-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UoKZqgOa4QRuY/L321l+mxSWeE+Js2BdxeUkFCyuC9ZYID4oxBjWE7FZb5k7WZ83 5dYagHtw43zE26nv/KvocQ== 0000950152-06-002081.txt : 20060315 0000950152-06-002081.hdr.sgml : 20060315 20060315080511 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950152-06-002081 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 11 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060315 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060315 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GENERAL CABLE CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000886035 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: DRAWING AND INSULATING NONFERROUS WIRE [3357] IRS NUMBER: 061398235 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12983 FILM NUMBER: 06686703 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 TESSENEER DRIVE CITY: HIGHLAND HEIGHTS STATE: KY ZIP: 41076 BUSINESS PHONE: 6065728000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 TESSENEER DRIVE CITY: HIGHLAND HEIGHTS STATE: KY ZIP: 41076 10-K 1 l18783ae10vk.htm GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION 10-K General Cable Corporation 10-K
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___to ___.
Commission file number: 1-12983
GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   06-1398235
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
4 Tesseneer Drive    
Highland Heights, KY   41076-9753
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (859) 572-8000
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
         
Title of each class
  Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
  New York Stock Exchange
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes £ No R
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes £ No R
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes R No £
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation of S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. R
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer £ Accelerated filer R Non-accelerated filer £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No R
The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $575.8 million at July 1, 2005 (based upon non-affiliate holdings of 38,698,194 shares and a market price of $14.88 per share).
As of March 1, 2006, there were 50,228,749 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE :
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005 have been incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 

 


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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT
ON FORM 10-K
             
        PAGE
           
 
           
  Business     3  
  Risk Factors     12  
  Unresolved Staff Comments     19  
  Properties     19  
  Legal Proceedings     20  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     22  
 
           
           
 
           
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     22  
  Selected Financial Data     24  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     26  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     44  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     45  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     45  
  Controls and Procedures     45  
  Other Information     49  
 
           
           
 
           
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     49  
  Executive Compensation     49  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     49  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     49  
  Principal Accounting Fees and Services     49  
 
           
           
 
           
  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule     50  
 
        51  
        52  
 Exhibit 10.71
 Exhibit 10.72
 Exhibit 10.73
 Exhibit 10.74
 Exhibit 12.1
 Exhibit 21.1
 Exhibit 23.1
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1

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PART I.
Item 1. Business
General Cable Corporation (the Company) is a leading global developer and manufacturer in the wire and cable industry. The Company’s operations are divided into three main segments: energy, industrial & specialty and communications. Energy cable products include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products for overhead and buried applications. Industrial & specialty wire and cable products conduct electrical current for industrial, OEM, commercial and residential power and control applications. Communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice and data applications. The Company has a leading market position in each of the segments in which it competes due to product, geographic and customer diversity and the Company’s ability to operate as a low cost provider. The Company sells a wide variety of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products, which it believes represents the most diversified product line of any U.S. manufacturer. As a result, the Company is able to offer its customers a single source for most of their wire and cable requirements. The Company manufactures its product lines in 28 facilities and sells its products worldwide through its operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Technical expertise and implementation of Lean Six Sigma strategies have contributed to the Company’s ability to maintain its position as a low cost provider.
The Company is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated in April 1994. Its principal executive offices are located at 4 Tesseneer Drive, Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076-9753 and its telephone number is (859) 572-8000. The Company’s internet address is www.generalcable.com. General Cable’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available free of charge at www.generalcable.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, the Company will provide, at no cost, paper or electronic copies of our reports and other filings made with the SEC. Requests should be directed to: Investor Relations, General Cable Corporation, 4 Tesseneer Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41076-9753.
The information on the website listed above is not and should not be considered part of this annual report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference in this document. This website address is and is only intended to be an inactive textual reference.
The Company and its predecessors have served various wire and cable markets for over 150 years. The Company’s immediate predecessor was a unit of American Premier Underwriters, Inc. (American Premier), previously known as The Penn Central Corporation. American Premier acquired the Company’s existing wire and cable business in 1981 and significantly expanded the business between 1988 and 1991 by acquiring Carol Cable Company, Inc. and other wire and cable businesses and facilities. In June 1994, a subsidiary of Wassall PLC acquired the Predecessor by purchase of General Cable’s outstanding subordinated promissory note, the General Cable common stock held by American Premier and a tender offer for the publicly-held General Cable common stock. Between May and August 1997, Wassall consummated public offerings for the sale of all of its interest in General Cable’s common stock. The Company has operated as an independent public company since completion of the offerings.
Products and Markets
In December of 2005, as a result of both external market changes, including a shift in customer base, and internal management changes, management of the Company made a decision to change the classification of the Wire Harness & Assemblies (WH&A) business and the Carol® Electronics business from the Communications segment to the Industrial & Specialty segment for external reporting purposes. The changes represent only reclassifications between segments and do not change the Company’s consolidated net sales, operating income, identifiable assets, capital expenditures, or depreciation expense as reported in previous quarterly and annual filings. To see the effects of the segment restatements on previously reported historical results, see Footnote 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All operating segment information from prior periods presented in this document has been restated to reflect the segment reclassifications. All annual 2005 segment information incorporates the new classifications discussed above.

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Financial information for each of the Company’s three main operating segments is summarized below, in millions of dollars:
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Net sales:
                                               
Energy
  $ 849.6       36 %   $ 705.7       36 %   $ 560.2       37 %
Industrial & Specialty
    989.8       42 %     810.5       41 %     602.4       39 %
Communications
    541.4       22 %     454.5       23 %     375.8       24 %
 
                                   
Total net sales
  $ 2,380.8       100 %   $ 1,970.7       100 %   $ 1,538.4       100 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Operating income (loss):
                                               
Energy
  $ 65.9       56 %   $ 39.8       57 %   $ 38.0       71 %
Industrial & Specialty
    37.4       32 %     27.6       40 %     11.5       21 %
Communications
    13.8       12 %     2.0       3 %     4.4       8 %
 
                                   
Subtotal
    117.1       100 %     69.4       100 %     53.9       100 %
 
                                         
Corporate charges
    (18.6 )             (12.9 )             (8.2 )        
 
                                         
Total operating income
  $ 98.5             $ 56.5             $ 45.7          
 
                                         
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Total assets:
               
Energy
  $ 473.7     $ 350.6  
Industrial & Specialty
    580.8       442.0  
Communications
    301.8       303.3  
Corporate
    166.9       143.4  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,523.2     $ 1,239.3  
 
           
The operating loss included in corporate for 2005 consisted of $18.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s communications cable manufacturing facilities, which includes a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. The operating loss included in corporate for 2004 consisted of $7.1 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s industrial cable manufacturing facilities, $1.5 million for remediation costs of a former manufacturing facility, $2.4 million related to the unwinding of the former fiber optics joint venture and $1.9 million related to the write-off of goodwill. The operating loss included in corporate for 2003 consisted of $7.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s industrial cable manufacturing facilities and $2.7 million for severance related to headcount reductions of approximately 110 associates in the Company’s European operations. These charges were partially offset by $2.1 million of income resulting from the reversal of unutilized restructuring reserves related to the closure in prior years of North American manufacturing facilities. The Company has recorded the operating items discussed above in the corporate segment rather than reflect such items in the energy, industrial & specialty or communications segments operating income because they are not considered in the operating performance evaluation of the energy, industrial & specialty or communications segments by the Company’s chief operating decision-maker, its Chief Executive Officer.
Corporate assets included cash, deferred income taxes, certain property, including property held for sale and prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets. The property held for sale consists of real property remaining from the Company’s closure of certain manufacturing operations in the amount of $3.1 million at December 31, 2005 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2004. These properties are actively being marketed for sale. Depreciation on corporate property has been allocated to the operating segments.

