligations (other than pursuant to customary asset sale, event of loss and change of control prepayment provisions and a customary acceleration right after an event of default), in each case prior to the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and (vi) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (other than with respect to pricing, premiums, fees, rate floors and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to or (taken as a whole) no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions applicable to the Refinanced Debt (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness). Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.
“Permitted Warrant Transaction” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the US Borrower’s common stock sold by the US Borrower substantially concurrently with any purchase by the US Borrower of a related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.
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“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” shall mean any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed to by, the US Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the US Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates has or could reasonably be expected to have liability, contingent or otherwise, under ERISA.
“Platform” shall mean Debt Domain, IntraLinks, SyndTrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.
“Pledged Equity Interests” shall have the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
“PPSA” shall mean the Person Property Security Act (Ontario).
“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” in the United States or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. The Administrative Agent or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
“Projections” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(b).
“Property” shall mean any right or interest in or to property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, including Equity Interests.
“PTE” shall mean a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Public Lender” shall mean any Lender that does not wish to receive Non-Public Information with respect to the US Borrower or its Subsidiaries or their respective securities.
“Purchase Money Obligation” shall mean, for any Person, the obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of any fixed or capital assets or the cost of installation, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets; provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred within 90 days after such acquisition, installation, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets by such Person and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the lesser of 100% of the fair market value of such fixed or capital asset or the cost of the acquisition, installation, construction or improvement thereof, as the case may be.
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“QFC” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 5390(c)(8)(D).
“QFC Credit Support” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.23.
“Qualified Equity Interests” shall mean Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.
“Ratio Calculation Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.08(a)(i).
“Real Property” shall mean all real property held or used by any Group Member, which the relevant Group Member owns in fee or in which it holds a leasehold interest as a tenant, including as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
“Receivables” shall mean all accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from sales of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services rendered no matter how evidenced whether or not earned by performance).
“Receivables Entity” shall mean a direct or indirect wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary of the US Borrower that engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Receivables acquired from the Receivables Sellers, that is designated (as provided below) as the “Receivables Entity” and that satisfies each of the following conditions: (a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary in any way (other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings) or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, (b) with which neither the US Borrower nor any other Restricted Subsidiary has any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (including with respect to fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with the servicing of accounts receivable and related assets)) on terms less favorable to the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the US Borrower (as determined by the US Borrower in good faith), and (c) to which neither the US Borrower nor any other Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by filing with the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the US Borrower certifying that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge and belief after consultation with counsel, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
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“Receivables Sellers” shall mean the US Borrower and those Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Receivables Entities) that are from time to time party to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.
“Recipient” shall mean (a) each Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.
“Record Document” shall mean, with respect to any Leasehold Property, (a) the lease evidencing such Leasehold Property or a memorandum thereof, executed and acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property, as lessor, or (b) if such Leasehold Property was acquired or subleased from the holder of a Recorded Leasehold Interest, the applicable assignment or sublease document, executed and acknowledged by such holder, in each case in form sufficient to give such constructive notice upon recordation and otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Recorded Leasehold Interest” shall mean a Leasehold Property with respect to which a Record Document has been recorded in all places necessary or desirable, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, to give constructive notice of such Leasehold Property to third-party purchasers and encumbrances of the affected real property.
“Recovery Event” shall mean the receipt by any Group Member of any cash payments or proceeds under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder or as a result of the taking of any assets of any Group Member by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, other than Recovery Events resulting in aggregate gross proceeds (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) not exceeding (A) $5,000,000 with respect to any single Recovery Event or series of related Recovery Events and (B) $20,000,000 in the aggregate for all Recovery Events during any fiscal year of US Borrower.
“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark shall mean (a) if such Benchmark is the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two US Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (b) if such Benchmark is the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, 1:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the day that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (c) if such Benchmark is the Adjusted EURIBO Rate, 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) two TARGET Days preceding the date of such setting, (d) if such Benchmark is Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, then four RFR Business Days prior to such setting, or (e) if such Benchmark is none of the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
“Refinanced Debt” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”.
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“Refinancing Amendment” shall mean an amendment to this Agreement executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, each Additional Refinancing Lender and each Lender that agrees to provide any portion of Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Loans in each case in accordance with Section 2.28.
“Refinancing Series” shall mean all Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Loans that are established pursuant to the same Refinancing Amendment; provided that any Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Loans that are established pursuant to a subsequent Refinancing Amendment shall be a part of any previously established Refinancing Series to the extent that (i) such subsequent Refinancing Amendment expressly provides that the Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans, Other Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Loans, as applicable, provided for thereunder are intended to be a part of such previously established Refinancing Series and (ii) in the case of Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Loans, the Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Loans provided for under such Refinancing Amendment are fungible for United States federal income tax purposes with such previously established Refinancing Series. Refinancing Term Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments that, if and when drawn in the form of Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Loans, would yield Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Loans that are construed to be a part of any previously established Refinancing Series pursuant to clause (ii) above, shall also be construed to be a party of such previously established Refinancing Series.
“Refinancing Term Commitments” shall mean one or more Classes of Term Loan Commitments hereunder that are established to fund Refinancing Term Loans of the applicable Refinancing Series hereunder pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment.
“Refinancing Term Loan Facility” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Credit Facilities”.
“Refinancing Term Loans” shall mean one or more Classes of Term Loans hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.
“Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c).
“Registered Equivalent Notes” shall mean, with respect to any notes originally issued in an offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.
“Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.
“Regulation H” shall mean Regulation H of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.
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“Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.
“Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.
“Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.
“Regulatory Authority” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.15.
“Reimbursement Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(d).
“Reimbursement Obligation” shall mean the obligation of the US Borrower to reimburse each Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.07(d) for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.
“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release” shall mean, with respect to Materials of Environmental Concern, any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Materials of Environmental Concern).
“Relevant Governmental Body” shall mean (a) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Dollars, the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto, (b) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Bank of Canada or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of Canada or, in each case, any successor thereto, (c) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Sterling, the Bank of England, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of England or, in each case, any successor thereto, or (d) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Euros, the European Central Bank, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the European Central Bank or, in each case, any successor thereto.
“Relevant Rate” shall mean (a) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, (b) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, (c) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate, (d) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Sterling, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR and (e) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable.
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“Relevant Screen Rate” shall mean (a) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, (b) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Term CORRA and (c) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros, the EURIBO Screen Rate, as applicable.
“Required Class Lenders” shall mean, at any time with respect to any Class of Loans or Commitments, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures with respect to such Class representing more than 50% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders with respect to such Class. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender with respect to such Class shall be disregarded in determining Required Class Lenders at any time.
“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than 50% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.
“Requirement of Law” shall mean, as to any Person, such Person’s Organizational Documents, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to which such Person or any of its Property is subject.
“Resolution Authority” shall mean an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Responsible Officer” shall mean, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president or chief financial officer of such Person, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer of such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Responsible Officer” in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall refer to a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower.
“Restatement Agreement” shall mean the Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of November 26, 2019, among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders and Issuing Banks party thereto and the Administrative Agent.
“Restatement Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2 of the Restatement Agreement.
“Restricted Payment” shall mean any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to any Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof), or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment.
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“Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary (and, for the avoidance of doubt, will include the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower).
“Revolving Commitment” shall mean, as to each Revolving Lender, (a) its obligation to (i) make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.04(a), (ii) purchase participations in L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit and (iii) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the heading “Revolving Commitment” on Annex B-1 or, as the case may be, in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement and (b) unless the context shall otherwise require, any commitment of such Revolving Lender under any Incremental Revolving Commitment, Extended Revolving Commitment and Other Revolving Commitment.
“Revolving Commitment Increase” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Revolving Commitment Period” shall mean, for any Class of Revolving Commitments, the period beginning on the date on which such Class of Revolving Commitments is established (which, for the Original Revolving Commitments, will be the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date) and ending on the Revolving Termination Date applicable for such Class of Revolving Commitments.
“Revolving Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Lender as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lender, (ii) the L/C Obligations of such Revolving Lender and (iii) the Swing Line Exposure of such Revolving Lender, in each case as of such date.
“Revolving Extension” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b).
“Revolving Extension Offer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b).
“Revolving Extension Series” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b).
“Revolving Facilities” shall mean the collective reference to the Original Revolving Facility and any Incremental Revolving Facility and, unless the context shall otherwise require, shall include any Extended Revolving Facility and Other Revolving Facility.
“Revolving Lender” shall mean each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or holds Revolving Exposure.
“Revolving Loan” shall mean any Original Revolving Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04(a), any Incremental Revolving Loan and, unless the context otherwise requires, any Extended Revolving Loan and any Other Revolving Loan.
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“Revolving Note” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(e).
“Revolving Percentage” shall mean, as to any Revolving Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments (or, at any time after the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure then outstanding constitutes of the amount of the Total Revolving Exposure then outstanding); provided that, in the case of Section 2.24 (but not the definition of Fronting Exposure used therein), when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Revolving Percentage” shall mean the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment).
“Revolving Termination Date” shall mean the earliest to occur of (a) (i) with respect to the Original Revolving Commitments and Original Revolving Loans, the earlier of (x) May 5, 2028 (the “Stated Revolving Termination Date”) and (y) the date that is ninety-one (91) days prior to the stated maturity date of the Senior Notes (unless, on or prior to such date, the Senior Notes (a) are redeemed in full, (b) are amended to extend the stated maturity date thereof to a date that is at least ninety-one (91) days after the Stated Revolving Termination Date or (c) are refinanced with any permitted Indebtedness under this Agreement, the stated maturity of which is at least ninety-one (91) days after the Stated Revolving Termination Date), (ii) with respect to any Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Revolving Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment, (iii) with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended Revolving Loans of a given Extension Series, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Amendment, (iv) with respect to any Other Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Loans of a given Refinancing Series, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment, (b) the date that the applicable Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.10 or Section 2.11 and (c) the date of the termination of the applicable Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 7.02.
“RFR Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of RFR Loans.
“RFR Business Day” shall mean, for any Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which banks are closed for general business in London, (b) Dollars, a US Government Securities Business Day and (c) Canadian Dollars, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Ontario are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
“RFR Interest Day” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple RFR”.
“RFR Loan” shall mean a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR.
“S&P” shall mean S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.
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“Sale and Leaseback” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.09.
“Sanctioned Country” shall mean, at any time, a country, region or territory that is the subject of comprehensive Sanctions. For the avoidance of doubt, as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, Sanctioned Countries are the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
“Sanctioned Person” shall mean, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury or the US Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any EU member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or any other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons or (d) any other Person with whom dealings are prohibited under Sanctions.
“Sanctions” shall mean economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the US government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury or the US Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the Government of Canada, the European Union, any European Union member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or any other relevant sanctions authority that apply to any of the Borrowers or the Restricted Subsidiaries.
“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Secured Cash Management Agreement” shall mean any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank; provided that the Cash Management Bank that is a party thereto shall not have any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement or the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, as applicable.
“Secured Hedge Agreement” shall mean any Swap Contract permitted under Article VI that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank; provided that the Hedge Bank that is a party thereto shall not have any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement or the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, as applicable.
“Secured Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
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“Security Documents” shall mean the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages, each Perfection Certificate, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, any control agreements required to be delivered pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other Loan Document and all other security documents hereafter delivered to any Agent for the purpose of granting or perfecting a Lien on any Property of any Loan Party to secure the Obligations.
“Senior Notes” shall mean the 6.750% Senior Notes due 2027 of the US Borrower.
“Senior Notes Indenture” shall mean the Indenture dated as of November 26, 2019 between the US Borrower as issuer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as trustee, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein).
“Single Employer Plan” shall mean any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.
“SOFR” shall mean a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” shall mean the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” shall mean the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“SOFR Determination Date” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“SOFR Rate Day” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“Solvent” shall mean, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise,” as of such date, (b) the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business, (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature and (e) such Person is not insolvent within the meaning of any applicable Requirements of Law. For purposes of this definition, (i) “debt” shall mean liability on a “claim,” (ii) “claim” shall mean any (A) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (B) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured and (iii) such other quoted terms used in this definition shall be determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors.
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“SONIA” shall mean, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the Sterling Overnight Index Average for such Business Day published by the SONIA Administrator on the SONIA Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
“SONIA Administrator” shall mean the Bank of England (or any successor administrator of the Sterling Overnight Index Average).
“SONIA Administrator’s Website” shall mean the Bank of England’s website, currently at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk, or any successor source for the Sterling Overnight Index Average identified as such by the SONIA Administrator from time to time.
“SPC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(f).
“Specified Transaction” shall mean:
(a)    any acquisition or Investment that is permitted by this Agreement;
(b)    any Disposition permitted by this Agreement;
(c)    the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with Section 5.14;
(d)    operating improvements, restructurings, cost saving initiatives and certain other similar initiatives; or
(e)    any other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires pro forma compliance with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a pro forma basis;
provided that for purposes of clauses (b) and (c) of this definition, such transaction shall only constitute a Specified Transaction if it has an aggregate consideration of at least $15,000,000.
“Spot Rate” shall mean, on any day, with respect to the applicable Alternative Currency, the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day on the Reuters World Currency Page “FX=” or, if elected by the Administrative Agent, the Bloomberg currency pages, in each case for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page or Bloomberg currency page, then the Spot Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower or, in the absence of such agreement, such Spot Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date for the purchase of Dollars for delivery two Business Days later; provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent, after consultation with the US Borrower, may use any reasonable and customary method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.
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“Standard Securitization Undertakings” shall mean representations, warranties, covenants, repurchase obligations, indemnities and servicing obligations entered into by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility that are customary in an accounts receivable financing transaction.
“Stated Revolving Termination Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Revolving Termination Date”.
“Stated Term Loan Maturity Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Term Loan Maturity Date”.
“Statutory Reserve Rate” shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), (a) the numerator of which is the number one and (b) the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board of Governors to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted EURIBO Rate for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board of Governors). Such reserve percentage shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Term Benchmark Loans for which the associated Benchmark is adjusted by reference to the Statutory Reserve Rate (per the related definition of such Benchmark) shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of, or credit for, proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
“Sterling” or “£” shall mean the single currency of the United Kingdom.
“Subordinated Intercompany Note” shall mean the Subordinated Intercompany Note, dated as of April 20, 2016, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the US Borrower.
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“Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean each existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the US Borrower (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) which has guaranteed the Obligations of some or all of the Borrowers.
“Successor Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(g).
“Supported QFC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.23.
“Swap Contract” shall mean (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement, in each case for the purpose of hedging the foreign currency, interest rate or commodity risk associated with the operations of the Group Members.
“Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swap Termination Value” shall mean, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) have been determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Swing Line Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Swing Line Lender, the commitment of such Swing Line Lender to make Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.06, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate principal amount of such Swing Line Lender’s outstanding Swing Line Loans hereunder. The initial amount of each Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment is set forth in Annex B-4 or in the joinder agreement pursuant to which it became a Swing Line Lender hereunder.
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The aggregate amount of the Swing Line Commitments on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date is $25,000,000.
“Swing Line Commitment Period” shall mean the period beginning on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and ending on the Revolving Termination Date with respect to the Original Revolving Commitments and Original Revolving Loans or such later date as may be agreed to by the Swing Line Lenders (in their sole and absolute discretion) pursuant to Section 2.27(e).
“Swing Line Exposure” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans outstanding at such time. The Swing Line Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) its Revolving Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans outstanding at such time (excluding, in the case of any Revolving Lender that is a Swing Line Lender, Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Lenders shall not have funded their participations in such Swing Line Loans), adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.24 of the Swing Line Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and (b) in the case of any Lender that is a Swing Line Lender, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans made by such Lender and outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Revolving Lenders shall not have funded their participations in such Swing Line Loans.
“Swing Line Lender” shall mean each of (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and (b) each Lender that shall have become a Swing Line Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.06(c) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a Swing Line Lender as provided in Section 2.06(c)), each in its capacity as the lender of Swing Line Loans, or any successor Swing Line Lender hereunder.
“Swing Line Loan” shall mean a Loan made by the Swing Line Lender to the US Borrower pursuant to Section 2.06(a).
“Swing Line Note” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(e).
“Synthetic Lease” shall mean, as to any Person, (a) any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) (i) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (ii) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for US federal income tax purposes or (b) (i) a synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease or (ii) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including a Sale and Leaseback), in each case under this clause (b), creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
“T2” shall mean the real time gross settlement system operated by the Eurosystem, or any replacement or successor system.
“TARGET Day” shall mean any day on which T2 is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.
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“Taxes” shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term Benchmark”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate.
“Term CORRA” shall mean, for any calculation with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Term CORRA Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day”) that is two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term CORRA Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 1:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on any Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day the Term CORRA Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term CORRA Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term CORRA Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term CORRA will be the Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term CORRA Administrator on the first preceding Business Day for which such Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term CORRA Administrator so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five Business Days prior to such Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day.
“Term CORRA Administrator” shall mean Candeal Benchmark Administration Services Inc., TSX Inc. or any successor administrator.
“Term CORRA Notice” shall mean a notification by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the US Borrower of the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event.
“Term CORRA Reelection Event” shall mean the determination by the Administrative Agent that (a) Term CORRA has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, (b) the administration of Term CORRA is administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent and (c) a Benchmark Transition Event has previously occurred resulting in a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with Section 2.17(c) that is not Term CORRA.
“Term CORRA Reference Rate” shall mean the forward-looking term rate based on CORRA.
“Term Lenders” shall mean the collective reference to each Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment or is the holder of an Original Term Loan and the Lenders with respect to any Incremental Term Loans and, unless the context shall otherwise require, shall include the Lenders with respect to any Extended Term Loans and Refinancing Term Loans.
“Term Loan” shall mean any Original Term Loan, any Incremental Term Loan and, unless the context otherwise requires, any Extended Term Loan and any Refinancing Term Loan.
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“Term Loan Commitment” shall mean, as to each Term Lender, (a) the Original Term Loan Commitment of such Term Lender; and (b) unless the context shall otherwise require, any commitment of such Term Lender under any Incremental Term Loan Facility, any Extended Term Loan Facility or any Refinancing Term Loan Facility. The aggregate principal amount of the Original Term Loan Commitments on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date is $200,000,000.
“Term Loan Extension” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).
“Term Loan Extension Offer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).
“Term Loan Extension Series” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).
“Term Loan Facilities” shall mean the collective reference to the Original Term Loan Facility and any Incremental Term Loan Facility and, unless the context shall otherwise require, shall include any Extended Term Loan Facility and Refinancing Term Loan Facility.
“Term Loan Increase” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(a).
“Term Loan Maturity Date” shall mean the earlier of (a) (i) with respect to the Original Term Loans that have not been extended pursuant to Section 2.27(a), the earlier of (x) May 5, 2028 (the “Stated Term Loan Maturity Date”) and (y) the date that is ninety-one (91) days prior to the stated maturity date of the Senior Notes (unless, on or prior to such date, the Senior Notes (a) are redeemed in full, (b) are amended to extend the stated maturity date thereof to a date that is at least ninety-one (91) days after the Stated Term Loan Maturity Date or (c) are refinanced with any permitted Indebtedness under this Agreement, the stated maturity of which is at least ninety-one (91) days after the Stated Term Loan Maturity Date), (ii) with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment, (iii) with respect to any Extended Term Loans of a given Extension Series, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Amendment and (iv) with respect to any Refinancing Term Loans of a given Refinancing Series, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment; provided that, if any such day is not a Business Day, the applicable Term Loan Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately succeeding such day, and (b) the date on which all Term Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.
“Term Loan Note” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(e).
“Term SOFR Determination Day” shall have the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
“Term SOFR Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) two US Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
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“Term SOFR Reference Rate” shall mean, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a US Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding US Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding US Government Securities Business Day is not more than five US Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
“Test Period” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the US Borrower (taken as one accounting period) (i) most recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, if no such financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) on or prior to such date, the “Test Period” shall be the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the US Borrower (taken as one accounting period) most recently ended on or prior to such date) or (ii) in the case of any calculation pursuant to Section 6.13, ended on the last date of the fiscal quarter in question.
“Total Canadian Revolving Exposure” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Canadian Revolving Exposure of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.
“Total Credit Exposure” shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments, Revolving Exposure and outstanding Term Loans of such Lender at such time.
“Total Revolving Commitments” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect. The aggregate principal amount of the Total Revolving Commitments on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date is $325,000,000.
“Total Revolving Exposure” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Exposure of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.
“Total UK Revolving Exposure” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of the UK Revolving Exposure of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.
“Trade Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(h)(i).
“Transaction Costs” shall mean all fees and expenses to be paid by the Borrowers in connection with the Transactions.
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“Transactions” shall mean, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder; and (b) the payment of the Transaction Costs.
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, the Base Rate, the Canadian Prime Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR.
“UK Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“UK Business” shall mean (a) the Equity Interests in the UK Business Entities and (b) the property or assets of the UK Business Entities.
“UK Business Entities” shall mean, collectively, the UK Borrower, Compass Minerals (Europe) Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in the United Kingdom, Compass Minerals UK Holding Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in the United Kingdom, Deepstore Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in the United Kingdom, and Compass Minerals Storage & Archives Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales in the United Kingdom.
“UK Financial Institution” shall mean any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any Person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Non-Bank Lender” shall mean a Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement after the date on which this Agreement is entered into and a Lender which gives a UK Tax Confirmation in the Assignment and Assumption which it executes on becoming a party to this Agreement.
“UK Qualifying Lender” shall mean (a) a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance to the UK Borrower under a Loan Document and is (i) a Lender (A) which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA 2007) making an advance to the UK Borrower under a Loan Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA 2009; or (B) in respect of an advance to the UK Borrower made under a Loan Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA 2007) at the time that that advance was made and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or (ii) a Lender which is: (A) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes, or (B) a partnership each member of which is (x) a company so resident in the United Kingdom or (y) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA 2009) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA 2009, or (C) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA 2009) of that company; or (iii) a UK Treaty Lender, or (b) a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purposes of section 880 ITA) making an advance to the UK Borrower under a Loan Document.
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“UK Resolution Authority” shall mean the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“UK Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of UK Revolving Loans.
“UK Revolving Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Lender as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all UK Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lender as of such date.
“UK Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Loan made to the UK Borrower pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.04(a).
“UK Tax Confirmation” shall mean a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance to the UK Borrower under a Loan Document is either (a) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes or (b) a partnership each member of which is (i) a company so resident in the United Kingdom or (ii) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA 2009) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA 2009 or (c) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA 2009) of that company.
“UK Tax Deduction” shall mean a deduction or withholding for, or on account of, Tax imposed by the United Kingdom from a payment under a Loan Document.
“UK Treaty Lender” shall mean a Lender which (i) is treated as a resident of a UK Treaty State for the purposes of the relevant Treaty, (ii) does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender's participation in the Loan to the UK Borrower is effectively connected, and (iii) fulfills any other conditions in the relevant Treaty to obtain full exemption from Tax imposed by the United Kingdom on payments of interest except that for this purpose it shall be assumed that any necessary procedural formalities are satisfied.
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“UK Treaty State” shall mean a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from Tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” shall mean the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time in any applicable jurisdiction.
“Unrestricted Cash” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date that is not “restricted” for purposes of GAAP and that is not controlled by or subject to any Lien or other preferential arrangement in favor of any creditor, other than Liens created under the Loan Documents.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary of the US Borrower designated by the US Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.14 that has not subsequently been designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.14 and (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“US Borrower” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“US Government Securities Business Day” shall mean any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“US Person” shall mean any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“US Revolving Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of US Revolving Loans.
“US Revolving Loan” shall mean a Revolving Loan made to the US Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04(a).
“US Special Resolution Regimes” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.23.
“US Tax Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(h).
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
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“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is also a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person of which securities (except for directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held by such Person or one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Wholly Owned Subsidiary” or to “Wholly Owned Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the US Borrower.
“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean any liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a “complete withdrawal” or “partial withdrawal” from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Section 4201(b) of ERISA.
“Withholding Agent” shall mean any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” shall mean (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
“Yield Differential” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(e)(iii).
Section 1.02    Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.
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The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organizational Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, recitals, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and recitals, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b)    In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” shall mean “from and excluding”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” shall mean “to and including”.
(c)    Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d)    For the avoidance of doubt, any reference herein to a Permitted Lien shall not, in itself, serve to subordinate any Lien created by any Security Document to such Permitted Lien.
Section 1.03    Accounting Terms.
(a)    Generally. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Historical Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the US Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Accounting Change. If at any time any Accounting Change shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of any financial covenant, standard or term in this Agreement, then upon the written request of the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent (acting upon the request of the Required Lenders), the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith in order to amend such provisions so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Change with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the US Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Change as if such Accounting Change had not occurred (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided that, until such time as an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, (A) all such financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Change had not occurred and (B) the US Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such financial covenants, standards and terms made before and after giving effect to such Accounting Change.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 1.03 or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations”, any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“FAS 842”), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, shall not be given effect, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.
Section 1.04    Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the US Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
Section 1.05    Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
Section 1.06    Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable Issuing Bank and the US Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary) or in favor of such Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
Section 1.07    Currency Equivalents Generally.
(a) Not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Calculation Date, the Administrative Agent shall (x) determine the Spot Rate as of such Calculation Date with respect to each Alternative Currency and (y) give notice thereof to the applicable Lenders and the applicable Borrowers. The Spot Rates so determined shall become effective (i) in the case of the initial Calculation Date, on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and (ii) in the case of each subsequent Calculation Date, on the first Business Day immediately following such Calculation Date (a “Reset Date”), shall remain effective until the next succeeding Reset Date and shall for all purposes of this Agreement (other than any provision expressly requiring the use of a current exchange rate) be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between Dollars and any Alternative Currency.
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(b)    Solely for purposes of Article II and related definitional provisions to the extent used therein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as determined by the Administrative Agent and notified to the applicable Lenders and the applicable Borrowers in accordance with Section 1.07(a). If any basket is exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the applicable Spot Rate after the last time such basket was utilized, such basket will not be deemed to have been exceeded solely as a result of such fluctuations in the applicable Spot Rate. Amounts denominated in an Alternative Currency will be converted to Dollars for the purposes of (A) testing the financial maintenance covenants under Section 6.13, at the Spot Rate as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the US Borrower for which such measurement is being made, and (B) calculating the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (other than for purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.13), at the Spot Rate as of the date of calculation, and will, in the case of Indebtedness, reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Swap Contracts permitted hereunder for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the Dollar Equivalent of such Indebtedness.
(c)    For purposes of Section 6.01, the amount of any Indebtedness denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on the applicable Spot Rate, in the case of such Indebtedness incurred or committed, on the date that such Indebtedness was incurred or committed, as applicable; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars, and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the applicable Spot Rate on the date of such refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restrictions shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Debt does not exceed the sum of (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount, as applicable, of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.
(d)    For purposes of Sections 6.02, 6.04, 6.05 and 6.06, the amount of any Liens, Dispositions, Restricted Payments and Investments, as applicable, denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on the applicable Spot Rate on the date that such Lien is incurred or such Disposition, Restricted Payment or Investment is made, as the case may be.
Section 1.08    Pro Forma Calculations.
(a) Solely for purposes of determining (x) compliance with the financial maintenance covenants set forth in Section 6.13 and (y) whether any action is otherwise permitted to be taken hereunder, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated as follows:
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(i)    in the event that the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness during the Test Period for which such ratio is being calculated (or, in the case of clause (y) above, subsequent to the Test Period for which such ratio is being calculated and on or prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of such ratio is made (the date of such subsequent calculation, a “Ratio Calculation Date”)), then such ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such Test Period; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, such Indebtedness shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable Test Period for purposes of this calculation determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness at the relevant date of determination (taking into account any interest rate hedging arrangements applicable to such Indebtedness), (y) interest on any obligations with respect to Capital Leases shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such obligation in accordance with GAAP and (z) interest on any Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a London interbank offered rate or other rate shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none was so chosen, then based upon such optional rate as the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary may designate; and
(ii)    if any Specified Transactions are consummated by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Test Period for which such ratio is being calculated (or, in the case of clause (y) above, subsequent to the Test Period for which such ratio is being calculated and on or prior to or simultaneously with the relevant Ratio Calculation Date), then Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis, assuming that all such Specified Transactions had occurred on the first day of such Test Period.
