UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 6, 2006
KRAFT
FOODS INC.
(Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter)
Virginia |
|
1-16483 |
|
52-2284372 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction |
|
(Commission |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
of Incorporation) |
|
File Number) |
|
Identification No.) |
Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, Illinois |
|
60093-2753 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: |
|
(847) 646-2000 |
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information described below under Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
On September 6, 2006 (the Completion Date), Kraft Foods International, Inc. and Nabisco Euro Holdings Ltd. (NEH), each a wholly owned subsidiary of Kraft Foods Inc. (Kraft), completed a previously announced transaction (the Transaction) with United Biscuits Group (Investments) Limited, Deluxestar Limited, UB Overseas Limited and UB Investments (Netherlands) B.V. (collectively, UB). As part of the Transaction, NEH acquired the former Spanish and Portuguese operations of UB (the Business). On the Completion Date, UB transferred to NEH the ownership interests of Sheffield Investments, S.L. (Sheffield), the holding company for the Business.
On the Completion Date, Sheffield had approximately EUR 431.7 million of indebtedness that was borrowed pursuant to the terms of a EUR 440,000,000 364-Day term loan facility, dated as of August 25, 2006 (the Credit Agreement), among Sheffield, the initial lenders named therein, and Citibank International plc, as administrative agent (Citibank). Those borrowings have remained outstanding after the Completion Date. The Credit Agreement terminates on August 24, 2007.
Effective on the Completion Date, Kraft agreed to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee all obligations of Sheffield under the Credit Agreement, pursuant to the terms of a guaranty, dated as of August 25, 2006, in favor of Citibank (the Guaranty). The Guaranty requires Kraft to maintain a minimum net worth of not less than $20.0 billion and provides for some limitations on Krafts ability to create new liens on its assets or properties.
The foregoing descriptions of the Credit Agreement and Guaranty are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty, as applicable, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
|
10.1 |
|
Credit Agreement relating to a EUR 440,000,000
364-Day Term Loan Facility, dated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
Guaranty, dated as of August 25, 2006 |
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 hereunto duly authorized.
|
KRAFT FOODS INC. |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JAMES P. DOLLIVE |
|
||
|
|
Name: |
|
James P. Dollive |
|
|
|
Title: |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: September 11, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
3
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
|
Description |
10.1 |
|
Credit Agreement relating to a EUR 440,000,000
364-Day Term Loan Facility, dated |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
Guaranty, dated as of August 25, 2006 |
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
CREDIT AGREEMENT
relating to a
EUR 440,000,000 364-DAY TERM LOAN FACILITY
Dated as of August 25, 2006
among
SHEFFIELD INVESTMENTS S.L.
and
THE INITIAL LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
and
CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL PLC
as Administrative Agent
_________________________
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED
UBS SECURITIES LLC
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
Table of Contents
|
|
|
Page |
||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Absence of Interest Period for Advances; Number of Interest Periods |
|
||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i
Table of Contents
(continued)
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
ii
Table of Contents
(continued)
SCHEDULE
Schedule 1 |
|
- |
|
List of Applicable Lending Offices |
Schedule 2 |
|
- |
|
Calculation of Mandatory Cost |
Schedule 3 |
|
- |
|
Commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBITS |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A-1 |
|
- |
|
Form of Notice of Borrowing |
Exhibit A-2 |
|
- |
|
Form of Interest Period Election Notice |
Exhibit B |
|
- |
|
Form of Assignment and Acceptance |
Exhibit C |
|
- |
|
Form of Bank Account Charge |
Exhibit D |
|
- |
|
Form of Note |
Exhibit E-1 |
|
- |
|
Form of Opinion of Spanish Counsel for the Borrower |
Exhibit E-2 |
|
- |
|
Form of Opinion of New York Counsel for the Borrower |
Exhibit E-3 |
|
- |
|
Form of Opinion of English Counsel for the Borrower |
Exhibit F |
|
- |
|
Form of Opinion of New York Counsel for the Administrative Agent |
Exhibit G |
|
- |
|
Form of Confidentiality Agreement |
iii
THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of August 25, 2006
AMONG
(1) SHEFFIELD INVESTMENTS S.L., a company organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain (the Borrower);
(2) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL LENDERS (the Initial Lenders) listed on the signature pages hereof; and
(3) CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL PLC (Citibank), as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent) for the Lenders; and
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.1. Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
Account Bank has the meaning specified in the Account Bank Agreement.
Account Bank Agreement means the account bank agreement between the Borrower and Citibank, N.A., London Branch establishing the Charged Account.
Administrative Agent has the meaning specified in the recital of the parties to this Agreement.
Administrative Agent Account means (a) for transactions in Euro, the account of Citibank, maintained by Citibank, N.A., at its office in London, England, Account No. 944823, Attention Loans Agency, (b) for transactions in Sterling, the account of Citibank, maintained by Citibank, N.A., at its office in London, England, Account No. 558397, Attention Loans Agency, or (c) such other account as is designated in writing from time to time by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders for such purpose.
Advance has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).
Agent means the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.
Applicable Interest Rate Margin means 0.25% per annum.
Applicable Lending Office means, with respect to each Lender, such Lenders lending office set forth on Schedule 1 hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance
1
pursuant to which it became a Lender, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Assignment and Acceptance means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
Availability Date means the date that is 30 days after the date of this Agreement or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.
Bank Account Charge has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
Borrower has the meaning specified in the recital of the parties to this Agreement.
Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Advances made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.2.
Business Day means a day on which banks are open for business in London and the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET) is operating.
Charge has the meaning specified in the Bank Account Charge.
Charged Assets has the meaning specified in the Bank Account Charge.
Charged Account has the meaning specified in the Bank Account Charge.
Collateral means all collateral referred to in the Collateral Documents.
Collateral Agent means Citicorp Trustee Company, Limited, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents, and its successors and assigns.
Collateral Documents means the Bank Account Charge or any document delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(c) intended to create a lien in favor of the Collateral Agent.
Commitment means as to any Lender (i) the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 3 hereof or (ii) if such Lender has entered into an Assignment and Acceptance, the amount set forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.7(d), in each case as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.7.
Debt means, without duplication, (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, whether or not evidenced by bonds,
2
debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) obligations as lessee under leases that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are recorded as capital leases, and (c) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of any other Person of the kinds referred to in clause (a) or (b) above.
Default means any event specified in Section 6.1 that would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both.
Effective Date has the meaning specified in Section 3.1.