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The principal products, markets, distribution channels and end-users of each of the Company’s product categories are summarized below:
             
Product Category   Principal Products   Principal Markets   Principal End-Users
Energy
           
     Utility
  Low-Voltage, Medium-Voltage Distribution; Bare Overhead Conductor; High-Voltage Transmission Cable   Power Utility   Investor-Owned Utility Companies; State and Local Public Power Companies; Rural Electric Associations; Contractors
Industrial & Specialty
           
     Instrumentation, Power,      Control and Specialty
  Rubber and Plastic-Jacketed Wire and Cable; Power and Industrial Cable; Instrumentation and Control Cable   Industrial Power and Control; Utility/Marine/Transit; Military; Mining; Oil and Gas; Industrial; Power Generation; Infrastructure; Residential Construction   Industrial Consumers; Contractors; OEMs; Military Customers; Telecommunication System Operators
     Automotive
  Ignition Wire Sets   Automotive
Aftermarket
  Consumers
     Electronics
  Multi-Conductor; Coaxial; Sound, Security/Fire Alarm Cable   Building Management; Entertainment; Equipment Control   Contractors;
Consumers
     Assemblies
  Cable Harnesses;
Connector Cable
  Industrial Equipment;
Medical Equipment; Military
  Industrial Equipment Manufacturers;
Military Customers
Communications
           
     Outside Voice and Data      (Telecommunications)
  Outside Plant Telecommunications Exchange Cable; Outside Service Wire   Telecom Local Loop   Telecommunications
System Operators
     Data Communications
  Multi-Conductor/Multi-Pair; Fiber Optic; Shipboard; Military Fiber Cable   Computer Networking and Multimedia Applications   Contractors; OEMs; Systems Integrators; Systems Operators; Military Customers
The Company operates its businesses globally, with 66% of net sales in 2005 generated from North American operations and 34% generated from International operations.
Industry and Market Overview
The wire and cable industry is competitive, mature and cost driven. In many business segments, there is little differentiation among industry participants from a manufacturing or technology standpoint. During 2004 and continuing throughout 2005, the Company’s end markets have continued to demonstrate improvement from the low points of demand experienced in 2003. There has been significant merger and acquisition activity which, the Company believes, may lead to a reduction in the deployment of inefficient, high cost capacity in the industry. Wire and cable products are relatively low value added, higher weight (and therefore relatively expensive to transport) and often subject to regional or country specifications. The wire and cable industry is raw materials intensive with copper and aluminum comprising the major cost components for cable products. Changes in the cost of copper and aluminum are generally passed through to the customer, although there can be timing delays of varying lengths depending on the volatility in metal prices, the type of product, competitive conditions and particular customer arrangements.
Energy
The energy market consists of low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products for overhead and buried applications. Growth in this market will be largely dependent on the investment policies of electric

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utilities, infrastructure improvement and the growing energy needs of emerging economies in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Company believes that the increase in electricity consumption in North America has outpaced the rate of utility investment in power cables. As a result, the Company believes the average age of power transmission cables has increased, the current electric transmission infrastructure needs to be upgraded and the transmission grid is near capacity. In addition, the 2003 power outages in the U.S., Canada and Europe emphasized the need to upgrade the power transmission infrastructure used by electric utilities, which may, over time, cause an increase in demand for the Company’s energy products. In addition, tax legislation was passed in the United States in 2004 which included the renewal of tax credits for producing power from wind. This may also cause an increase in demand for the Company’s products as the Company is a significant manufacturer of wire and cable used in wind farms. Also, the passage of energy legislation in the United States in 2005 that is aimed at improving the transmission grid infrastructure and the reliability of power availability may increase demand for the Company’s transmission and distribution cables over time. An increase in the volume of energy segment sales in combination with increased selling prices is already occurring and leading to improvements in energy segment operating margins.
The Company is a leader in the supply of energy cables to the North America electric utility industry. The business manufactures low- and medium-voltage aluminum and copper distribution cable, bare overhead aluminum conductor and high-voltage transmission cable. Bare transmission cables are utilized by utilities in the transmission grid to provide electric power from the power generating stations to the distribution sub-stations. Medium-voltage energy cables are utilized in the primary distribution infrastructure to bring the power from the distribution sub-stations to the transformers. Demand for both bare aluminum transmission cable and medium-voltage distribution cable increased strongly during 2005. Low-voltage energy cables are utilized in the secondary distribution infrastructure to take the power from the transformers to the end-user’s meter.
The Company’s North American energy cables business has strategic alliances in the United States and Canada with a number of major customers and is strengthening its position through these agreements. This business utilizes a network of direct sales and authorized distributors to supply low- and medium-voltage and bare overhead cable products. This market is represented by approximately 3,500 utility companies.
A majority of the Company’s North America energy market customers have entered into written agreements with the Company for the purchase of wire and cable products. These agreements typically have 2-4 year terms and provide adjustments to selling prices to reflect fluctuations in the cost of raw materials. These agreements do not guarantee a minimum level of sales. Historically, approximately 70% of our North America energy business revenues are under contract prior to the start of each year.
The Company’s European energy cables business is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain and is a strong regional wire and cable manufacturer in Europe. The business utilizes its broad product offering and its low cost manufacturing platform to grow the business. The business has also benefited from its competitors ongoing withdrawal of medium-voltage cable manufacturing capacity from the European market and from the trend in Europe to install power cables underground, which requires more highly engineered cables. In addition, the Company’s recent acquisition of Silec®, the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN SA, will benefit the continued growth of the Company’s energy segment in Europe by expanding the Company’s high-voltage and extra high-voltage product offering while also strengthening the Company’s material science, energy connectivity and systems integration expertise.
Industrial & Specialty
The industrial & specialty market consists of wire and cable products that conduct electrical current for industrial, OEM, commercial and residential power and control applications. The principal product categories in this market are portable cord, industrial cables, automotive products, electronics cables and cable harnesses.
The global market for industrial & specialty cable products has many niches. Sales in North America are heavily influenced by the level of industrial construction spending. The Company saw strengthening demand throughout 2005 as a direct result of a strong turnaround in industrial construction spending in North America. This segment has also experienced increased demand for marine, mining and oil and gas exploration products as well as portable power cords. Growth in the industrial & specialty markets will be largely dependent upon new industrial construction, the level of coal, oil and alternative energy exploration and extraction, investment in capital equipment and vehicle after-market maintenance spending.
Many industrial and commercial wire and cable applications require cables with exterior armor and/or jacketing materials that can endure exposure to chemicals, extreme temperatures and outside elements. The Company offers products that are specifically designed for these applications.

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Portable Cord and Specialty Cables. The Company manufactures and sells a wide variety of rubber and plastic insulated portable cord products for power and control applications serving industrial, mining, entertainment, OEM, farming and other markets. Portable cord products are used for the distribution of electrical power, but are designed and constructed to be used in dynamic and severe environmental conditions where a flexible but durable power supply is required. Portable cord products include both standard commercial cord and cord products designed to meet customer specifications. Portable rubber-jacketed power cord, the Company’s largest selling cord product line, is typically manufactured without a connection device at either end and is sold in standard and customer-specified lengths. Portable cord is also sold to OEMs for use as power cords on their products and in other applications, in which case the cord is made to the OEMs’ specifications. The Company also manufactures portable cord for use with moveable heavy equipment and machinery. The Company’s portable cord products are sold primarily through electrical distributors and electrical retailers to industrial customers, OEMs, contractors and consumers.
The Company’s portable cords are used in the installation of new industrial equipment and the maintenance of existing equipment, and to supply electrical power at temporary venues such as festivals, sporting events, concerts and construction sites. The Company expects demand for portable cord to be influenced by general economic activity.
The Company’s industrial & specialty products sold under the “Brand Rex” name include low-voltage and data transmission cables, rail and mass transit cables, shipboard cables, off-shore cables and other industrial cables. Industrial & specialty products also include cables that meet low-smoke, zero-halogen requirements in Europe. Primary uses for these products include various applications within power generating stations, marine, oil and gas, transit/locomotive, OEMs, machine builders, medical imaging, shipboard, aerospace industries, space flight and aircraft markets. Shipboard cables sold by the Company hold a leading position with the U.S. Navy. The Company’s Polyrad XT® marine wire and cable products also provide superior properties and performance levels that are necessary for heavy-duty industrial applications to both onshore and offshore platforms, ships and oil rigs.
Industrial cable products include medium- and low-voltage power, control and instrumentation cable, armored power cable, flexible control cables, festoon cables, robotic cables and industrial data communications cables. These products have various applications in power generating stations and substations, process control, mining, material handling, machine tool and robotics markets.
Automotive Products. The Company’s principal automotive product is ignition wire sets for sale to the automotive aftermarket. The Company sells its automotive ignition wire sets primarily to automotive parts retailers and distributors, hardware and home center retail chains and hardware distributors. The Company’s automotive products are also sold on a private label basis to retailers and other automotive parts manufacturers.
Electronics. Electronics products include multi-conductor, multi-pair, coaxial, hook-up, audio and microphone cables, speaker and television lead wire, and high temperature and shielded electronic wire. Primary uses for these products are various applications within the commercial, industrial instrumentation and control and residential markets. These markets require a broad range of multi-conductor products for applications involving programmable controllers, robotics, process control and computer integrated manufacturing, sensors and test equipment, as well as cable for fire alarm, smoke detection, sprinkler control, entertainment and security systems.
OEM Products. Assemblies are used in industrial control applications as well as medical equipment and military applications. These assemblies are used in such products as data processing equipment, diagnostic imaging equipment, office machines and industrial machinery. The Company’s industrial instrumentation and control products are sold primarily through distributors and agents.
Communications
The communications market consists of wire and cable products that transmit low-voltage signals for voice and data applications. The principal product categories are:
  Outside voice and data products — wire and cable products for voice, data and video transmission applications; and
  Data communication products — high-bandwidth twisted copper and fiber optic cables and multiconductor cables for customer premises, local area networks and telephone company central offices.
During the early part of this decade, sales of communications wire and cable products decreased, primarily as a result of the significant decline from historic spending levels for outside plant telecommunications cables and a weak market for switching/local area networking cables. The Company has benefited from the consolidation of competitors during 2004 and will also benefit from the substantially completed closure of its Bonham, Texas and Dayville, Connecticut facilities which