(b) Whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Specified Transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the US Borrower and include, for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies projected by the US Borrower in good faith to result from actions taken, committed to be taken or expected in good faith to be reasonably expected to be realized within 12 months after the closing date of such Specified Transaction (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies had been realized on the first day of such period and as if such cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies were realized during the entirety of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and supported by an officer’s certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent; provided further that any increase in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as a result of cost savings (including “run rate” cost savings), operating expense reductions and cost synergies (other than those of the type that would be permitted to be included in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act), when taken together with all adjustments made in clause (a)(v) of the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA”, shall not exceed 15% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (determined prior to giving effect to such increase) in any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the US Borrower and shall be subject to the limitations set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA”.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, solely for the purpose of (i) measuring the relevant financial ratios and basket availability with respect to the incurrence of any Indebtedness (including any Incremental Loans or Incremental Commitments) or Liens or the making of any Investments, Restricted Payments, prepayments of Junior Indebtedness or Dispositions or the designation of any Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries or (ii) determining compliance with representations and warranties or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, in each case, in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, if the US Borrower has made an LCT Election with respect to such Limited Condition Transaction, the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be, at the election of the US Borrower, either (x) the date on which the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction, are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an irrevocable notice, declaration of a Restricted Payment or similar event) or (y) the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction, is consummated (the “LCAT Test Date”), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction, and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent Test Period ending prior to the LCT Test Date, the US Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such financial ratio, basket, representation or warranty, such financial ratio, basket, representation or warranty shall be deemed to have been complied with; provided that, in connection with any Permitted Acquisition for which an LCT Election has been made, it shall be a condition to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition that, as of the date of such consummation, no Event of Default under clause (a), (f) or (g) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom. If the US Borrower has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any financial ratio or basket availability on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of (x) the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction, is consummated or (y) the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction, is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such financial ratio or basket availability shall be required to be satisfied on a pro forma basis (A) assuming such Limited Condition Transaction, and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated and (B) assuming such Limited Condition Transaction, and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have not been consummated.
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For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Section 1.08 to the contrary, the requirements of Section 4.02 are required to be satisfied in connection with any Credit Extension (except as expressly provided in Section 2.26 in connection with an Incremental Commitment).
Section 1.09    [Reserved].
Section 1.10    Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or a Term CORRA Reelection Event, Section 2.17(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to any Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
Section 1.11    Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws), (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.
ARTICLE II
LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
Section 2.01 Term Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the 2023 A&R Agreement, each Term Lender having an Original Term Loan Commitment made an Original Term Loan to the US Borrower on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
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For the avoidance of doubt, the Original Term Loans made by the Lenders to the US Borrower on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall constitute Original Term Loans hereunder. Any amount repaid or prepaid in respect of the Original Term Loans may not be reborrowed. Subject to Section 2.10 and Section 2.11, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Original Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than the Maturity Date applicable to the Original Term Loans.
Section 2.02    Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing.
(a)    Each Term Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class, Type and currency made to the US Borrower by the Term Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments of the applicable Class. The US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Borrowing Notice with respect to any Borrowing of Term Loans no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) (x) one Business Day in advance of the proposed Borrowing Date in the case of Base Rate Loans and (y) three Business Days in advance of the proposed Borrowing Date in the case of Term Benchmark Loans (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent). If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Borrowing. If no Interest Period with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the US Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.02 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s portion of the requested Borrowing. All Term Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.
(b)    Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, each Term Lender shall make its Term Loan available to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Borrowing Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the principal office designated by the Administrative Agent. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Term Loans available to the US Borrower on the applicable Borrowing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Term Loans received by the Administrative Agent from the Term Lenders to be credited to the account of the US Borrower at the principal office designated by the Administrative Agent or to such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the US Borrower.
Section 2.03    Repayment of Term Loans.
(a) The US Borrower shall repay to the Term Lenders the Original Term Loans on the last day of each March, June, September and December, beginning with September 30, 2023, in an aggregate principal amount for each such date equal to the Applicable Amortization Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Original Term Loans outstanding on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (which amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.12); provided, however, that the final principal repayment installment of the Original Term Loans shall be repaid on the Term Loan Maturity Date in respect of the Original Term Loans and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Original Term Loans outstanding on such date.
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(b)    The US Borrower shall repay to the Incremental Term Lenders, the Lenders with respect to any Extended Term Loans and the Lenders with respect to any Refinancing Term Loans the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans of a given Extension Series or Refinancing Term Loans of a given Refinancing Series, as applicable, outstanding on the date(s) and in the amounts specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment, Extension Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, as applicable.
Section 2.04    Revolving Commitments.
(a)    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, from time to time on any Business Day during the applicable Revolving Commitment Period, to make (i) Revolving Loans to the US Borrower denominated in Dollars or Euros; (ii) Revolving Loans to the Canadian Borrower denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars; and (iii) Revolving Loans to the UK Borrower denominated in Dollars, Sterling or Euros; provided that, after giving effect to any such Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (A) the Total Revolving Exposure at such time shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect; (B) no Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure at such time shall exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect; (C) the Total Canadian Revolving Exposure at such time shall not exceed $40,000,000; and (D) the Total UK Revolving Exposure at such time shall not exceed $10,000,000; provided, further, that no Revolving Loans shall be made to the Canadian Borrower or the UK Borrower until the consent of the Minister of Northern Development and Mines to the Goderich Mine Mortgage has been received by the Administrative Agent and such Goderich Mine Mortgage creates a legal, valid, binding and enforceable first-priority Lien on the Goderich Mine in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, subject only to Permitted Liens. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.04 may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Commitment Period.
(b)    Each Borrower shall repay to the applicable Revolving Lenders on the applicable Revolving Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Revolving Loans that were made to such Borrower and are outstanding on such date.
(c)    For the avoidance of doubt, any Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, and all Revolving Loans deemed to have been made in accordance with Section 3 of the 2023 A&R Agreement, shall, subject to the terms of the 2023 A&R Agreement, continue to be outstanding hereunder on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
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Section 2.05    Procedure for Revolving Borrowing.
(a)    Loans and Borrowings.
(i)    Each Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class, Type and currency made to the applicable Borrower by the Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments of the applicable Class.
(ii)    Subject to Section 2.17, (A) each US Revolving Loan (1) denominated in Dollars shall be a Base Rate Loan or a Term Benchmark Loan, as the US Borrower may request in accordance herewith, and (2) denominated in Euros shall be a Term Benchmark Loan; (B) each Canadian Revolving Loan (1) denominated in Dollars shall be a Base Rate Loan or a Term Benchmark Loan, as the Canadian Borrower may request in accordance herewith, and (2) denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be a Canadian Prime Rate Loan or a Term Benchmark Loan, as the Canadian Borrower may request in accordance herewith; and (C) each UK Revolving Loan (1) denominated in Dollars or Euros shall be a Term Benchmark Loan and (2) denominated in Sterling shall be an RFR Loan.
(iii)    Except pursuant to Section 2.07(d), (A) Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount and (B) Revolving Loans that are (1) Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount, (2) Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of C$5,000,000 and integral multiples of C$1,000,000 in excess of that amount, (3) Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Euro shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of €5,000,000 and integral multiples of €1,000,000 in excess of that amount, (4) RFR Loans denominated in Sterling shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of £5,000,000 and integral multiples of £1,000,000 in excess of that amount and (5) Canadian Prime Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of C$500,000 and integral multiples of C$100,000 in excess of that amount.
(b) Borrowing Notice. Whenever a Borrower desires that Lenders make Revolving Loans to such Borrower, such Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Borrowing Notice no later than 12:00 p.m. (Local Time) (x) at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Borrowing Date in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, (y) at least five Business Days in advance of the proposed Borrowing Date in the case of RFR Loans denominated in Sterling and (z) at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed Borrowing Date in the case of Base Rate Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such Borrowing Notice, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing that is (i) in the case of a US Revolving Borrowing denominated in Dollars, a Base Rate Borrowing; (ii) in the case of a US Revolving Borrowing denominated in Euros, a Term Benchmark Borrowing; (iii) in the case of a Canadian Revolving Borrowing denominated in Dollars, a Base Rate Borrowing; (iv) in the case of a Canadian Revolving Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing; and (v) in the case of a UK Revolving Borrowing, an RFR Borrowing.
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If no Interest Period with respect to a Term Benchmark Borrowing is specified in any such Borrowing Notice, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If no currency for a Borrowing is specified in any such Borrowing Notice, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing denominated in (A) with respect to a US Revolving Borrowing, Dollars; (B) with respect to a Canadian Revolving Borrowing, Canadian Dollars; and (C) with respect to a UK Revolving Borrowing, Sterling.
(c)    Notice of Receipt. Notice of receipt of each Borrowing Notice in respect of Revolving Loans, together with the amount of each Lender’s Revolving Percentage thereof, if any, together with the applicable interest rate, shall be provided by the Administrative Agent to each applicable Lender in writing with reasonable promptness, but (provided that the Administrative Agent shall have received such notice by 11:00 a.m. (Local Time)) not later than 12:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the same day as the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such Borrowing Notice.
(d)    Funding of Borrowings. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, (i) each Revolving Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Loan available to the Administrative Agent, in the relevant currency, not later than 2:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the applicable Borrowing Date by wire transfer of same day funds to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Revolving Loans available to the relevant Borrower on the applicable Borrowing Date by causing an amount of same day funds equal to the proceeds of all such Revolving Loans received by the Administrative Agent from the Lenders to be credited, in like funds, to the account of the relevant Borrower at the principal office designated by the Administrative Agent or such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the relevant Borrower.
Section 2.06    Swing Line Loans.
(a) Swing Line Commitment. During the Swing Line Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Swing Line Lender severally agrees, from time to time, to make Swing Line Loans in Dollars to the US Borrower in the aggregate amount up to but not exceeding its Swing Line Commitment; provided that, after giving effect to the making of any Swing Line Loan, in no event shall (i) the Total Revolving Exposure at such time exceed the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect, (ii) any Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure at such time exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swing Line Loans made by any Swing Line Lender at such time exceed such Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment then in effect or (iv) any Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Exposure at such time exceed such Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect. Each Swing Line Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Swing Line Commitments. The failure of any Swing Line Lender to make any Swing Line Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Swing Line Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Swing Line Commitments of the Swing Line Lenders are several and no Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for any other Swing Line Lender’s failure to make Swing Line Loans as required.
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Each Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment shall expire at the end of the Swing Line Commitment Period and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Swing Line Loans shall be paid in full no later than such date. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, during the Swing Line Commitment Period, the US Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06.
(b)    Borrowing Mechanics for Swing Line Loans.
(i)    Swing Line Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount. Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.
(ii)    Whenever the US Borrower desires that the Swing Line Lenders make a Swing Line Loan, the US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lenders a fully executed Borrowing Notice no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the proposed Borrowing Date.
(iii)    Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, each Swing Line Lender shall make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Borrowing Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the principal office designated by the Administrative Agent. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swing Line Loans available to the US Borrower on the applicable Borrowing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Swing Line Loans received by the Administrative Agent from the Swing Line Lenders to be credited to the account of the US Borrower at the principal office designated by the Administrative Agent, or to such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the US Borrower.
(iv) Any Swing Line Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of its Swing Line Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of the Swing Line Loans of such Swing Line Lender in which the Revolving Lenders will be required to participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Swing Line Loan or Swing Line Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay, promptly upon receipt of notice as provided above (and, in any event, if such notice is received by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Business Day and if received after 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Swing Line Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Swing Line Loan or Swing Line Loans.
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Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that, in making any Swing Line Loan, each Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon the representation and warranty of the US Borrower deemed made pursuant to Section 4.02, unless, at least one Business Day prior to the time such Swing Line Loan was made, the Required Class Lenders in respect of the Revolving Lenders, treated as a single Class, shall have notified such Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in writing that, as a result of one or more events or circumstances described in such notice, one or more of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02(a) or 4.02(b) would not be satisfied if such Swing Line Loan were then made (it being understood and agreed that, in the event such Swing Line Lender shall have received any such notice, it shall have no obligation to make any Swing Line Loan until and unless it shall be satisfied that the events and circumstances described in such notice shall have been cured or otherwise shall have ceased to exist). Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05(d) and Section 2.18(b) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05(d) and Section 2.18(b) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv)), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to each applicable Swing Line Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the US Borrower of any participations in any Swing Line Loan acquired pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv), and thereafter payments in respect of such Swing Line Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the applicable Swing Line Lender. Any amounts received by any Swing Line Lender from the US Borrower in respect of a Swing Line Loan after receipt by such Swing Line Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv) and to the applicable Swing Line Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to such Swing Line Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the US Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swing Line Loan pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the US Borrower of its obligation to repay such Swing Line Loan.
(v) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (1) each Revolving Lender’s obligation to purchase a participation in any unpaid Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(b)(iv) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against any Swing Line Lender, any Loan Party or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Loan Party; (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto; or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; and (2) no Swing Line Lender shall be obligated to make any Swing Line Loans (A) if it does not in good faith believe that all conditions under Section 4.02 to the making of such Swing Line Loan have been satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders or (B) at a time when any Lender is a Defaulting Lender unless such Swing Line Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the US Borrower to eliminate such Swing Line Lender’s risk with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in such Swing Line Loans.
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(c)    Resignation and Removal of Swing Line Lender. Any Swing Line Lender may resign as Swing Line Lender upon 30 days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the US Borrower. Any Swing Line Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Swing Line Lender (provided that no consent will be required if the replaced Swing Line Lender has no Swing Line Loans outstanding) and the successor Swing Line Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of any Swing Line Lender. At the time any such replacement or resignation shall become effective, (i) each US Borrower shall prepay any outstanding Swing Line Loans made by the resigning or removed Swing Line Lender, (ii) upon such prepayment, the resigning or removed Swing Line Lender shall surrender any Swing Line Note held by it to the US Borrower for cancellation, and (iii) the US Borrower shall issue, if so requested by the successor Swing Line Lender, a new Swing Line Note to the successor Swing Line Lender, in the principal amount of such successor Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment then in effect and with other appropriate insertions. From and after the effective date of any such replacement or resignation, (x) any successor Swing Line Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swing Line Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swing Line Loans made thereafter and (y) references herein to the term “Swing Line Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Swing Line Lender, or to such successor and all previous Swing Line Lenders, as the context shall require.
Section 2.07    Letters of Credit.
(a) Letters of Credit. During the Letter of Credit Commitment Period (as it may be extended in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of each Issuing Bank), subject to the terms and conditions hereof, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the US Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit as the applicant thereof for the support of its or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ obligations, and each Issuing Bank agrees to issue such Letters of Credit; provided that (i) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars (or, if agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank, and subject to Section 2.07(k), in Canadian Dollars); (ii) the stated amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $100,000 or, if the applicable Letter of Credit is denominated in Canadian Dollars, C$100,000 (or, in either case, such lesser amount as is acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank); (iii) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall (A) the Total Revolving Exposure at such time exceed the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect, (B) any Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure at such time exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitments then in effect or (C) the portion of the L/C Obligations attributable to Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank at such time exceed the L/C Commitment of such Issuing Bank then in effect; (iv) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall the L/C Obligations exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect; (v) in no event shall any Letter of Credit have an expiration date later than the earlier of (1) five Business Days prior to the end of the Letter of Credit Commitment Period and (2) the date which is one year from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit; and (vi) in no event shall any Letter of Credit be issued if such Letter of Credit is otherwise unacceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank in its reasonable discretion.
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Subject to the foregoing, an Issuing Bank may agree in its sole discretion and on terms acceptable to such Issuing Bank that a Letter of Credit will automatically be extended for one or more successive periods not to exceed one year each, unless such Issuing Bank elects not to extend for any such additional period; provided that such Issuing Bank shall not extend any such Letter of Credit if it has received written notice that any of the conditions under Section 4.02 have not been satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders at the time such Issuing Bank must elect to allow such extension; provided, further, if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue any Letter of Credit unless such Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the US Borrower to eliminate such Issuing Bank’s risk with respect to the participation of such Defaulting Lender in Letters of Credit. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.
(b)    Notice of Issuance. Whenever the US Borrower desires the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to the applicable Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a duly completed Letter of Credit Application no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three Business Days, or in each case such shorter period as may be agreed to by such Issuing Bank in any particular instance, in its sole discretion, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the applicable Issuing Bank shall, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.07(a), issue the requested Letter of Credit in accordance with such Issuing Bank’s standard operating procedures. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Bank: (i) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (ii) the amount and currency thereof; (iii) the expiry date thereof; (iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (v) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (vi) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (vii) whether the Letter of Credit is issued for the account of the US Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (and identifying such Restricted Subsidiary); provided that the US Borrower shall be a co-applicant, and jointly and severally liable, with respect to all Obligations arising under each Letter of Credit issued for the account of a Restricted Subsidiary and the provisions of Section 2.07(j) shall apply; and (viii) such other matters as the Issuing Bank may reasonably request. Upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such issuance, amendment or modification, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit.
(c) Responsibility of Issuing Bank With Respect to Requests for Drawings and Payments. In determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, an Issuing Bank shall be responsible only to examine the documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit.
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As between the US Borrower and any Issuing Bank, the US Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, by the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, no Issuing Bank shall be responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail or otherwise; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank, including any Governmental Acts; and none of the foregoing shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing Bank’s rights or powers hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing and in furtherance thereof, any action taken or omitted by any Issuing Bank under or in connection with the Letters of Credit or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not give rise to any liability on the part of such Issuing Bank to the US Borrower. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.07(c), the US Borrower shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Issuing Bank for any liability arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Bank as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.
(d) Reimbursement by Borrower of Amounts Drawn or Paid Under Letters of Credit. In the event any Issuing Bank has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit, it shall immediately notify the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the US Borrower shall reimburse such Issuing Bank on or before the Business Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is honored (the “Reimbursement Date”) in an amount in Dollars or, subject to the two immediately succeeding sentences, if the applicable Letter of Credit is denominated in Canadian Dollars, in Canadian Dollars, and in same day funds equal to the amount of such honored drawing; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the case of a drawing under a Letter of Credit made in Dollars (i) unless the US Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank prior to 11:00 a.m.
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(New York City time) on the date such drawing is honored that the US Borrower intends to reimburse such Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the US Borrower shall be deemed to have given a timely Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent requesting Revolving Lenders to make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an amount in Dollars equal to the amount of such honored drawing, and (ii) subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in Section 4.02, the Revolving Lenders shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Revolving Loans in the applicable currency that are Base Rate Loans in the amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied promptly and directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing (and the US Borrower’s obligation to make payments pursuant to this Section 2.07(d) shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Revolving Loans); provided, further, if for any reason proceeds of Revolving Loans are not received by such Issuing Bank on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of such honored drawing, the US Borrower shall reimburse such Issuing Bank, on demand, in an amount in same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received. In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars, the US Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank in Canadian Dollars, unless (A) such Issuing Bank (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (B) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the US Borrower shall have notified such Issuing Bank promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the US Borrower will reimburse such Issuing Bank in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars, the applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the US Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. Nothing in this Section 2.07(d) shall be deemed to relieve any Revolving Lender from its obligation to make Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and the US Borrower shall retain any and all rights it may have against any such Revolving Lender resulting from the failure of such Revolving Lender to make such Revolving Loans under this Section 2.07(d).
(e) Lenders’ Purchase of Participations in Letters of Credit. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Revolving Lender and each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from such Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty (regardless of whether the conditions set forth in Article IV shall have been satisfied), and hereby agrees to irrevocably purchase, from such Issuing Bank a participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the maximum amount which is or at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder. In the event that the US Borrower shall fail for any reason to reimburse any Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.07(d), such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the unreimbursed amount of such honored drawing and of such Revolving Lender’s respective participation therein based on such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage. Each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as the case may be, and in same day funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05(d) and Section 2.18(b) with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Lender (and Section 2.05(d) and Section 2.18(b) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.07(e)), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.
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Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the US Borrower with respect to a disbursement by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this Section 2.07(e) to reimburse an Issuing Bank for a drawing under a Letter of Credit shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the US Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such drawing.
(f)    Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the US Borrower to reimburse each Issuing Bank for drawings honored under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Revolving Loans made by Lenders pursuant to Section 2.07(d), and the obligations of Revolving Lenders under Section 2.07(e), shall be unconditional and irrevocable. Furthermore, any such amounts shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances, including the following: (i) any Letter of Credit is invalid or unenforceable; (ii) the US Borrower or any Lender has any claim, set-off right, defense or other right against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person or, in the case of a Lender, against the US Borrower, whether in connection herewith, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between the US Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured); (iii) any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit proves to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein is untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iv) any Issuing Bank has made a payment under any Letter of Credit upon presentation of a draft or other document which does not substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (v) there has been an adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Group Member; (vi) any party hereto (or thereto) has breached this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (vii) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (viii) there has been any change in any other term (including the time or manner or place of payment) of all or any of the Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit, in each case whether or not the US Borrower has knowledge thereof; (ix) there has been an amendment, modification or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, any Letter of Credit or any documents or instruments relating thereto, in each case whether or not the US Borrower has knowledge thereof; (x) there has been an exchange, release, surrender or impairment of any Collateral or other security for the Obligations; or (xi) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, has arisen; provided, in each case, that payment by any Issuing Bank under the applicable Letter of Credit shall not have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Bank as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.
(g) Indemnification. Without duplication of any obligation of any Borrower under Section 9.05, in addition to amounts payable as provided herein, each Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless each Issuing Bank from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which such Issuing Bank may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing Bank, other than as a result of (A) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Bank, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment or (B) the wrongful dishonor by such Issuing Bank of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit issued by it, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) the failure of such Issuing Bank to honor a drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any Governmental Act.
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(h)    Resignation and Removal of Issuing Bank. Any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank upon 60 days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the US Borrower. Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank (provided that no consent will be required if the replaced Issuing Bank has no Letters of Credit or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto outstanding) and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of such Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement or resignation shall become effective, each relevant Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank. From and after the effective date of any such replacement or resignation, (i) any successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) all references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement or resignation of any Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto to the extent that Letters of Credit issued by it (or reimbursement obligation with respect thereto) remain outstanding and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement or resignation, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or extend any outstanding Letters of Credit.
(i)    Additional Issuing Banks. The US Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as an issuing bank under the terms of this Agreement (and the US Borrower shall specify to the Administrative Agent the initial L/C Commitment of such Lender), subject to reporting requirements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to issuances, amendments, extensions and terminations of Letters of Credit by such additional issuing bank. Any Lender designated as an issuing bank pursuant to this Section 2.07(i) shall be deemed to be an “Issuing Bank” (in addition to being a Lender) in respect of Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Lender, and, with respect to such Letters of Credit, such term shall thereafter apply to such Lender.
(j) Letters of Credit Issued for Restricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Restricted Subsidiary, the US Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse each Issuing Bank hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The US Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Restricted Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the US Borrower, and that the US Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Restricted Subsidiaries.
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(k)    Change in Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if (i) any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars, or (ii) there shall have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions (including the imposition of or any change in exchange controls) or currency exchange rates that would make it impracticable for any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit denominated Canadian Dollars, then by prompt written notice thereof to the US Borrower and to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), such Issuing Bank may declare that Letters of Credit will not thereafter be issued by it in Canadian Dollars, whereupon Canadian Dollars shall be deemed (for the duration of such declaration) not to constitute a permitted currency for purposes of the issuance of Letters of Credit by such Issuing Bank.
(l)    Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall have honored a drawing under a Letter of Credit, then, unless the US Borrower shall reimburse such drawing in full on the date such drawing is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such drawing is made to but excluding the date that the US Borrower reimburses such drawing in full, at the rate per annum then applicable to Base Rate Loans; provided that, if the US Borrower fails to reimburse such drawing in full when due pursuant to Section 2.07(d), then Section 2.15(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.07(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment, and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the US Borrower reimburses the applicable Letter of Credit drawing in full.
(m) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the US Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, the Required Class Lenders in respect of the Revolving Lenders, treated as a single Class) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the US Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to any Borrower described in Section 7.01(f) or Section 7.01(g). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the US Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.
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Notwithstanding the terms of any Security Document, moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for L/C Obligations for which they have not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the L/C Obligations at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to (i) the consent of a Required Class Lenders in respect of the Revolving Lenders, treated as a single Class, and (ii) in the case of any such application at a time when any Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender (but only if, after giving effect thereto, the remaining cash collateral shall be less than the aggregate L/C Obligations of all the Defaulting Lenders), the consent of each Issuing Bank), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement. If the US Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the US Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the US Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(e), then such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the US Borrower to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Total Revolving Exposure at such time would not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Section 2.08    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the appropriate Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of the applicable Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lender made to such Borrower on the applicable Revolving Termination Date (or on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02).
(b)    The US Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the appropriate Term Lender or the appropriate Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, (i) the principal amount of each Original Term Loan of such Term Lender in installments according to the amortization schedule set forth in Section 2.03(a) (or on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02), (ii) with respect to any Incremental Term Loan under an Incremental Term Loan Facility, the principal amount of each Incremental Term Loan of the relevant series of Incremental Term Loans according to the relevant repayment schedule agreed to by the Lenders of such Incremental Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.26 (or on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02), (iii) with respect to any Extended Term Loan, the principal amount of each Extended Term Loan according to the relevant repayment schedule agreed to by the Lender of such Extended Term Loan in the applicable Extension Offer (or such earlier date on which the Loans became due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02), (iv) with respect to any Refinancing Term Loan, the principal amount of each Refinancing Term Loan according to the relevant repayment schedule agreed to by the Lender of such Refinancing Term Loan in the applicable Refinancing Amendment (or such earlier date on which the Loans became due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02) and (v) the then unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan of such Swing Line Lender that were made to the US Borrower on the earlier of the fifth Business Day after such Swing Line Loan is made and the last day of the Swing Line Commitment Period (or on such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02); provided that on each date that a US Revolving Borrowing is made, the US Borrower shall repay all Swing Line Loans that were outstanding on such date.
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(c)    Lenders’ Evidence of Debt. Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of each of the Borrowers to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it to each Borrower and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the relevant Borrowers, absent manifest error; provided that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Commitments or the Obligations of each Borrower in respect of any applicable Loans, L/C Borrowings or any other Obligations; provided, further, in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.
(d)    Register. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 9.06(c), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and any Note evidencing such Loan, the denomination of such Loan, the Borrower to which such Loan was made, the Type and Class of such Loan and each Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each of the Borrowers to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from each of the Borrowers and each Lender’s share thereof. The entries made in the Register shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Revolving Commitments or the Obligations of each Borrower in respect of any Loans. Each Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent to serve as such Borrower’s non-fiduciary agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.08(d).
(e)    Notes. Each Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender, the relevant Borrower will promptly execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note of the relevant Borrower evidencing any Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be, of such Lender, or any Swing Line Loans of the applicable Swing Line Lender, that, in any case, were made to such Borrower, substantially in the forms of Exhibit C-1, Exhibit C-2 or Exhibit C-3, respectively (a “Term Loan Note”, “Revolving Note” or “Swing Line Note”, respectively), with appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount; provided that the obligations of the relevant Borrower in respect of each Loan shall be enforceable in accordance with the Loan Documents whether or not evidenced by any Note.
(f)    Obligations Several. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) the obligations of the Borrowers (solely in their capacity as Borrowers) under the Loan Documents are several and not joint, (ii) the Borrowers shall not be treated as co-borrowers or co-obligors of any of the Loans and (iii) no Borrower (solely in its capacity as a Borrower) shall be liable for the Obligations of, or liable for any amounts in respect of Loans borrowed by, any other Borrower.
Section 2.09    Fees.
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(a) The US Borrower agrees to pay in Dollars to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender holding a Revolving Commitment of a given Class, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) for the period from and including the date on which such Class of Revolving Commitments was established hereunder (which date, for the Original Revolving Commitments, shall be the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date) to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period in respect of such Class of Revolving Commitments, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the Dollar Equivalent of the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender during the period for which payment is made; provided that, solely for purposes of calculating the Commitment Fee, the amount of outstanding Swing Line Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Commitment. The Commitment Fee shall accrue through and including the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, and shall be payable in arrears on the fifteenth day after each such last day and on the Revolving Termination Date.
(b)    The US Borrower agrees to pay in Dollars (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender, letter of credit fees (the “Letter of Credit Fees”), which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans that are Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars otherwise payable to such Revolving Lender on the Dollar Equivalent of the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit (regardless of whether any conditions for drawing could then be met and determined as of the close of business on any date of determination) for the period from and including the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the later of the last day of the Letter of Credit Commitment Period and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any L/C Obligations and (ii) directly to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, a fronting fee, which shall accrue at a rate equal to 0.125% per annum on the Dollar Equivalent of the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit (regardless of whether any conditions for drawing could then be met and determined as of the close of business on any date of determination) for the period from and including the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the later of the Letter of Credit Commitment Period and the date on which there ceases to be any L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, as well as such documentary and processing charges for any issuance, amendment, transfer or payment of a Letter of Credit as are in accordance with such Issuing Bank’s standard schedule for such charges and as in effect at the time of such issuance, amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be. For purposes of computing the Dollar Equivalent of the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the fifteenth day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the 2023 Revolving Termination Date on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 calendar days after demand.
(c)    The US Borrower agrees to pay to each Arranger the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the US Borrower and such Arranger.
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(d)    The US Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates from time to time agreed to in writing by the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(e)    All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of Commitment Fees and Letter of Credit Fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
Section 2.10    Voluntary Prepayments and Commitment Reductions.
(a)    Voluntary Prepayments.
(i)    Any time and from time to time:
(A)    each Borrower may prepay Base Rate Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (1) in the case of Base Rate Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) denominated in Dollars, in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; and (2) in the case of Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount;
(B)    each Borrower may prepay Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (1) in the case of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans denominated in Dollars, in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; (2) in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, in an aggregate minimum amount of C$5,000,000 and integral multiples of C$1,000,000 in excess of that amount; (3) in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Euros, in an aggregate minimum amount of €5,000,000 and integral multiples of €1,000,000 in excess of that amount; and (4) in the case of RFR Loans denominated in Sterling, in an aggregate minimum amount of £5,000,000 and integral multiples of £1,000,000 in excess of that amount; and
(C)    each Borrower may prepay Canadian Prime Rate Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum amount of C$500,000, and in integral multiples of C$100,000 in excess of that amount.
(ii)    All such prepayments shall be made:
(A)    upon not less than one Business Day’s prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Base Rate Loans (other than Swing Line Loans) or Canadian Prime Rate Loans;
(B) upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Term Benchmark Loans; (C) upon not less than five Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice in the case of RFR Loans; and
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(D)    upon written or telephonic notice on the date of prepayment, in the case of Swing Line Loans;
in each case given to the Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, by 12:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the date required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed by delivery of written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such original notice for Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be, to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.12(a). The relevant Borrower’s notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or one or more other events specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the relevant Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
(b)    Voluntary Commitment Reductions.