Eligible Assignee means (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (or any successor) (OECD), or a political subdivision of such country, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (iii) the central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD; (iv) a commercial finance company or finance Subsidiary of a corporation organized under the laws of a European Union member country and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (v) an insurance company organized under the laws of a European Union member country and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; (vi) any Lender; (vii) an affiliate of any Lender; (viii) any other bank, commercial finance company insurance company or other Person approved in writing by the Guarantor, which approval shall be notified to the Administrative Agent; provided that in each case (i) through (viii) above, such Person is (x) a European Union resident without a permanent establishment in Spain to which payments under this Agreement are attributable and that is not deemed resident in a tax haven under Spanish legislation, or (y) resident in a country with an income tax treaty with Spain pursuant to which taxation of interests applies only in the country of residence of the lender.
Equivalent in any currency, with respect to any other currency and as of any date, means the rate at which the Administrative Agent offers to exchange such currency for such other currency for same day settlement at its principal office in London as of 11:00 A.M. (London time) on such date.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate means any Person that for purposes of Title IV of ERISA is a member of the Borrowers controlled group, or under common control with the Borrower, within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.
ERISA Event means (a) (i) the occurrence with respect to a Plan of a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect thereto has been waived by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
3
Corporation (or any successor) (PBGC), or (ii) the requirements of subsection (1) of Section 4043(b) of ERISA (without regard to subsection (2) of such section) are met with respect to a contributing sponsor, as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, of a Plan, and an event described in paragraph (9), (10), (11), (12) or (13) of Section 4043(c) of ERISA is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days; (b) the application for a minimum funding waiver with respect to a Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan, pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the cessation of operations at a facility of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (e) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f) the conditions set forth in Section 302(f)(1)(A) and (B) of ERISA to the creation of a lien upon property or rights to property of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates for failure to make a required payment to a Plan are satisfied; (g) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan, pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (h) the termination of a Plan by the PBGC pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of ERISA that constitutes grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.
EURIBOR means an interest rate per annum equal to either:
(a) (i) the offered rate per annum at which deposits in Euro appear on Reuters Page EURIBOR01 (or any successor page) as of 11:00 A.M. (Brussels time) two Business Days before the first day of an Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period as determined by the Banking Federation of the European Union or (ii) with respect to an initial EURIBOR Interest Period beginning on the date of any redenomination of Advances pursuant to Section 2.16, the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum, if such arithmetic mean is not such a multiple) of the rates per annum at which deposits in Euro are offered by the principal office of each of the Reference Banks to prime banks in the European interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (Brussels time) on the first day of such Interest Period for an amount substantially equal to the amount that would be the Reference Banks respective ratable shares of such Borrowing outstanding during such Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period, as determined by the Administrative Agent on such date, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.6, or
(b) if EURIBOR does not appear on Reuters Page EURIBOR01 (or any successor page), then EURIBOR will be determined by taking the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum, if such arithmetic mean is not such a multiple) of the rates per annum at which deposits in Euro are offered by the principal office of each of the Reference Banks to prime banks in the European interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (Brussels time) two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period for an amount substantially equal to the amount that would be the Reference Banks respective ratable shares of such Borrowing outstanding
4
during such Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period, as determined by the Administrative Agent, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.6.
EURIBOR Advance means an Advance denominated in Euro that bears interest as provided in Section 2.4(a).
Euro, EUR and the sign each mean the single currency of the Participating Member States.
Existing Facility means the senior facilities agreement dated 14 December 1999 between, inter alios, United Biscuits Group (Investments) Limited, as Parent, and Deutsche Bank AG London, as Agent and Security Agent and in various other capacities (as amended, supplemented, varied and/or restated through the date hereof).
Extension means the extension of the Termination Date to the date that is 364 days from the date of this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of the Extension Date.
Extension Date has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
Facility means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lenders Commitments at such time.
Federal Bankruptcy Code means the United States Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended from time to time.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state, province, city, municipal entity or other political subdivision thereof, and any governmental, executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory agency, department, authority, instrumentality, commission, board, bureau or similar body, whether federal, state, provincial, territorial, local or foreign.
Guarantor means the Person executing the Guaranty.
Guaranty has the meaning specified in Section 3.3.
Home Jurisdiction Withholding Taxes means withholding taxes imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which the Borrower is organized or any political subdivision thereof.
Interest Period means for each Advance comprising part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower requesting such Borrowing pursuant to the provisions below. The duration of such Interest Period for an Advance shall be one, two, three or six months, as the Borrower may select upon notice received by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, not later than
5
11:00 A.M. (London time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period; provided, however, that:
(a) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that ends after the Termination Date;
(b) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(c) whenever the first day of any Interest Period occurs on a day of an initial calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that succeeds such initial calendar month by the number of months equal to the number of months in such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such succeeding calendar month;
(d) the duration of each Interest Period for LIBOR Advances shall be one Business Day, and
(e) each Interest Period for EURIBOR Advances beginning prior to the Availability Date shall end on the date that is one month after the Extension Date.
Internal Revenue Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.
Lenders means the Initial Lenders and each Person that shall become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 8.7 for so long as such Initial Lender or Person, as the case may be, shall be a party to this Agreement.
LIBOR means an interest rate per annum equal to either:
(a) the offered rate per annum at which deposits in Sterling on an overnight basis appears on the appropriate British Bankers Association screen (or any successor page) at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the day of an Interest Period, or
(b) if LIBOR does not appear on such British Bankers Association screen (or any successor page), then LIBOR will be determined by taking the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum, if such arithmetic mean is not such a multiple) of the rates per annum at which deposits in Sterling on an overnight basis are offered by the principal office of each of the Reference Banks to prime banks in the London interbank market at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the day of such Interest Period for an amount substantially equal to the amount that would be the Reference Banks respective ratable shares of such Borrowing outstanding during such Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period, as
6
determined by the Administrative Agent, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.6.
LIBOR Advance means an Advance denominated in Sterling that bears interest as provided in Section 2.4(b).
Lien has the meaning specified in Section 5.2(a).
Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Notes, prior to the Extension, the Collateral Documents and the Account Bank Agreement, and on and after the Extension Date, the Guaranty, in each case as amended.
Loan Party means the Borrower and, on and after the Extension Date, the Guarantor.
Mandatory Cost means the percentage rate per annum calculated by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Schedule 2.
Margin Stock means margin stock, as such term is defined in Regulation U.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions, such plan being maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements.
Multiple Employer Plan means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one Person other than the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Note means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto, evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Advances made by such Lender to the Borrower.
Notice of Borrowing has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
Other Taxes has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(c).
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
7
Party means, with respect to any agreement or other document, a party to such agreement or document (including, if no other agreement or document is specified, this Agreement).
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
Plan means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
Redenomination Date has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
Reference Banks means the Initial Lenders.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 8.7(d).
Regulation A means Regulation A of the Board, as in effect from time to time.
Regulation U means Regulation U of the Board, as in effect from time to time.