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will allow the Company to better utilize its communications manufacturing assets. Growth in this market will be largely dependent upon the level of information technology spending on network infrastructure and capital spending by the Regional Bell Operating Companies, or RBOC’s, on maintenance, repair and expansion of their copper cable infrastructure. During 2005, overall demand for communications wire and cable products from the RBOC’s has declined. However, increases in enterprise networking cable sales, as part of the Company’s new go-to-market strategy, has helped offset the decline in RBOC sales. An increase in sales in the commercial and export markets and increased sales of service wire has made a positive impact as well. The Company anticipates, based on regulatory announcements, further deployment of fiber optic products into the telephone network. Increased spending by the telephone companies on fiber deployment may negatively impact their purchases of the Company’s copper based telecommunications cable products. However, this impact may be somewhat mitigated in that the Company believes it will benefit from the further investment in fiber broadband networks as some of its customers will most likely need to upgrade a portion of their copper network to support the fiber network.
Outside Voice and Data Products. The Company’s principal outside voice and data products are outside plant telecommunications exchange cable and service wire. Outside plant telecommunications exchange cable is short haul trunk, feeder or distribution cable from a telephone company’s central office to the subscriber premises. It consists of multiple paired conductors (ranging from 2 pairs to 4,200 pairs) and various types of sheathing, water-proofing, foil wraps and metal jacketing. Service wire is used to connect telephone subscriber premises to curbside distribution cable.
The Company sells its outside voice and data products primarily to telecommunications system operators through its direct sales force under supply contracts of varying lengths, and also to telecommunications distributors. The contracts do not guarantee a minimum level of sales. Product prices are generally subject to periodic adjustment based upon changes in the cost of copper and other factors.
Data Communications Products. Data communications products are high-bandwidth twisted pair copper and fiber optic cable for the customer premise, local area networks, central office and OEM telecommunications equipment markets. Customer premise products are used for wiring at subscriber premises, and include computer, riser rated and plenum rated wire and cable. Riser cable runs between floors and plenum cable runs in air spaces, primarily above ceilings in non-residential structures. Local area network cables run between computers along horizontal raceways and in backbones between servers. Central office products interconnect components within central office switching systems and public branch exchanges. The Company sells data communications products primarily through a direct sales force. The market for data communications products has been adversely affected by a decrease in information technology spending. However, this decrease has been partially offset by continued spending in this market on maintenance and repair.
Geographic Groups
General Cable analyzes its worldwide operations in two geographic groups: 1) North America and 2) International. The following table sets forth net sales, operating income and total long-lived assets by geographic group for the periods presented, in millions of dollars:
                                                 
    Fiscal Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Net sales:
                                               
North America
  $ 1,573.2       66 %   $ 1,300.6       66 %   $ 1,074.2       70 %
International
    807.6       34 %     670.1       34 %     464.2       30 %
 
                                   
Total net sales
  $ 2,380.8       100 %   $ 1,970.7       100 %   $ 1,538.4       100 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Operating income (loss):
                                               
North America
  $ 54.0       46 %   $ 17.1       25 %   $ 5.6       10 %
International
    63.1       54 %     52.3       75 %     48.3       90 %
 
                                   
Subtotal
    117.1       100 %     69.4       100 %     53.9       100 %
 
                                         
Corporate charges
    (18.6 )             (12.9 )             (8.2 )        
 
                                   
Total operating income
  $ 98.5             $ 56.5             $ 45.7          
 
                                         
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Total long-lived assets:
               
North America
  $ 206.4     $ 213.4  
International
    160.0       142.6  
 
           
Total long-lived assets
  $ 366.4     $ 356.0  
 
           

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The Company believes that it is the largest participant in its served markets in the North American market. The Company’s European business is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, and has three manufacturing facilities in the Barcelona area, a manufacturing facility near Lisbon, Portugal, a manufacturing facility in Luanda, Angola, the recently acquired manufacturing campus of Silec® in Montereau, France and a plant in Brazil. The Company also operates distribution facilities throughout Europe. The main markets served are Spain, Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium and Brazil, with approximately 92% of sales generated in the European market and the remaining 8% representing export sales, excluding Silec® sales. Over 90% of net sales in Europe and Asia Pacific are derived from energy and industrial and specialty cable sales. The Company’s Asia Pacific business consists of a regional headquarters and manufacturing facility in Christchurch, New Zealand, a joint venture manufacturing facility in Fiji, sales offices in New Zealand and Australia and warehousing and distribution facilities in Australia. The business offers a broad product range in the energy, communications and electrical markets principally serving New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the Pacific Islands with certain products also sold into Asia.
Competition
The markets for all of the Company’s products are highly competitive, and the Company experiences competition from several competitors within each market. The Company believes that it has developed strong customer relations as a result of its ability to supply customer needs across a broad range of products, its commitment to quality control and continuous improvement, its continuing investment in information technology, its emphasis on customer service and its substantial product and distribution resources.
Although the primary competitive factors for the Company’s products vary somewhat across the different product categories, the principal factors influencing competition are generally breadth of product line, inventory availability and delivery time, price, quality and customer service. Many of the Company’s products are made to industry specifications, and are therefore essentially functionally interchangeable with those of competitors. However, the Company believes that significant opportunities exist to differentiate all of its products on the basis of quality, consistent availability, conformance to manufacturer’s specifications and customer service. Within some markets such as specialty and LAN cables, conformance to manufacturer’s specifications and technological superiority are also important competitive factors. Brand recognition is also a primary differentiating factor in the portable cord market and, to a lesser extent, in other product groups.
Raw Materials
The principal raw material used by General Cable in the manufacture of its wire and cable products is copper. The Company purchases copper from several major domestic and foreign producers, generally through annual supply contracts. Copper is available from many sources, however, any unanticipated problems with the Company’s copper rod suppliers could negatively affect the Company’s business. In 2005, the Company’s largest supplier of copper rod accounted for approximately 66% of its North American copper purchases.
In North America, the Company has centralized the purchasing of its copper, aluminum and other significant raw materials to capitalize on economies of scale and to facilitate the negotiation of favorable purchase terms from suppliers. The price of copper and aluminum has historically been subject to considerable volatility. The Company generally passes changes in copper and aluminum prices along to its customers, although there are timing delays of varying lengths depending upon the volatility in copper and aluminum prices, the type of product, competitive conditions and particular customer arrangements. A significant portion of the Company’s energy and communications business and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s industrial business has metal escalators written into customer contracts under a variety of price setting and recovery formulas. The remainder of the Company’s business requires that the cost of higher metal prices be recovered through negotiated price increases with customers. In these instances, the ability to increase the Company’s selling prices may lag the movement in metal prices by a period of time as the customer price increases are implemented. As a result of this and a number of other practices intended to match copper and aluminum purchases with sales, profitability over time has historically not been significantly affected by changes in copper and aluminum prices, although 2003 and 2004 profitability did suffer due to high unrecovered raw material costs. General Cable does not engage in speculative metals trading or other speculative activities.
Other raw materials utilized by the Company include nylon, polyethylene resin and compounds and plasticizers, fluoropolymer compounds, optical fiber and a variety of filling, binding and sheathing materials. In 2005, the Company produced approximately 25% of its PVC compound requirements for its North American operations. The Company believes that all of these materials are available in sufficient quantities through purchases in the open market.

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Patents and Trademarks
The Company believes that the success of its business depends more on the technical competence, creativity and marketing abilities of its employees than on any individual patent, trademark or copyright. Nevertheless, the Company has a policy of seeking patents when appropriate on inventions concerning new products and product improvements as part of its ongoing research, development and manufacturing activities.
The Company owns a number of U.S. and foreign patents and has patent applications pending in the U.S. and abroad. The Company also owns a number of U.S. and foreign registered trademarks and has many applications for new registrations pending.
Although in the aggregate these patents and trademarks are of considerable importance to the manufacturing and marketing of many of the Company’s products, the Company does not consider any single patent or trademark or group of patents or trademarks to be material to its business as a whole. While the Company occasionally obtains patent licenses from third parties, none are deemed to be material. Trademarks which are considered to be generally important are General Cable®, Anaconda®, BICC®, Helix®, Silec®, and Carol®, and the Company’s triad symbol. The Company believes that its products bearing these trademarks have achieved significant brand recognition within the industry.
The Company also relies on trade secret protection for its confidential and proprietary information. The Company routinely enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees. There can be no assurance, however, that others will not independently obtain similar information and techniques or otherwise gain access to the Company’s trade secrets or that the Company will be able to effectively protect its trade secrets.
Advertising Expense
Advertising expense consists of expenses relating to promoting the Company’s products, including trade shows, catalogs, and e-commerce promotions, and is charged to expense when incurred. Advertising expense was $6.4 million, $5.4 million and $4.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations covering the storage, handling, emission and discharge of materials into the environment, including CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act (including the 1990 amendments) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The Company’s subsidiaries in the United States have been identified as potentially responsible parties with respect to several sites designated for cleanup under CERCLA or similar state laws, which impose liability for cleanup of certain waste sites and for related natural resource damages without regard to fault or the legality of waste generation or disposal. Persons liable for such costs and damages generally include the site owner or operator and persons that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at those sites. Although CERCLA imposes joint and several liability on all potentially responsible parties, in application, the potentially responsible parties typically allocate the investigation and cleanup costs based upon, among other things, the volume of waste contributed by each potentially responsible party.
Settlements can often be achieved through negotiations with the appropriate environmental agency or the other potentially responsible parties. Potentially responsible parties that contributed small amounts of waste (typically less than 1% of the waste) are often given the opportunity to settle as “deminimus” parties, resolving their liability for a particular site. The Company does not own or operate any of the waste sites with respect to which it has been named as a potentially responsible party by the government. Based on the Company’s review and other factors, it believes that costs to the Company relating to environmental clean-up at these sites will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In the transaction with Wassall PLC in 1994, American Premier Underwriters, Inc. agreed to indemnify the Company against liabilities (including all environmental liabilities) arising out of the Company’s or the Company’s predecessors’ ownership or operation of the Indiana Steel & Wire Company and Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. businesses (which were divested by the predecessor prior to the 1994 Wassall transaction), without limitation as to time or amount. American Premier also agreed to indemnify the Company against 66 2 / 3 % of all other environmental liabilities arising out of the Company’s or the Company’s predecessors’ ownership or operation of other properties and assets in excess of $10 million but not in excess of $33 million, which were identified during the seven-year period ended June 2001. Indemnifiable environmental liabilities through June 2001 were substantially below that threshold. In addition, the Company also has claims against third parties with respect to some of these liabilities.