(i)    Each Borrower may, upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice promptly confirmed by delivery of written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent (which original written notice the Administrative Agent will promptly transmit to each applicable Lender), at any time and from time to time, terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty, the Revolving Commitments on a pro rata basis as among the various Classes thereof (in accordance with the respective amounts thereof) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount by which the Total Revolving Commitments exceed the Total Revolving Exposure at the time of such proposed termination or reduction; provided that any such partial reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount.
(ii)    Each Borrower’s notice to the Administrative Agent shall designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of any partial reduction, and such termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be effective on the date specified in such Borrower’s notice and shall reduce the Revolving Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its Revolving Percentage thereof. Each Borrower’s notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or one or more other events specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by such Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
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Section 2.11    Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions.
(a)    Asset Sales. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Group Member of any Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale of Property of any Group Member (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.04(f)), the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the US Borrower shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 365 days of receipt thereof (or 545 days of receipt thereof if the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries enters into a legally binding commitment to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 365 days of receipt thereof) in assets of the type used in the business of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as permitted by Section 6.12). In the event that such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested by the US Borrower prior to the last day of such 365 day period or 545 day period, as the case may be, the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds as set forth in Section 2.12(b) no later than two Business Days after the expiration of such period.
(b)    Recovery Events. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Group Member, or the Administrative Agent as loss payee, of any Net Cash Proceeds of any Recovery Event, the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the US Borrower shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 365 days of receipt thereof (or 545 days of receipt thereof if the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries enters into a legally binding commitment to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 365 days of receipt thereof) in assets of the type used in the business of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as permitted by Section 6.12), which investment may include the repair, restoration or replacement of the affected assets. In the event that such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested by the US Borrower prior to the last day of such 365 day period or 545 day period, as the case may be, the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds as set forth in Section 2.12(b) no later than two Business Days after the expiration of such period.
(c)    Issuance of Debt. No later than the date of receipt by any Group Member of any Net Cash Proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of any Group Member (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01, except for clause (q)(i) of such Section), the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds. In addition to the foregoing, no later than the date of receipt by any Group Member of any Net Cash Proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money of any Group Member under clause (n)(ii), (r), (s) or (u) of Section 6.01, the US Borrower shall prepay the principal amount of the outstanding Incremental Tranche A-1 Term Loans, if any, as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.
(d) Excess Cash Flow.
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In the event that there shall be Excess Cash Flow for any fiscal year of the US Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023) in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000,000, the US Borrower shall, no later than 90 days after the end of such fiscal year, prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to (i) the Applicable ECF Percentage of the amount by which Excess Cash Flow, if any, for such fiscal year exceeds $10,000,000, minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans prepaid pursuant to Section 2.10(a) during such fiscal year with internally generated cash (excluding (x) repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans, except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis in connection with such repayments, and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, repayments of Loans made with the cash proceeds of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness).
(e)    Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans.
(i)    If on any date (A) any Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure as of such date (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of Revolving Loans) would exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect, (B) the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Swing Line Loans of any Swing Line Lender as of such date (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Swing Line Loans) would exceed the Swing Line Commitment of such Swing Line Lender then in effect, (C) any Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Exposure as of such date (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of Revolving Loans) would exceed such Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect or (D) the Total Revolving Exposure as of such date (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans) would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect, then the US Borrower shall repay on such date the principal of Swing Line Loans and, after all Swing Line Loans have been repaid in full or if no Swing Line Loans are outstanding, the Borrowers shall repay on such date the principal of Revolving Loans, in each case, in the aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess. If, after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Swing Line Loans and all outstanding Revolving Loans, the L/C Obligations of any Lender exceeds such Lender’s Revolving Commitment as then in effect, then the US Borrower shall deposit Cash Collateral in accordance with Section 2.07(m) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
(ii)    If on any date the Canadian Revolving Exposure (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of Canadian Revolving Loans) would exceed $40,000,000, then the Canadian Borrower shall prepay on such date the principal of Canadian Revolving Loans in the aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess.
(iii)    If on any date the UK Revolving Exposure (after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of UK Revolving Loans) would exceed $10,000,000, then the UK Borrower shall prepay on such date the principal of UK Revolving Loans in the aggregate amount necessary to eliminate such excess.
(f) Prepayment Certificate. Concurrently with any prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) through Section 2.11(d), the US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, as the case may be.
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In the event that the US Borrower shall subsequently determine that the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, the US Borrower shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Term Loans in an amount equal to such excess, and the US Borrower shall concurrently therewith deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.
(g)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.11, (i) to the extent that any or all of the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being distributed to the US Borrower, the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in this Section 2.11 but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit distribution to any Loan Party (the US Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law to permit such distribution), and once any of such affected Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that, in each case, would otherwise be required to be used to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or Section 2.11(d), is permitted under the applicable local law to be distributed to any Loan Party, such distribution will be promptly made and such distributed Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than two Business Days after such distribution) applied (net of additional Taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11 and (ii) to the extent that the US Borrower has determined in good faith that distribution to the US Borrower of any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries would have adverse tax consequences to the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary.
Section 2.12    Application of Prepayments/Reductions.
(a)    Application of Voluntary Prepayments. Any prepayment of any Class of Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(a) shall be applied as specified by the US Borrower in the applicable notice of prepayment; provided, that such notice shall be consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, further, any payment by a Borrower of Revolving Loans shall be made on a pro rata basis as among the various Classes thereof of the Revolving Loans that were made to such Borrower (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof); provided, further, in the event the US Borrower fails to specify the Class of Loans to which any such prepayment by a Borrower shall be applied, such prepayment shall be applied as follows:
first, in the case of a prepayment by the US Borrower, to repay outstanding Swing Line Loans to the full extent thereof;
second, to repay outstanding Revolving Loans that were made to such Borrower on a pro rata basis as among the various Classes thereof (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof) to the full extent thereof; and third, in the case of a prepayment by the US Borrower, to prepay the Term Loans on a pro rata basis as among the various Classes thereof (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof), applied to each such Class to reduce the scheduled remaining installments of principal in direct order of maturity.
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(b)    Application of Mandatory Prepayments. Any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.11(a) through Section 2.11(d) shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans on a pro rata basis as among the various Classes thereof (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof), and applied to each such Class (i) firstly, to reduce the next eight scheduled remaining installments of principal in direct order of maturity and (ii) secondly, on a pro rata basis to reduce the scheduled remaining installments of principal; provided that any Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans may be prepaid on a less (but not greater) than pro rata basis if agreed to by the Lenders holding such Loans; provided further that, if at the time of any required prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a), Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.11(d), the US Borrower has outstanding any Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt that, by its terms, requires the US Borrower to offer to the holders thereof to repurchase or prepay such Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt with the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would otherwise be required to so prepay the Term Loans (such Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt required to be offered to be so repurchased or prepaid, “Other Applicable Indebtedness”), then the US Borrower may apply such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow on a pro rata basis (determined on the basis of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans and Other Applicable Indebtedness at such time; provided that the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds allocated to Other Applicable Indebtedness shall not exceed the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds required to be allocated to the Other Applicable Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof, and the remaining amount, if any, of such Net Cash Proceeds shall be allocated to the Term Loans in accordance with the terms hereof) to the prepayment of the Term Loans and to the repurchase or prepayment of Other Applicable Indebtedness, and the amount of prepayment of the Term Loans that would otherwise have been required pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or Section 2.11(b) as applicable, shall be reduced accordingly; provided, further, that to the extent the holders of Other Applicable Indebtedness decline to have such Indebtedness purchased, the declined amount shall promptly (and in any event within three Business Days after the date of such rejection) be applied to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amount required to be paid pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.11(c) shall be applied solely to prepay the outstanding Incremental Tranche A-1 Term Loans, if any, and applied within such Class as set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.12(b).
(c) Waivable Mandatory Prepayment. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the US Borrower is required to make any mandatory prepayment (other than pursuant to Section 2.11(c)) (a “Waivable Mandatory Prepayment”) of the Term Loans, not less than five Business Days prior to the date (the “Required Prepayment Date”) on which the US Borrower is required to make such mandatory prepayment, the US Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of the amount of such mandatory prepayment, and the Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter notify each Lender holding an outstanding Term Loan of the amount of such Lender’s pro rata share of such mandatory prepayment and, to the extent relating to a Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, such Lender’s option to refuse such amount.
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Each such Lender may exercise any such option by giving written notice to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its election to do so on or before the third Business Day prior to the Required Prepayment Date (it being understood that any Lender which does not notify the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its election to exercise such option on or before the third Business Day prior to the Required Prepayment Date shall be deemed to have elected, as of such date, not to exercise such option). On the Required Prepayment Date, the US Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the amount of the Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, which amount shall be applied to prepay Term Loans of those Lenders that have elected not to exercise their option to refuse the amount of such Lenders’ pro rata share of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment and, if any such Lender has elected to exercise its option to refuse the amount of such Lender’s pro rata share of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, then (i) the amount of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment that is prepaid shall be applied to the scheduled installments of principal of the Term Loans of each such Class on a pro rata basis to reduce the scheduled remaining installments of principal and (ii) the amount of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment that is waived shall be retained by the US Borrower.
(d)    Application of Prepayments of Loans to Base Rate Loans, Canadian Prime Rate Loans and Term Benchmark Loans. Considering each Class of Loans being prepaid separately, and also considering Loans made to each of the Borrowers separately, any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Term Benchmark Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by US Borrower pursuant to Section 2.21.
Section 2.13    Conversion and Continuation Options. (a)  Each Borrower (other than the UK Borrower) may elect from time to time to convert a Term Benchmark Borrowing to a different Type of Borrowing by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day’s prior irrevocable notice of such election; provided that any such conversion of a Term Benchmark Borrowing may be made only on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Each Borrower (other than the UK Borrower) may elect from time to time to convert Base Rate Borrowings or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings to Term Benchmark Borrowings by giving the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days’ prior irrevocable notice of such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor); provided that no Base Rate Borrowing or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing under a particular Credit Facility may be converted into a Term Benchmark Borrowing (i) when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of such Credit Facility. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
(b) Each Borrower may elect to continue any Term Benchmark Borrowing as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the definition of “Interest Period”, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans; provided that if the applicable Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this Section 2.13(b), then such Borrowing shall be converted automatically on the last day of such then-expiring Interest Period (i) in the case of a Borrowing by the US Borrower denominated in Dollars, to a Base Rate Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Borrowing by the US Borrower denominated in Euros, to a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month’s duration, (iii) in the case of a Borrowing by the Canadian Borrower denominated in Dollars, to a Base Rate Borrowing, (iv) in the case of a Borrowing by the Canadian Borrower denominated in Canadian Dollars, to a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing and (v) in the case of a Borrowing by the UK Borrower, to a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
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Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (A) no Term Benchmark Borrowing under a particular Credit Facility may be continued as such after the date that is one month prior to the final scheduled termination or maturity date of such Credit Facility and (B) when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (1) no outstanding Borrowing (other than a Borrowing by the UK Borrower) denominated in Dollars may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing and (2) unless repaid, each Term Benchmark Borrowing (other than a Borrowing by the UK Borrower) denominated in Dollars shall be converted to a Base Rate Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
(c)    With respect to any conversion or continuation pursuant to this Section 2.13, the applicable Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing hereunder.
(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.13, (i) no Borrower shall be permitted to (A) change the currency of any Borrowing or (B) convert any Borrowing to a Type not available to such Borrower in such currency as provided in Section 2.05(a)(ii) and (ii) this Section 2.13 shall not apply to Swing Line Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
Section 2.14    Minimum Amounts and Maximum Number of Term Benchmark Borrowings and RFR Borrowings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all Borrowings, conversions, continuations and optional prepayments of Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans comprising each Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing, as applicable, shall be equal to (i) if denominated in Dollars, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (ii) if denominated in Canadian Dollars, C$5,000,000 or a whole multiple of C$1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) if denominated in Euros, €5,000,000 or a whole multiple of €1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iv) if denominated in Sterling, £5,000,000 or a whole multiple of £1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than 15 Term Benchmark Borrowings and RFR Borrowings, collectively, shall be outstanding at any one time.
Section 2.15 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Term Benchmark Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, as applicable, determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.
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Each RFR Loan shall bear interest for each day on which it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.
(b)    Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest for each day on which it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate in effect for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.
(c)    Each Canadian Prime Rate Loan shall bear interest for each day on which it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate in effect for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.
(d)    (i) Automatically, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(f) or Section 7.01(g) and (ii) after notice to the US Borrower from the Administrative Agent acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, after the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) from the date of such Event of Default or, if later, the date specified in any such notice until such Event of Default is cured or waived, each Borrower shall pay interest on past due amounts owing by it hereunder at a rate per annum at all times, after as well as before judgment, equal to (x) in the case of principal, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.15(a), Section 2.15(b) or Section 2.15(c), as applicable, plus 2.00% per annum and (y) in all other cases, at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the rate that would be applicable to Base Rate Loans (or, in the case of amounts owed by the Canadian Borrower and denominated in Canadian Dollars, Canadian Prime Rate Loans) under the Original Revolving Facility plus 2.00% per annum.
(e)    Interest shall be due and payable by each Borrower with respect to Loans made to such Borrower in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided that (i) interest accruing pursuant to Section 2.15(d) shall be due and payable upon demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving Loan that is a Canadian Prime Rate Loan or a Base Rate Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Commitment Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
(f) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the “Prime Rate” and for Canadian Prime Rate Loans, as well as for all UK Revolving Loans denominated in Sterling and Term Benchmark Loans bearing interest based on the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).
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Interest shall accrue on each Loan or L/C Borrowing for the day on which the Loan or L/C Borrowing is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan or L/C Borrowing, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or L/C Borrowing, or such portion thereof, is paid; provided that any Loan or L/C Borrowing that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(g)     For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) and disclosure thereunder, whenever any interest or any fee to be paid hereunder or in connection herewith is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day, 365-day or 366-day year, the yearly rate of interest to which the rate used in such calculation is equivalent is the rate so used multiplied by the actual number of days in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by 360, 365 or 366, as applicable. The rates of interest under this Agreement are nominal rates, and not effective rates or yields. The principle of deemed reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this Agreement.
(h)    Without limiting Section 9.18, if any provision of this Agreement would oblige the Canadian Borrower to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by applicable law or would result in a receipt by that Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate” (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then, notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by law or so result in a receipt by that Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate”.
(i)    In the event that any financial statements delivered under Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), or any Compliance Certificate delivered under Section 5.02(b), shall prove to have been materially inaccurate, and such inaccuracy shall have resulted in the payment of any interest or fees at rates lower than those that were in fact applicable for any period (based on the actual Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio), then, if such inaccuracy is discovered prior to the termination of the Commitments and the repayment in full of the principal of all Loans and the reduction of the L/C Obligations to zero, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (or former Lenders and Issuing Banks) as their interests may appear, the accrued interest or fees that should have been paid but were not paid as a result of such misstatement.
Section 2.16 Illegality.
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If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to perform any of its obligations hereunder (including, in the case of an Issuing Bank, to issue or maintain any Letter of Credit) or to make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or any Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Alternative Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the US Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension or continue Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, to convert Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans to Term Benchmark Loans shall be suspended and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on such Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to such Adjusted Term SOFR Rate component, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (A) each Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), (1) with respect to Term Benchmark Loans that are denominated in Dollars, prepay or, if applicable and except in the case of Term Benchmark Loans made to the UK Borrower, convert all such Term Benchmark Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans, (2) with respect to Term Benchmark Loans that are denominated in Canadian Dollars, prepay or, if applicable, convert all such Term Benchmark Loans of such Lender to Canadian Prime Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans and (3) with respect to Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans denominated in Euros or Sterling (as well as Term Benchmark Loans made to the UK Borrower that are denominated in Dollars), prepay all such Loans of such Lender, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans, (B) to the extent applicable to an Issuing Bank, each Borrower will Cash Collateralize that portion of the L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit issued to such Borrower to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized, (C) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, and (D) each Borrower shall take all other reasonable actions requested by such Lender to mitigate or avoid such illegality. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, each Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
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Section 2.17    Inability to Determine Interest Rate. (a) Subject to paragraph (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.17, if:
(i)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate (including because the Relevant Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for the applicable Agreed Currency; or
(ii)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period or (B) at any time, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for the applicable Agreed Currency will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for the applicable Agreed Currency;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the US Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the US Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the applicable Borrower delivers a new notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.13 (an “Interest Election Notice”) or a new Borrowing Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.05, (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars (other than Loans made to the UK Borrower), any Interest Election Notice that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Notice or a Borrowing Notice, as applicable, for (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.17(a)(i) or Section 2.17(a)(ii) above or (y) a Base Rate Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.17(a)(i) or Section 2.17(a)(ii) above, (B) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Interest Election Notice that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Notice or a Borrowing Notice, as applicable, for a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing and (C) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency (other than Canadian Dollars) and Loans denominated in Dollars that are made to the UK Borrower, any Interest Election Notice that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing, in each case, for the relevant Benchmark, shall be ineffective; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted.
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Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan in any Agreed Currency is outstanding on the date of the US Borrower’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.17(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the US Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the applicable Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.13 or a new Borrowing Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.05, (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars (other than Loans made to the UK Borrower), (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.17(a)(i) or Section 2.17(a)(ii) above or (y) a Base Rate Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.17(a)(i) or Section 2.17(a)(ii) above, on such day, and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Base Rate Loan, (B) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent, and shall constitute, a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, (C) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency (other than Canadian Dollars), (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency shall, at the applicable Borrower’s election prior to such day: (x) be prepaid in full by the applicable Borrower on such day or (y) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (2) any RFR Loan shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected RFR Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency, at the applicable Borrower’s election, shall either (x) be converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or (y) be prepaid in full immediately, and (D) for Loans denominated in Dollars made to the UK Borrower, any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be prepaid in full.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to Dollars for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to any Agreed Currency for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.
    (i)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(ii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document and subject to the proviso below in this paragraph, with respect to a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, if a Term CORRA Reelection Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that this Section 2.17(c)(ii) shall not be effective unless the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders and the US Borrower a Term CORRA Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to deliver a Term CORRA Notice after the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event and may do so in its sole discretion.
(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the US Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.17(e) and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.17, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.17.
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(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(f) Upon the US Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the applicable Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of a Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, (i) the applicable Borrower (other than the UK Borrower) will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) a Base Rate Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the applicable Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing or (iii) any request for any Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency (other than Canadian Dollars) or any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars to be made by the UK Borrower, in each case, shall be ineffective. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate, as the case may be.
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Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan in any Agreed Currency is outstanding on the date of the US Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement for such Agreed Currency is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.17, (i) for Loans denominated in Dollars (other than Loans denominated in Dollars made to the UK Borrower), (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) a Base Rate Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Base Rate Loan, (ii) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, (iii) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency (other than Canadian Dollars), (A) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency shall, at the applicable Borrower’s election prior to such day, (1) be prepaid in full by the applicable Borrower on such day or (2) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (B) any RFR Loan shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected RFR Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency, at the applicable Borrower’s election, shall either (1) be converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or (2) be prepaid in full immediately, and (iv) for Loans denominated in Dollars made to the UK Borrower, any Term Benchmark Loan shall be prepaid in full on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan.
Section 2.18    Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrowers hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. All payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Persons to which such payment is owed, at the Payment Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds prior to 12:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the date specified herein; provided, however, that, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans and L/C Borrowings denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Persons to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Payment Office in such Alternative Currency and in immediately available funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent on the dates specified herein; provided further, however, that payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein.
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, any Borrower is prohibited by any applicable law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, such Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. Any payment made by a Borrower hereunder that is received by the Administrative Agent (i) after 12:00 p.m. (Local Time), in the case of payments required to be made in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of payments required to be made in an Alternative Currency, in either case, on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders by wire transfer promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Term Benchmark Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be. If any payment on a Term Benchmark Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(b) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 or Section 2.05, as applicable, and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the relevant Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the relevant Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the relevant Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the relevant Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the relevant Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the relevant Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the relevant Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by a Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim such Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
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(c)    Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that the relevant Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the relevant Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the relevant Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(d)    Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.05(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.05(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.05(c).
(e)    Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner. Each Lender, at its option, may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the applicable Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(f)    Insufficient Funds. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.
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Section 2.19    Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.
(a)    If any Change in Law shall:
(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted EURIBO Rate or the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate) or any Issuing Bank;
(ii)    subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Excluded Taxes) on its Loans, Loan principal, Letters of Credit, Commitments or other Obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii)    impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to materially increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, from time to time upon the request of such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Recipient, the relevant Borrower will pay to such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered. If any Lender or Issuing Bank becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19, it shall promptly notify the relevant Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Bank or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has had or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time after submission by such Lender or Issuing Bank to the relevant Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor the relevant Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
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(c)    A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 2.19(a) or Section 2.19(b) and delivered to the relevant Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The relevant Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d)    Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.19 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the relevant Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.19 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the relevant Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e)    The obligations of each Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
Section 2.20    Taxes.
(a)    Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.20, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.
(b)    Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.20) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
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(c)    Exclusion to Tax Gross-Up. A payment shall not be increased under paragraph (b) above by reason of a UK Tax Deduction, if on the date on which the payment falls due:
(i)    the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a UK Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a UK Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a UK Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or Treaty, or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority;
(ii)    the relevant Lender is a UK Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of UK Qualifying Lender and (A) an officer of HMRC has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA 2007 which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the UK Borrower a certified copy of that Direction and (B) the payment could have been made to the Lender without any UK Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made,
(iii)    the relevant Lender is a UK Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of UK Qualifying Lender and (A) the relevant Lender has not given a UK Tax Confirmation to the UK Borrower and (B) the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without any UK Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a UK Tax Confirmation to the UK Borrower, on the basis that the UK Tax Confirmation would have enabled the UK Borrower to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA 2007; or
(iv)    the relevant Lender is a UK Treaty Lender and the UK Borrower making the payment (or a Loan Party making a payment on account of an obligation of the UK Borrower) is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the UK Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under Section 2.20(j)(i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable.
(d)    Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(e) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The UK Borrower, the Canadian Borrower and each of the Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors (with respect to the Obligations of the UK Borrower and the Canadian Borrower), and the US Borrower and each of the Domestic Subsidiary Guarantors (with respect to the Obligations of each of the Borrowers), shall, in each case, indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.20) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided, however, that this Section 2.20(e) shall not apply to the extent such Taxes are compensated for by an increased payment under Section 2.20(b) or would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Section 2.20(b) but were not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions set forth in Section 2.20(c) applied.
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A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability (together with a reasonable explanation thereof) delivered to the US Borrower by a Lender or Agent (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or Agent, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(f)    Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.20(f).
(g)    Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.20, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) where that payment is in connection with a UK Tax Deduction, a statement under section 975 of the ITA 2007 or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to such Recipient that the UK Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to HMRC, or (B) in any other case, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(h) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than a UK Treaty Lender with respect to any UK Tax Deduction imposed on payments made by the UK Borrower, as to which, see paragraph (j) below) shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by a Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.20(h)(ii)(A), Section 2.20(h)(ii)(B) and Section 2.20(h)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A)    any Lender that is a US Person shall deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from US federal backup withholding tax;
(B)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, US federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, US federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)    executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI or W-8EXP;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10-percent shareholder” of the US Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “US Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E; or (4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, a US Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or Exhibit D-3, IRS Form W-9 and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a US Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
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(C)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in US federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)    if a payment made to a Recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Recipient shall deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for each Loan Party and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Recipient has complied with such Recipient’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.20(h)(ii)(D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Recipient agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(i)    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, and any successor or supplemental Administrative Agent shall deliver to the US Borrower, on or prior to the date on which it becomes the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9.
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(j)    Additional United Kingdom Withholding Tax Matters.
(i)    Subject to paragraph (ii) below, each UK Treaty Lender and the UK Borrower which makes a payment to which that UK Treaty Lender is entitled (or any Loan Party making a payment to that UK Treaty Lender on account of an obligation of the UK Borrower) shall cooperate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for that UK Borrower (or any Loan Party making a payment to that UK Treaty Lender on account of an obligation of the UK Borrower) to obtain authorization to make such payment without a UK Tax Deduction.
(ii)    
(A)    A UK Treaty Lender which becomes a Lender hereunder on the day on which this Agreement is entered into that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport Scheme and wishes such scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence opposite its name in Annex B-2; and
(B)    a UK Treaty Lender which becomes a Lender hereunder after the day on which this Agreement is entered into that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport Scheme and wishes such scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall provide its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in the Assignment and Assumption or otherwise in writing to the UK Borrower within 15 days of it becoming a party to this Agreement,
and having done so, such UK Treaty Lender shall be under no obligation pursuant to paragraph (j)(i) above.
(iii)    If a UK Treaty Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with paragraph (j)(ii) above and:
(A)    the UK Borrower has not made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender; or
(B)    the UK Borrower has made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender but:
(X)    such Borrower DTTP Filing has been rejected by HMRC; or
(Y)    HMRC has not given the UK Borrower authority to make payments to that Lender without a UK Tax Deduction within 60 days of the date of the Borrower DTTP Filing,
and in each case, the UK Borrower has notified that UK Treaty Lender in writing of either (A) or (B) above, then such UK Treaty Lender and the UK Borrower shall co-operate in completing any additional procedural formalities necessary for the UK Borrower to obtain authorization to make that payment without a UK Tax Deduction.
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(iv)    If a UK Treaty Lender has not confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with paragraph (j)(ii) above, the UK Borrower shall not make a Borrower DTTP Filing or file any other form relating to the HM Revenue & Custom DT Treaty Passport Scheme in respect of that UK Treaty Lender's Commitment(s) or its participation in any Loan unless the UK Treaty Lender otherwise agrees.
(v)    The UK Borrower shall, promptly on making a Borrower DTTP Filing, deliver a copy of such Borrower DTTP Filing to the Administrative Agent for delivery to the relevant UK Treaty Lender.
(vi)    A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the UK Borrower and the Administrative Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the UK Tax Confirmation.
(vii)    Lender Status Confirmation. Each Revolving Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement after the date of this Agreement shall indicate in the relevant Assignment and Assumption which it executes on becoming a party (or in such other documentation which it executes on becoming a “Lender”), and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and without liability to any Loan Party, which of the following categories it falls in: (i) not a UK Qualifying Lender; (ii) a UK Qualifying Lender (other than a UK Treaty Lender); or (iii) a UK Treaty Lender. If such Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this paragraph (vii) then such Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by each Loan Party) as if it is not a UK Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies the Administrative Agent which category applies (and the Administrative Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the UK Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, an Assignment and Assumption shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this paragraph (vii).
(viii)    The UK Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a UK Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a UK Tax Deduction) notify the Administrative Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Revolving Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Revolving Lender. If the Administrative Agent receives such notification from a Revolving Lender it shall notify the UK Borrower
(k) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund (for this purpose, including credits in lieu of a refund) of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party pursuant to this Section 2.20 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.20), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.20 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund net of any Taxes payable in respect of such interest).
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Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 2.20(k) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.20(k) in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 2.20(k) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section 2.20(k) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(l)    Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.20 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
Section 2.21    Breakage Payments. (a) With respect to Loans that are not RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked in accordance with the applicable provision hereof and is revoked in accordance therewith), (iv) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by any Borrower pursuant to Section 2.25 or (v) the failure by any Borrower to make any payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereof) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency, then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the US Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(b) With respect to RFR Loans, in the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or an optional or mandatory prepayment of Loans), (ii) the failure to borrow or prepay any RFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked in accordance with the applicable provision hereof and is revoked in accordance therewith), (iii) the assignment of any RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto as a result of a request by any Borrower pursuant to Section 2.25 or (iv) the failure by any Borrower to make any payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereof) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency, then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.
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A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the US Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
Section 2.22    Pro Rata Treatment.
(a)    Each Borrowing of Term Loans of a given Class by the US Borrower and any reduction of the Term Loan Commitments of a given Class shall be allocated pro rata as among the Lenders of such Class in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments with respect to such Class. Each Borrowing of Revolving Loans by a Borrower, each payment by a Borrower on account of any Commitment Fee or any Letter of Credit Fee and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall be allocated pro rata as among the various Classes of Revolving Commitments and as among the Lenders of each Class of Revolving Commitments in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments with respect to such Class and with respect to such Borrower (or, if such Revolving Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the Revolving Commitments as in effect immediately prior to such expiration or termination).