Required Lenders means at any time Lenders holding at least 50.1% of the aggregate Commitments at such time.
Secured Obligation has the meaning specified in Clause 1.1 of the Bank Account Charge.
Secured Parties means the Agents and the Lenders.
Single Employer Plan means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and no Person other than the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Sterling and the ₤ sign each means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Subsidiary of any Person means any corporation of which (or in which) more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Persons other Subsidiaries.
Taxes has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).
8
Termination Date means the earlier of (a) the date that is twenty days after the date of the initial Borrowing hereunder, or, if the Extension shall have occurred on or prior to such date, the date that is 364 days after the date of this Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.7 or 6.2.
1.2. Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including and the words to and until each mean to but excluding.
1.3. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with relevant generally accepted accounting principles.
2.1. The Advances. (a) Obligation to Make Advances. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make up to four advances, in addition to any deemed Advance pursuant to Section 2.16, to the Borrower (each an Advance and collectively, with any deemed Advances made pursuant to Section 2.16, the Advances) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Availability Date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed such Lenders Commitment at such time (calculated, with respect to LIBOR Advances, at the Sterling Equivalent in Euro at such time).
2.2. Making the Advances. (a) Notice of Borrowing. Each Borrowing shall be made on notice by the Borrower by facsimile to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice thereof by facsimile or other electronic communication; such notice by the Borrower to be given not later than (x) in the case of a Borrowing proposed to be made prior to the Extension Date, 1:00 P.M. (London time) on the Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, (y) in the case of a Borrowing proposed to be made on the Extension Date, 9:00 A.M. (London time) on date of the proposed Borrowing, and (z) in the case of a Borrowing proposed to be made thereafter, 10:00 A.M. (Brussels time) on the second Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such notice of a Borrowing (a Notice of Borrowing) shall be by facsimile, such notice to be in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, specifying therein the requested:
9
If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lenders Advance as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.
10
2.3. Repayment of Advances. The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders on the Termination Date the unpaid principal amount of the Advances then outstanding.
2.4. Interest on Advances. Subject to Section 2.6(c), the Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance owing by the Borrower to each Lender from the date of such Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
2.5. Absence of Interest Period for Advances; Number of Interest Periods. (a) If the Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any Interest Period for any Advances beginning on or after the Availability Date in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of the term Interest Period, the Administrative Agent will forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and the Interest Period for such Advances will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, be one month.
2.6. Interest Rate Determination for Advances. (a) Methods to Determine EURIBOR and LIBOR. The Administrative Agent shall determine EURIBOR and LIBOR by using the methods described in the definition of the terms EURIBOR and LIBOR, respectively, and shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and Lenders of each such EURIBOR or LIBOR.
11
2.7. Termination or Reduction of the Commitments. (a) On the Availability Date, after giving effect to any Borrowings made on or before such date, and from time to time thereafter upon each repayment or prepayment of the Advances, the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced, on a pro rata basis, by an amount equal to the amount by which the aggregate Commitments immediately prior to such reduction exceed the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances then outstanding.
12
2.8. Prepayments of Advances. (a) Mandatory Prepayments. If, on the date of a redenomination of Advances made pursuant to Section 2.16, after giving effect to such redenomination the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the aggregate principal amount of the Advances exceeds the aggregate amount of the Lenders Commitments on such date, the Borrower shall on such date prepay an amount of Advances equal to the amount of such excess.
2.9. Increased Costs. (a) Costs from Change in Law or Authorities. If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of imposition or increase of reserve requirements to the extent such change is included in Mandatory Cost) in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Advances (excluding for purposes of this Section 2.9 any such increased costs resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to which Section 2.12 shall govern) and, (ii) changes in the basis of taxation of overall net income or overall gross income by the jurisdiction or state under the laws of which such Lender is organized, or has its Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof, then the Borrower of the affected Advances shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased cost; provided, however, that before making any such demand, each Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Applicable Lending Office if the making of such a designation would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such increased cost and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender. A certificate as to the amount of
13
such increased cost, submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
2.10. Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its Applicable Lending Office to perform its obligations hereunder to make Advances or to fund or maintain Advances, then the obligation of such Lender to make such Advances shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and the relevant aggregate Commitments shall be temporarily reduced by the amount of such Lenders share of the Commitments affected by such illegality for the duration of the suspension with respect to such Advances; provided, however, that each Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Applicable Lending Office if the making of such a designation would allow such Lender or its Applicable Lending Office to continue to perform its obligations to make Advances or to continue to fund or maintain Advances and would not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
14
2.11. Payments and Computations. (a) Time and Distribution of Payments. The Borrower shall make each payment hereunder, without set-off or counterclaim, not later than 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the day when due to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agents Account in same day funds. The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest ratably (other than amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.9, 2.12 or 8.4(b)) to the Lenders for the account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. From and after the effective date of an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Section 8.7, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments hereunder in respect of the interest assigned thereby to the Lender assignee thereunder, and the parties to such Assignment and Acceptance shall make all appropriate adjustments in such payments for periods prior to such effective date directly between themselves.
15
2.12. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.11, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, (i) in the case of each Lender and each Agent, taxes imposed on its net income and franchise taxes imposed on it , in each case, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or Agent (as the case may be), is organized or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its overall net income and franchise taxes imposed on it , in each case, by the jurisdiction of such Lenders Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof, and (iii) in the case of each Lender and each Agent, taxes imposed on its net income, franchise taxes imposed on it and any tax imposed by means of withholding, in each case, to the extent such tax is imposed solely as a result of a present or former connection (other than the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or a Note or the receipt of any payment, or the enforcement of any rights, under this Agreement or a Note ) between such Lender or Agent (as the case may be) and the taxing jurisdiction (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities in respect of payments hereunder being hereinafter referred to as Taxes).
16
17
2.13. Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances owing to it (other than pursuant to Sections 2.9, 2.12 or 8.4(b)) in excess of its ratable share of payments on account of the Advances obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Advances made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lenders ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lenders required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, provided further, that, so long as the obligations under this Agreement and the Notes shall not have been accelerated, any excess payment received by any Lender shall be shared on a pro rata basis only with other Lenders. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.13 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
18
2.14. Evidence of Debt. (a) Lender Records; Notes. Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Advance owing to such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder in respect of Advances. The Borrower shall, upon notice by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy of such notice to the Administrative Agent) to the effect that a Note is required or appropriate in order for such Lender to evidence (whether for purposes of pledge, enforcement or otherwise) the Advances owing to, or to be made by, such Lender, promptly execute and deliver to such Lender a Note payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount up to the Commitment of such Lender.