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During 1999, the Company acquired the worldwide energy cable and cable systems business of Balfour Beatty plc, previously known as BICC plc. As part of this acquisition, the seller agreed to indemnify the Company against environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the purchase of the business. The indemnity is for an eight-year period ending in 2007, while the Company operates the businesses, subject to certain sharing of losses (with BICC plc covering 95% of losses in the first three years, 80% in years four and five and 60% in the remaining three years). The indemnity is also subject to the overall indemnity limit of $150 million, which applies to all warranty and indemnity claims in the transaction. In addition, BICC plc assumed responsibility for cleanup of certain specific conditions at various sites operated by the Company and cleanup is mostly complete at these sites. In the sale of the businesses to Pirelli in August 2000, the Company generally indemnified Pirelli against any environmental liabilities on the same basis as BICC plc indemnified it in the earlier acquisition. However, the indemnity the Company received from BICC plc relating to the European businesses sold to Pirelli terminated upon the sale of those businesses to Pirelli. In addition, the Company generally indemnified Pirelli against other claims relating to the prior operation of the business. Pirelli has asserted claims under this indemnification. The Company is continuing to investigate and defend against these claims and believes that the reserves currently included in the Company’s balance sheet are adequate to cover any obligations it may have.
General Cable has agreed to indemnify Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. prior to its sale. The indemnity generally is for a five year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in April 2006, and is subject to an overall limit of $60 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
General Cable has also agreed to indemnify Southwire Company against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Southwire prior to its sale. The indemnity is for a ten year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in the fourth quarter of 2011, and is subject to an overall limit of $20 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
While it is difficult to estimate future environmental liabilities accurately, the Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows as a result of compliance with federal, state, local or foreign environmental laws or regulations or remediation costs of the sites discussed above.
Employees
At December 31, 2005, approximately 7,300 persons were employed by General Cable, and collective bargaining agreements covered approximately 4,400 employees, or 60% of total employees, at various locations around the world. During the five calendar years ended December 31, 2005, the Company experienced two strikes in North America and one strike in Asia Pacific all of which were settled on satisfactory terms. There were no other major strikes at any of the Company’s facilities during the five years ended December 31, 2005. The only strike that occurred in 2005 was at the Company’s Lincoln, Rhode Island manufacturing facility, and it lasted approximately two weeks. In the United States and Canada, union contracts will expire at one facility in 2006 and two in 2007 representing approximately 2% and 3%, respectively, of total employees as of December 31, 2005. In Europe, Mexico and Asia Pacific, labor agreements are generally negotiated on an annual or bi-annual basis. The Company believes that its relationships with its employees are good.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive officers of General Cable on February 1, 2006.
             
Name   Age   Position
Gregory B. Kenny
    53     President, Chief Executive Officer and Class II Director
Christopher F. Virgulak
    50     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert J. Siverd
    57     Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
     Mr. Kenny has been one of General Cable’s directors since 1997 and has been President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2001. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer from May 1999 to August 2001. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of General Cable from March 1997 to May 1999. From June 1994 to March 1997, he was Executive Vice President of General Cable’s immediate predecessor. He is also a director of Corn Products International, Inc. (NYSE: CPO) and IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX).
     Mr. Virgulak has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 2002 and also served as Treasurer until February 2006. From June 2000 to October 2002, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from March 1997 to June 2000. From

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October 1994 until March 1997, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the predecessor company.
     Mr. Siverd has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of General Cable since March 1997. From July 1994 until March 1997, he was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the predecessor company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “we”, “us”, “our” in this Item 1A. “Risk Factors” refer to the Company. We are subject to a number of risks listed below, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and value of our securities.
Certain statements in the 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial results and performance, plans and objectives, capital expenditures and our or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions, are forward-looking statements, and as such, we desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” which is afforded such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with our comments on Page 22 of this report under the heading, “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual results may differ materially from those statements as a result of factors, risks and uncertainties over which we have no control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed below.
  Our net sales, net income and growth depend largely on the economic strength of the geographic markets that we serve, and if these markets become weaker, we could suffer decreased sales and net income.
Many of our customers use our products as components in their own products or in projects undertaken for their customers. Our ability to sell our products is largely dependent on general economic conditions, including how much our customers and end-users spend on information technology, new construction and building, maintaining or reconfiguring their communications network, industrial manufacturing assets and power transmission and distribution infrastructures. In the early 2000’s, many companies significantly reduced their capital equipment and information technology budgets, and construction activity that necessitates the building or modification of communication networks and power transmission and distribution infrastructures slowed considerably as a result of a weakening of the U.S. and foreign economies. As a result, our net sales and financial results declined significantly in those years. Beginning in 2004 and continuing throughout 2005, we have seen an improvement in these markets; however, if they were to weaken, we could suffer decreased sales and net income.
  The markets for our products are highly competitive, and if we fail to invest in product development, productivity improvements and customer service and support, the sale of our products could be adversely affected.
The markets for copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products are highly competitive, and some of our competitors may have greater financial resources than ours. We compete with at least one major competitor with respect to each of our business segments. Many of our products are made to common specifications and therefore may be fungible with competitors’ products. Accordingly, we are subject to competition in many markets on the basis of price, delivery time, customer service and our ability to meet specific customer needs.
We believe that competitors will continue to improve the design and performance of their products and to introduce new products with competitive price and performance characteristics. We expect that we will be required to continue to invest in product development, productivity improvements and customer service and support in order to compete in our markets. Furthermore, an increase in imports of products competitive with our products could adversely affect our sales.
  Our business is subject to the economic, political and other risks of maintaining facilities and selling products in foreign countries.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, approximately 34% of our sales and approximately 48% of our assets were in markets outside North America. Our operations outside North America generated approximately $75.6 million of our cash flows from operations and the North American operations generated $45.4 million of cash flows from operations during this period. Our financial results may be adversely affected by significant fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies or by the enactment of exchange controls or foreign governmental or regulatory restrictions on the transfer of funds. In addition, negative tax consequences relating to repatriating certain foreign currencies, particularly cash generated by our operations in Spain, may adversely affect our cash flows. Furthermore, our foreign operations are subject to