(b)    Each repayment by the US Borrower in respect of principal or interest on the Term Loans and each payment in respect of fees or expenses payable hereunder shall be applied to the amounts of such obligations owing to the Lenders entitled thereto pro rata in accordance with the respective amounts then due and owing to such Lenders. Each voluntary prepayment by the US Borrower of a Borrowing under a Class of Term Loans shall be applied to the amounts of such obligations owing to the Term Lenders of such Class pro rata in accordance with the respective amounts then due and owing to the Term Lenders of such Class (unless such payment is made in accordance with Section 9.06(g), in which case it shall be made in accordance with such Section). Each mandatory prepayment by the US Borrower of a Borrowing of Term Loans shall be applied pro rata in accordance with the respective principal amounts of the outstanding Term Loans of all Classes then held by the Term Lenders (unless a given Class of Term Loans has elected to receive a lesser allocation). Each payment (including each prepayment) by a Borrower in respect of principal or interest on the Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with the respective principal amounts of the outstanding Revolving Loans that were made to such Borrower then held by the Revolving Lenders. Each payment in respect of Reimbursement Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit shall be made to the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit subject to Section 2.07(e).
(c) The application of any payment of Loans under any Credit Facility shall be made, first, to Base Rate Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans under such Credit Facility and, second, to Term Benchmark Loans under such Credit Facility. Each payment of the Loans (except for any payment of Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans that does not result in Payment in Full) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such payment on the amount paid.
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Section 2.23    Cash Collateral.
(a)    Defaulting Lender. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the US Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.24(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.
(b)    Grant of Security Interest. The US Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, and agrees to maintain, a first-priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, to be applied pursuant to Section 2.23(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the US Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(c)    Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.23 or Section 2.24 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.
(d)    Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.23 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 2.24, the Person providing Cash Collateral and each Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
Section 2.24    Defaulting Lenders.
(a)    Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
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(i)    Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.01(a) and the definitions of “Required Lenders” and “Required Class Lenders”.
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 7.02 or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.07 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize each Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.23; fourth, as the relevant Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize each Issuing Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.23; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swing Line Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the relevant Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders of the same Class as such Defaulting Lender on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Credit Facility without giving effect to Section 2.24(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.24(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
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(iii)    Certain Fees.
(A)    No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B)    Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Revolving Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.23.
(C)    With respect to any Commitment Fee or Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.24(a)(iii)(A) or Section 2.24(a)(iii)(B) above, the US Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.24(a)(iv), (y) pay to each Issuing Bank and each Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv)    Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders of the same Class as such Defaulting Lender in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v)    Cash Collateral; Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in Section 2.24(a)(iv) cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the US Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.23.
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(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the US Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Swing Line Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders (and, to the extent applicable, pay any amounts of the type specified in Section 2.21 that would result from such purchases) or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Credit Facility (without giving effect to Section 2.24(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of a Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
(c)    New Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) no Swing Line Lender shall be required to fund any Swing Line Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan and (ii) no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto. In addition, in the event that (x) any direct or indirect parent of a Revolving Lender has become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or of a Bail-In Action following 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and for so long as such proceeding or Bail-In Action shall continue or (y) any Swing Line Lender or Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Revolving Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, such Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan, and such Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, unless such Swing Line Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the US Borrower or the applicable Revolving Lender satisfactory to such Swing Line Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Revolving Lender hereunder.
Section 2.25    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.19, or requires any Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Recipient or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Lender shall (at the request of the relevant Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the sole judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.19 or Section 2.20, as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.
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The relevant Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b)    Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.19, or if a Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Recipient or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.25(a), or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the relevant Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.19 or Section 2.20) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that each Lender hereby grants to the Borrowers an irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) to execute and deliver, on behalf of such Lender, as assignor, any Assignment and Assumption necessary to effectuate any assignment in full of such Lender’s interests hereunder and the relevant Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in advance of any exercise of such power of attorney; provided, further, that:
(i)    the relevant Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.06;
(ii)    such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in L/C Borrowings and Swing Line Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.21) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the US Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii)    in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.19 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.20, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(iv)    such assignment does not conflict with applicable law; and
(v)    in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling a Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
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(c)    Termination of Defaulting Lenders. The US Borrower may terminate the unused amount of the Commitment of any Revolving Lender that is a Defaulting Lender upon not less than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section 2.24(a)(ii) will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the relevant Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts); provided that (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) such termination shall not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swing Line Lender or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.
Section 2.26    Incremental Credit Extensions.
(a) Incremental Commitments. The US Borrower may at any time or from time to time after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (but prior to the Latest Maturity Date), by written notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders) (an “Incremental Loan Request”), request (i) the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments, which may be in the same Credit Facility as any outstanding Term Loans of an existing Class of Term Loans (a “Term Loan Increase”) or a new Class of term loans (collectively with any Term Loan Increase, the “Incremental Term Commitments”) and/or (ii) one or more increases in the amount of the Revolving Commitments of an existing Class of Revolving Commitments (a “Revolving Commitment Increase”) or the establishment of one or more new revolving commitments (any such new revolving commitments, collectively with any Revolving Commitment Increases, the “Incremental Revolving Commitments”; the Incremental Revolving Commitments, collectively with any Incremental Term Commitments, the “Incremental Commitments”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as of any date of determination, (x) an amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes redeemed or otherwise refinanced with the proceeds of such Incremental Commitments (together with unpaid accrued interest and premium in respect of such Senior Notes plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such redemption or refinancing or such Incremental Commitments); provided that (I) any Incremental Commitments incurred under this clause (x) shall take the form of Incremental Term Commitments and (II) for the avoidance of doubt, 100% of the proceeds of any loans made under any such Incremental Term Commitments shall be applied substantially concurrently with the making of such loans, after giving effect to any applicable redemption period (provided that, during the pendency of such redemption period, such proceeds are deposited with the trustee under the Senior Notes Indenture or held by the US Borrower in a segregated deposit account), to redeem or otherwise refinance Senior Notes (and to pay unpaid accrued interest and premium in respect of such Senior Notes plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such redemption or refinancing or such Incremental Commitments), plus (y) the sum of (A) the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 50% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended on or prior to the applicable date of determination less the aggregate principal amount of Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii)(A) of Section 6.01(r) at or prior to such time (any amounts incurred under this clause (A), the “Fixed Incremental Component”), plus (B) the aggregate amount of voluntary prepayments of Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.10(a), Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.26(b) and Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Loans, and prepayments of Revolving Loans and Incremental Revolving Loans made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of corresponding Revolving Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments prior to such time (in each case, other than any such voluntary prepayments made with the proceeds of Indebtedness) less the aggregate principal amount (without duplication) of Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of Section 6.01(r) at or prior to such time, plus (C) additional amounts so long as the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period, as if any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans, as applicable, available under such Incremental Commitments had been outstanding on the last day of such period (but without giving effect to any amount incurred simultaneously under the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B)), and, in each case, with respect to any Incremental Revolving Commitment, assuming a borrowing of the maximum amount of Loans available thereunder, does not exceed 2.25:1.00; provided that, to the extent the proceeds of any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Term Commitments are intended to be applied to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio shall be tested in accordance with Section 1.08(c) (any amounts incurred under this clause (C), the “Incremental Incurrence-Based Component”) (it being understood that any amounts incurred under the Fixed Incremental Component that is concurrently incurred with, or is incurred in a single transaction or series of related transactions with, any amount incurred under the Incremental Incurrence-Based Component, shall not count as Indebtedness for the purposes of calculating the applicable Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio under this clause (C)).
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Incremental Amendment shall increase the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans that may be made to (1) the Canadian Borrower to an amount in excess of $40,000,000 and (2) the UK Borrower to an amount in excess of $10,000,000, unless the nominal principal amount of the Goderich Mine Mortgage is increased by an amount equal to such Dollar Equivalent increase plus 20% of such Dollar Equivalent increase.
(b) Incremental Loans. Any Incremental Commitments effected through the establishment of one or more new revolving commitments or new term loan commitments made on an Incremental Facility Closing Date shall be designated for all purposes of this Agreement as either (x) a new Class of Incremental Commitments or (y) an increase to an existing Class of Commitments. On any Incremental Facility Closing Date on which any Incremental Term Commitments of any Class are effected through the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (including through any Term Loan Increase), subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.26, (i) each Incremental Term Lender of such Class shall make a Loan to the US Borrower (an “Incremental Term Loan”) in an amount equal to its Incremental Term Commitment of such Class and (ii) each Incremental Term Lender of such Class shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Incremental Term Commitment of such Class and the Incremental Term Loans of such Class made pursuant thereto.
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On any Incremental Facility Closing Date on which any Incremental Revolving Commitments of any Class are effected through the establishment of one or more new revolving commitments (including through any Revolving Commitment Increase), subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.26, (i) each Incremental Revolving Lender of such Class shall make its Incremental Revolving Commitment available to the US Borrower (when borrowed, an “Incremental Revolving Loan” and, collectively with any Incremental Term Loan, an “Incremental Loan”) in an amount equal to its Incremental Revolving Commitment of such Class and (ii) each Incremental Revolving Lender of such Class shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Incremental Revolving Commitment of such Class and the Incremental Revolving Loans of such Class made pursuant thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Incremental Loans may only be treated as part of the same Class as any other Loans if such Incremental Loans are fungible for United States federal income tax purposes with such other Loans.
(c)    Incremental Loan Request. Each Incremental Loan Request from the US Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.26 shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments. Incremental Term Loans may be made, and Incremental Revolving Commitments may be provided, by any existing Lender (but no existing Lender will have an obligation to make any Incremental Commitment, nor will the US Borrower have any obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Incremental Commitment) or by any other bank or other financial institution (any such other bank or other financial institution being called an “Additional Lender”) (each such existing Lender or Additional Lender providing such Incremental Commitment, an “Incremental Revolving Lender” or “Incremental Term Lender,” as applicable, and, collectively, the “Incremental Lenders”); provided that the Administrative Agent, each Swing Line Lender and each Issuing Bank shall have consented (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to such Lender’s or Additional Lender’s making such Incremental Term Loans or providing such Revolving Commitment Increases to the extent such consent, if any, would be required under Section 9.06(b) for an assignment of Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, to such Lender or Additional Lender.
(d)    Effectiveness of Incremental Amendment. The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment, and the Incremental Commitments thereunder, shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (the “Incremental Facility Closing Date”) of each of the following conditions:
(i)    subject to Section 1.08(c), (x) if the proceeds of such Incremental Commitments are being used to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, no Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(f) or Section 7.01(g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments, or (y) if otherwise, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments;
(ii) subject to Section 1.08(c), after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments, the conditions of Section 4.02(a) shall be satisfied (it being understood that all references to “such date” or similar language in such Section 4.02 shall be deemed to refer to the effective date of such Incremental Amendment); provided that, if the proceeds of any Incremental Term Commitments are being used to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, (x) the reference in Section 4.02(a) to the accuracy of the representations and warranties shall refer to the accuracy of (1) the representations and warranties that would constitute customary “specified representations” and (2) the representations and warranties in the relevant acquisition agreement governing such Limited Condition Transaction, the breach of which would permit the buyer to terminate its obligations thereunder or decline to consummate such Limited Condition Transaction, and (y) the reference to “Material Adverse Effect” in the “specified representations” shall be understood for this purpose to refer to “Material Adverse Effect” or similar definition as defined in relevant acquisition agreement governing such Limited Condition Transaction;
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(iii)    after giving pro forma effect to the applicable Incremental Amendment and the Incremental Commitments and Incremental Loans thereunder (including the use of proceeds thereof), the US Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to such designation), in each case, (x) with respect to any Incremental Revolving Commitment, assuming a borrowing of the maximum amount of Loans available thereunder, and (y) without netting the cash proceeds of any such Incremental Loans;
(iv)    each Incremental Term Commitment shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 and shall be in an increment of $5,000,000 (provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in Section 2.26(a)) and each Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 and shall be in an increment of $5,000,000 (provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in Section 2.26(a));
(v)    to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received (A) customary legal opinions addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, board resolutions and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (B) reaffirmation agreements, as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that the enforceability of the Foreign Guarantee Agreement, the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement and the Security Documents and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Security Documents are preserved and maintained; and
(vi)    such other conditions as the US Borrower, each Incremental Lender providing such Incremental Commitments and the Administrative Agent shall agree.
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(e)    Required Terms. The terms, provisions and documentation of the Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Term Commitments or the Incremental Revolving Loans and Incremental Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, of any Class shall be as agreed between the US Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders providing such Incremental Commitments, and except as otherwise set forth herein, to the extent not identical to the Term Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, existing on the Incremental Facility Closing Date, shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (provided that (x) the terms of any Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Term Commitments established pursuant to a Term Loan Increase shall be identical to the terms of the Term Loans of the applicable Class being so increased and (y) the terms of any Incremental Revolving Loans and Incremental Revolving Commitments established pursuant to a Revolving Commitment Increase shall be identical to the terms of the Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments of the applicable Class being so increased). In any event:
(i)    the Incremental Term Loans:
(A)    shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Revolving Loans and the Term Loans;
(B)    shall not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date of any Loans or Commitments outstanding at the time of incurrence of such Incremental Term Loans;
(C)    shall have not greater than customary annual amortization for term loans of the same type as such Incremental Term Loans, as may be determined in good faith by the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent;
(D)    subject to Section 2.26(e)(i)(B) and Section 2.26(e)(i)(C) above and Section 2.26(e)(iii) below, shall have an applicable rate and amortization determined by the US Borrower and the applicable Incremental Term Lenders; and
(E)    may participate on a pro rata basis or less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of Term Loans hereunder, as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment;
(ii)    the Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Revolving Loans shall be identical to the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Loans, other than as to their Maturity Date and as set forth in this Section 2.26(e)(ii); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.26 or otherwise:
(A) any such Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Loans shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Revolving Loans and the Term Loans; (B) any such Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Loans shall not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date of any Loans or Commitments outstanding at the time of incurrence of such Incremental Revolving Commitments;
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(C)    the borrowing and repayment (except for (1) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Incremental Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings), (2) repayments required upon the maturity date of the Incremental Revolving Commitments and (3) repayment made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments (subject to Section 2.26(e)(ii)(E) below)) of Loans with respect to Incremental Revolving Commitments after the associated Incremental Facility Closing Date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments on the Incremental Facility Closing Date;
(D)    all Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit shall be participated on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Revolving Commitments in accordance with their Revolving Percentage on the Incremental Facility Closing Date; and
(E)    the permanent repayment of Revolving Loans with respect to, and termination of, Incremental Revolving Commitments after the associated Incremental Facility Closing Date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments on the Incremental Facility Closing Date, except that the Borrowers shall be permitted to permanently repay and terminate commitments of any such Class on a better than a pro rata basis as compared to any other Class with a later maturity date than such Class;
(iii) subject to the foregoing, the amortization schedule applicable to any Incremental Term Loans and the All-In Yield applicable to the Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans of each Class shall be determined by the US Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders and shall be set forth in each applicable Incremental Amendment; provided, however, that with respect to any Loans under Incremental Term Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments, if the All-In Yield applicable to such Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans shall be greater than the applicable All-In Yield payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as amended through the date of such calculation with respect to any existing Class of Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as applicable, by more than 50 basis points per annum (the amount of such excess, the “Yield Differential”), then the interest rate (together with, as provided in the proviso below, the Floor) with respect to each such existing Class of Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall be increased by the applicable Yield Differential; provided, further, that, if any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans, as applicable, include a Floor that is greater than the Floor applicable to any existing Class of Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as applicable, such differential between Floors shall be included in the calculation of All-In Yield for purposes of this clause (iii), but only to the extent an increase in the Floor applicable to the existing Class of Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as applicable, would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect thereunder, and in such case the Floors (but not the applicable rate) applicable to such existing Class of Term Loans and Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall be increased to the extent of such differential between Floors; and
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(iv)    the establishment of Incremental Commitments and Incremental Loans shall be subject to the limitations set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Class”.
(f)    Incremental Amendment.
(i)    Incremental Term Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, amendments to the other Loan Documents, executed by the US Borrower, each Incremental Lender providing such Commitments and the Administrative Agent, as applicable. The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Loan Party, Agent or Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.26. The US Borrower will use the proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Commitments for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments unless it so agrees.
(ii)    The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loan Parties as may be necessary in order to establish new tranches or sub-tranches in respect of Loans or Commitments made or established pursuant to this Section 2.26 and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower in connection with the establishment of such new tranches or sub-tranches, in each case on terms consistent with this Section 2.26, including any amendments that are not adverse to the interests of any Lender that are made to effectuate changes necessary to enable any Incremental Term Loans to be fungible for United States Federal income tax purposes with the another Class of Term Loans, which shall include any amendments that do not reduce the ratable amortization received by each Lender thereunder.
(g) Reallocation of Revolving Exposure. Upon any Incremental Facility Closing Date on which a Revolving Commitment Increase is effected pursuant to this Section 2.26, (i) each of the existing Revolving Lenders of the applicable Class shall assign to each of the Incremental Revolving Lenders in respect of such Revolving Commitment Increase, and each of such Incremental Revolving Lenders shall purchase from each of such existing Revolving Lenders, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the Revolving Loans of such Class outstanding on such Incremental Facility Closing Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans will be held by existing Revolving Lenders of such Class and Incremental Revolving Lenders in respect of such Revolving Commitment Increase ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments after giving effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase, (ii) each Incremental Revolving Commitment resulting from such Revolving Commitment Increase shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Commitment of the applicable Class and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Loan of such Class and (iii) each such Incremental Revolving Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Revolving Commitments of such Class and all matters relating thereto.
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The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing and prepayment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.
(h)    This Section 2.26 shall supersede any provisions in Section 9.01 or Section 9.07(a) to the contrary.
Section 2.27    Extension of Term Loans and Revolving Commitments.
(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, a “Term Loan Extension Offer”) made from time to time by the US Borrower to all Lenders of a Class of Term Loans with the same Maturity Date on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the respective Term Loans of such Class with the same Maturity Date) and on the same terms to each such Term Lender, the US Borrower may from time to time, with the consent of any Term Lender that shall have accepted such Term Loan Extension Offer, extend the Maturity Date of the Term Loans of such Class of each such Term Lender and otherwise modify the terms of such Term Loans pursuant to the terms of the relevant Term Loan Extension Offer (including by increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Term Loans and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Term Loans) (each, a “Term Loan Extension” and any Term Loans extended thereby, a “Term Loan Extension Series”), so long as the following terms are satisfied:
(i)    except as to interest rates, fees, amortization, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments (which shall, subject to Section 2.27(a)(ii), Section 2.27(a)(iii) and Section 2.27(a)(iv), be determined by the US Borrower and set forth in the relevant Term Loan Extension Offer), the Term Loans of the applicable Class of any Term Lender that agrees to a Term Loan Extension with respect to such Term Loans (each, an “Extending Term Lender”) extended pursuant to any Term Loan Extension (“Extended Term Loans”) shall have terms no more favorable in any material respect, taken as a whole, to any such Extending Term Lender than the terms of the Class of Term Loans subject to such Term Loan Extension Offer;
(ii)    the final maturity date of any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date;
(iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans extended thereby; (iv) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Term Loan Extension Offer;
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(v)    if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of the applicable Class (calculated on the face amount thereof) in respect of which Term Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Term Loan Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of such Class (calculated on the face amount thereof) offered to be extended by the US Borrower pursuant to such Term Loan Extension Offer, then the Term Loans of such Class of such Term Lenders shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Term Lenders have accepted such Term Loan Extension Offer;
(vi)    any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the US Borrower; and
(vii)    all documentation in respect of such Term Loan Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing.
(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, a “Revolving Extension Offer”) made from time to time by the US Borrower to all Lenders of a Class of Revolving Commitments with the same Maturity Date on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the respective Revolving Commitments of such Class with the same Maturity Date) and on the same terms to each such Revolving Lender, the US Borrower may from time to time, with the consent of any Revolving Lender that shall have accepted such Revolving Extension Offer, extend the Maturity Date of the Revolving Commitments of such Class of each such Revolving Lender and otherwise modify the terms of such Revolving Commitments pursuant to the terms of the relevant Revolving Extension Offer (including by increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Revolving Commitments and related outstandings) (each, a “Revolving Extension” and any Revolving Commitments extended thereby, a “Revolving Extension Series”), so long as the following terms are satisfied:
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(i) except as to interest rates, fees, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments and commitment reductions (which shall, subject to Section 2.27(b)(ii), Section 2.27(b)(iii) and Section 2.27(b)(iv), be determined by the US Borrower and set forth in the relevant Revolving Extension Offer), the Revolving Commitment of the applicable Class of any Revolving Lender that agrees to a Revolving Extension with respect to such Revolving Commitment (an “Extending Revolving Lender”) extended pursuant to a Revolving Extension (an “Extended Revolving Commitment”), and the related outstandings, shall have terms no more favorable, in any material respect, taken as a whole, to any such Extending Revolving Lender than the terms of the Class of Revolving Commitments subject to such Revolving Extension Offer; provided that (1) the borrowing and repayment (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings), (B) repayments required upon the maturity date of the non-extended Revolving Commitments and (C) repayments made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments) of Revolving Loans with respect to Extended Revolving Commitments after the date of the applicable Revolving Extension shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, (2) all Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall be participated on a pro rata basis by all Revolving Lenders with Revolving Commitments in accordance with their Revolving Percentage, (3) the permanent repayment of Revolving Loans with respect to, and termination of, Extended Revolving Commitments after the date of the applicable Revolving Extension shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, except that each Borrower shall be permitted to permanently repay and terminate commitments of any such Class on a non-pro rata basis as compared to any other Class with a later Maturity Date than such Class and (4) except as the Swing Line Lenders may otherwise agree, Swing Line Loans shall be required to be paid in full at the end of the Swing Line Commitment Period;
(ii)    the final maturity date of any Extended Revolving Commitments shall be no earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date with respect to any Class of Revolving Loans or Revolving Commitments;
(iii)    any Extended Revolving Commitments may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Revolving Extension Offer;
(iv)    if the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Commitments of the applicable Class (calculated on the face amount thereof) in respect of which Revolving Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Revolving Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Revolving Commitments of such Class (calculated on the face amount thereof) offered to be extended by the US Borrower pursuant to such Revolving Extension Offer, then the Revolving Commitments of such Class of such Revolving Lenders shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Revolving Lenders have accepted such Revolving Extension Offer;
(v)    any Extended Revolving Commitments (and the Liens securing the same) shall be permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements (to the extent any Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect);
(vi)    any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the US Borrower; and
(vii)    all documentation in respect of such Revolving Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing.
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(c)    With respect to all Extensions consummated by the US Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.27, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 and (ii) no Extension Offer is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment; provided that the US Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined in the US Borrower’s sole discretion and specified in the relevant Extension Offer) of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments (as applicable) of any or all applicable Classes be extended. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.27 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Commitments on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer, but, for purposes of clarity, no Lender does hereby consent to any particular Extension Offer with respect to its own Term Loans and Revolving Commitments (any such consent to be given only in accordance with the procedures described in Section 2.27(a) and 2.27(b), as applicable)) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including Section 2.22 and any other pro rata payment section) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit or restrict any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.27.
(d)    Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended to give effect to each Extension (an “Extension Amendment”), without the consent of any Lenders other than extending Lenders in respect of such Extension, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (A) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Commitments, as applicable, incurred pursuant thereto, (B) modify the scheduled repayments set forth in Section 2.03 with respect to any Class of Term Loans subject to a Term Loan Extension to reflect a reduction in the principal amount of the Term Loans thereunder in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Extended Term Loans amended pursuant to the applicable Term Loan Extension (with such amount to be applied ratably to reduce scheduled repayments of such Term Loans required pursuant to Section 2.03), (C) modify the prepayments set forth in Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 to reflect the existence of the Extended Term Loans and the application of prepayments with respect thereto and (D) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.27, and the Lenders hereby expressly and irrevocably, for the benefit of all parties hereto, authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment.
(e)    In connection with any Revolving Extension, the Swing Line Lenders may agree (in their sole and absolute discretion) to extend the expiration of the Swing Line Commitment Period to a date that is no later than the maturity date of the applicable Revolving Extension Series as set forth in the applicable Extension Amendment.
(f) In connection with any Extension, the US Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent at least 10 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.27.
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(g)    This Section 2.27 shall supersede any provisions in Section 9.01 or Section 9.07(a) to the contrary.
(h)    The establishment of Extended Term Commitments, Extended Revolving Commitments, Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Loans shall be subject to the limitations set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Class”.
(i)    For purposes of clarity, any Lender may, in its sole discretion, choose to consent to or decline any Extension Offer, and the failure of any Lender to respond to any Extension Offer shall be deemed to be, for such Lender, an election to decline such Extension Offer.
(i)    The effectiveness of any Extension Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02.
Section 2.28    Refinancing Amendments.
(a)    On one or more occasions after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, the Borrowers may obtain, from any Lender or any other bank or financial institution that agrees, in its sole discretion, to provide any portion of Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Commitments pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with this Section 2.28 (each, an “Additional Refinancing Lender”) (provided that the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and each Issuing Bank shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to such Lender’s or Additional Refinancing Lender’s making such Refinancing Term Loans or providing such Other Revolving Commitments to the extent such consent, if any, would be required under Section 9.06(b) for an assignment of Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, to such Lender or Additional Refinancing Lender), Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of Term Loans or Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments) then outstanding under this Agreement, in the form of Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Term Commitments, Other Revolving Loans or Other Revolving Commitments pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided, further, that the following terms are satisfied:
(i)    any Refinancing Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) as among the various Classes of Term Loans (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments of Term Loans hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment;
(ii) the borrowing and repayment (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Other Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings), (B) repayments required upon the maturity date of the Other Revolving Commitments and (C) repayment made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments (subject to clause (iv) below)) of Other Revolving Loans after the date of obtaining any Other Revolving Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments;
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(iii)    all Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit shall be participated on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Revolving Commitments in accordance with their Revolving Percentage;
(iv)    notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the permanent repayment of Other Revolving Loans with respect to, and termination of, Other Revolving Commitments after the date of the applicable Refinancing Amendment shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments, except that the US Borrower shall be permitted to permanently repay and terminate commitments of any such Class on a better than a pro rata basis as compared to any other Class with a later maturity date than such Class;
(v)    assignments and participations of Other Revolving Commitments and Other Revolving Loans shall be governed by the same assignment and participation provisions applicable to Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans;
(vi)    any Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Term Commitments shall be incurred solely by the US Borrower; and
(vii)    any Other Revolving Commitments shall be incurred solely by the US Borrower; provided that such Other Revolving Commitments may provide for subtranches for Other Revolving Loans to be made to the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower so long as the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans that may be made to (A) the Canadian Borrower shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (B) the UK Borrower shall not exceed $10,000,000.
(b)    The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) customary legal opinions, board resolutions and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) reaffirmation agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that the enforceability of the Foreign Guarantee Agreement, the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement and the Security Documents and the perfection and priority of the Liens under the Security Documents are preserved and maintained.
(c)    Each issuance of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness under Section 2.28(a) shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less than $10,000,000 and (y) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
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(d) Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, without the consent of any other Lenders, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto and (ii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.28, and the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Refinancing Amendment.
(e)    This Section 2.28 shall supersede any provisions in Section 9.01 or Section 9.07(a) to the contrary.
(f)    The establishment of Refinancing Term Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans and Other Revolving Loans shall be subject to the limitations set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Class”.
(g)    For purposes of clarity, no Lender shall be required to provide any Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, and the failure of any Lender to respond to any request to provide any Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Commitments shall be deemed to be, for such Lender, an election to decline to provide such Refinancing Term Loans or Other Revolving Commitments, as the case may be.
Section 2.29    Redenomination of Sterling.
(a)    Each obligation of any party to this Agreement to make a payment denominated in Sterling if the United Kingdom adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of Sterling shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which the United Kingdom adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in Sterling is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.
(b)    Without prejudice and in addition to any method of conversion or rounding prescribed by any EMU Legislation and (i) without limiting the liability of any Borrower for any amount due under this Agreement and (ii) without increasing any Commitment of any Lender, all references in this Agreement to minimum amounts (or integral multiples thereof) denominated in Sterling shall, if the United Kingdom adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, immediately upon such adoption, be replaced by references to such minimum amounts (or integral multiples thereof) as shall be specified herein with respect to Borrowings denominated in Euro.
(c)    Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the UK Borrower) may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by the United Kingdom and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and upon each Credit Extension thereafter that:
Section 3.01    Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Group Member (a) is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to own or lease its assets and carry on its business as now conducted, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other Loan Document and each other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby to which it is a party and to effect the Transactions and (c) is duly qualified and licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification or license or, if applicable, good standing is required; except, in the case of this clause (c), where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.02    Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of each such Loan Party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party party hereto and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 3.03    No Conflicts. The Transactions (i) do not require any consent, exemption, authorization or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (A) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (B) filings necessary to perfect or maintain the perfection or priority of the Liens created by the Security Documents, (ii) will not violate the Organizational Documents of any Group Member, (iii) will not violate or result (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) in a default or require any consent or approval under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon any Group Member or its property or to which any Group Member or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Group Member or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancelation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, (iv) will not violate any Requirement of Law in any material respect and (v) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Group Member, except Liens created by the Security Documents.
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Section 3.04    Financial Statements; Projections; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a)    The US Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Agents and the Lenders (i) the Historical Audited Financial Statements, audited by and accompanied by the unqualified opinion of Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022, September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2022, and for the comparable period of the preceding fiscal year, in each case, certified by the chief financial officer of the US Borrower. Such financial statements, and all financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(b), have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the applicable period covered thereby and present fairly and accurately in all material respects the consolidated financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the US Borrower as of the dates and for the periods to which they relate (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes). Except as set forth in such financial statements, there are no material liabilities of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which could reasonably be expected to result in such a liability.
(b)    The US Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Agents and the Lenders the forecasts of financial performance of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended 2023 through 2027 (the “Projections”). The Projections have been prepared in good faith by the US Borrower based upon (i) the assumptions stated therein (which assumptions are believed by the Loan Parties on the date of delivery thereof and on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to be reasonable), (ii) accounting principles consistent with the Historical Audited Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Section 3.04(a) above consistently applied throughout the fiscal years covered thereby and (iii) the best information available to the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the date of delivery and the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
(c)    Since December 31, 2022, there has been no event, change, circumstance, condition, development or occurrence that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.05    Intellectual Property. Each Group Member owns or is licensed to use, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), all Intellectual Property used in the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except for those which the failure to own or license, individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.06    Properties.
(a) Each Group Member has good and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its property, including all Mortgaged Property, material to its business, free and clear of all Liens and irregularities, deficiencies and defects in title, except for Permitted Liens and minor irregularities, deficiencies and defects in title that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and could not reasonably be expected to, interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such property for its intended purpose.
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(b)    Each Group Member owns or has rights to use all of its property and all rights with respect to any of the foregoing which are required for the business and operations of the Group Members as presently conducted. The use by each Group Member of its property (including Intellectual Property) and all such rights with respect to the foregoing do not infringe on the rights or other interests of any Person, other than any infringement that could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been made and remains outstanding that any Group Member’s use of any of its property (including Intellectual Property) does or may violate the rights of any third party that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07    Equity Interests and Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.07 sets forth (i) each Group Member and its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and (ii) the number of each class of its Equity Interests authorized, and the number outstanding, on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and the number of Equity Interests covered by all outstanding options, warrants, rights of conversion or purchase and similar rights on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date. All Equity Interests of each Group Member are duly and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (other than the Equity Interests of the Canadian Restricted Subsidiaries (which are unlimited companies) which are assessable under the circumstances prescribed in Section 135 of the Companies Act (Nova Scotia)), and, other than the Equity Interests of the US Borrower, are owned by the US Borrower, directly or indirectly, through Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. Each Loan Party is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Equity Interests pledged by (or purported to be pledged by) it under the Security Documents, free of any and all Liens, rights or claims of other persons (other than Permitted Equity Liens), and, as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights (including derivatives) to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any such Equity Interests (or any economic or voting interests therein).