2.15. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Advances shall be available (and the Borrower agrees that it shall use such proceeds) solely to purchase the stock of United Biscuits Iberia S.L., including purchase price adjustments, any repayment of intercompany debt in connection with such purchase and for a deemed Advance hereunder on the Extension Date, provided that prior to the Extension the Borrower shall maintain the proceeds of the Advances on deposit in the bank account pledged to the Secured Parties under the Bank Account Charge.
19
2.16. Redenomination of Advances. On the Extension Date, (i) the accrued and unpaid interest on the Advances owing to each Lender on such date shall be converted into a LIBOR Advance owing to such Lender, as if an additional Borrowing were made by the Lenders to the Borrower on such date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of such accrued interest, and (ii) immediately thereafter, each LIBOR Advance shall be redenominated into a EURIBOR Advance at an exchange rate equal to the Equivalent in Euro of such LIBOR Advance on such date (and the Borrower shall make any prepayment required by Section 2.8(a)); provided that if the conditions to the Extension are fulfilled subsequent to 10:00A.M. (Brussels time) on the Extension Date, the conversion of interest and redenomination described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.16 will occur on the Business Day immediately subsequent to the Extension Date (such date on which such redenomination occurs, the Redenomination Date); and provided further that any Advances made on the Extension Date other than the deemed Advances referred to in clause (i) above and Advances made as EURIBOR Advances shall be redenominated into EURIBOR Advances on the Business Day immediately subsequent to the Extension Date at the rate at which the Administrative Agent offers to exchange Sterling for Euro for next day settlement at its principal office in London as of 11:00 A.M. (London Time) on the Extension Date.
3.1. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness. The obligation of the Lenders to make Advances under this Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date (the Effective Date) prior to September 15, 2006 on which the following conditions precedent have been satisfied:
20
21
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Initial Lenders of the date which is the Effective Date upon satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 3.1.
3.2. Conditions Precedent to Each Borrowing. The obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing is subject to the conditions precedent that
3.3. Conditions Precedent to the Extension. The Extension shall occur on and as of the first date (the Extension Date) prior to the Termination Date on which the following conditions precedent have been satisfied:
22
The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, the Guarantor, the Lenders and the Collateral Agent of the date which is the Extension Date upon satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 3.3. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 3.3, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the date that the Borrower, by notice to the Lenders, designates as the proposed Extension Date, specifying its objection thereto.
4.1. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:
23
24
25
5.1. Affirmative Covenants. So long as any Advance shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will:
26
5.2. Negative Covenants. So long as any Advance shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will not:
6.1. Events of Default. Each of the following events (each an Event of Default) shall constitute an Event of Default:
27
28
6.2. Lenders Rights upon Event of Default. If an Event of Default occurs or is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:
provided, however, that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (i) the obligation of each Lender to make Advances shall automatically be terminated and (ii) the Advances then outstanding, all such interest and all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
29
7.1. Authorization and Action. (a) Each Lender hereby appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and of the other Loan Documents, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the Notes), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders and all holders of Notes; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes it to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law. The Administrative Agent agrees to give to each Lender prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrower as required by the terms of the Loan Documents or at the request of the Borrower, and any notice provided pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(i).
7.2. Administrative Agents Reliance, Etc. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with the Loan Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
30
7.3. Citibank and Affiliates. With respect to its Commitment and the Advances made by it, Citibank shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent; and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include Citibank in its individual capacity. Citibank and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, accept investment banking engagements from and generally engage in any kind of business with, any Loan Party, any of its Subsidiaries and any Person who may do business with or own securities of any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary, all as if Citibank was not an Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
7.4. Lender Credit Decision. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any Joint Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, or any other Lender, 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 also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement.
7.5. Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), from and against such Lenders ratable share (determined as provided below) of any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of any Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (collectively, the Indemnified Costs), provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of the Indemnified Costs resulting from the Administrative Agents gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Borrower. In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Costs, this Section 7.5 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or a third party. For purposes of this Section 7.5, the Lenders respective ratable shares of any amount shall be determined, at any time, according to their respective aggregate Commitments.
31
7.6. Successor Agents. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agents giving of notice of resignation or the Required Lenders removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof, or under the laws of England, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article 7 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Administrative Agent under this Agreement.
7.7. Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Certain entities have been designated as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, under this Agreement, but the use of such titles does not impose on any of them any duties or obligations greater than those of any other Lender.
8.1. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document, nor consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders, or by the Administrative Agent acting with the consent of the Required Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders affected thereby, do any of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions specified in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, (b) increase the Commitments of the Lenders or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations, (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) extend the Termination Date or postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (e) change the percentage of the Commitments, or the number of Lenders, that shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder, (f) release the Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Guaranty, (g) release any portion of the Collateral or change the amount of the Collateral required to be pledged in favor of the Secured Parties hereunder, or (h) amend this Section 8.1; and provided further that no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative
32
Agent under any Loan Document or any Advance unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action.
8.2. Notices, Etc. (a) Addresses. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile communication) and mailed, telecopied, or delivered, as follows:
if to the Borrower :
Sheffield Investments S.L.
Calle El Raiguer 12
Pol. Ind. El Raiguer
08170 Montornes del Valles
Barcelona, Spain
Attention: Dept. Legal
Fax number: +34 93 571 9143;
if to the Guarantor, as specified in the Guaranty;
if to any Initial Lender, at its Applicable Lending Office specified opposite its name on Schedule 1 hereto;
if to any other Lender, at its Applicable Lending Office specified in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender;
if to Citibank, as Administrative Agent:
Citibank
International PLC
5th Floor, Citigroup Centre,
Canary Wharf
London E14 5LB
Attention: Loans Agency
Fax no: 44 20 8636 3824/5; or
as to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties and, as to each other party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
33
8.3. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Lender or any Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
8.4. Costs and Expenses. (a) Agent; Enforcement. The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration (excluding any cost or expenses for administration related to the overhead of each Agent), modification and amendment of the Loan Documents and the documents to be delivered thereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under the Loan Documents, and all costs and expenses of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent), in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered thereunder.
34
8.5. Right of Set-Off. Upon (i) the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and (ii) the making of the request or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.2 to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Advances due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender and its affiliates under this Section 8.5 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Lender and its affiliates may have.
8.6. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Agents, and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders.
8.7. Assignments and Participations. (a) Assignment of Lender Obligations. After the Extension Date or during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Lender may, and if demanded by the Borrower upon at least five Business Days notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent will, assign to one or more Persons all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitments and the Advances owing to it), subject to the following:
35
Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (y) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (other than those provided under Section 8.4) and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto), other than Section 8.12.
36
37
8.8. Release/Application of Collateral. (a) Upon the effectiveness of the Guaranty and occurrence of the Extension in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall promptly instruct the Collateral Agent to release the Liens on the Collateral created under the Collateral Documents.