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risks inherent in maintaining operations abroad, such as economic and political destabilization, international conflicts, restrictive actions by foreign governments, nationalizations, changes in regulatory requirements, the difficulty of effectively managing diverse global operations, adverse foreign tax laws and the threat posed by potential international disease pandemics in countries that do not have the resources necessary to deal with such outbreaks.
  Changes in industry standards and regulatory requirements may adversely affect our business.
As a manufacturer and distributor of wire and cable products, we are subject to a number of industry standard-setting authorities, such as Underwriters Laboratories, the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Electronics Industries Association and the Canadian Standards Association. In addition, many of our products are subject to the requirements of federal, state and local or foreign regulatory authorities. Changes in the standards and requirements imposed by such authorities could have an adverse effect on us. In the event that we are unable to meet any such standards when adopted, our business could be adversely affected.
In addition, changes in the legislative environment could affect the growth and other aspects of important markets served by us. In September 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This law was enacted to establish a comprehensive, long-range national energy policy. Among other things, it provides tax credits and other incentives for the production of traditional sources of energy, as well as alternative energy sources, such as wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power generation systems. Although we are studying the impact that this legislation may have on us and our financial results, we cannot presently predict this impact. We also cannot predict the impact, either positive or negative, that changes in laws or industry standards that may be adopted in the future could have on our financial results, cash flows or financial position.
  Advancing technologies, such as fiber optic and wireless technologies, may make some of our products less competitive.
Technological developments could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, a significant decrease in the cost and complexity of installation of fiber optic systems or an increase in the cost of copper-based systems could make fiber optic systems superior on a price performance basis to copper systems and may have a material adverse effect on our business. While we do manufacture and sell fiber optic cables, any erosion of our sales of copper cables due to increased market demand for fiber optic cables would most likely not be offset by an increase in sales of our fiber optic cables.
Also, advancing wireless technologies, as they relate to network and communications systems, may represent an alternative to certain copper cables we manufacture and reduce customer demand for premise wiring. Traditional telephone companies are facing increasing competition within their respective territories from, among others, voice over Internet protocol, or “VoIP,” providers and wireless carriers. Wireless communications depend heavily on a fiber optic backbone and do not depend as much on copper-based systems. An increase in the acceptance and use of VoIP and wireless technology, or introduction of new wireless or fiber-optic based technologies, may have a material adverse effect on the marketability of the our products and our profitability. If wireless technology were to significantly erode the markets for copper-based systems, our sales of copper premise cables could face downward pressure.
  Volatility in the price of copper and other raw materials, as well as fuel and energy, could adversely affect our businesses.
The costs of copper and aluminum, the most significant raw materials we use, have been subject to considerable volatility over the years. Volatility in the price of copper, aluminum, polyethylene, petrochemicals, and other raw materials, as well as fuel, natural gas and energy, will in turn lead to significant fluctuations in our cost of sales. Additionally, sharp increases in the price of copper can also reduce demand if customers decide to defer their purchases of copper wire and cable products or seek to purchase substitute products. Moreover, we do not engage in activities to hedge the underlying value of our copper and aluminum inventory. Although we attempt to reflect copper and other raw material price changes in the selling price of our products, there is no assurance that we can do so successfully or at all in the future.
  Interruptions of supplies from our key suppliers may affect our results of operations and financial performance.
Interruptions of supplies from our key suppliers, including as a result of such natural catastrophes as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, could disrupt production or impact our ability to increase production and sales. During 2003, our copper rod mill plant produced approximately 62% of the copper rod used in our North American operations, and two suppliers provided an aggregate of approximately 68% of our North American copper purchases. During the second quarter of 2004, our rod mill facility ceased operations. All copper rod used in our North American operations is now externally sourced; our largest

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supplier of copper rod accounted for approximately 66% of our North American purchases in 2005. Any unanticipated problems with our copper rod suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, we use a limited number of sources for most of the other raw materials that we do not produce. We do not have long-term or volume purchase agreements with most of our suppliers, and may have limited options in the short-term for alternative supply if these suppliers fail to continue the supply of material or components for any reason, including their business failure, inability to obtain raw materials or financial difficulties. Moreover, identifying and accessing alternative sources may increase our costs.
  Failure to negotiate extensions of our labor agreements as they expire may result in a disruption of our operations.
As of December 31, 2005, approximately 60% of our employees were represented by various labor unions. During the five calendar years ended December 31, 2005 we have experienced only three strikes, which were settled on satisfactory terms. The only strike that occurred in 2005 was at our Lincoln, Rhode Island manufacturing facility, and it lasted approximately two weeks. This strike did not have a significant impact on our financial results for the first fiscal quarter of 2005.
We are party to labor agreements with unions that represent employees at many of our operational facilities. Labor agreements expired at three facilities in 2005 and were successfully renegotiated. Labor agreements are to expire at one facility in 2006. We cannot predict what issues may be raised by the collective bargaining units representing our employees and, if raised, whether negotiations concerning such issues will be successfully concluded. A protracted work stoppage could result in a disruption of our operations which could adversely affect our ability to deliver certain products and our financial results.
  Our inability to continue to achieve productivity improvements may result in increased costs.
Part of our business strategy is to increase our profitability by lowering costs through improving our processes and productivity. In the event we are unable to continue to implement measures improving our manufacturing techniques and processes, we may not achieve desired efficiency or productivity levels and our manufacturing costs may increase. In addition, productivity increases are related in part to factory utilization rates. Our decreased utilization rates over the past few years have adversely impacted productivity. However, we have experienced an increase in utilization rates in 2005.
  We are substantially dependent upon distributors and retailers for non-exclusive sales of our products and they could cease purchasing our products at any time.
During 2004 and 2005, approximately 38% and 39%, respectively, of our domestic net sales were made to independent distributors and three and four, respectively, of our ten largest customers were distributors. Distributors accounted for a substantial portion of sales of our communications products and industrial & specialty products. During 2004 and 2005, approximately 13% and 11%, respectively, of our domestic net sales were to retailers, and the two largest retailers, The Home Depot and AutoZone, accounted for approximately 3% and 2%, respectively, of our worldwide net sales in 2005 and 2004.
These distributors and retailers are not contractually obligated to carry our product lines exclusively or for any period of time. Therefore, these distributors and retailers may purchase products that compete with our products or cease purchasing our products at any time. The loss of one or more large distributors or retailers could have a material adverse effect on our ability to bring our products to end users and on our results of operations. Moreover, a downturn in the business of one or more large distributors or retailers could adversely affect our sales and could create significant credit exposure.
  We face pricing pressures in each of our markets that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance.
We face pricing pressures in each of our markets as a result of significant competition or over-capacity, and price levels for most of our products declined from 2002 through early 2004. While we will work toward reducing our costs to respond to the pricing pressures that may continue, we may not be able to achieve proportionate reductions in costs. As a result of over-capacity and economic and industry downturn in the communications and industrial markets in particular, pricing pressures increased in 2002 and 2003, and continued into 2004. While we generally have been successful in raising prices to recover increased raw material costs since the second quarter of 2004, pricing pressures continued throughout 2005, and are expected for the foreseeable future. Further declines in prices, without offsetting cost reductions, would adversely affect our financial results.
  If either of our uncommitted accounts payable or accounts receivable financing arrangements for our European operations is cancelled, our liquidity will be negatively impacted.

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Our European operations participate in arrangements with several European financial institutions that provide extended accounts payable terms to us. In general, the arrangements provide for accounts payable terms of up to 180 days. As of December 31, 2005, the arrangements had a maximum availability limit of the equivalent of approximately $136.2 million, of which approximately $112.4 million was drawn. We do not have firm commitments from these European financial institutions requiring them to continue to extend credit and they may decline to advance additional funding. We also have an approximate $37.8 million Euro-denominated uncommitted facility in Europe, which allows us to sell at a discount, with limited recourse, a portion of our accounts receivable to a financial institution. As of December 31, 2005, this accounts receivable facility was not drawn upon. We do not have a firm commitment from this institution to purchase our accounts receivable. Should the availability under these arrangements be reduced or terminated, we would be required to negotiate longer payment terms with our suppliers or repay the outstanding obligations with our suppliers under these arrangements over 180 days and seek alternative financing arrangements which could increase our interest expense. We cannot assure you that such longer payment terms or alternate financing will be available on favorable terms or at all. Failure to obtain alternative financing arrangements in such case would negatively impact our liquidity.
  We may be required to take additional charges in connection with plant closures and in connection with our inventory accounting practices.
During 2004, we closed two industrial manufacturing locations, refocused operations at another industrial manufacturing location and ceased operations at our copper rod mill. We incurred net charges of $7.4 million ($4.7 million of which were cash) in 2004 related to the industrial manufacturing plants and a net gain of $0.3 million related to the rod mill, all of which are now completely closed.
In 2005, we closed our telecommunications manufacturing plant located in Bonham, Texas. At that time, we also closed our fiber optic military and premise cable manufacturing plant located in Dayville, Connecticut, and relocated production from this plant to our acquired facility in Franklin, Massachusetts, which produces copper as well as some fiber optic communications products. The total cost of these closures was approximately $19.1 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments). Total costs recorded during 2005 with respect to these closures were $18.6 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments), including a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. We continuously evaluate our ability to more efficiently utilize existing manufacturing capacity which may require additional future charges.
As a result of volatile copper prices, the replacement cost of our copper inventory exceeded its historic LIFO cost by approximately $38 million and $13 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively and by approximately $107 million at December 31, 2005. If we are not able to recover the LIFO value of our inventory at a profit in some future period when replacement costs were lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, we would be required to take a charge to recognize on our income statement all or a portion of the higher LIFO value of the inventory. During 2003, we recorded a $0.5 million charge for the liquidation of LIFO inventory in North America as we significantly reduced our inventory levels. During 2004, we increased inventory quantities and therefore there was not a liquidation of LIFO inventory impact in this period. During 2005, we reduced our copper inventory quantities in North America which resulted in a $1.1 million gain since LIFO inventory quantities were reduced in a period when replacement costs where higher than the LIFO value of the inventory. If LIFO inventory quantities are reduced in a future period when replacement costs exceed the LIFO value of the inventory, we would experience an increase in reported earnings. Conversely, if LIFO inventory quantities are reduced in a future period when replacement costs are lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, we would experience a decline in reported earnings.
  We are subject to certain asbestos litigation and unexpected judgments or settlements that could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
There are approximately 9,300 pending non-maritime asbestos cases involving our subsidiaries. The majority of these cases involve plaintiffs alleging exposure to asbestos-containing cable manufactured by our predecessors. In addition to our subsidiaries, numerous other wire and cable manufacturers have been named as defendants in these cases. Our subsidiaries have also been named, along with numerous other product manufacturers, as defendants in approximately 33,300 suits in which plaintiffs alleged that they suffered an asbestos-related injury while working in the maritime industry. These cases are referred to as MARDOC cases and are currently managed under the supervision of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. On May 1, 1996, the District Court ordered that all pending MARDOC cases be administratively dismissed without prejudice and the cases cannot be reinstated, except in certain circumstances involving specific proof of injury. We cannot assure you that any judgments or settlements of the pending non-maritime and/or MARDOC asbestos cases or any cases which may be filed in the future will not have a material adverse effect on our financial results, cash flows or financial position. Moreover, certain of our insurers, such as the insurers discussed as part of a settlement agreement in