Section 3.08    Litigation. There are no actions, suits, claims, disputes or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or threatened in writing against or affecting any Group Member or any business, property or rights of any Group Member (i) that purport to affect or involve any Loan Document or any of the Transactions or (ii) that have resulted, or as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.09    Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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Section 3.10    Federal Reserve Regulations.
(a)    No Group Member is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
(b)    No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or for any other purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the regulations of the Board of Governors, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X.
Section 3.11    Taxes. Each Group Member has (a) timely and accurately filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and other material Tax returns that are required to be filed by it and (b) paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to be paid by it, except, in each case, (i) to the extent that any such Taxes or the requirement to file any such Tax returns are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such Group Member has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP, or (ii) if such failure to file, pay or discharge such obligations could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.12    No Material Misstatements.
(a)    The US Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all written agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is subject that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. On the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (in the case of reports, financial statements, certificates and other written information made available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date) or at the time furnished (in the case of all other reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information), the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished (other than the Projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, budgets, estimates and information of a general economic or industry-specific nature) by or on behalf of the US Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) are complete and correct in all material respects and do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
(b) The Projections have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the US Borrower to be reasonable at the time made and at the time furnished (it being recognized that such Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that no assurance can be given that any particular financial projections (including the Projections) will be realized, that actual results may differ significantly from projected results and that such Projections are not a guarantee of performance).
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(c)    As of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, to the best knowledge of the applicable Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.
Section 3.13    Labor Matters.
(a)    Neither the US Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and there is no unfair labor practice complaint pending against the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against any of them, before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar non-US Governmental Authority, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against any of them.
(b)    There are no strikes, lockouts, stoppages or slowdowns or other labor disputes affecting any Group Member pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened that have had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)    All payments due from any Group Member, or for which any claim may be made against any Group Member, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Group Member except to the extent that the failure to do so has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(d)    The hours worked by and payments made to employees of any Group Member have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.
Section 3.14 Pension Matters. (a) Each Plan and, with respect to each Plan, each of the US Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS indicating that such Plan is so qualified and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter which would cause such Plan to lose its qualified status. No liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments), the IRS, any Plan (other than in the ordinary course) or any trust established under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the US Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Plan. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. The present value of all accrued benefit obligations under each Single Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Single Employer Plans) did not, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Single Employer Plan allocable to such accrued benefit obligations by a material amount.
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As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan, the potential liability of the US Borrower and each of its ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA) or for a partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4205 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans, is zero. The US Borrower and each of its ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in material “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan. Neither the US Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates contributes to, or has any liability with respect to, any Multiemployer Plan or has any contingent liability with respect to any post-retirement welfare benefit under a Plan that is subject to ERISA, other than liability for continuation coverage described in Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.
(b)    Each Foreign Pension Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities. Neither the US Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has incurred any liability that could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Pension Plan that has not been accrued or otherwise properly reserved on the US Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet. With respect to each Foreign Pension Plan that is required by applicable local law or by its terms to be funded through a separate funding vehicle, the present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each such Foreign Pension Plan, determined as of the latest valuation date for such Foreign Pension Plan on the basis of actuarial assumptions, each of which is reasonable or utilized in accordance with applicable law, rule, or regulation, did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Foreign Pension Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities except to the extent that such underfunding could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.15    Environmental Matters. Other than exceptions to any of the following that could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a)    the Group Members are, and have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;
(b)    Materials of Environmental Concern have not been Released and are not present at, on, under, in, or about any Real Property now or formerly owned or operated by any Group Member or at any other location (including any location to which Materials of Environmental Concern have been sent for re-use, recycling, treatment, storage, or disposal);
(c) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened actions, suits, claims, disputes or proceedings at law or in equity, administrative or judicial, by or before any Governmental Authority under or relating to any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is, or to the knowledge of any Borrower, is threatened to be, named as a party or affecting any Group Member or any business, property or rights of any Group Member;
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(d)    no Group Member has received any written request for information, or been otherwise notified that it is a potentially responsible party under or relating to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or any similar Environmental Law, or with respect to any Release of Materials of Environmental Concern;
(e)    no Group Member has entered into or agreed to any consent decree, order, or settlement or other agreement, or is subject to any judgment, decree, or order or other agreement, in any judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other forum for dispute resolution, relating to compliance with Environmental Law or any Environmental Liability; and
(f)    no Group Member is otherwise subject to, knows of any basis for or has assumed or retained, by contract or operation of law, any Environmental Liabilities of any kind, whether fixed or contingent, known or unknown.
Section 3.16    Insurance. Each Group Member is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged. No Group Member has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers. As of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, no Mortgaged Property owned or leased by a Loan Party has improvements located in an area identified as having special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect). Each Loan Party maintains flood insurance for each of the properties (or the portion of such properties that contains Improvements located in an area identified as having special flood hazards) set forth on Schedule 3.16, (a) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of each such property or (ii) the maximum available insurance amount under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect) and (b) with a deductible not exceeding the greater of (i) the insurable value of the property or (ii) the maximum amount allowable under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect).
Section 3.17    Security Documents.
(a) The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid, binding and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds and products thereof. In the case of (i) Pledged Equity Interests represented by certificates, (x) when such certificates are delivered to the Administrative Agent or (y) when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.17, and (ii) the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.17 and such other filings as are specified on Schedule 3 to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement have been completed, the Lien created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds and products thereof (in the case of the Collateral described in clause (ii), to the extent perfection can be obtained by such filings), as security for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case, prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, with respect to priority only, Permitted Prior Liens and, in the case of collateral constituting Equity Interests, Permitted Equity Liens).
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(b)    Each of the Mortgages is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid, binding and enforceable Lien on the Mortgaged Properties described therein and proceeds and products thereof, and when the Mortgages are filed in the recording office designated by the US Borrower or the Canadian Borrower, as the case may be, each Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Properties described therein and the proceeds and products thereof, as security for the “Secured Obligations” or other corresponding term (as defined in the relevant Mortgage), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, subject only to Permitted Liens.
(c)    Upon the recordation of any applicable Intellectual Property Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, and the filing of the financing statements referred to in Section 3.17(a), the Lien created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by filing in the United States, as security for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case, prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, with respect to priority only, Permitted Prior Liens).
(d)    Each Security Document, other than the Security Documents referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 3.17, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto and the making of the filings and taking of the other actions provided for therein, will be effective under applicable law to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral subject thereto, and will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Collateral subject thereto, as security for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case, prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, with respect to priority only, Permitted Prior Liens).
Section 3.18    Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” of the respective Borrowers under and as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture and the New Senior Notes Indenture.
Section 3.19    Solvency. The US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, both immediately before and immediately after the consummation of the transactions to occur on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, will be Solvent.
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Section 3.20    PATRIOT Act, etc. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the PATRIOT Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payment to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
Section 3.21    Anti-Terrorism Laws.
(a)    None of the US Borrower, any Subsidiary or any director, officer, employee or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, agent of any of the foregoing is in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.
(b)    None of the US Borrower, any Subsidiary or any director, officer, employee or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, agent of any of the foregoing is any of the following (each a “Blocked Person”):
(i)    a Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224;
(ii)    a Person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any Person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224;
(iii)    a Person with which any Agent or Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law;
(iv)    a Person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports “terrorism” (as defined in Executive Order No. 13224);
(v)    a Person that is named as a “specially designated national” on the most current list published by the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list; or
(vi)    a Person affiliated or associated with any Person described in Section 3.21(b)(i) through Section 3.21(b)(v) above.
(c) None of the US Borrower, any Subsidiary or any director, officer, employee or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, agent of any of the foregoing acting in any capacity in connection with the Loans, Letters of Credit, the Transactions or the other transactions hereunder (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Blocked Person or (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to Executive Order No.
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13224.
Section 3.22    Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.
(a)    The US Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the US Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
(b)    The US Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors, employees and, to the knowledge of any Borrower, agents (in each case as it relates to the activities of the US Borrower and its Subsidiaries) are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that could reasonably be expected to result in a Borrower being designated as a Sanctioned Person.
(c)    (i) None of the US Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, and (ii) to the knowledge of any Borrower, no agent of the US Borrower or any Subsidiary, in either case will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.
Section 3.23    Use of Proceeds. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Loans and will request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes specified in the recitals to this Agreement. The proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit will not be used in violation of Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions, or in violation of the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.10(b).
Section 3.24    Compliance with Laws. Each Group Member is in compliance with all Requirements of Laws, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.25    Affected Financial Institution. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 4.01    [Reserved].
Section 4.02    Conditions to Each Credit Extension. The obligation of each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make any Credit Extension requested to be made by it hereunder on any date is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties.
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Subject to Section 1.08(c) and Section 2.26, each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); provided that any representation and warranty that is qualified by “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects.
(b)    No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result from such Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c)    Borrowing Notice. The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the Swing Line Lender shall have received a fully executed Borrowing Notice in accordance with Section 2.02(a), Section 2.05(b) or Section 2.06(b), as applicable, or, in the case of the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 2.07(b).
Each delivery of a Borrowing Notice or notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit and the acceptance by the relevant Borrower of the proceeds of such Credit Extension shall constitute a representation and warranty by each Borrower that on the date of such Credit Extension (both immediately before and after giving effect to such Credit Extension and the application of the proceeds thereof) the conditions contained in this Section 4.02 have been satisfied.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Each Borrower hereby agrees that, until Payment in Full, such Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Section 5.01, Section 5.02 and Section 5.03) cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
Section 5.01    Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, which shall deliver to each Issuing Bank and each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the US Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023), a copy of the consolidated balance sheet of the US Borrower as at the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the preceding fiscal year of the US Borrower, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent certified public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than with respect to, or resulting from, (x) any upcoming maturity of Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities or (y) any potential inability to satisfy the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13 in a future period) as to the scope of such audit, and which shall be to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the US Borrower as of the dates indicated and the results of its operations and changes in financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years; provided that, if the US Borrower has designated any Unrestricted Subsidiaries hereunder, and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary has total assets equal to or greater than $15,000,000 then the US Borrower shall, separately to the financial information required under this Section 5.01(a), provide supplemental financial information in respect of any such Unrestricted Subsidiary, including a reasonably detailed presentation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the US Borrower separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
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(b)    as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days (or, solely in the case of the fiscal quarter of the US Borrower ended June 30, 2024, not later than November 29, 2024) after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the US Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023), a copy of the consolidated balance sheet of the US Borrower as at the end of such fiscal quarter and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such fiscal quarter, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the US Borrower in accordance with GAAP (subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes); provided that, if the US Borrower has designated any Unrestricted Subsidiaries hereunder, and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary has total assets equal to or greater than $15,000,000 then the US Borrower shall, separately to the financial information required under this Section 5.01(b), provide supplemental financial information in respect of any such Unrestricted Subsidiary, including a reasonably detailed presentation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the US Borrower separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and
(c)    as soon as available, and in any event at least 60 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the US Borrower, a budget in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including budgeted statements of income for each of the US Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ business units and sources and uses of cash and balance sheets) prepared by the US Borrower for each quarter in the five years immediately following such fiscal year prepared in summary form, in each case, of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, with appropriate presentation and discussion in reasonable detail of the principal assumptions upon which such budget is based, accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying that such budget is a reasonable estimate for the period covered thereby.
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Any documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01, Section 5.02(a), Section 5.02(b)(ii) and Section 5.02(d) may be delivered by posting such documents electronically with notice of such posting to the Administrative Agent and, if so posted, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such documents are posted on the US Borrower’s behalf on the Platform, and such documents shall be deemed to have been delivered if such documents shall be publicly available on the SEC’s EDGAR website at http://www.sec.gov.
Section 5.02    Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, which shall deliver to each Issuing Bank and each Lender:
(a)    concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.01(a), a certificate of the US Borrower’s independent certified public accountants in customary form certifying such financial statements and stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default or Event of Default under the financial covenants set forth herein, or, if any such Default or Event of Default shall exist, stating the nature and status of such event (it being understood that such certificate shall be limited to the items that independent certified public accountants are permitted to cover in such certificates pursuant to their professional standards and customs of the profession);
(b)    concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(b), (i) a duly completed Compliance Certificate containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the applicable fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the US Borrower, as the case may be, and (ii) a copy of management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as compared to the previous fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as applicable, and the portion of the projections covering such periods (including commentary on (x) any material developments or proposals affecting the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or their respective businesses and (y) the reasons for any significant variations from the Projections for such period and the figures for the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year);
(c)    promptly upon receipt thereof by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any audit of any of them;
(d) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the US Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the US Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; (e) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or any comparable agency in any applicable non-US jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of such Loan Party or such Restricted Subsidiary;
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(f)    promptly after a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries obtains actual knowledge of any of the following (but only to the extent that any of the following could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect), written notice of (i) any pending or threatened Environmental Liability against the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Real Property owned or operated by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property at any time owned or operated by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that (A) results from non-compliance by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law, (B) could reasonably be anticipated to form the basis of an Environmental Liability against the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any such Real Property or (C) results in the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual or alleged presence of any Materials of Environmental Concern; and
(g)    promptly, (i) such additional information regarding the business, financial, legal or corporate affairs of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request or (ii) such information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” requirements under the PATRIOT Act, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation or other applicable anti-money laundering laws as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
Section 5.03    Notices. Promptly after a Responsible Officer of any Borrower has obtained knowledge thereof, give written notice to the Administrative Agent of:
(a)    the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; and
(b)    any development or event that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(c)    any material change in the Persons identified in the Beneficial Ownership Certification most recently provided, if any, that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified therein (and notwithstanding the following paragraph, no statement of a Responsible Officer referred to in the following paragraph shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith); provided that no written notice shall be required pursuant to this clause (c) in the case such change in Persons is publicly available on the SEC’s EDGAR website at http://www.sec.gov.
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Each notice pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the US Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the US Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 5.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
Section 5.04    Payment of Taxes. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable in the normal conduct of its business all its obligations and liabilities in respect of Taxes imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, except, in each case, (i) to the extent any such Tax is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, so long as such contest effectively suspends collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation, and (ii) if such failure to pay or discharge such obligations and liabilities could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.05    Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except in a transaction permitted by Section 6.03 and Section 6.04; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights and other Intellectual Property, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.06    Maintenance of Property. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except, in the case of this clause (b), where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.07    Maintenance of Insurance.
(a)    Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the US Borrower insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or a similar business of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, and all such insurance shall (i) provide for not less than 30 days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance and (ii) name the Administrative Agent as lender’s loss payee on behalf of the Secured Parties (in the case of property insurance) or additional insured on behalf of the Secured Parties (in the case of liability insurance).
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(b)    If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect) or any successor act thereto, then the US Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Loan Party to, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer (except to the extent that any insurance company insuring the Mortgaged Property of such Loan Party ceases to be financially sound and reputable after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, in which case, the US Borrower shall promptly replace such insurance company with a financially sound and reputable insurance company), flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including evidence of annual renewals of such insurance.
Section 5.08    Books and Records; Inspection Rights.
(a)    Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b)    Permit representatives of the Administrative Agent and, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Lenders to (under the guidance of the US Borrower) visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the US Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and no more than twice per year, upon reasonable advance notice to the US Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or any of their respective representatives) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the US Borrower at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable advance notice (without a limit on the number of such visits, inspections, examinations or other actions in any year); provided, further, that the US Borrower shall have the right to participate in any discussions of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or their respective representatives with any independent accountants of the US Borrower.
Section 5.09    Compliance with Laws.
(a)    Comply with all Requirements of Law and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the US Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the respective directors, officers, employees and agents of the foregoing with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Terrorism Laws and applicable Sanctions.
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Section 5.10    Compliance with Environmental Laws. (i) Comply, and cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, response or other corrective action necessary to address any Releases of Materials of Environmental Concern at, on, under or emanating from any property owned, leased or operated by it in accordance with the requirements of all Environmental Laws, and (iii) make an appropriate response to any investigation, notice, demand, claim, suit or other proceeding asserting Environmental Liability against the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person thereunder, except in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii), where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; provided that neither the US Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other responsive action to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
Section 5.11    Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes specified in the recitals to this Agreement. No Borrower will request any Credit Extension, and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Credit Extension (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto or (d) in violation of the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.10(b).
Section 5.12    Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.
(a)    Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements) that may be required under applicable Requirements of Law, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.
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(b) In the event that (x) any Person becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) of the US Borrower or any other Loan Party or (y) any Subsidiary of the US Borrower or any other Loan Party that previously was an Excluded Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, each Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, (i) within 30 days after such event (or such longer period of time as the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may agree to in writing), cause such Person referred to in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, to (A) in the case of any such Person that is a Domestic Subsidiary, become a Guarantor and a Grantor under (and as defined in) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a counterpart agreement or supplement to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in accordance with its terms and (B) in the case of any such Person that is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Foreign Subsidiary, become a Guarantor under the Foreign Guarantee Agreement by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a counterpart agreement or supplement to the Foreign Guarantee Agreement in accordance with its terms and (ii) subject to the last sentence of this Section 5.12(b), take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to cause the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to have a Lien on all assets of such Person and all Equity Interests issued by such Person (in each case, other than Excluded Assets and Material Real Property), to secure the Obligations of the applicable Borrower, which Lien shall (other than with respect to assets constituting Excluded Perfection Assets) be perfected and shall be of first priority (subject to (A) in the case of all such assets constituting Equity Interests, Permitted Equity Liens and (B) in the case of all such other assets, Permitted Liens) and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, items as are similar to those described in Sections 6(e), 6(f) and 6(g) of the 2023 A&R Agreement and Section 3 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) other than in respect of (A) Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary that are owned by the US Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor and (B) the Goderich Mine Mortgage, no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-US jurisdiction shall be required; (ii) other than in respect of the Goderich Mine Mortgage, no security interest or pledge shall be granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, by, or to secure the Obligations of, the Canadian Borrower, the UK Borrower or any Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor; (iii) in no event shall this Section 5.12(b) require the granting of any Lien on any Excluded Assets or the perfection (other than to the extent accomplished by filing a UCC financing statement or automatically) of any Lien on any Excluded Perfection Assets; (iv) in no event shall any Foreign Subsidiary, any FSHCO or any Subsidiary of a CFC be a Guarantor or a Grantor with respect to the Obligations of the US Borrower or of any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor; and (v) in no event shall more than 65% of the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or of any FSHCO constitute Collateral with respect to the Obligations of the US Borrower or of any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor.
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(c) In the event that, after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, (i) the US Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor acquires or leases any Material Real Property, (ii) any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) and such Person owns or leases any Material Real Property at such time, (iii) any Domestic Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary and such Domestic Subsidiary owns or leases any Material Real Property at such time or (iv) any Real Property owned or leased by the US Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor as of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date becomes Material Real Property, and, for purposes of clause (1) below, such interest in such Material Real Property has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Security Documents in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, then the US Borrower shall, or shall cause such Domestic Subsidiary to, within 60 days of such event (or such longer period of time as the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may agree to in writing), (1) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such Mortgages, documents, instruments, agreements and certificates, including those which are similar to those described in Schedule 5.18 with respect to each such Material Real Property that the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid first-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Prior Liens) in such Material Real Property and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent surveys, title insurance, opinions, Flood Certificates, flood insurance (if required) and other items as are similar to those described in Schedule 5.18 with respect to such Material Real Property and (2) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain customary landlord or landowners lien waivers, in each case reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) this Section 5.12(b) shall not apply to (and the US Borrower and the Domestic Subsidiary Guarantors shall not be required to grant a Lien on) any building, structure or improvement located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards; provided that the US Borrower has certified in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such building, structure or improvement has a fair market value that is less than or equal to $100,000 (unless the Required Lenders have determined that such building, structure or improvement is otherwise material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent shall, as promptly as practicable after receiving written notice (A) of any revision to the flood zone map affecting any Mortgaged Property, or (B) from the US Borrower of any proposed addition to the Collateral of any Real Property pursuant to this Section 5.12(c), in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), provide notice thereof to the Lenders (which notice may be posted on the Platform), and each Lender shall be afforded sufficient time to conduct flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance as it deems necessary to comply with the Flood Program (as defined in Schedule 5.18); provided that, except as otherwise required by any Requirement of Law, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to independently monitor the flood zone map affecting any such Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not enter into any Mortgage in respect of any real property acquired by the US Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date until (1) the date that occurs 30 days after the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders (which may be delivered electronically) the following documents in respect of such real property: (i) a completed flood hazard determination from a third party vendor; (ii) if such real property is located in a “special flood hazard area”, (A) a notification to the US Borrower (or applicable Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor) of that fact and (if applicable) notification to the US Borrower (or applicable Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor) that flood insurance coverage is not available and (B) evidence of the receipt by the US Borrower (or applicable Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor) of such notice; and (iii) if such notice is required to be provided to the US Borrower (or applicable Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor) and flood insurance is available in the community in which such real property is located, evidence of required flood insurance and (2) the Administrative Agent shall have received written confirmation from each of the Lenders that flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance has been completed by the Lenders (such written confirmation not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed) (it being understood that any failure by any Loan Party to comply with this Section 5.12(c) resulting directly from the Administrative Agent’s compliance with this sentence shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default.
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Section 5.13    Further Assurances. Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Party’s properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Security Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Security Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party.
Section 5.14 Unrestricted Subsidiary Designation. The US Borrower may at any time on or after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after giving effect to such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the US Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to such designation) and the US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations demonstrating such compliance, (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “restricted subsidiary” or a “guarantor” (or any similar designation) for the purpose of any Indebtedness for any Material Indebtedness or any Junior Indebtedness, (iv) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any Property of, the US Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than (x) any Subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any Unrestricted Subsidiary) and (v) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, at the time of such designation, either such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Material Intellectual Property (other than any non-exclusive license thereof). The designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall constitute an Investment by the parent company of such Restricted Subsidiary therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of such parent company’s investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness and Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the parent company of such Unrestricted Subsidiary in such Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of such parent company’s Investment in such Subsidiary.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Subsidiary that has been designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to this Section 5.14, the US Borrower shall not be permitted to redesignate such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary more than once during the term of this Agreement.
Section 5.15    [Reserved].
Section 5.16    Pension Matters. The US Borrower will deliver to each of the Lenders (a) at the request of any Lender on ten Business Days’ notice a complete copy of the annual report (on the Internal Revenue Service Form 5500 series or similar form required by a non-US Governmental Authority) of each Plan (including, to the extent required, the related financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements, certifications, schedules and information) required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service and (b) copies of any records, documents or other information that must be furnished to the PBGC or similar non-US Governmental Authority with respect to any Plan pursuant to Section 4010 of ERISA or any similar non-US laws.
Section 5.17    Information Regarding Collateral. At the time of delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a), the US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Perfection Certificate dated as of the date of financial statements so delivered, executed by a duly authorized officer of each applicable Loan Party, (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate delivered on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and indicating, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, any changes in such information from the most recent Perfection Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.17 (or, prior to the first delivery of a Perfection Certificate pursuant to this Section 5.17, from the Perfection Certificate delivered on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date) or (ii) certifying that there has been no change in such information from the most recent Perfection Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.17 (or, prior to the first delivery of a Perfection Certificate pursuant to this Section 5.17, from the Perfection Certificate delivered on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date).
Section 5.18    Post-Closing Undertakings. Within the time periods specified on Schedule 5.18 (or such later date to which the Administrative Agent consents (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), comply with the provisions set forth in Schedule 5.18.
ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Each Borrower hereby agrees that, until Payment in Full, such Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
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Section 6.01    Limitation on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a)    Indebtedness of any Loan Party created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
(b)    unsecured Indebtedness of the US Borrower owing to any Restricted Subsidiary, and of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 6.06(c); provided that (i) any such Indebtedness owed to a Domestic Loan Party in excess of $1,000,000 shall be evidenced by a promissory note that shall be pledged to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (ii) all such Indebtedness of (A) the US Borrower owed to any Person, (B) any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor owed to any Foreign Loan Party and (C) any Loan Party owed to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, in each case, shall be subject to and evidenced by the Subordinated Intercompany Note;
(c)    Indebtedness in respect of Purchase Money Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding;
(d)    (i) the Senior Notes outstanding on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes that may be outstanding on and after the second Business Day following the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date shall not exceed $150,000,000) and any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof, (ii) the New Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $650,000,000 and any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof and (iii) Indebtedness outstanding on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof;
(e)    Guarantee Obligations by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted to be incurred by the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary hereunder; provided that (A) no Guarantee Obligations in respect of any Junior Indebtedness shall be permitted unless the guaranteeing party shall have also provided a guarantee of the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the guarantee of the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness and (C) Guarantee Obligations of any Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.06;
(f) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, and not for speculative purposes, to protect against changes in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign exchange rates or in respect of any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction; (g) Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn by the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is repaid within five Business Days;
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(h)    (i) Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the form of earn-outs, indemnification, incentive, non-compete, consulting or other similar arrangements and other similar contingent obligations in respect of Permitted Acquisitions or any other Investments permitted by Section 6.06 (both before and after any liability associated therewith becomes fixed) and (ii) Indebtedness incurred by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification related to sales of goods or adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations in any case incurred in connection with the Disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary;
(i)    Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments created or issued in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(j)    obligations in respect of performance, bid, customs, government, appeal and surety bonds, performance and completion guaranties and similar obligations provided by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(k)    Indebtedness owing to any insurance company in connection with the financing of any insurance premiums permitted by such insurance company in the ordinary course of business;
(l) Indebtedness assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding (x) $75,000,000 (less the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under subclause (x) of Section 6.01(m) then outstanding) plus (y) any additional amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with (1) the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.13(b), recomputed on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13(b) has passed, the covenant in Section 6.13(b) for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13(b) shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the assumption of such Indebtedness) and (2) a Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, recomputed on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period, not to exceed 4.50:1.00; provided that in each case (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Permitted Acquisition is consummated and is not created or incurred in connection therewith or in contemplation thereof, (ii) no Loan Party (other than such Person so acquired in such Permitted Acquisition or any other Person that such Person merges with or that acquires the assets of such Person in connection with such Permitted Acquisition) shall have any liability or other obligation with respect to such Indebtedness, (iii) if such Indebtedness is secured, no Lien thereon shall extend to or cover any other assets other than the assets acquired in such Permitted Acquisition (other than the proceeds or products thereof, accessions or additions thereto and improvements thereon) or attach to any other property of any Loan Party and (iv) in addition to any such Indebtedness otherwise permitted under any other clauses of this Section 6.01, the amount of any such Indebtedness assumed by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties under Section 6.01(m) then outstanding, shall not exceed $50,000,000;
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(m) Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred to finance Permitted Acquisitions after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding (x) $75,000,000 (less the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under subclause (x) of Section 6.01(l) then outstanding) plus (y) any additional amount so long as, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with (1) the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.13(b), recomputed on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13(b) has passed, the covenant in Section 6.13(b) for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13(b) shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness) and (2) a Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, recomputed on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (and determined without netting the cash proceeds from the incurrence of such Indebtedness), not to exceed 4.50:1.00; provided that (i) no Loan Party (other than such Person so acquired in such Permitted Acquisition or any other Person that such Person merges with or that acquires the assets of such Person in connection with such Permitted Acquisition) shall have any liability or other obligation with respect to such Indebtedness, (ii) if such Indebtedness is secured, no Lien thereon shall extend to or cover any other assets other than the assets acquired in such Permitted Acquisition (other than the proceeds or products thereof, accessions or additions thereto and improvements thereon) or attach to any other property of any Loan Party and (iii) in addition to any such Indebtedness otherwise permitted under any other clauses of this Section 6.01, the aggregate principal amount of any such Indebtedness incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness assumed by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties under Section 6.01(l) then outstanding, shall not exceed $50,000,000; (n) (i) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries (other than the Canadian Borrower or any Canadian Restricted Subsidiaries), including in respect of local lines of credit, letters of credit, bank guarantees, receivables financings, factoring arrangements, sale and leaseback transactions and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (A) $100,000,000 and (B) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding; provided, that if such Indebtedness is secured, it shall be secured (x) in the case of Indebtedness incurred by the UK Borrower, only by the Goderich Mine on a junior basis subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (y) in the case of Indebtedness incurred by any other Foreign Subsidiary, only by the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) Indebtedness of the Canadian Borrower or any Canadian Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided, that if such Indebtedness is secured, it shall be secured only by the Goderich Mine on a junior basis subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement;