38
8.9. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
8.10. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic communication shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
8.11. Jurisdiction, Etc. (a) Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York state court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. The Borrower hereby agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding brought in any such New York state court or in such Federal court may be made upon CT Corporation System (the Process Agent), with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, United States (or such other address in the United States as notified to the Administrative Agent by the Process Agent from time to time, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Process Agent its authorized agent to accept such service of process, and agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of any such service shall not impair or affect the validity of such service or of any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon. The Borrower hereby further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties hereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address specified pursuant to Section 8.2. Each of the parties hereto 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. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring any action or proceeding relating to the Loan Documents or the Notes in the courts of any jurisdiction.
39
8.12. Confidentiality. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall disclose any confidential information relating to any Loan Party to any other Person without the consent of such Loan Party, other than (a) to the Administrative Agents or such Lenders affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and then, in each such case, only on a confidential basis, (b) to actual or prospective assignees and participants in accordance with Section 8.7(f), (c) as required by any law, rule or regulation or judicial process, and (d) as requested or required by any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating banks or banking or other financial institutions. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby confirm that the Borrower (and any employee, officer, representative or agent thereof) shall not be limited from disclosing the U.S. tax treatment or U.S. tax structure of the transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents.
8.13. Integration. The Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Loan Parties, the Agents and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party or Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to in the Loan Documents other than the matters referred to in any fee letter, between the Guarantor and the Initial Lenders, and Section 8.4(a) and except for Confidentiality Agreements entered into by each Lender in connection with this Agreement.
8.14. USA Patriot Act Notice, Etc. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Patriot Act), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act or any similar know your customer or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations.
8.15. Judgment. (a) If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in Sterling into Euro, or to convert a sum due hereunder in Euro into Sterling, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be the Equivalent thereof on the Business Day succeeding that on which final judgment is given.
40
41
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
SHEFFIELD INVESTMENTS S.L., |
||
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Montserrat Serra Punti |
|
Name: Montserrat Serra Punti |
|
|
Title: Individual Director |
|
|
(administradora solidaria) |
CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL PLC, |
||
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Paul Gibbs |
|
Name: Paul Gibbs |
|
|
Title: Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL PLC, |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Paul Gibbs |
|
Name: Paul Gibbs |
|
|
Title: Vice President |
UBS LIMITED |
||
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Graham Vance |
|
Name: Graham Vance |
|
|
Title: Executive Director |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Matthew Jolly |
|
Name: Matthew Jolly |
|
|
Title: Executive Director |
SCHEDULE 1
List of Applicable Lending Offices
Name of Initial Lender |
Domestic Lending Office |
Eurocurrency Lending Office |
|
|
|
Citibank International plc |
UK Loans Processing Unit 5th Floor 33 Canada Square London E14 5LB United Kingdom
|
UK Loans Processing Unit 5th Floor 33 Canada Square London E14 5LB United Kingdom
|
|
Attn: Citibank Intl plc, Loans Processing Unit T: +44 (0)20 7508 6308/1838/6107 F: +44 (0)20 7942 7512 |
Attn: Citibank Intl plc, Loans Processing Unit T: +44 (0)20 7508 6308/1838/6107 F: +44 (0)20 7942 7512 |
|
|
|
UBS Limited |
Banking Products Services 1 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PP United Kingdom T: +44 20 7568 0445/0442/0502/5607 F: +44 20 7568 3978 / 5664
|
Banking Products Services 1 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PP United Kingdom T: +44 20 7568 0445/0442/0502/5607 F: +44 20 7568 3978 / 5664
|
|
With a copy to: Alan Greenhow/Tina Elliott |
With a copy to: Alan Greenhow/Tina Elliott |
|
Banking Products Services 1 Finsbury Avenue, London EC2M 2PP United Kingdom
|
Banking Products Services 1 Finsbury Avenue, London EC2M 2PP United Kingdom
|
|
T: +44 20 7568 7122 +44 20 7568 1298 F: +44 20 7568 4664 |
T: +44 20 7568 7122 +44 20 7568 1298 F: +44 20 7568 4664 |
SCHEDULE 1
CALCULATION OF THE MANDATORY COST
1. The Mandatory Cost is an addition to the interest rate to compensate Lenders for the cost of compliance with (a) the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in either case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) or (b) the requirements of the European Central Bank.
2. On the first day of each Interest Period (or as soon as possible thereafter) the Administrative Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate, a rate (the Additional Cost Rate) for each Lender, in accordance with the paragraphs set out below. The Mandatory Cost will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as a weighted average of the Lenders Additional Cost Rates (weighted in proportion to the percentage participation of each Lender in the relevant Loan) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per annum.
3. The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from an Applicable Lending Office in a Participating Member State will be the percentage notified by that Lender to the Administrative Agent. This percentage will be certified by that Lender in its notice to the Administrative Agent to be its reasonable determination of the cost (expressed as a percentage of that Lenders participation in all Loans made from that Applicable Lending Office) of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of loans made from that Applicable Lending Office.
4. The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Applicable Lending Office in the United Kingdom will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as follows:
(a) in relation to a Sterling Advance:
AB + C(B - D) + E ´ 0.01 |
|
per cent. per annum |
100 - (A + C) |
|
(b) in relation to an Advance in any currency other than Sterling:
E ´ 0.01 |
|
per cent. per annum |
300 |
|
Where:
A is the percentage of Eligible Liabilities (assuming these to be in excess of any stated minimum) which that Lender is from time to time required to maintain as an interest free cash ratio deposit with the Bank of England to comply with cash ratio requirements.
B is the percentage rate of interest (excluding the Applicable Interest Rate Margin and the Mandatory Cost and, if applicable, the additional rate of interest specified in Section 2.11(e) (Default interest)) payable for the relevant Interest Period on the Advance.
SCHEDULE 2-1
C is the percentage (if any) of Eligible Liabilities which that Lender is required from time to time to maintain as interest bearing Special Deposits with the Bank of England.
D is the percentage rate per annum payable by the Bank of England to the Administrative Agent on interest bearing Special Deposits.
E is designed to compensate Lenders for amounts payable under the Fees Rules and is calculated by the Administrative Agent as being the average of the most recent rates of charge supplied by the Reference Banks to the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph 7 below and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000.
5. For the purposes of this Schedule:
(a) Eligible Liabilities and Special Deposits have the meanings given to them from time to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by the Bank of England;
(b) Fees Rules means the rules on periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such other law or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of the payment of fees for the acceptance of deposits;
(c) Fee Tariffs means the fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1 Deposit acceptors (ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount rate); and
(d) Tariff Base has the meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the Fees Rules.