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Item 3, may be financially unstable and in the event one or more of these insurers enter into insurance liquidation proceedings, we will be required to pay a larger portion of the costs incurred in connection with these cases.
  Environmental liabilities could potentially adversely impact us and our affiliates.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental protection laws and regulations governing our operations and the use, handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances currently or formerly used by us and our affiliates. A risk of environmental liability is inherent in our and our affiliates’ current and former manufacturing activities in the event of a release or discharge of a hazardous substance generated by us or our affiliates. Under certain environmental laws, we could be held jointly and severally responsible for the remediation of any hazardous substance contamination at our facilities and at third party waste disposal sites and could also be held liable for any consequences arising out of human exposure to such substances or other environmental damage. We and our affiliates have been named as potentially responsible parties in proceedings that involve environmental remediation. There can be no assurance that the costs of complying with environmental, health and safety laws and requirements in our current operations or the liabilities arising from past releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances, will not result in future expenditures by us that could materially and adversely affect our financial results, cash flows or financial condition.
  Growth through acquisition has been a significant part of our strategy and we may not be able to successfully identify, finance or integrate acquisitions.
Growth through acquisition has been, and is expected to continue to be, a significant part of our strategy. For example, in December 2005 we completed the acquisition of Silec®, the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN SA, a diverse, global high-technology company based in Paris, France. We also completed the acquisition of the Mexican ignition wire set business of Beru AG, a worldwide leading manufacturer of diesel cold start systems. We regularly evaluate possible acquisition candidates. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in identifying, financing and closing acquisitions at favorable prices and terms. Potential acquisitions may require us to issue additional shares of stock or obtain additional or new financing, and such financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. The issuance of our common or preferred shares may dilute the value of shares held by our equity holders. Further, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in integrating any such acquisitions that are completed. Integration of any such acquisitions may require substantial management, financial and other resources and may pose risks with respect to production, customer service and market share of existing operations. In addition, we may acquire businesses that are subject to technological or competitive risks, and we may not be able to realize the benefits expected from such acquisitions.
  Terrorist attacks and other attacks or acts of war may adversely affect the markets in which we operate and our profitability.
The attacks of September 11, 2001 and subsequent events, including the military action in Iraq, have caused and may continue to cause instability in our markets and have led and may continue to lead to, further armed hostilities or further acts of terrorism worldwide, which could cause further disruption in our markets. Acts of terrorism may impact any or all of our facilities and operations, or those of our customers or suppliers and may further limit or delay purchasing decisions of our customers. Depending on their magnitude, acts of terrorism or war could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results, cash flows and financial position.
We carry insurance coverage on our facilities of types and in amounts that we believe are in line with coverage customarily obtained by owners of similar properties. We continue to monitor the state of the insurance market in general and the scope and cost of coverage for acts of terrorism in particular, but we cannot anticipate what coverage will be available on commercially reasonable terms in future policy years. Currently, we do not carry terrorism insurance coverage. If we experience a loss that is uninsured or that exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged facilities, as well as the anticipated future net sales from those facilities. Depending on the specific circumstances of each affected facility, it is possible that we could be liable for indebtedness or other obligations related to the facility. Any such loss could materially and adversely affect our business, financial results, cash flows and financial position.
  If we fail to retain our key employees, our business may be harmed.
Our success has been largely dependent on the skills, experience and efforts of our key employees and the loss of the services of any of our executive officers or other key employees could have an adverse effect on us. The loss of our key employees who have intimate knowledge of our manufacturing process could lead to increased competition to the extent that those employees are hired by a competitor and are able to recreate our manufacturing process. Our future success will also depend in part upon our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, who are in great demand.

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  Our substantial debt could adversely affect our business.
We have a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2005, we had $451.6 million of debt outstanding, $166.6 million of which was secured indebtedness, and had $147.7 million of additional borrowing capacity available under our senior secured credit facility and $53.4 million of additional borrowing capacity under the Spanish subsidiary’s term loan and revolving credit facilities, subject to certain conditions. As of December 31, 2005, we had $285.0 million in senior notes outstanding. Subject to the terms of the senior secured credit facility, the Spanish subsidiary’s term loan and revolving credit facilities and the indenture governing our senior notes, we may also incur additional indebtedness, including secured debt, in the future. See Item 7 of this document for details on the various debt agreements.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important adverse consequences to us, limiting management’s choices in responding to business, economic, regulatory and other competitive conditions. In addition, our ability to generate cash flow from operations sufficient to make scheduled payments on our debt as they become due will depend on our future performance, our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and our ability to obtain other financing. Our indebtedness could also adversely affect our financial position.
In connection with the incurrence of indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders under that facility have received a pledge of all of the capital stock of our existing domestic subsidiaries and any future domestic subsidiaries. Additionally, these lenders have a lien on substantially all of our domestic assets, including our existing and future accounts receivables, cash, general intangibles, investment property and real property. As a result of these pledges and liens, if we fail to meet our payment or other obligations under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders under the credit agreement would be entitled to foreclose on substantially all of our assets and liquidate these assets.
  As of December 31, 2004, we had material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, which were remediated in 2005.
In connection with the preparation of our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2004, we concluded that control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 constituted material weaknesses within the meaning of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 2, An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction with an Audit of Financial Statements. As we disclosed in our amended 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K that we filed with the SEC on April 29, 2005, we identified the following material weaknesses:
    Controls over access to computer applications and segregation of duties with respect to both our manual and computer-based business processes.
 
    Controls over the recording of inventory shipments and revenue in the proper accounting period.
 
    Controls over the recording of receiving transactions and non-purchase order based accounts payable transactions in the proper accounting period.
 
    Controls over the liability estimation and accrual process, including income tax reserves.
 
    Controls over finished goods inventory on consignment at customer locations.
 
    The design and implementation of adequate controls to address the existence and completeness of fixed assets included in the financial statements, including returnable shipping reels, and the effectiveness of controls over recording of fixed asset acquisitions in the proper accounting period.
 
    The design of adequate controls relating to the purchasing function, including review and approval of significant third-party contracts and the maintenance of vendor master files.
 
    The design and implementation of adequate controls over the financial reporting and close process, including controls over non-routine transactions. These deficiencies were primarily attributable to the sufficiency of personnel with appropriate qualifications and training in certain key accounting roles in order to complete and document the monthly and quarterly financial closing process.
 
    The general control environment was ineffective due to the aggregation of the material weaknesses listed above.
Throughout 2005, we implemented numerous improvements to internal control over financial reporting to address these material weaknesses. These improvements included the following:
    We added personnel with technical accounting experience;
 
    We performed a substantial amount of work on formalizing, implementing, and enforcing new and updated policies in business processes that impact financial reporting, including the compliance process;

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    We implemented increased levels of review of complex and judgmental accounting issues with a greater focus on evidentiary support for control processes;
 
    We realigned job responsibilities and restricted system access, as well as adding other mitigating controls such as exception reports to eliminate segregation of duties issues;
 
    We implemented enhanced shipment reporting and accounting procedures to ensure proper accounting cut-off;
 
    We formalized and enhanced our monitoring of when title passes in all purchase transactions;
 
    We added additional controls over accruing for non-purchase order based transactions;
 
    We improved the interim and annual review and reconciliation process for certain key account balances;
 
    We refined procedures over accounting for fixed assets;
 