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(o)    (i) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation or stock-based compensation to employees of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred in connection with the Transactions and any Investment permitted hereunder;
(p)    Indebtedness issued by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors, employees, managers and consultants, and their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in lieu of or combined with cash payments, to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the US Borrower owned by any such Person to the extent such purchase or redemption is permitted by Section 6.05(c);
(q)    (i) Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt, Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt and Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt and (ii) Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect of any of the foregoing;
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(r) Indebtedness in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes, junior secured notes, senior secured term loans or junior secured term loans (“Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness”) of the US Borrower secured by the Collateral on either (x) an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations or (y) a junior basis to the Obligations, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding (i) an amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes redeemed or otherwise refinanced with the proceeds of such Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness (together with unpaid accrued interest and premium in respect of such Senior Notes plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such redemption or refinancing or such Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, 100% of the proceeds of any Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness incurred in reliance on this clause (i) shall be applied substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable redemption period (provided that, during the pendency of such redemption period, such proceeds are deposited with the trustee under the Senior Notes Indenture or held by the US Borrower in a segregated deposit account), to redeem or otherwise refinance Senior Notes (and to pay unpaid accrued interest and premium in respect of such Senior Notes plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such redemption or refinancing or such Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness) plus (ii) the sum of (A) the greater of (I) $100,000,000 and (II) 50% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended on or prior to the applicable date of determination less the aggregate principal amount of (without duplication) Incremental Commitments and Incremental Loans incurred pursuant to clause (y)(A) of Section 2.26(a) at or prior to such time, plus (B) the aggregate amount of voluntary prepayments of Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.10(a), Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.26(b) and Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Loans, and prepayments of Revolving Loans and Incremental Revolving Loans made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of corresponding Revolving Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments prior to such time (in each case, other than any such voluntary prepayments made with the proceeds of Indebtedness), less the aggregate principal amount (without duplication) of Incremental Commitments and Incremental Loans incurred pursuant to clause (B) of Section 2.26(a) at or prior to such time, plus (C) additional amounts so long as (I) if such Indebtedness is secured on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations, the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), does not exceed 2.25:1.00 and (II) if such Indebtedness is secured on a junior basis to the Obligations, the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), does not exceed 3.25:1.00; provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness or would result therefrom, provided, further, that such Indebtedness shall (1) if such Indebtedness is secured on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations, have a maturity date that is no earlier than the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, and if such Indebtedness is secured on a junior basis to the Obligations, have a maturity date that is at least 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (2) if such Indebtedness is secured on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations, have not greater than customary annual amortization for Indebtedness of the same type as such Indebtedness, as determined in good faith by the US Borrower, and, if such Indebtedness is secured on a junior basis to the Obligations, shall not be subject to scheduled amortization prior to maturity, (3) if such Indebtedness is secured on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations, not be subject to any mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemption provisions, unless the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of such Indebtedness is accompanied by an offer to prepay a pro rata portion of the outstanding principal of the Loans hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11 and, if such Indebtedness is secured on a junior basis to the Obligations, shall not be subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligations (other than pursuant to customary asset sale, event of loss and change of control prepayment provisions and a customary acceleration right after an event of default), in each case prior to the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (4) if such Indebtedness is secured on an equal priority basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations, be subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, if such Indebtedness is secured on a junior basis to the Obligations, be subject to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (5) not be (x) guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors or (y) secured by any Property of the US Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries other than the Collateral that secures the Obligations of the US Borrower and (6) have terms and conditions (other than pricing, rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and optional prepayment or optional redemption provisions) that in the good faith determination of the US Borrower are not materially less favorable (when taken as a whole) to the US Borrower than the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents (when taken as a whole); provided that a certificate of the US Borrower as to the satisfaction of the conditions described in this clause (6) delivered at least five Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of documentation relating thereto, stating that the US Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements of this clause (6), shall be conclusive, unless the Administrative Agent shall have notified the US Borrower of its objection to such determination not later than three Business Days after receipt of such notice;
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(s) unsecured Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (i) such Indebtedness matures no earlier than 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (ii) such Indebtedness does not require any scheduled amortization, mandatory prepayments, redemptions, sinking fund payments or purchase offers prior to the final maturity date thereof (other than pursuant to customary asset sale and change of control offers), (iii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors, (iv) the terms and conditions (other than pricing, rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and optional prepayment or optional redemption provisions) of such Indebtedness are, in the good faith determination of the US Borrower, not materially less favorable (when taken as a whole) to the US Borrower than the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents (when taken as a whole); provided that a certificate of the US Borrower as to the satisfaction of the conditions described in this clause (iv) delivered at least five Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of documentation relating thereto, stating that the US Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements of this clause (iv), shall be conclusive unless the Administrative Agent shall have notified the US Borrower of its objection to such determination not later than three Business Days after receipt of such notice, (v) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of incurrence or would result therefrom, and (vi) after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period, shall not exceed 4.75 to 1.00; provided, further that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under this Section 6.01(s) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets at any time outstanding;
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(t)    Indebtedness incurred by, or representing Guarantee Obligations in respect of Indebtedness of, joint ventures in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding;
(u)    additional Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding;
(v)    additional Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any other Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time outstanding;
(w)    to the extent constituting Indebtedness, take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements;
(x)    Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Permitted Receivables Facilities; provided that the Attributable Receivables Indebtedness thereunder shall not exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(y)    additional Indebtedness of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and
(z)    all premium (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges, amortization of original issue discount, interest paid in kind and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in Section 6.01(a) through Section 6.01(yx) above.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may issue any Equity Interests on or after the Amendment No.
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4 Effective Date other than common Equity Interests.
Section 6.02    Limitation on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:
(a)    Liens created under any Loan Document;
(b)    Liens in existence on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.02, and any Lien granted as a replacement or substitute therefor; provided that any such replacement or substitute Lien (i) does not secure an aggregate amount of Indebtedness or other obligations, if any, greater than that secured on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and (ii) does not encumber any Property other than the Property subject thereto on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (plus improvements and accessions to such Property);
(c)    Liens for Taxes not yet due or due but not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d)    statutory or common law Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens on Property of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business (but excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Code) that secure amounts (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) not overdue for a period of more than 30 days (or, if more than 30 days overdue, that (i) are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such Property or materially impair the use thereof in the business operations of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted;
(e)    (i) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(f)    deposits and other Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and other similar contracts (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), leases (other than Capital Leases), subleases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, judgment and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the use of the Property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
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(h)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c); provided that (i) any such Lien is incurred within 90 days after the applicable acquisition, installation, construction or improvement of the fixed or capital assets secured by such Indebtedness, (ii) such Lien does not at any time encumber any Property other than the Property financed by such Indebtedness and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof, the lesser of the cost or fair market value of the Property secured by such Lien;
(i)    Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(j)    Liens on Property acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (and the proceeds thereof) or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (i) solely in the case of a Lien securing Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(l), such Lien was not created in contemplation thereof, (ii) such Lien does not at any time encumber any other Property of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby is incurred under Section 6.01(l) or Section 6.01(m);
(k)    (i) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(n), subject to the limitations and requirements set forth in Section 6.01(n), (ii) Liens on assets of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties securing Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(u) and (iii) Liens on assets not constituting Collateral of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(y);
(l)    any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense entered into by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased or licensed;
(m)    Liens on equipment arising from precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases of equipment;
(n)    Liens in favor of a seller solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to any Permitted Acquisition;
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(o) (i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure the payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds thereof of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit permitted under Section 6.01 issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;
(p)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement; provided that any such Lien attaches only to the Property that is the subject of such arrangement;
(q)    Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents used to defease or to satisfy and discharge Indebtedness; provided that such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is permitted by this Agreement;
(r)    Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
(s)    (i) Liens that are contractual or common law rights of set-off relating to (A) the establishment of depository relations in the ordinary course of business with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or (B) pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the US Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) other Liens securing cash management obligations (that do not constitute Indebtedness) in the ordinary course of business;
(t)    Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 or Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection;
(u)    Liens on Equity Interests in joint ventures that are Excluded Assets securing obligations of such joint venture;
(v)    judgment Liens in respect of judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(i);
(w)    Liens on the Collateral securing obligations in respect of Permitted Pari Passu Refinancing Debt, Permitted Junior Refinancing Debt and Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof, in each case, permitted to be incurred under this Agreement; provided that such Liens that are (i) pari passu in priority with the Liens securing the Obligations shall be subject to a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, if a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in each case entered into on or prior to the date of such incurrence and (ii) junior in priority with the Liens securing the Obligations shall be subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement entered into on or prior to the date of such incurrence;
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(x) Liens on the Collateral securing obligations in respect of Incremental Equivalent Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(r); provided that such Liens that are (i) pari passu in priority with the Liens securing the Obligations shall be subject to a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and, if a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in each case entered into on or prior to the date of such incurrence and (ii) junior in priority to the Obligations hereunder shall be subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement entered into on or prior to the date of such incurrence;
(y)    Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.02 so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed the greater of (i) $100,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets at any one time;
(z)    Liens on Permitted Receivables Facility Assets securing Indebtedness arising under Permitted Receivables Facilities; and
(aa)    Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.02 so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of any such Lien under this clause (aa), the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period, shall not exceed 2.25 to 1.00; provided that all Indebtedness and other obligations secured by any Lien incurred under this clause (aa) shall be deemed to Consolidated First Lien Debt for purposes of the foregoing calculation.
Section 6.03    Limitation on Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, acquisition, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property or business (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), except that:
(a) (i) any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that a Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person or simultaneously with such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the continuing or surviving Person shall become a Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor and the US Borrower shall comply with Section 5.12 in connection therewith) and (ii) any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any Foreign Loan Party (provided that (A) a Foreign Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person or simultaneously with such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the continuing or surviving Person shall become a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor and the US Borrower shall comply with Section 5.12 in connection therewith, (B) if such merger, amalgamation or consolidation involves the Canadian Borrower or the UK Borrower, then the Canadian Borrower or the UK Borrower, as the case may be, shall be the continuing or surviving Person and (C) the Canadian Borrower shall not be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the UK Borrower, and the UK Borrower shall not be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Canadian Borrower); (b) (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
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(c)    (i) any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or otherwise) to any Domestic Loan Party and (ii) any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or otherwise) to any Foreign Loan Party;
(d)    (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or otherwise) to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or otherwise) to any other Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
(e)    any Disposition permitted by Section 6.04 and any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, investment or Disposition the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted by Section 6.04 may be consummated;
(f)    the US Borrower and any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary may consummate a Permitted Acquisition;
(g) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the US Borrower may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person; provided that (i) the US Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not the US Borrower (any such Person, the “Successor Company”), (A) the Successor Company shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (B) the Successor Company shall expressly assume all the obligations of the US Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the US Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the Successor Company, shall have confirmed that its guarantee under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall apply to the Successor Company’s obligations under the Loan Documents, (D) each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it is the Successor Company, shall have, by a supplement to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and other applicable Security Documents, confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its guarantee of the Successor Company’s obligations under the Loan Documents and (E) the US Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation and such supplement to this Agreement or any Security Document preserves the enforceability of this Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other applicable Security Documents and the perfection of the Liens under such Security Documents; provided, further, that if the foregoing conditions are satisfied, the Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, the US Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and
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(h)    any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) may liquidate or dissolve (i) if the US Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interest of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and (ii) if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Loan Party, if any assets or business of such Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise disposed of or transferred in accordance with this Section 6.03 and Section 6.04 or, in the case of any such business, discontinued, shall be transferred to, or otherwise owned or conducted by, (A) in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that is Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, a Domestic Loan Party, (B) in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor, a Loan Party, (C) in the case of a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, the US Borrower or any other Domestic Restricted Subsidiary and (D) in the case of a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after giving effect to such liquidation or dissolution.
Section 6.04    Limitation on Dispositions. Dispose of any of its Property (including receivables and leasehold interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, issue or sell any Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares) to any Person, except:
(a)    Dispositions of surplus, obsolete or worn out Property and Property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(b)    the lapse, abandonment, cancellation or non-exclusive license of any immaterial Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business;
(c)    Dispositions of inventory or goods held for sale in the ordinary course of business;
(d)    Dispositions permitted by Section 6.03 (excluding Section 6.03(e) and Section 6.03(h));
(e)    any sale or issuance of (i) the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary to any Domestic Loan Party; (ii) the Equity Interests of any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary to any Foreign Loan Party; (iii) the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party; and (iv) the Equity Interests of any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any other Foreign Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
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(f) any Disposition of other assets (excluding (x) Equity Interests in any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or any Canadian Restricted Subsidiary unless, in each case, all Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are sold; provided that no Disposition of the Equity Interests in the Canadian Borrower or, except as expressly permitted under clause (iv) of the proviso to this clause (f), the UK Borrower shall be permitted under this clause (f), (y) Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 49% of the Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary, unless all Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are sold and (z) the Goderich Mine) for fair market value; provided that (i) no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (ii) with respect to any Disposition pursuant to this Section 6.04(f), at least 75% of the total consideration for any such Disposition (or, solely in the case of any Disposition of any Non-Core Assets, at least 50% of the total consideration for any such Disposition) shall be received by the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens at the time received, other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02); provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), the following shall be deemed to be cash: (A) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the US Borrower and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by the US Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received) within 30 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the US Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate fair market value taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of $25,000,000 at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash consideration, (iii) the requirements of Section 2.11(a), to the extent applicable, are complied with in connection therewith; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not apply to (x) any Disposition of assets of the UK Business or (y) the Disposition of the Equity Interests of Compass Minerals S.A.
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and its subsidiaries, in each case, if, after giving pro forma effect to such Disposition, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period would be less than or equal to 3.25:1.00, or, if the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as so determined, would be greater than 3.25:1.00, the Net Cash Proceeds thereof are applied to prepay, first, the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.10(a) and, second, once the Term Loans have been prepaid in full, to make a voluntary prepayment of the outstanding Revolving Loans, if any, in accordance with Section 2.10(a), until the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period would be less than or equal to 3.25:1.00 (the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds that would be required to be so applied to prepay Term Loans and Revolving Loans, the “Specified Proceeds Amount”); provided, however, that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing the US Borrower shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 180 days of receipt thereof (or 360 days of receipt thereof if the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries enters into a legally binding commitment to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within 180 days of receipt thereof) in assets of the type used in the business of the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as permitted by Section 6.12) (and, in the event that such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested by the US Borrower prior to the last day of such 180 day or 360 day period, as the case may be, the US Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans (and, once the Term Loans have been prepaid in full, any outstanding Revolving Loans) in an amount equal to the Specified Proceeds Amount as set forth in Section 2.12(b) no later than two Business Days after the expiration of such period), (iv) in the case of the Disposition of the Equity Interests in the UK Borrower (the “UK Borrower Disposition”), (A) the US Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying (and the Administrative Agent shall be satisfied) that no Loans made to the UK Borrower are outstanding as of the date of the UK Borrower Disposition and all interest, fees and any other amounts payable by the UK Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and accrued as of the date of the UK Borrower Disposition have been paid in full in cash and (B) immediately after the consummation of the UK Borrower Disposition, the UK Borrower shall cease to be a Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and shall cease to have any right to have any Loans or other Credit Extensions made to it hereunder or under any other Loan Document and (v) in connection with the sale of less than all the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary permitted under this clause (f), the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.11(a) (without giving effect to the reinvestment rights set forth in such Section 2.11(a)) and, to the extent of any such Net Cash Proceeds remaining, to make a voluntary prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.10(a);
(g)    transfers of (i) condemned Property as a result of the exercise of “eminent domain” or other similar policies to the respective Governmental Authority or agency that has condemned the same (whether by deed in lieu of condemnation or otherwise), (ii) leased real property or any water or similar rights to the respective Governmental Authority or agency in connection with a reversion of such real property or water or similar rights to such Governmental Authority or agency to the extent required by such Government Authority or agency or otherwise agreed to with such Governmental Authority or agency, in each case solely to the extent that the US Borrower determines in good faith that such transfers would not materially impair the value of the Collateral, taken as a whole, or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and (iii) properties that have been subject to a casualty to the respective insurer of such Property as part of an insurance settlement;
(h)    Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture agreements and similar binding agreements; provided that the requirements of Section 2.11(a), to the extent applicable, are complied with in connection therewith;
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(i) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, of overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof consistent with customary industry practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of receivables); (j) transfers of Property (other than Equity Interests) to the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such transfer shall be made in compliance with Section 6.06 and Section 6.08 and (ii) the aggregate fair market value (as determined by the US Borrower in good faith) of all Property transferred under this clause (j) by (A) Domestic Loan Parties to Restricted Subsidiaries other than Domestic Loan Parties shall not exceed $30,000,000 and (B) Foreign Loan Parties to Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $7,500,000;
(k)    dispositions and/or terminations of leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(l)    Dispositions of Cash Equivalents;
(m)    Dispositions of Property (other than Equity Interests or all or substantially all of the assets of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(n)    the unwinding of any Swap Contract or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction in accordance with its terms;
(o)    to the extent constituting Dispositions, (i) Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.05 (excluding Section 6.05(f)); and
(p)    any disposition of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility.
To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section 6.04 to any Person that is not a Loan Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effectuate the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event shall any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary be permitted to transfer or dispose of any Material Intellectual Property (other than non-exclusive licenses of Material Intellectual Property) to any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Section 6.05    Limitation on Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
(a) any Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any Restricted Payment by a Domestic Loan Party shall be made either (i) directly to a Domestic Loan Party or (ii) to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Loan Party, so long as such Restricted Subsidiary distributes or otherwise transfers such payment (directly or through one or more Restricted Subsidiaries) to a Domestic Loan Party within three Business Days after receipt of such payment;
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(b)    the US Borrower may declare and make Restricted Payments on any class of Equity Interests of the US Borrower payable solely in the form of Qualified Equity Interests of the US Borrower;
(c)    the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to, directly or indirectly, purchase the Equity Interests of the US Borrower from present or former officers, directors, consultants, agents or employees (or their estates, trusts, family members or former spouses) of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of the applicable officer, director, consultant, agent or employee; provided that the aggregate amount of payments under this Section 6.05(c) shall not exceed $20,000,000 in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year not to exceed $10,000,000 for such calendar year to be carried over to the next succeeding calendar year); provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the sum of:
(i)    the net cash proceeds received from key man life insurance policies received by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; plus
(ii)    to the extent contributed to the US Borrower as common equity, the net cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the US Borrower to directors, consultants, officers or employees of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements, to the extent the net cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied for another purpose; provided that such amounts are excluded from the calculation of the Available Amount and not previously applied for a purpose other than use in the Available Amount; minus
(iii)    the aggregate amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the net cash proceeds described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii);
(d)    non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests of the US Borrower deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants or the settlement or vesting of other equity awards if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or similar equity incentive awards;
(e)    the US Borrower may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of any such Person;
(f) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by any provision of Section 6.03 and Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(o)); (g) any non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary may declare and pay cash dividends to its equity holders generally so long as the US Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary which owns the Equity Interests in the Restricted Subsidiary paying such dividend receives at least its proportional share thereof (based upon its relative holding of the class of Equity Interests in the Restricted Subsidiary paying such dividends);
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(h)    so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the US Borrower may make Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed in any fiscal year of the US Borrower $75,000,000 (less the amount of prepayments of Indebtedness made in reliance on clause (iii) of Section 6.07(a) during such fiscal year); provided that the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the making of such Restricted Payment), both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payments;
(i)    so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the US Borrower may make additional Restricted Payments so long as (i) the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the making of such Restricted Payment), and (ii) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period does not exceed 3.50:1.00, in each case both before and after giving effect to such Restricted Payments; and
(j)    the US Borrower may make additional Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to the portion, if any, of the Available Amount on such date that the US Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.06(t) so long as (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the making of such Restricted Payment).
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Section 6.06    Limitation on Investments. Make or hold, directly or indirectly, any Investments, except:
(a)    Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
(b)    Investments by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c)    Investments by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (x) any Investment made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any Loan Party pursuant to this Section 6.06(c) shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Loans pursuant to the Subordinated Intercompany Note and (y) the aggregate amount of such Investments by Loan Parties in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $50,000,000;
(d)    guarantees by the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of leases (other than Capital Leases) or of other obligations of the US Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(e)    loans or advances to officers, directors, managers and employees of the US Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the US Borrower (provided that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the US Borrower in cash as common equity) and (iii) for any other purpose not described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii); provided that the aggregate principal amount of all loans and advances outstanding at any time under clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 6.06(e) shall not exceed $5,000,000;
(f)    Permitted Acquisitions;
(g)    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the US Borrower;
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(h) Investments by the US Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in (x) joint ventures or similar arrangements and (y) Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount (for clauses (x) and (y)) at any one time outstanding not to exceed $75,000,000; (i) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in the ordinary course of business by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, suppliers and customers arising out of the ordinary course of business or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;
(j)    Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
(k)    Investments (i) existing or contemplated on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.06 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof and (ii) existing on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that, in each case, the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such original Investment as set forth on Schedule 6.06 or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.06;
(l)    Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 6.01(f) or any or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction;
(m)    Investments of any Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than in Subsidiaries of any such Person); provided that such Investment was not made in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
(n)    Investments arising as a result of payments permitted by Section 6.07(a) and assignments of Term Loans to a Borrower pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, Section 9.06(g);
(o)    Investments arising directly out of the receipt by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of non-cash consideration for any sale of assets permitted under Section 6.04;
(p)    Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of Intellectual Property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other persons;
(q) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and UCC Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices; (r) to the extent constituting Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of Intellectual Property, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
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(s)    advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;
(t)    additional Investments in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed (x) the greater of $100,000,000 and 6% of Consolidated Total Assets plus (y) an amount equal to the portion, if any, of the Available Amount on such date that the US Borrower elects to apply to this Section 6.06(t); provided that no Investment may be made pursuant to this Section 6.06(t) in any Subsidiary for the purpose of making a Restricted Payment prohibited pursuant to Section 6.05; and
(u)    additional Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $50,000,000;
(v)    customary Investments in connection with Permitted Receivables Facilities (including capital contributions of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to a Receivables Entity); and
(w)    additional Investments so long as, both before and immediately after giving effect to any such Investment, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period does not exceed 4.00:1.00.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event shall any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary be permitted to transfer or dispose of (including by way of an Investment) any Material Intellectual Property (other than non-exclusive licenses of Material Intellectual Property) to any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Section 6.07    Limitation on Prepayments; Modifications of Debt Instruments and Organizational Documents.
(a)    Make or offer to make (or give any notice in respect thereof) any optional or voluntary payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of, or voluntarily or optionally defease, or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner, any Junior Indebtedness, or segregate funds for any such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance, except:
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(i)    any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof and, solely in the case of the Senior Notes, any refinancing thereof with Indebtedness incurred under clause (x) of Section 2.26(a) or clause (i) of Section 6.01(r);
(ii)    the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may convert any Junior Indebtedness to Qualified Equity Interests of the US Borrower;
(iii)    so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may prepay any Junior Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed in any fiscal year of the US Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year of the US Borrower ending December 31, 2019), the greater of $100,000,000 and 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (less the amount of Restricted Payments made in reliance on Section 6.05(h) during such fiscal year); provided that the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ended on or prior to the making of such Restricted Payment), both before and after giving effect to such prepayment;
(iv)    so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the US Borrower may make any such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of any Junior Indebtedness so long as (A) the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ending on or prior to the making of such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance), and (B) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period does not exceed 3.50:1.00, in each case both before and after giving effect to such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance; and
(v) the US Borrower may make any such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No.
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5 Effective Date so long as (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (B) the US Borrower is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.13, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period (it being understood that if no Test Period cited in Section 6.13 has passed, the covenants in Section 6.13 for the first Test Period cited in Section 6.13 shall be satisfied as of the last day of the most recently ended four-fiscal-quarter period ending on or prior to the making of such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance) and (C) the US Borrower shall not utilize the proceeds of any Revolving Loan to directly or indirectly fund such payment, prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance;
(b)    amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any Junior Indebtedness, if (i) after giving effect to such amendment, modification, waiver, change or consent, the obligors with respect to such Junior Indebtedness would not have been permitted to incur, guarantee or secure such Junior Indebtedness, pursuant to the terms hereof if such Junior Indebtedness, as amended, modified, waived or otherwise changed, was instead incurred, guaranteed or secured as Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect of such Junior Indebtedness or (ii) such amendment, modification, waiver, change or consent would be adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders;
(c)    amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify any of its Organizational Documents or any agreement to which it is a party with respect to its Equity Interests (including any stockholders’ agreement), or enter into any new agreement with respect to its Equity Interests, other than any such amendments, modifications or changes or such new agreements which are not, and could not reasonably be expected to be, adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders.
Section 6.08    Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
Enter into, directly or indirectly, any transaction or series of related transactions with a value in excess of $5,000,000, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any Affiliate of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, unless such transaction is both (i) not prohibited under this Agreement and (ii) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the US Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, except that the following shall be permitted:
(a) (i) transactions by and among the Domestic Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate of the US Borrower; (ii) transactions by and among the Foreign Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate of the US Borrower; and (iii) transactions by and among Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate of the US Borrower; (b) Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(b) and (p) (subject to Section 6.05(c));
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(c)    transactions permitted under Section 6.03;
(d)    Dispositions permitted under Section 6.04 (a) and (e);
(e)    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.05;
(f)    Investments permitted under Section 6.06(e);
(g)    employment and severance arrangements between the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective current or former officers and employees in the ordinary course of business and transactions pursuant to stock option plans, stock incentive plans and employee benefit plans and arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
(h)    payment of reasonable and customary director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, stock option and other benefit plans) and indemnification arrangements, in each case approved by the board of directors of the US Borrower, as applicable;
(i)    transactions pursuant to agreements, instruments or arrangements in existence on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.08 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect; and
(j)    transactions effected as part of a Permitted Receivables Facility.
Section 6.09    Limitation on Sale and Leasebacks.
Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall Dispose of any Property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such Property or other Property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the Property being sold or transferred (any such transaction, a “Sale and Leaseback”), unless (i) the Disposition of such Property is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair market value of such Property, (ii) the Disposition of such Property is permitted by Section 6.04 and is consummated within 10 Business Days after the date on which such Property is sold or transferred, (iii) any Liens arising in connection therewith are permitted under Section 6.02(h) and (iv) the Attributable Indebtedness arising from such Sale and Leaseback is permitted under Section 6.01(c).
Section 6.10    Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the fiscal year of the US Borrower to end on a day other than September 30 or change the US Borrower’s method of determining fiscal quarters.
Section 6.11 Limitation on Burdensome Agreements.
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Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its properties or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) make Restricted Payments in respect of any Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to, or other Investments in, the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) transfer any of its properties to the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except for any such restrictions that:
(a)    exist under (i) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii) the New Senior Notes Indenture as in effect as of the date hereof;
(b)    (x) exist on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.11) are listed on Schedule 6.11 hereto and (y) to the extent restrictions permitted by clause (x) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof, so long as such restrictions are not (taken as a whole) materially less favorable to the Lenders than those in the original Indebtedness;
(c)    are binding on a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party pursuant to Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary which is permitted by Section 6.01;
(d)    are binding on a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) at the time such Person first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restrictions (i) do not apply to the US Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Property of any of the foregoing and (ii) were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
(e)    are customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to any Disposition permitted by Section 6.04 pending the consummation of such Disposition; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the property that is the subject of such Disposition and not to the proceeds to be received by the Group Members in connection with such Disposition;
(f)    are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 6.06 and applicable solely to such joint venture;
(g) are restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c) (solely to the extent such restriction relates to assets the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement, lease or improvement of which was financed by such Indebtedness), Section 6.01(l) (solely to the extent such restriction relates to assets acquired in connection with the Permitted Acquisition in connection with which such Indebtedness referred to in Section 6.01(l) was acquired) or Section 6.01(m) (solely to the extent such restriction relates to assets acquired in connection with the Permitted Acquisition financed by such Indebtedness); (h) are customary restrictions in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate solely to the assets subject thereto;
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(i)    are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(j)    are customary provisions restricting assignment or transfer of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(k)    are amendments, modifications, restatements, refinancings or renewals of the agreements, contracts or instruments referred to in Section 6.11(a) through Section 6.11(j) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, refinancings or renewals, taken as a whole, are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in such predecessor agreements, contracts or instruments.
Section 6.12    Limitation on Lines of Business. Enter into any line of business, except for (i) those lines of business in which the US Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, (ii) the specialty chemicals business, (iii) the industrial minerals business, or in the case of each of sub-clauses (i),(ii) and (iii), any other business that are reasonably related or ancillary thereto or are reasonable extensions thereof.
Section 6.13    Financial Covenants.
(a)    Consolidated TotalFirst Lien Net Leverage Ratio. Commencing with the first fiscal quarter ending after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, permit the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio on the last day of (i) any fiscal quarter ending prior to December 31, 2025, 2.75:1.00 and (ii) any fiscal quarter ending on or after December 31, 2025, 2.50:1.00.
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Fiscal Quarter End Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio

(b)    Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Commencing with the first fiscal quarter ending after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be less than 1.50:1.00.
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Fiscal Quarter End Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio

ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 7.01    Events of Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) the US Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof, whether at the due date thereof or at a fixed date for payment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise (or, solely in the case of any principal on any Term Loan due pursuant to Section 2.03 (other than on the applicable Maturity Date for such Term Loan), within one Business Day of the due date thereof) or (ii) any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any fee or other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (i)) payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within three Business Days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; or
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(b)    any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the US Borrower or any other Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or in any statement or certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
(c)    (i) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(b), Section 5.03(a) or Section 5.05(a) (with respect to the US Borrower only), Section 5.11, Section 5.18 or Article VI; or
(d)    any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(b) or Section 7.01(c)), and such failure continues unremedied or unwaived for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date an officer of such Loan Party becomes aware of such default and (ii) receipt by the US Borrower of notice of such default from the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(e)    any Group Member shall (i) fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable beyond any applicable grace period in respect thereof; or (ii) fail to observe or perform any other term, covenant, agreement or condition relating to any Material Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holders or beneficiaries of such Material Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holders or beneficiaries) to cause, with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, such Material Indebtedness to become due or to terminate prior to its stated maturity or become subject to a mandatory offer to purchase by the obligor; or any event shall occur or condition shall exist the effect of which is to cause, or permit any participant or participants in any Permitted Receivables Facility (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such participant or participants) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice is required) the purchase of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets under such Permitted Receivables Facility to terminate prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(f) (i) a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of any Group Member (other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) in an involuntary case under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against any Group Member (other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over any Group Member (other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary), or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of any Group Member (other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of any Group Member (other than any Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary), and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for 60 days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or
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(g)    (i) any Group Member (other than an Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or any Group Member (other than an Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) any Group Member (other than an Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any Group Member (other than an Immaterial Restricted Subsidiary) (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 7.01(f); or
(h)    (i) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest on any property or any Group Member pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Code or similar non-US law; (ii) there occurs an ERISA Event described in clause (b) of the definition thereof; or (iii) there occurs one or more other ERISA Events or Foreign Benefit Events which has resulted or could reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(i)    one or more judgments shall be rendered against any Group Member and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Group Member to enforce any such judgment and, in each case, such judgment or judgments either (i) are for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000 (to the extent not adequately covered by insurance) or (ii) are for injunctive relief and could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
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(j) at any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in the Foreign Guarantee Agreement or in the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement for any reason other than Payment in Full shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement or any Security Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or Payment in Full) or shall be declared null and void, or the Administrative Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Security Documents with the priority required by the relevant Security Document, or (in any event) the Goderich Mine shall cease to secure the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower, in each case, for any reason other than (x) except in the case of the Goderich Mine, as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or (y) as a result of the Administrative Agent’s failure to maintain possession of any stock certificates or other instruments delivered to it under the Security Documents, or (iii) any Loan Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall contest the validity or perfection of any Lien on any Collateral (other than, solely with respect to perfection, any Excluded Perfection Assets) purported to be covered by the Security Documents; or
(k)    any Change of Control shall occur.
Section 7.02    Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders take any or all of the following actions:
(a)    declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of any Issuing Bank to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b)    declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;
(c)    require that each relevant Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to 105% of the L/C Obligations); and
(d)    exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks under the Loan Documents or at law or in equity;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 7.01(f) or Section 7.01(g), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of any Issuing Bank to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the relevant Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank.
Section 7.03 Application of Funds. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, after the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 7.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations of a Borrower shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.23 and Section 2.24, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
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first, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) payable by such Borrower to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable by such Borrower to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the Issuing Banks) arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations of such Borrower arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
fourth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Banks, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit with respect to such Borrower to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the relevant Borrower pursuant to Section 7.02(c);
fifth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations of such Borrower constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements (other than Excluded Swap Obligations) and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Banks, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth payable by them; and
last, the balance, if any, after Payment in Full, to the US Borrower or as otherwise required by law.
Amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.
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ARTICLE VIII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 8.01    Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (together with any of its Affiliates, as described in the definition of “Administrative Agent”) to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article VIII (other than as expressly provided herein) are solely for the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and neither the US Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall have any rights as a third-party beneficiary of any such provisions (other than as expressly provided herein). It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent or any other Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Requirements of Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
Section 8.02    Rights as a Lender and an Issuing Bank. Any Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term “Lender”, “Lenders”, “Issuing Bank” or “Issuing Banks” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include any Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its capacity as a Lender or an Issuing Bank, as applicable. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the US Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks.
Section 8.03    Exculpatory Provisions.
(a)    The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(i)    shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirements of Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
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(iii)    shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the US Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
(b)    The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided herein or under the other Loan Documents), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment). The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default (stating that it is a “notice of default”) is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by the US Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank.
(c)    The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein or in any other Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by the US Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Lender or any Issuing Bank as a result of, any determination of the Revolving Exposure, the Canadian Revolving Exposure, the UK Revolving Exposure or the All-In Yield.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Institution.
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Section 8.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the signatory, sender or authenticator thereof). The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof), shall not incur any liability for relying thereon, and may act upon any such statement prior to receipt of written confirmation thereof. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance to the making of such Loan or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the US Borrower or any of its Affiliates), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 8.05    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article VIII shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.
Section 8.06    Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the US Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the US Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a financial institution with an office in the State of New York, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the State of New York.
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If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Institution. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b)    With effect from the Resignation Effective Date (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed; provided that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Loan Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any security interest) and (ii) except for any indemnity or other payments owed to the retiring Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each Issuing Bank directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity or other payments owed to the retiring Administrative Agent ), and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by any Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between such Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article VIII and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
(c) Any resignation by the then-existing Administrative Agent in accordance with this Section 8.06 shall, unless such Administrative Agent gives notice to the US Borrower otherwise, also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, and such resignation as Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender shall become effective simultaneously with the discharge of the Administrative Agent from its duties and obligations as set forth in this Section 8.06 (except as to already outstanding Letters of Credit and L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans, as to which the Person serving as the resigning Administrative Agent, in its capacities as Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender, shall continue in such capacities until the exposure relating thereto shall be reduced to zero and such Swing Line Loans shall have been repaid, as applicable, or until the successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to the roles of Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender in accordance with the next sentence and perform the actions required by the next sentence).
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Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, unless the resigning Administrative Agent otherwise agrees, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender and (ii) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit. At the time any such resignation of the then Administrative Agent shall become effective, each relevant Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the retiring Issuing Bank, if applicable.
Section 8.07    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
Section 8.08    No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers or the Agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder or thereunder.
Section 8.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent under Section 2.09 and Section 9.05) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
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(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 2.09 and Section 9.05.
Section 8.10    Collateral and Guarantee Matters.
(a)    Each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to:
(i)    release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (x) upon Payment in Full, (y) that is sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other Disposition permitted under the Loan Documents or (z) subject to Section 9.01, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders or such other number or percentage of Lenders required hereby;
(ii)    release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement or the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement (x) upon Payment in Full or (y) if such Guarantor (other than the Canadian Borrower and, except pursuant to a Disposition made in accordance with clause (iv) of the proviso to Section 6.04(f), the UK Borrower) ceases to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under and in accordance with the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (or, if the effect of such release would be to release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee Obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Loan Documents, without the prior written consent of all Lenders), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents if such Subsidiary Guarantor either (a) ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor as a result of a transaction undertaken by the US Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary resulting in such Subsidiary Guarantor ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (b) ceases to be a Subsidiary but the US Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, retains any direct or indirect Equity Interest in, or otherwise Controls, such Person, unless the transaction pursuant to which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or ceases to be a Subsidiary is entered into for legitimate bona fide business purposes (other than for purposes of releasing Guarantee Obligations or Collateral hereunder) in good faith with an unaffiliated third party (or with a joint venture entity pursuant to a joint venture entered into for legitimate bona fide business purposes with an unaffiliated third party).
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Any such release of guarantee obligations or security interests shall be deemed subject to the provision that such guarantee obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of any Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, any Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement and/or the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 8.10.
(b)    The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
(c)    Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby agree that (i) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, any other Security Document, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement or the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under any of the Security Documents, the Foreign Guarantee Agreement and the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure or similar enforcement action by the Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other Disposition (including pursuant to Section 363(k), Section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code), the Administrative Agent (or any Lender, except with respect to a “credit bid” pursuant to Section 363(k), Section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code,) may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other Disposition and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities) shall be entitled, upon instructions from the Required Lenders, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale or Disposition, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent at such sale or other Disposition.
Section 8.11 Additional Secured Parties.
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The benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not an Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among the Administrative Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) this Article VIII and Section 9.05(c) as if references to Lenders therein were references to all Secured Parties and the decisions and actions of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) such Secured Party shall be bound by Section 9.05(c) only to the extent of liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to or otherwise relating to the Collateral, (b) each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to act without regard to the interest of such Secured Party, regardless of whether any Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Obligation and (c) except as otherwise set forth herein, such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.
Section 8.12    Certain ERISA Matters.
(a)    Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i)    such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement,
(ii)    the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from the prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
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(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b)    In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
Section 8.13    Acknowledgments of Lenders and Issuing Banks. (a) Each Lender (which term, for purposes of this Section 8.13, shall be deemed to include Issuing Banks) hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.  A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 8.13 shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment.
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Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.
(c)    Each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower or any other Loan Party (provided that this Section 8.13 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the principal of the Loans or the interest thereon relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of such principal and interest that would have been payable had such Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from any Borrower for the purpose of making such Payment).
(d)    Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.13 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Amendments and Waivers. (a) None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be waived, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.01. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or (with the written consent of the Required Lenders) the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (x) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents (including amendments and restatements hereof or thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (y) waive, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the instrument of waiver, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that, in addition to such Required Lender consent (except as otherwise set forth below), no such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification shall:
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(i)    forgive or otherwise reduce the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation; postpone, extend or delay any scheduled date of any amortization payment, or reduce or waive any amortization payment, in respect of any Term Loan; postpone, extend or delay any date fixed for, or reduce or waive the stated rate of, any interest, premium, fee or other amounts (other than principal) due to the Lenders or any Issuing Bank and payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except that, for the avoidance of doubt, mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 2.12 may be postponed, extended, delayed, reduced, waived or modified with the consent of the Required Lenders); or increase the amount or postpone, extend or delay the expiration date of any Commitment of any Lender, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(ii)    amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 9.01 or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or otherwise modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral (other than in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents) or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee Obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents), in each case without the consent of all Lenders (or all Lenders of such Class, as the case may be);
(iii)    amend, modify or waive any condition precedent to any Credit Extension under any Revolving Facility set forth in Section 4.02 (including the waiver of an existing Default or Event of Default required to be waived in order for such Credit Extension to be made) without the consent of the Required Class Lenders in respect of such Revolving Facility (but without the necessity of obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Lenders);
(iv)    reduce the percentage specified in the definition of “Required Class Lenders” with respect to any Credit Facility without the written consent of all Lenders under such Credit Facility (but without the necessity of obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Lenders);
(v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Article VIII or any other provision affecting the rights, duties and obligations of the Administrative Agent without the consent of the Administrative Agent; (vi) amend (including any amendment of this Section 9.01), modify or waive any provision affecting the rights, duties and obligations of any Swing Line Lender under this Agreement without the written consent of such Swing Line Lender;
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(vii)    amend (including any amendment of this Section 9.01), modify or waive any provision affecting the rights, duties and obligations of any Issuing Bank under this Agreement or under any Letter of Credit Application without the consent of such Issuing Bank;
(viii)    amend, modify or waive the pro rata sharing provisions of Section 2.18, Section 2.22 or Section 9.07(a), or the payment waterfall provisions contained in any Loan Document (including Section 7.03), without the consent of each Lender;
(ix)    impose modifications or restrictions on assignments and participations that are more restrictive than, or additional to, those set forth in Section 9.06 without the consent of each Lender;
(x)    change any provision of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to, or the Collateral of, Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any Class differently than those holdings Loans or Commitments of any other Class, without the written consent of the Required Class Lenders of each affected Class;
(xi)    (A) amend the definition of Alternative Currency or otherwise require any Revolving Lender to fund any Credit Extension in a currency other than Dollars and Alternative Currencies, in each case without the written consent of each Revolving Lender, or (B) amend any provision to designate any additional Foreign Subsidiary as a borrower under the Credit Agreement without the consent of each Revolving Lender; or
(xii)    amend, modify or waive any provision that would allow for the subordination of the Obligations to any other Indebtedness without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby.
Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon. Any such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification shall be effected by a written instrument signed by the parties required to sign pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.01.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
(b)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent may enter into any Incremental Amendment in accordance with Section 2.26, any Extension Amendment in accordance with Section 2.27 and any Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.28 and such Incremental Amendments, Extension Amendments and Refinancing Amendments shall be effective to amend the terms of this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents, in each case, without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document (other than as set forth in Section 2.26, Section 2.27 or Section 2.28, as applicable).
(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.01 or any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower (x) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the existing Credit Facilities, (y) to include, as appropriate, the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders and (z) to provide class protection for any additional credit facilities in a manner consistent with those provided the original Credit Facilities pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.01(a) as in effect at the time of such amendment.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.01 or any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended solely with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment is consummated in order (x) to correct or cure any ambiguities, errors, omissions, mistakes, inconsistencies or defects jointly identified by the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (y) to effect administrative changes of a technical or immaterial nature or (z) to fix incorrect cross-references or similar inaccuracies in this Agreement or the applicable Loan Document. The Foreign Guarantee Agreement, the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement and the Security Documents and related documents in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended, supplemented and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the US Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, or (ii) to cause the Foreign Guarantee Agreement, the Brazilian Foreign Guarantee Agreement, such Security Documents or other documents to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that, in each case, the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Lenders of such amendment and the Required Lenders shall not have objected in writing to such amendment within five Business Days of notice thereof.
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Section 9.02    Notices.
(a)    Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 9.02(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows:
(i)    if to the Borrowers, to Compass Minerals International, Inc. at 9900 W. 109th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66210, Attention of Treasurer and General Counsel (Facsimile No. (913) 338-7932; Telephone No. (913) 344-9157);
(ii)    if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at 500 Stanton Christiana Rd, NCC5 / 1st Floor, Newark, DE 19713-2107, Attention of Loan & Agency Services Group (Telephone No. (302) 634-8561; Email: paige.willett@jpmchase.com), with agency withholding tax inquiries to agency.tax.reporting@jpmorgan.com and notices regarding agency compliance, financial statements and Intralinks to covenant.compliance@jpmchase.com;
(iii)    if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as an Issuing Bank, to it at 10420 Highland Manor Dr., 4th Floor, Tampa, FL 33610, Attention of Standby LC Unit (Telephone No.: (800) 634-1969; Facsimile No.: (856) 294-5267; Email: GTS.Client.Services@jpmchase.com), with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 500 Stanton Christiana Rd., NCC5 / 1st Floor, Newark, DE 19713, Attention: Loan & Agency Services Group (Telephone No: (302) 634-8561; Email: paige.willett@jpmchase.com);
(iv)    if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent, to JPMorgan Chase & Co., CIB DMO WLO, Mail code NY1-C413, 4 CMC, Brooklyn, NY, 11245-0001, United States (Email: ib.collateral.services@jpmchase.com)
(v)    if to The Bank of Nova Scotia in its capacity as an Issuing Bank, to it at The Bank of Nova Scotia, Global Transaction Banking, 1 Queen Street East, 2nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 2W5, Attention of Audette Shephard (Manager, Execution) (Facsimile No.: (416) 866-4979; Telephone No.: (416) 866-3365; Email: audette.shephard@scotiabank.com); and
(vi)    if to a Lender, to it at its address (or facsimile number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire; and
(vii) if to any other Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, to it at the address provided in writing to the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower at the time of its appointment as an Issuing Bank or a Swing Line Lender, as applicable, hereunder Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received.
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Notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in Section 9.02(b), shall be effective as provided in Section 9.02(b).
(b)    Electronic Communications.
(i)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including email and internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent or, in the case of notices to any Issuing Bank, approved by such Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 if such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the US Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(ii)    Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an email address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgement) and (ii) notices or communications posted to an internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its email address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
(c)    Change of Address, etc. Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d)    Platform.
(i)    Each Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Approved Electronic Communications available to the Issuing Banks and the Lenders by posting such Approved Electronic Communications on the Platform. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the DQ List shall be deemed suitable for posting and may be posted by the Administrative Agent on the Platform, including the portion of the Platform designated for Public Lenders.
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(ii)    The Platform and any Approved Electronic Communications are provided “as is” and “as available.” None of the Agents nor any of their respective Related Parties warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the Platform or any Approved Electronic Communications and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Approved Electronic Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent or any of their respective Related Parties in connection with the Platform or the Approved Electronic Communications. Each party hereto agrees that no Agent has any responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software or services or any testing required in connection with any Approved Electronic Communication or otherwise required for the Platform. In no event shall any Agent or any of its Related Parties have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, whether or not based on strict liability and including (A) direct damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or any Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform, except to the extent the same resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or its Related Parties, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment or (B) indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or any Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. In no event shall any Agent or any of its Related Parties have any liability for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through internet, electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent the same resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or its Related Parties, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.
(iii)    Each Loan Party, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each Agent agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, store any Approved Electronic Communications on the Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary document retention procedures and policies.
(iv)    All uses of the Platform shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to this Section 9.02, separate terms and conditions posted or referenced in the Platform and related agreements executed by the Lenders and their Affiliates in connection with the use of the Platform.
(v)    Each Loan Party understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrative Agent, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment (but, in any event, subject to the limitations on liability described in clause (ii) above).
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(vi)    Each Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be Public Lenders and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.02 or otherwise are being distributed through the Platform, any document or notice that a Borrower has indicated contains Non-Public Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for Public Lenders. Each Borrower agrees to clearly designate all information provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Loan Parties which is suitable to make available to Public Lenders. If a Borrower has not indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to Section 5.02 or otherwise contains Non-Public Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Lenders who wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the US Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective securities.
(e)    Public Side Information Contacts. Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Requirements of Law, including the US Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Approved Electronic Communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the US Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their respective securities for purposes of the US Federal or state securities laws. In the event that any Public Lender has elected for itself to not access any information disclosed through the Platform or otherwise, such Public Lender acknowledges that (i) the Agents and other Lenders may have access to such information and (ii) neither any Borrower nor any Agent or other Lender with access to such information shall have (x) any responsibility for such Public Lender’s decision to limit the scope of information it has obtained in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (y) any duty to disclose such information to such electing Lender or to use such information on behalf of such electing Lender, and shall not be liable for the failure to so disclose or use such information.
Section 9.03    No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. None of the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks or the Lenders shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 9.01), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Arranger, Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by any Arranger, Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which such Arranger, Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.
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Section 9.04    Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated. The provisions of Section 2.19, Section 2.20, Section 2.21, Section 9.05, Section 9.19, Section 9.21 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Payment in Full, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
Section 9.05    Payment of Expenses; Indemnity.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The US Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel (but limited to one firm of primary counsel for the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and special counsel for each relevant specialty (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the party affected by such conflict informs the US Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for each such affected person and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and special counsel for each relevant specialty)) and (ii) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arrangers, each Lender or each Issuing Bank (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank) in connection with the enforcement or protection of any rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all such costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, and including in connection with any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Credit Facilities and the Loan Documents, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel (but limited to one firm of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arrangers, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, taken a whole and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and special counsel for each relevant specialty (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the party affected by such conflict informs the US Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for each such affected person and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and special counsel for each relevant specialty)).
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(b) Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each other Agent, each Arranger, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”), against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs (including settlement costs), disbursements and out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), joint or several, of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with or by reason of any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding in any way relating to, arising out of, in connection with or by reason of any of the following, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, litigation or proceeding): (i) the structuring, arrangement and syndication of the Credit Facilities, the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Commitment, any Credit Extension or the use or proposed use of the proceeds thereof (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (iii) any presence or Release of Materials of Environmental Concern on or at any Real Property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the US Borrower or any other Loan Party, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to the US Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, fees and expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) result from a claim brought by the US Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for a material breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s funding obligations hereunder, if the US Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and non-appealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (z) any dispute solely among Indemnitees (other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an agent or arranger or any similar role hereunder or under any other Loan Document and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) (collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of such Indemnitee and regardless of whether such Indemnitee is a party thereto, and whether or not any such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by the US Borrower, its equity holders, its Affiliates, its creditors or any other Person.
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This Section 9.05(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes, other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c)    Reimbursement by the Lenders. To the extent that any Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 9.05(a) or Section 9.05(b) to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), any Issuing Bank, any Swing Line Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing (and without limiting their obligation to do so), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Bank, such Swing Line Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender) (it being understood and agreed that any Borrower’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve such Borrower of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Bank or such Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such Issuing Bank or such Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity; provided further that, with respect to such unpaid amounts owed to any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or to any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity, only the Revolving Lenders shall be required to pay such unpaid amounts. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 9.05(c) are several and not joint.
(d)    Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, no Borrower shall assert (and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to assert), and hereby waives (and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive), any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Commitment or any Credit Extension, or the use of the proceeds thereof or such Indemnitee’s activities in connection therewith (whether before or after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date); provided that such waiver of special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages shall not limit the indemnification obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 9.05. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials distributed by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment.
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(e)    Timing of Payments. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
Section 9.06    Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
(a)    Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that none of the Borrowers may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any such assignment, delegation or transfer without such consent shall be null and void), and no Lender may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 9.06(e). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants to the extent provided in Section 9.06(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Indemnitees and the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b)    Assignments by Lenders. (1) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (in each case with respect to any Credit Facility) any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i)    Minimum Amounts.
(A)    In the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to any Credit Facility) or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned.
(B) In any case not described in Section 9.06(b)(i)(A), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “trade date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of such date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of any Class of Revolving Loans or Revolving Commitments, or $1,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of any Term Loan Facility, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the US Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
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(ii)    Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned, except that this Section 9.06(b)(ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Credit Facilities on a non-pro rata basis.
(iii)    Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by Section 9.06(b)(i)(B) and, in addition:
(A)    the consent of the US Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(f) or Section 7.01(g) has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the US Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof; provided, further, that the US Borrower’s consent shall not be required during the primary syndication of the Credit Facilities for Lenders previously identified in writing to the US Borrower (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the US Borrower’s consent shall be required at all times in the event of any assignment to any Disqualified Institution pursuant to Section 9.06(h)).
(B)    the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) any Class of Revolving Loans or Revolving Commitments or any unfunded Commitments with respect to any Term Loan Facility, or (ii) any Term Loans to a Person who is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(C)    the consent of each Issuing Bank and each Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of any Revolving Facility.
(iv)    Processing Fee; Administrative Questionnaire. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.20.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the US Borrower or any of the US Borrower’s Subsidiaries or other Affiliates except, solely with respect to Term Loans, as permitted by Section 9.06(g) or (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute a Defaulting Lender or a Subsidiary thereof.
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(vi)    No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person).
(vii)    Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Swing Line Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Requirements of Law without compliance with the provisions of this clause (vii), the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
(2)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.06(c), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Section 2.19, Section 2.20, Section 2.21 and Section 9.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment, as well as to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not been paid; provided that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment, delegation or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.06(b) shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 9.06(d).
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(c)    Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Borrowings owing to, each Lender and each Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender or Issuing Bank (in the case of any Lender or Issuing Bank, with respect to (i) any entry relating to such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s Loans or L/C Borrowings, and (ii) the identity of the other Lenders and Issuing Banks (but not any information with respect to such other Lenders’ or Issuing Banks’ Loans or L/C Borrowings)) and at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d)    Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender, sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 9.05(c) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participants.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the proviso to Section 9.01(a) that affects such Participant or that requires the approval of all Lenders. Each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.19, Section 2.20 and Section 2.21 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements in Section 2.20(h), Section 2.20(j)(i) and Section 2.20(j)(iii) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.20(h), 2.20(j)(i) and Section 2.20(j)(iii) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 9.06(b); provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.25 as if it were an assignee under Section 9.06(b); and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.19 or Section 2.20 with respect to any participation than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the relevant Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.25(a) with respect to any Participant.
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To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.07(b) as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 9.07(a) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the relevant Borrower and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) or Proposed Section 1.163-5(b) (or, in each case, any amended or successor sections) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e)    Certain Pledges. Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swing Line Lender, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f) Special Purpose Funding Vehicles. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the US Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrowers all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof.
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In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.06(f), any SPC may (A) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender, or with the prior written consent of the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans, and (B) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC; provided that non-public information with respect to the US Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be disclosed only with the US Borrower’s consent which will not be unreasonably withheld. This Section 9.06(f) may not be amended without the written consent of any SPC with Loans outstanding at the time of such proposed amendment.
(g)     Borrower Buybacks. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Term Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its Term Loans on a non-pro rata basis to the US Borrower in accordance with procedures to be agreed between the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, pursuant to an offer made available to all Term Lenders on a pro rata basis (a “Dutch Auction”), subject to the following limitations:
(i)    the US Borrower shall represent and warrant, as of the date of the launch of the Dutch Auction and on the date of any such assignment, that neither it, its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors or officers has any Excluded Information that has not been disclosed to the Term Lenders generally (other than to the extent any such Term Lender does not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the US Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities) prior to such date;
(ii)    immediately and automatically, without any further action on the part of any Borrower, any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person, upon the effectiveness of such assignment of Term Loans from a Term Lender to the US Borrower, such Term Loans and all rights and obligations as a Term Lender related thereto shall, for all purposes under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and otherwise, be deemed to be irrevocably prepaid, terminated, extinguished, cancelled and of no further force and effect and the US Borrower shall neither obtain nor have any rights as a Term Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by virtue of such assignment (it being understood and agreed that (A) any gains or losses by the US Borrower upon purchase and cancellation of such Term Loans shall not be taken into account in the calculation of Excess Cash Flow, Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and (B) any purchase of Term Loans pursuant to this paragraph (g) shall not constitute a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans for purposes of this Agreement);
(iii) the Borrowers shall not use the proceeds of any Revolving Loans for any such assignment; and (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing before or immediately after giving effect to such assignment.
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(h)    Disqualified Institutions.
(i)    No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the US Borrower has consented to such assignment in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (x) such assignee shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender and (y) the execution by the US Borrower of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment in violation of this Section 9.06(h)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this Section 9.06(h) shall apply.
(ii)    If any assignment or participation is made to any Disqualified Institution without the US Borrower’s prior written consent in violation of Section 9.06(h)(i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date, the US Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, (A) in the case of outstanding Term Loans held by Disqualified Institutions, purchase or prepay such Term Loan by paying the lower of (x) the principal amount thereof, (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such Term Loans, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and/or (B) require such Disqualified Institution to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.06), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Eligible Assignees at the lower of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.
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(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Institutions (A) will not (x) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter, and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation under any Debtor Relief Law, each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such plan, (2) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such plan notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by court of competent jurisdiction effectuating the foregoing clause (2).
(iv)    The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrowers hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Institutions and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on the Platform, including that portion of the Platform that is designated for Public Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender requesting the same.
Section 9.07    Sharing of Payments by Lenders; Set-off.
(a)    If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder with respect to a Borrower resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations with respect to such Borrower greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders with respect to such Borrower, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them with respect to such Borrower; provided that:
(i)    if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii)    the provisions of this Section 9.07(a) shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender or Disqualified Institution), or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in L/C Borrowings to any Eligible Assignee.
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Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Requirements of Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against any Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the relevant Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(b)    Each Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates at any time and from time to time while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, without notice to any Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrowers, to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such party to or for the credit or the account of the applicable Borrower, or any part thereof in such amounts as such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Borrower to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate hereunder or under any other Loan Document and claims of every nature and description of such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate against such Borrower, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under any other Loan Document or otherwise, as such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate may elect, whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured; provided that any such Lender complies with Section 9.07(a). Each Lender, Issuing Bank or Affiliate of any of the foregoing exercising any right of set-off shall notify the applicable Borrower promptly of any such set-off and the application made by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate of the proceeds thereof; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section 9.07 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) which such Lender, such Issuing Bank and such Affiliate may have. No amounts set off from any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.
Section 9.08    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic imaging means), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif” format) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Section 9.09 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
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Section 9.10    Section Headings. The Section headings and Table of Contents used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.
Section 9.11    Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Arranger, any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
Section 9.12    Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF A DIFFERENT GOVERNING LAW.
Section 9.13    Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers.
(a)    Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(i)    submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise) to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive (subject to Section 9.13(a)(iii)) general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and appellate courts from any thereof;
(ii)    agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, in such federal court;
(iii)    agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law and that nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks or the Lenders may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against it or any of its assets in the courts of any jurisdiction;
(iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in Section 9.13(a) (and irrevocably waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court);
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(v)    consents to service of process in the manner provided in Section 9.02 (and agrees that nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Requirements of Law); and
(vi)    agrees that service of process as provided in Section 9.02 is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over the applicable party in any such proceeding in any such court, and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect.
(b)    Each Loan Party that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America hereby appoints CT Corporation, with an office at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its agent for service of process in any matter related to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and shall provide written evidence of acceptance of such appointment by such agent on or before the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
Section 9.14    Acknowledgments. Each of the Borrowers hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
(a)    it was represented by counsel in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, that it and its counsel reviewed and participated in the preparation and negotiation hereof and thereof and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation hereof or thereof; and
(b)    no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders or among the Group Members, the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders.
Section 9.15 Confidentiality.
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Each of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Related Parties, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents, advisors, credit insurers and reinsurers (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential in accordance with customary practices); (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory or similar authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization) purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (in which case such Person shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any Governmental Authority or regulatory or self-regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, notify the US Borrower as soon as practicable in the event of any such disclosure by such Person unless such notification is prohibited by law, rule or regulation); (c) to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case such Person shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any Governmental Authority or regulatory or self-regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, notify the US Borrower as soon as practicable in the event of any such disclosure by such Person unless such notification is prohibited by law, rule or regulation); (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same (or at least as restrictive) as those of this Section 9.15 (or as may otherwise be reasonably acceptable to the US Borrower), to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (it being understood that the DQ List may be disclosed to any assignee or Participant, or prospective assignee or Participant, in reliance on this clause (f)), or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency if requested or required by such rating agency in connection with rating the US Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the Credit Facilities (it being understood that, prior to any such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any Information relating to the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries received by it) or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the Credit Facilities; (h) with the consent of the US Borrower; or (i) to the extent that such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.15, or (y) becomes available to any Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that no disclosure shall be made to any Disqualified Institution. In addition, each of the Agents and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Credit Extensions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the information subject to this Section 9.15 shall not include, and each of the Agents and the Lenders may disclose without limitation of any kind, any information with respect to the “tax treatment” and “tax structure” (in each case, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4) of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Agents or the Lenders relating to such tax treatment and tax structure; provided that, with respect to any document or similar item that in either case contains information concerning such “tax treatment” or “tax structure” as well as other information, this sentence shall only apply to such portions of the document or similar item that relate to such “tax treatment” or “tax structure.”
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For purposes of this Section 9.15, “Information” shall mean all information received from the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to any Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the US Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.15 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 9.15 shall prohibit any Person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any Information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (and such entity, a “Regulatory Authority”) to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this Section 9.15 shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such Regulatory Authority.
Section 9.16    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY, COMMON LAW, STATUTE OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.16. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
Section 9.17 Certain Notices. Each Lender, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name, address and taxpayer information number of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender, such Issuing Bank, or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. The US Borrower shall, promptly following a request by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, provide all documentation and other information that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
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Section 9.18    Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable Requirements of Law, shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, then the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, the applicable Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Lenders and the Borrowers to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to the relevant Borrower.
Section 9.19    Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and each Issuing Bank severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the NYFRB Rate from time to time in effect.
Section 9.20 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
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In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Group Members and any Arranger, any Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swing Line Lender or any other Lender is intended to be or has been created in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether any Arranger, any Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swing Line Lender or any other Lender has advised or is advising any Borrower or any Subsidiary on other matters, (ii) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders, on the other hand, (iii) each Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent that it has deemed appropriate and (iv) the Borrowers are capable of evaluating, and understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; and (b) (i) the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for any Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates or any other Person; (ii) none of the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders has any obligation to any Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged, for their own accounts or the accounts of customers, in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of any Borrower and any of their respective Affiliates, and none of the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to any Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Arrangers, the Agents, the Issuing Banks, the Swing Line Lenders and the other Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
Section 9.21    Judgment Currency.
(a)    Each Borrower’s obligation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to make payments in (i) Dollars, (ii) Canadian Dollars (iii) Sterling or (iv) Euros (in any such case, the “Obligation Currency”) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent, the respective Issuing Bank or the respective Lender of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Borrower in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange quoted by the Administrative Agent, determined, in each case, as of the date immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency Conversion Date”).
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(b)    If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, each of the US Borrower, the Canadian Borrower and the UK Borrower covenants and agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount), as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency that could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.
(c)    For purposes of determining any rate of exchange for this Section 9.21, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency.
Section 9.22    Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institutions, its parent undertaking or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and
(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any the applicable Resolution Authority
Section 9.23 Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs. (a) To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Contracts or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “US Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States).
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(b)    In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a US Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the US Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a US Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the US Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
Section 9.24    Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement. As of the 2023 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, all obligations of each Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement shall become obligations of such Borrower hereunder, secured by the Security Documents, and the provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be superseded by the provisions hereof. Each of the parties hereto confirms that the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to the 2023 A&R Agreement shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement.
Section 9.25    MIRE Events. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that, if there are any Mortgaged Properties, any increase, extension or renewal of any of the Commitments or Loans (including the provision of Incremental Loans or any other incremental credit facilities hereunder, but excluding (a) any continuation or conversion of Borrowings, (b) the making of any Revolving Loans or (c) the issuance, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit) shall be subject to (and conditioned upon) the prior delivery of all flood hazard determination certifications, acknowledgements and evidence of flood insurance and other flood-related documentation with respect to such Mortgaged Properties as required by Flood Insurance Laws and as otherwise reasonably required by the Administrative Agent.
245