6. In application of the above formulae, A, B, C and D will be included in the formulae as percentages (i.e. 5 per cent. will be included in the formula as 5 and not as 0.05). A negative result obtained by subtracting D from B shall be taken as zero. The resulting figures shall be rounded to four decimal places.
7. If requested by the Administrative Agent, each Reference Bank shall, as soon as practicable after publication by the Financial Services Authority, supply to the Administrative Agent, the rate of charge payable by that Reference Bank to the Financial Services Authority pursuant to the Fees Rules in respect of the relevant financial year of the Financial Services Authority (calculated for this purpose by that Reference Bank as being the average of the Fee Tariffs applicable to that Reference Bank for that financial year) and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000 of the Tariff Base of that Reference Bank.
8. Each Lender shall supply any information required by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of calculating its Additional Cost Rate. In particular, but without limitation, each Lender shall supply the following information on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender:
(a) the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office; and
SCHEDULE 2-2
(b) any other information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably require for such purpose.
Each Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any change to the information provided by it pursuant to this paragraph.
9. The percentages of each Lender for the purpose of A and C above and the rates of charge of each Reference Bank for the purpose of E above shall be determined by the Administrative Agent based upon the information supplied to it pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 8 above and on the assumption that, unless a Lender notifies the Administrative Agent to the contrary, each Lenders obligations in relation to cash ratio deposits and Special Deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its jurisdiction of incorporation with a Applicable Lending Office in the same jurisdiction as its Applicable Lending Office.
10. The Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any person if such determination results in an Additional Cost Rate which over or under compensates any Lender and shall be entitled to assume that the information provided by any Lender or Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above is true and correct in all respects.
11. The Administrative Agent shall distribute the additional amounts received as a result of the Mandatory Cost to the Lenders on the basis of the Additional Cost Rate for each Lender based on the information provided by each Lender and each Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above.
12. Any determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Schedule in relation to a formula, the Mandatory Cost, an Additional Cost Rate or any amount payable to a Lender shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties.
13. The Administrative Agent may from time to time, after consultation with the Borrower and the Lenders, determine and notify to all Parties any amendments which are required to be made to this Schedule in order to comply with any change in law, regulation or any requirements from time to time imposed by the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank (or, in any case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) and any such determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties.
SCHEDULE 2-3
COMMITMENTS
INITIAL LENDER |
|
EUR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citibank International plc |
|
|
220,000,000 |
|
UBS Limited |
|
|
220,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
||
TOTAL |
|
|
440,000,000 |
|
SCHEDULE 3
Exhibit 10.2
GUARANTY
GUARANTY, dated as of August 25, 2006 made by Kraft Foods Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Virginia (Kraft), in favor of Citibank International plc (Citibank), as agent for and representative of (the Administrative Agent) the financial parties (the Lenders) party to the Credit Agreement referred to below.
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and to induce the Lenders to make Advances under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 25, 2006 (as amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement) by and among Sheffield Investments, S.L. (the Borrower), the initial lenders named therein, the Administrative Agent and Citigroup Global Markets Limited and UBS Securities LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Kraft agrees as follows:
1. Guaranty. Kraft hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise (such obligations being the Obligations), and any and all expenses (including counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty.
2. Guaranty Absolute. Kraft guarantees that the Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto. The liability of Kraft under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity, enforceability or genuineness of any provision of the Credit Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;
(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the Credit Agreement;
(c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Obligations; or
(d) any manner of application of Collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any Collateral for all or any of the Obligations (and Kraft acknowledges that the Liens on the Collateral under the Bank Account Charge in favor of the Secured Parties have been (or shortly will be) released by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower);
(e) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or Kraft.
This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
3. Waiver.
(a) Kraft hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against the Borrower or any other Person or any collateral.
(b) Kraft hereby irrevocably waives any claims or other rights that it may now or hereafter acquire against the Borrower that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of Krafts obligations under this Guaranty or the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or any collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Borrower, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right. If any amount shall be paid to Kraft in violation of the preceding sentence at any time prior to the later of the cash payment in full of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty and the Termination Date, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and this Guaranty, or to be held as collateral for any Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. Kraft acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing provided to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and this Guaranty and that the waiver set forth in this Section 3(b) is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
4. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Guaranty shall have no force or effect until the Extension Date; provided, however, that Sections 14 through 24 shall have effect upon the execution of this Guaranty by each party hereto.
5. Time and Place of Payment. Kraft shall make each payment hereunder, without set-off or counterclaim, not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the day when due to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent Account in same day funds.
6. Right of Set-Off. Upon (a) the occurrence and during the continuance of any Loan Event of Default and (b) the making of the request or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Advances due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of Kraft against any and all of the Obligations now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender shall promptly notify Kraft after any such set-off and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender and its affiliates under this Section 6 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Lender and its affiliates may have.
2
7. Representations and Warranties: Kraft represents and warrants as of the Extension Date as follows:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Virginia.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty are within its corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not contravene (i) its charter or by-laws or (ii) in any material respect, any law, rule, regulation or order of any court or governmental agency or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by it of this Guaranty.
(d) This Guaranty is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Kraft enforceable against Kraft in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(e) As reported in Krafts Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, the consolidated balance sheets of Kraft and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and the consolidated statements of earnings of Kraft and its Subsidiaries for the year then ended fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Kraft and its Subsidiaries as at such date and the consolidated results of the operations of Kraft and its Subsidiaries for the year ended on such date, all in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Except as disclosed in Krafts Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, in Krafts Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and in any current Report on Form 8-K filed subsequent to December 31, 2005 but prior to the date hereof, since December 31, 2005 there has been no material adverse change in such position or operations.
(f) There is no pending or threatened action or proceeding affecting it or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator (a Proceeding) (i) that purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty or (ii) except for Proceedings disclosed in Krafts Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, in Krafts Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, any current Report on form 8-K filed subsequent to December 31, 2005 but prior to the date hereof, and, with respect to Proceedings commenced after the date of the most recent such document but prior to the date hereof, a certificate delivered to the Lenders, that may materially adversely affect the financial position or results of operations of Kraft and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(g) It owns directly or indirectly all of the shares in the Borrower.
8. Affirmative Covenants: So long as any Advance under the Credit Agreement shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment under the Credit Agreement, Kraft will:
(a) Compliance with Laws, Etc. Comply, and cause each Major Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders (such compliance to include, without limitation, complying with ERISA and paying before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its property except to the extent contested in good faith),
3
noncompliance with which would materially adversely affect the financial condition or operations of Kraft and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) Maintenance of Net Worth. Maintain total shareholders equity on the consolidated balance sheet of Kraft and its Subsidiaries of not less than $20,000,000,000.