    And we implemented additional controls over the accounting for finished goods inventory on consignment at customer locations.
While these improvements have been fully implemented and tested and we have concluded that as of December 31, 2005, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, a risk exists that there may be weaknesses identified in the future.
  Declining returns in the investment portfolio of our defined benefit plans and changes in actuarial assumptions could increase the volatility in our pension expense and require us to increase cash contributions to the plans.
Pension expense for the defined benefit pension plans sponsored by us is determined based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rate. During the fourth quarter of 2005, as a result of worse than expected investment asset performance and changes in certain actuarial assumptions, including the discount rate and mortality rate, we were required to record an additional minimum pension liability on our books to an amount equal to the underfunded status of the plans. As of December 31, 2005, the defined benefit plans were underfunded by approximately $40.9 million based on the actuarial methods and assumptions utilized for purposes of the applicable accounting rules and interpretations. The underfunding of the defined benefit plans at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $33.0 million and $39.9 million, respectively. We have experienced volatility in our pension expense and in our cash contributions to our defined benefit pension plan. Pension expense for our defined benefit plans decreased from $8.4 million in 2003 to $5.5 million in 2004 and our required cash contributions increased to $13.0 million in 2004 from $6.1 million in 2003. In 2005, pension expense for our defined benefit plans decreased approximately $0.8 million from 2004, excluding $0.7 million of curtailment expense booked in 2005 related to the Bonham plant closure, and cash contributions decreased by $2.2 million. In the event that actual results differ from the actuarial assumptions or actuarial assumptions are changed, the funded status of our defined benefit plans may change and any such deficiency could result in additional charges to equity and an increase in future pension expense and cash contributions.
  An ownership change could result in a limitation of the use of our net operating losses.
As of December 31, 2005, we had U.S. net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards of approximately $149 million available to reduce taxable income in future years. Specifically, we have NOL carryforwards of approximately $127 million that were generated between 2000 and 2004. These NOL carryforwards will not begin to expire until 2020. We also have other NOL carryforwards that are subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. These Section 382 limited NOL carryforwards expire in varying amounts from 2007 to 2009. The total Section 382 limited NOL carryforwards that may be utilized prior to expiration is estimated at approximately $21.5 million.
Our ability to utilize the NOL carryforwards may be further limited by Section 382 if we undergo an ownership change as a result of the sale of our stock by holders of our equity securities or as a result of subsequent changes in the ownership of our outstanding stock. We would undergo an ownership change if, among other things, the stockholders, or group of stockholders, who own or have owned, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the value of our stock or are otherwise treated as 5% stockholders under Section 382 and the regulations promulgated thereunder increase their aggregate percentage ownership of our stock by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of our stock owned by these stockholders at any time during the testing period, which is generally the three-year period preceding the potential ownership change. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and certain recognized built-in losses. The limitation imposed by Section 382 for any post-change year would be determined by multiplying the value of our stock immediately before the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate in effect at the time of the ownership change. Any unused annual limitation may be carried over to later years, and the limitation may under certain circumstances be increased by built-in gains which may be present in assets held by us at the time of the ownership change that are recognized in the five-year period after the ownership change.

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  Our stock has been and continues to be volatile, and our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited.
The value of our securities may fluctuate as a result of various factors, such as:
    Announcements relating to significant corporate transactions;
 
    Fluctuations in our quarterly and annual financial results;
 
    Operating and stock price performance of companies that investors deem comparable to us;
 
    Changes in government regulation or proposals relating thereto;
 
    General industry and economic conditions;
 
    Sales or the expectation of sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market; and
 
    General stock market fluctuations unrelated to the operating performance of our Company.
In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited based upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Further, our senior secured revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our Senior Notes restrict our ability to pay cash dividends. Agreements governing future indebtedness will likely contain restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends as well. We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
The Company’s principal properties are listed below. The Company believes that its properties are generally well maintained and are adequate for the Company’s current level of operations.
                 
            Owned
    Square   Use/Product   or
Location   Feet   Line(s)   Leased
North America
               
Manufacturing Facilities:
               
Marion, IN
    745,000     Industrial & specialty cables   Owned
Marshall, TX
    692,000     Aluminum low-voltage energy cables   Owned
Willimantic, CT
    686,000     Industrial & specialty cables   Owned
Manchester, NH
    550,000     Electronic products   Owned
Lawrenceburg, KY
    383,000     Outside voice and data products and data communications products   Owned
Lincoln, RI
    350,000     Industrial & specialty cables and automotive products   Owned
Malvern, AR
    338,000     Aluminum medium-voltage energy cables   Owned
DuQuoin, IL
    279,000     Medium-voltage energy cables   Owned
Tetla, Mexico
    218,000     Outside voice and data products   Owned
Altoona, PA
    193,000     Automotive products   Owned
Jackson, TN
    182,000     Data communications cables   Owned
Franklin, MA
    154,000     Data communications, electronic and fiber optic products   Owned
Indianapolis, IN(1)
    135,000     Polymer compounds and research and development   Leased
LaMalbaie, Canada
    120,000     Low-and medium-voltage energy cables   Owned
St. Jerome, Canada
    110,000     Low-and medium-voltage energy cables   Owned
Cuernavaca, Mexico
    100,000     Automotive product assembly and distribution   Leased
 
               
Distribution and Other Facilities:
               
Lebanon, IN
    198,000     Distribution center   Leased
Chino, CA
    189,000     Distribution center   Leased
Highland Heights, KY
    166,000     World headquarters, technology center and learning center   Owned
 
               
International
               
Barcelona, Spain (1)
    1,080,000     Power transmission and distribution, industrial & specialty cables   Owned
Montereau, France (1)
    1,000,000     Power distribution, industrial & specialty and communications cables   Owned
New Zealand (1)
    314,000     Power distribution, industrial & specialty and communications cables   Owned
Lisbon, Portugal
    255,000     Power distribution, industrial & specialty and communications cables   Owned
 
(1)   Certain locations represent a collection of facilities in the local area.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
General Cable is subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission and discharge of materials into the environment, including CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act (including the 1990 amendments) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
General Cable subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties with respect to several sites designated for cleanup under CERCLA or similar state laws, which impose liability for cleanup of certain waste sites and for related natural resource damages without regard to fault or the legality of waste generation or disposal. General Cable does not own or operate any of the waste sites with respect to which it has been named as a potentially responsible party by the government. Based on its review and other factors, management believes that costs relating to environmental clean-up at these sites will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
American Premier Underwriters, Inc., in connection with the 1994 Wassall PLC transaction, agreed to indemnify General Cable against liabilities (including all environmental liabilities) arising out of General Cable or its predecessors’ ownership or operation of the Indiana Steel & Wire Company and Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. businesses (which were divested by the predecessor prior to the 1994 Wassall transaction), without limitation as to time or amount. American Premier also agreed to indemnify General Cable against 66 2/3% of all other environmental liabilities arising out of General Cable or its predecessors’ ownership or operation of other properties and assets in excess of $10 million but not in excess of $33 million, which were identified during the seven-year period ended June 2001. Indemnifiable environmental liabilities through June 2001 were substantially below that threshold. In addition, General Cable also has claims against third parties with respect to some of these liabilities. While it is difficult to estimate future environmental liabilities accurately, the Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on results of operations, financial condition or cash flows as a result of compliance with federal, state, local or foreign environmental laws or regulations or cleanup costs of the sites discussed above.
As part of the BICC plc acquisition, BICC agreed to indemnify General Cable against environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the purchase of the business. The indemnity is for an eight-year period ending in 2007 while the Company operates the businesses subject to certain sharing of losses (with BICC plc covering 95% of losses in the first three years, 80% in years four and five and 60% in the remaining three years). The indemnity is also subject to the overall indemnity limit of $150 million, which applies to all warranty and indemnity claims in the transaction. In addition, BICC plc assumed responsibility for cleanup of certain specific conditions at several sites operated by General Cable and cleanup is mostly complete at those sites. In the sale of the businesses to Pirelli in August 2000, General Cable generally indemnified Pirelli against any environmental liabilities on the same basis as BICC plc indemnified the Company in the earlier acquisition. However, the indemnity General Cable received from BICC plc related to the European businesses sold to Pirelli terminated upon the sale of those businesses to Pirelli. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under the general indemnity provided by BICC plc. In addition, the Company generally indemnified Pirelli against other claims relating to the prior operation of the business. Pirelli has asserted claims under this indemnification. The Company is continuing to investigate and defend against these claims and believes that the reserves currently included in the Company’s balance sheet are adequate to cover any obligations it may have.
General Cable has agreed to indemnify Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. prior to its sale. The indemnity generally is for a five year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in April 2006, and is subject to an overall limit of $60 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
General Cable has also agreed to indemnify Southwire Company against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Southwire prior to its sale. The indemnity is for a ten year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in the fourth quarter of 2011, and is subject to an overall limit of $20 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
General Cable has been a defendant in asbestos litigation for approximately 16 years. As of December 31, 2005, General Cable was a defendant in approximately 42,600 lawsuits. Approximately 33,300 of these lawsuits have been brought on behalf of plaintiffs by a single admiralty law firm (“MARDOC”) and seek unspecified damages. Plaintiffs in the MARDOC cases generally allege that they formerly worked in the maritime industry and sustained asbestos-related injuries from products that General Cable ceased manufacturing in the mid-1970. The MARDOC cases are managed and supervised by a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (“District Court”) by reason of a transfer by the judicial panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“MDL”).