Section 9.26    Acknowledgment of the Lenders
Each Lender represents and warrants that (a) this Agreement sets forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (b) in participating as a Lender, it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of investing in the general performance or operations of the Borrowers, or for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument such as a security (and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing, such as a claim under the federal or state securities laws), (c) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (d) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.
[Remainder of page left intentionally blank.]

246


EXHIBIT B


[See attached]





EXHIBIT E
FORM OF BORROWING NOTICE



COMPASS MINERALS
BORROWING NOTICE

Form of Amended Borrowing Notice Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2016, as amended and restated as of November 26, 2019, as further amended and restated as of May 5, 2023 (and as further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Compass Minerals International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “US Borrower”), Compass Minerals Canada Corp., a corporation continued and amalgamated under the laws of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada (the “Canadian Borrower”), Compass Minerals UK Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “UK Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
Pursuant to Section [2.02][2.05][2.06] of the Credit Agreement, the [US]/[Canadian]/[UK] Borrower desires that Lenders make the following Loans to the [US]/[Canadian]/[UK] Borrower in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement on [mm/dd/yy], (the “Borrowing Date”):
Term Loans
☐Base Rate Borrowing:    $[    ,    ,    ]
☐Term Benchmark Borrowing, with an initial Interest
Period of     month(s)1:    $[    ,    ,    ]

Revolving Loans









____________________________
1 One, three or six month (in each case, subject to availability).



☐[Base Rate Borrowing]2/[Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing]3 denominated in [Dollars]/[Canadian
Dollars]:    [C]$[    ,    ,    ]
☐Term Benchmark Borrowing, with an initial Interest
Period of     month(s)4 denominated in [Dollars]5/[Canadian Dollars]6/[Euros]7:                     [C][$][€][    ,    ,    ]
☐RFR Borrowing denominated in Sterling8:    £[    ,    ,    ]
Swing Line Loans:    $[    ,    ,    ]


The account of the [US]/[Canadian]/[UK] Borrower to which the proceeds of the Borrowing requested on the Borrowing Date are to be made available by the Administrative Agent to the [US]/[Canadian]/[UK] Borrower are as follows:

Bank Name:
Bank Address:
     
     
ABA Number:
     
Account Number:
     
Attention:
     
Reference:
     




___________________________________
2 Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.
3 Revolving Loans that are Canadian Prime Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of C$500,000 and integral multiples of C$100,000 in excess of that amount.
4 One, three or (except in the case of a Term Benchmark Loan bearing interest at the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate) six months (in each case, subject to availability).
5 Revolving Loans that are Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount.
6 Revolving Loans that are Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of C$5,000,000 and integral multiples of C$1,000,000 in excess of that amount.
7 Revolving Loans that are Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Euro shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of €5,000,000 and integral multiples of €1,000,000 in excess of that amount.
8 Revolving Loans that are RFR Loans denominated in Sterling shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of
£5,000,000 and integral multiples of £1,000,000 in excess of that amount.




By:
Name:    
Title:    



































[Compass – Signature Page to Borrowing Notice]



ANNEX B-1

REVOLVING COMMITMENTS

Revolving Lender Revolving Commitment
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. $ 41,600,000.02 
Bank of America, N.A. $ 40,733,333.33 
ING Capital LLC $ 40,733,333.33 
PNC Bank National Association $ 40,733,333.33 
The Bank of Nova Scotia $ 40,733,333.33 
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch $ 40,733,333.33 
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association $ 40,733,333.33 
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. $ 26,000,000.00 
Commerce Bank $ 13,000,000.00 
TOTAL $ 325,000,000.00 

EX-31.1 4 cmp-q32025xex311ceocertifi.htm EX-31.1 Document

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Edward C. Dowling, Jr., certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Compass Minerals International, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: August 11, 2025 By: /s/ Edward C. Dowling, Jr.
  Edward C. Dowling, Jr.
  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 



EX-31.2 5 cmp-q32025xex312cfocertifi.htm EX-31.2 Document

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Peter Fjellman, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Compass Minerals International, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: August 11, 2025 By: /s/ Peter Fjellman
  Peter Fjellman
  Chief Financial Officer
 

EX-32 6 cmp-q32025xex32ceoandcfoce.htm EX-32 Document

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies that this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, based on my knowledge, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in this report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Compass Minerals International, Inc.
 
Date: August 11, 2025 By: /s/ Edward C. Dowling, Jr.
  Edward C. Dowling, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: August 11, 2025 By: /s/ Peter Fjellman
  Peter Fjellman
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)




EX-95 7 cmp-q32025xex95minesafetyd.htm EX-95 Document
Exhibit 95
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

We understand that to prevent employee and contractor injuries, we must approach safety excellence from many directions at once. We utilize a multi-faceted approach towards world class safety performance. This approach includes (1) setting a high standard of risk mitigation, (2) having robust safety management systems, and (3) supporting a culture of full engagement and personal accountability at all levels of the organization.

We continuously monitor our safety performance by assessing injury and non-injury incidents (e.g., near misses/near hits) as well as key performance indicators. We believe our approach to safety excellence will help us deliver on our commitment to our employees, contractors, their families and our customers to provide a safe working environment.

Mine Safety Data

A subsidiary of Compass Minerals International, Inc. owns and operates the Cote Blanche mine, an underground salt mine located in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. The Cote Blanche mine is subject to regulation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (the “Mine Act”).

MSHA is required to regularly inspect the Cote Blanche mine and issue a citation, or take other enforcement action, if an inspector or authorized representative believes that a violation of the Mine Act or MSHA’s standards or regulations has occurred. MSHA is required to propose a civil penalty for each alleged violation that it cites.

We have the option to legally contest any enforcement action or related penalty we receive. As a result of this process, an enforcement action may be modified or vacated and any civil penalty proposed by MSHA for an alleged violation may be increased, reduced or eliminated. However, under the Mine Act, we are required to abate (or correct) each alleged violation within a specified time period, regardless of whether we contest the alleged violation.



The table below sets forth information for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025 concerning certain mine safety violations and other regulatory matters pursuant to requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. The information only applies to our operations regulated by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Mine Name/
Mine I.D.
Number
Section 104 S&S Citations & Orders1
Section 104(b) Orders2
Section 104(d)
Citations & Orders3
Section 110(b)(2) Violations4
Section 107(a) Orders5
Total Dollar Value of MSHA Proposed Assessments
(Actual Amount)
Total Number of Mining Related Fatalities
Received Notice of Pattern of Violations under Section 104(e)
(Yes/No)6
Legal Actions Pending as of Last Day of Period7
Legal Actions Initiated During Period Legal Actions Resolved During Period
Cote Blanche Mine/16-00358 2 0 0 0 0 $11,238 0 No 2 0 0









1 Represents the number of citations and orders issued under Section 104 of the Mine Act for alleged violations of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially contribute to a mine health and safety hazard. The number reported includes no orders alleging an S&S violation issued under Section 104(g) of the Mine Act.
2 Represents the number of orders issued under Section 104(b) of the Mine Act for alleged failures to abate a citation issued under Section 104(a) of the Mine Act within the time period specified in the citation.
3 Represents the number of citations and orders issued under Section 104(d) of the Mine Act for alleged unwarrantable failures (aggravated conduct constituting more than ordinary negligence) to comply with mandatory safety or health standards.
4 Represents the number of violations issued under section 110(b)(2) of the Mine Act for alleged “flagrant” failures (reckless or repeated failures) to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory safety or health standard that substantially proximately caused, or reasonably could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury.
5 Represents the number of orders issued under Section 107(a) of the Mine Act for alleged conditions or practices which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before the condition or practice can be abated.
6 Section 104(e) written notices are issued for an alleged pattern of violating mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially contribute to a mine safety or health hazard.
7 Represents one civil penalty proceeding involving the contest of Citation No. 9743983 (Cent 2025-0136) and one civil penalty proceeding involving the contest of Citation Nos. 9792713, 9792714, and 9792716 (CENT 2025-0061)..


2