(c) Reporting Requirements. Furnish to the Lenders:
(i) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of Kraft, an unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheet of Kraft and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of earnings of Kraft and its Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter, certified by the chief financial officer of Kraft;
(ii) as soon as available and in any event within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year of Kraft, a copy of the consolidated financial statements for such year for Kraft and its Subsidiaries, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (or other independent auditors which, as of the date of this Agreement, are one of the big four accounting firms);
(iii) all reports which Kraft sends to any of its shareholders and copies of all reports on Form 8-K (or any successor forms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission) that Kraft files with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(iv) as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the occurrence of each Event of Default and each event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of the chief financial officer or treasurer of Kraft setting forth details of such Event of Default or event and the action which Kraft has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto; and
(v) such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of Kraft or any Major Subsidiary as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
In lieu of furnishing the Lenders the items referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, Kraft may make such items available on the internet at www.kraft.com (which website includes an option to subscribe to a free service alerting subscribers by e-mail of new Securities and Exchange Commission filings) or any successor or replacement website thereof, or by similar electronic means.
9. Negative Covenants. So long as any Advance shall remain unpaid under the Credit Agreement or any Lender shall have any Commitment under the Credit Agreement, Kraft will not:
(a) Liens, Etc. Create or suffer to exist, or permit any Major Subsidiary to create or suffer to exist, any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance (other than operating leases and licensed intellectual property), or any other type of preferential arrangement (Liens), upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign, or permit any Major Subsidiary to assign, any right to receive income, in each case to secure or provide for the payment of any Debt of any Person, other than:
4
(i) Liens upon or in property acquired or held by it or any Major Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such property or to secure indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such property;
(ii) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition (other than any such lien or security interest created in contemplation of such acquisition);
(iii) Liens existing on the date hereof securing Debt;
(iv) Liens on property financed through the issuance of industrial revenue bonds in favor of the holders of such bonds or any agent or trustee therefor;
(v) Liens existing on property of any Person acquired by Kraft or any Major Subsidiary;
(vi) Liens securing Debt in an aggregate amount not in excess of 15% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;
(vii) Liens upon or with respect to margin stock as that term is defined in Regulation U;
(viii) Liens in favor of Kraft or any Major Subsidiary;
(ix) precautionary Liens provided by Kraft or any Major Subsidiary in connection with the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of assets by Kraft or such Major Subsidiary which transaction is determined by the Board of Directors of Kraft or such Major Subsidiary to constitute a sale under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States; or
(x) any extension, renewal or replacement of the foregoing, provided that (A) such Lien does not extend to any additional assets (other than a substitution of like assets), and (B) the amount of Debt secured by any such Lien is not increased.
(b) Mergers, Etc. Consolidate with or merge into, or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person, or permit any Subsidiary directly or indirectly owned by it to do so, unless, immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default would exist and, in the case of any merger or consolidation to which it is a party, the surviving corporation is Kraft or was a Subsidiary of Kraft immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, which is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, or the District of Columbia. The surviving corporation of any merger or consolidation involving Kraft shall assume all of Krafts obligations under this Guaranty (including without limitation with respect to Krafts obligations, the covenants set forth in Section 8 and 9) by the execution and delivery of an instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders.
10. Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until payment in full (after the Termination Date) of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (b) be binding upon Kraft, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and their respective successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Advances owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
5
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 8.07 of the Credit Agreement.
11. Guaranty Events of Default. Each of the following events (each a Guaranty Event of Default) shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Any representation or warranty made or deemed to have been made by Kraft herein or by Kraft (or any of its officers) in connection with this Guaranty shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made; or
(b) Kraft shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 8(b) or 9(b), (ii) any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 9(a) if such failure shall remain unremedied for 15 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to Kraft by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (iii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Guaranty on its part to be performed or observed if such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to Kraft by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(c) Kraft or any Major Subsidiary shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Debt which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $100,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Debt arising under this Guaranty or the Credit Agreement) of Kraft or such Major Subsidiary, as the case may be, when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Debt unless adequate provision for any such payment has been made in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders; or any Debt of Kraft or any Major Subsidiary which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $100,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Debt arising under this Guaranty or the Credit Agreement) shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a scheduled required prepayment), redeemed, purchased or defeased, or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Debt shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof unless adequate provision for the payment of such Debt has been made in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders; or
(d) Kraft or any Major Subsidiary shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against Kraft or any Major Subsidiary seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property, and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any of its property constituting a substantial part of the property of Kraft and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole) shall occur; or Kraft or any Major Subsidiary shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (d); or
(e) Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $100,000,000 shall be rendered against Kraft or any Major Subsidiary and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such unsatisfied judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
6
(f) Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur, or shall be reasonably likely to incur, liability in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate as a result of one or more of the following: (i) the occurrence of any ERISA Event; (ii) the partial or complete withdrawal of Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; or (iii) the reorganization or termination of a Multiemployer Plan; provided, however, that no Guaranty Default or Guaranty Event of Default under this Section 11(f) shall be deemed to have occurred if Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate shall have made arrangements satisfactory to the PBGC or the Required Lenders to discharge or otherwise satisfy such liability (including the posting of a bond or other security).
12. Taxes. Any and all payments made by Kraft hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto (Taxes). If any Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable hereunder, the amounts so payable shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield (after payment of all Taxes) the amounts payable hereunder in the full amounts so to be paid.
13. Krafts Credit Decision, Etc. Kraft has, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent and based on such documents and information as Kraft has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty. Kraft has adequate means to obtain from the Borrower on a continuing basis information concerning the financial condition, operations and business of the Borrower, and Kraft is not relying on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to provide such information now or in the future. Kraft acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the extensions of credit contemplated by this Guaranty.
14. Certain Defined Terms. (a) Each capitalized term utilized in this Guaranty that is not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement. As used in this Guaranty, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
Consolidated Tangible Assets means the total assets appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of Kraft and its Subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangible assets and the minority interests of other Persons in such Subsidiaries, all as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, except that if there has been a material change in an accounting principle as compared to that applied in the preparation of the financial statements of Kraft and its Subsidiaries as at and for the year ended December 31, 2005, then such new accounting principle shall not be used in the determination of Consolidated Tangible Assets. A material change in an accounting principle is one that, in the year of its adoption, changes Consolidated Tangible Assets at any quarter in such year by more than 10%.
Debt means (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) obligations as lessee under leases that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are recorded as capital leases, and (c) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of any other Person of the kinds referred to in clause (a) or (b) above.
Default means Guaranty Default or Loan Default.
7
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate means any Person that for purposes of Title IV of ERISA is a member of Krafts controlled group, or under common control with Kraft, within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.
ERISA Event means (a) (i) the occurrence with respect to a Plan of a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect thereto has been waived by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any successor) (PBGC), or (ii) the requirements of subsection (1) of Section 4043(b) of ERISA (without regard to subsection (2) of such section) are met with respect to a contributing sponsor, as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, of a Plan, and an event described in paragraph (9), (10), (11), (12) or (13) of Section 4043(c) of ERISA is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days; (b) the application for a minimum funding waiver with respect to a Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan, pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the cessation of operations at a facility of Kraft or any of its ERISA Affiliates in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (e) the withdrawal by Kraft or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f) the conditions set forth in Section 302(f)(1)(A) and (B) of ERISA to the creation of a lien upon property or rights to property of Kraft or any of its ERISA Affiliates for failure to make a required payment to a Plan are satisfied; (g) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan, pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (h) the termination of a Plan by the PBGC pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of ERISA that constitutes grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.
Event of Default means Guaranty Event of Default or Loan Event of Default.
Guaranty Default means any event specified in Section 11 that would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both.
Guaranty Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 11.
Indemnified Party has the meaning specified in Section 17(b).
Liens has the meaning specified in Section 9(a).
Loan Default means Default as defined in the Credit Agreement.
Loan Event of Default means Event of Default as defined in the Credit Agreement.
Major Subsidiary means any Subsidiary (a) more than 50% of the voting securities of which is owned directly or indirectly by Kraft, (b) which is organized and existing under, or has its principal place of business in, the United States or any political subdivision thereof, Canada or any political subdivision thereof, any country which is a member of the European Union on the date hereof (other than Greece, Portugal or Spain) or any political subdivision thereof, or Switzerland, Norway or Australia or any of their respective political subdivisions, and (c) which has at any time total assets (after intercompany eliminations) exceeding $1,000,000,000.
8
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions, such plan being maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements.
Multiple Employer Plan means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one Person other than Kraft and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Obligations has the meaning specified in Section 1.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
Plan means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
Regulation U means Regulation U of the Board, as in effect from time to time.
Single Employer Plan means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate and no Person other than Kraft and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which Kraft or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Subsidiary of any Person means any corporation of which (or in which) more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Persons other Subsidiaries.
(b) Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, except that if there has been a material change in an accounting principle affecting the definition of an accounting term as compared to that applied in the preparation of the financial statements of Kraft as of and for the year ended 31 December 2005, then such new accounting principle shall not be used in the determination of the amount associated with that accounting term. A material change in an accounting principle is one that, in the year of its adoption, changes the amount associated with the relevant accounting term for any quarter in such year by more than 10%.
15. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty, nor consent to any departure by Kraft therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent (acting with any Lender consents required under the Credit Agreement), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
16. Notices, Etc. (a) Addresses. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier communication) and mailed, telecopied, or delivered, as follows:
9
if to Kraft:
Kraft Foods Inc.
Three Lakes Drive
Northfield, Illinois 60093
Attention: Secretary
Fax number: (847) 646-2950
if to Citibank, as Administrative Agent:
Citibank International plc
Loans Agency Office, 2nd Floor
4 Harbour Exchange Square
London E14 9GE
England
Attention: Ian Hayton/Sonia Gosparini
Fax number: +44 208 636 3824/3825
or, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties.
(b) Effectiveness of Notices. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed or telecopied, be effective when deposited in the mail or telecopied, respectively. Delivery by telecopier or other electronic communication of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or of any Exhibit hereto to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.
17. Costs and Expenses; Indemnification.
(a) Costs and Expenses. Kraft agrees to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration (excluding any cost or expenses for administration related to the overhead of the Administrative Agent), modification and amendment of this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement and the documents to be delivered hereunder and thereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent, with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent, as to its rights and responsibilities under this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement, and all costs and expenses of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent), in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder and thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall this Section 17(a) constitute a guaranty of the repayment of any Advance or any interest thereon.
(b) Indemnification. Kraft agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender and each of their respective affiliates, control persons, directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents (each, an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be incurred by or asserted against any Indemnified Party, in each case in connection with or arising out of, or in connection with the preparation for or defence of, any investigation, litigation, or proceeding (i) related to any transaction or proposed transaction (whether or not consummated) in which any proceeds of any Borrowing are applied or proposed to be applied, directly or indirectly, by any Borrower, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party to such transaction or (ii) related to the Borrowers entering into the Credit Agreement, Krafts entering into this Guaranty, or to any actions or omissions of the Borrower or Kraft, any of their respective Subsidiaries or affiliates (other than Altria Group, Inc. and its non-Kraft Subsidiaries or affiliates) or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection therewith, in
10
each case whether or not an Indemnified Party is a party thereto and whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by Kraft or the Borrower or any other Person; provided, however, that Kraft shall not be required to indemnify any such Indemnified Party from or against any portion of such claims, damages, losses, liabilities or expenses that is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall this Section 17(b) constitute a guaranty of the repayment of any Advance or any interest thereon.
(c) Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of Kraft under this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of Kraft contained in Section 1 (with respect to enforcement expenses) and the last sentence of Section 2 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.
18. Binding Effect. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Kraft, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that Kraft shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders.
19. Disclosure of Information. Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to the Credit Agreement, disclose to an assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information relating to Kraft furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of Kraft; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall agree to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to Kraft received by it from such Lender.
20. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Lender or any Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under this Guaranty shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
21. Governing Law. This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
22. Execution in Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier or other electronic communication shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty.
23. Jurisdiction, Etc.
(a) Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York state court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Kraft hereby further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties hereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to Kraft at its
11
address specified pursuant to Section 16. Each of the parties hereto 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. Nothing in this Guaranty shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Waivers. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty in any New York state or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
24. Confidentiality. None of the Agents nor any Lender shall disclose any confidential information relating to Kraft to any other Person without the consent of Kraft, other than (a) to such Agents or such Lenders affiliates and their officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors and, as contemplated by Section 19, to actual or prospective assignees and participants, and then, in each such case, only on a confidential basis; provided, however, that such actual or prospective assignee or participant shall have been made aware of this Section 24 and shall have agreed to be bound by its provisions as if it were a party to this Guaranty, (b) as required by any law, rule or regulation or judicial process, and (c) as requested or required by any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner regulating banks or banking or other financial institutions. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that Kraft (and any employee, officer, representative or agent thereof) shall not be limited from disclosing the U.S. tax treatment or U.S. tax structure of the transaction.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Kraft and the Administrative Agent have caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.
KRAFT FOODS INC. |
||
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/ James Dollive |
|
|
Name: J. Dollive |
|
|
Title: CFO |
|
|
|
|
CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL plc, |
|
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/ Paul Gibbs |
|
|
Name: Paul Gibbs |
|
|
Title: Vice President |