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In the MARDOC cases in the MDL, the District Court in May 1996 dismissed all pending cases filed without prejudice and placed them on an inactive administrative docket. To reinstate a MARDOC case from the inactive docket, plaintiffs’ counsel must show that the plaintiff not only suffered from a recognized asbestos-related injury, but also must produce specific product identification evidence to proceed against an individual defendant. During 2002, plaintiffs’ counsel requested that the District Court allow discovery in approximately 15 cases. Prior to this discovery, plaintiffs’ counsel indicated that they believed that product identification could be established as to many of the approximately 100 defendants named in these MARDOC cases. To date, in this discovery, General Cable has not been identified as a manufacturer of asbestos-containing products to which any of these plaintiffs were exposed.
General Cable is also a defendant in approximately 9,300 cases brought in various jurisdictions throughout the United States. About 5,700 of these cases have been brought in federal court in Mississippi or other federal courts and then been transferred to the MDL, but are on a different docket from the MARDOC cases. The vast majority of cases on this MDL docket have been inactive for over five years. Cases may only be removed from this MDL proceeding via a petition filed by the plaintiff indicating that the matter is ready for trial and requesting it be returned to the originating federal district court for trial. Petitions usually only involve plaintiffs suffering from terminal diseases allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products. To date, in cases which General Cable is a defendant, no plaintiff has requested return of any action to the originating district court for trial. With regard to the approximately 3,600 remaining cases, General Cable has aggressively defended these cases based upon either lack of product identification as to General Cable manufactured asbestos-containing product and/or lack of exposure to asbestos dust from the use of a General Cable product. In the last 11 years, General Cable has had no cases proceed to verdict. In many of the cases, General Cable was dismissed as a defendant before trial for lack of product identification.
Plaintiffs have asserted monetary damage claims in 518 cases as of the end of 2005. In 460 of these cases, plaintiffs allege only damages in excess of some dollar amount (about $210,000 per plaintiff); there are no claims for specific dollar amounts requested as to any defendant. In 54 other cases pending in state and federal district courts (outside the MDL), plaintiffs seek approximately $90 million in damages from each of about 110 defendants. In four cases, plaintiffs have asserted damages related to General Cable in the amount of $3 million. In addition, in each of these 58 cases, there are claims of $87 million in punitive damages from all of the defendants. However, almost all of the plaintiffs in these cases allege non-malignant injuries.
Based on our experience in this litigation, the amounts pleaded in the complaints are not typically meaningful as an indicator of the Company’s potential liability. This is because (1) the amounts claimed usually bear no relation to the level of plaintiff’s injury, if any; (2) complaints nearly always assert claims against multiple defendants (a typical complaint asserts claims against some 110 different defendants); (3) damages alleged are not attributed to individual defendants; (4) the defendants’ share of liability may turn on the law of joint and several liability; (5) the amount of fault to be allocated to each defendant is different depending on each case; (6) many cases are filed against General Cable, even though the plaintiff did not use any of General Cable’s products, and ultimately are withdrawn or dismissed without any payment; (7) many cases are brought on behalf of plaintiffs who have not suffered any medical injuries, and ultimately are resolved without any payment to that plaintiff; and (8) with regard to claims for punitive damages, potential liability generally is related to the amount of potential exposure to asbestos from a defendant’s products. General Cable’s asbestos-containing products contained only a minimal amount of fully encapsulated asbestos.
Further, as indicated above, General Cable has more than 16 years of experience in this litigation, and has, to date, resolved the claims of approximately 11,210 plaintiffs. The cumulative average settlement for these matters is less than $221 per case. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had accrued on its balance sheet a liability of $2.5 million for asbestos-related claims. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate in order to cover resolution of future asbestos-related claims.
In January 1994, General Cable entered into a settlement agreement with certain principal primary insurers concerning liability for the costs of defense, judgments and settlements, if any, in all of the asbestos litigation described above. Subject to the terms and conditions of the settlement agreement, the insurers are responsible for a substantial portion of the costs and expenses incurred in the defense or resolution of this litigation. In recent years one of the insurers participating in the settlement that was responsible for a significant portion of the contribution under the settlement agreement entered into insurance liquidation proceedings. As a result, the contribution of the insurers has been reduced and the Company has had to bear a larger portion of the costs relating to these lawsuits. Moreover, certain of the other insurers may be financially unstable, and if one or more of these insurers enter into insurance liquidation proceedings, General Cable will be required to pay a larger portion of the costs incurred in connection with these cases.
Based on (1) the terms of the insurance settlement agreement; (2) the relative costs and expenses incurred in the disposition of past asbestos cases; (3) reserves established on our books which are believed to be reasonable; and (4) defenses available

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to us in the litigation, the Company believes that the resolution of the present asbestos litigation will not have a material adverse effect on financial results, cash flows or financial position. However, since the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain, the Company cannot give absolute assurance regarding the future resolution of the asbestos litigation. Liabilities incurred in connection with asbestos litigation are not covered by the American Premier indemnification.
General Cable is also involved in various routine legal proceedings and administrative actions. In the opinion of the Company’s management, these proceedings and actions should not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None during the fourth quarter of 2005.
PART II.
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in the 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC may constitute forward-looking statements. You can identify a forward-looking statement because it contains words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates” or similar expressions which concern strategy, plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These statements are necessarily estimates reflecting our judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We cannot assure you that other factors will not affect the accuracy of these forward-looking statements or that our actual results will not differ materially from the results we anticipate in the forward-looking statements. While it is impossible for us to identify all the factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those we estimated, we describe some of these factors in Item 1A. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
General Cable’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BGC”. As of March 1, 2006, there were approximately 2,153 holders of the Company’s common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low daily sales prices for the Company’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange during the years ended December 31:
                                 
    2005     2004  
    High     Low     High     Low  
First Quarter
  $ 13.86     $ 11.10     $ 9.19     $ 6.87  
Second Quarter
    15.10       11.41       8.77       6.79  
Third Quarter
    17.25       14.20       11.14       7.95  
Fourth Quarter
    20.84       14.66       14.10       9.59  
The Company currently does not pay dividends on its common stock. The future payment of dividends on common stock is subject to the discretion of General Cable’s board of directors, restrictions under the Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, restrictions under the Company’s current senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior notes and the requirements of Delaware General Corporation Law, and will depend upon general business conditions, financial performance and other factors the Company’s board of directors may consider relevant. General Cable does not expect to pay cash dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future.
On November 24, 2003, the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing of its bank debt. The refinancing included the private placement of senior unsecured notes and redeemable convertible preferred stock. These securities were not registered under the Securities Act at the time of sale. The underwriters for both transactions were UBS Investment Bank and Merrill Lynch. The Company raised $285.0 million through the sale of its 9.5% Senior Notes due 2010. The Company paid fees and expenses of $8.7 million related to this transaction, which included an underwriting discount of $7.5 million. The senior notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 and to certain non-U.S. persons in transactions outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company

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raised $103.5 million through the sale of 2,070,000 shares of General Cable 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock. The Company paid fees and expenses of $4.2 million related to this transaction, which included an underwriting discount of $3.4 million. The preferred stock was offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share. Dividends accrue on the convertible preferred stock at the rate of 5.75% per annum and are payable quarterly in arrears. Dividends are payable in cash, shares of General Cable common stock or a combination thereof. Holders of the convertible preferred stock are entitled to convert any or all of their shares of convertible preferred stock into shares of General Cable common stock, at an initial conversion price of $10.004 per share. The conversion price is subject to adjustments under certain circumstances. General Cable is obligated to redeem all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock on November 24, 2013 at par. The Company may, at its option, elect to pay the redemption price in cash or in shares of General Cable common stock with an equivalent fair value, or any combination thereof. The Company has the option to redeem some or all of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock in cash beginning on the fifth anniversary of the issue date. The redemption premium will initially equal one-half the dividend rate on the convertible preferred stock and decline ratably to par on the date of mandatory redemption. In the event of a change in control, the Company has the right to either redeem the preferred stock for cash or to convert the preferred stock to common stock.
On November 9, 2005, the Company commenced an offer (“the inducement offer”) to pay a cash premium to holders of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock who elected to convert their preferred stock into shares of General Cable common stock. The Company offered the following consideration for each of the 2,069,907 shares of preferred stock subject to the inducement offer:
    A cash premium of $7.88, or $16.3 million if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    4.998 shares of common stock of General Cable Corporation, or approximately 10,345,395 shares of common stock if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    Accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, payable in cash.
The inducement offer expired on December 9, 2005. A total of 1,939,991 shares, or 93.72%, of the Company’s outstanding shares of preferred stock were surrendered and converted by General Cable as part of the inducement offer. The former holders of the converted preferred stock received, in the aggregate, the following:
    9,696,075 shares of General Cable common stock;
 
    A cash premium of approximately $15.3 million ($7.88 per share); and
 
    Approximately $0.3 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, the date immediately preceding the inducement offer’s settlement date of December 14, 2005.
The $16.6 million cash dividend, which includes approximately $1.0 million in costs related to the inducement offer, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 and represented the difference between the fair value of all securities and other consideration transferred in the transaction by the Company to the preferred shareholders and the fair value of securities issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms of the preferred stock less the costs related to the inducement offer.
129,916 shares, or 6.28%, of the preferred stock remain outstanding under the original terms of the preferred stock issuance, and all shares of preferred stock surrendered for conversion in the inducement offer were canceled and retired.

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The following table sets forth information about General Cable’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands, except per share price):
                         
                    Number of securities  
    Number of     Weighted-     remaining available for  
    securities to be     average     future issuance under  
    issued upon exercise     exercise price     equity compensation plans  
    of outstanding     of outstanding     (excluding securities  
    options (a)     options     reflected in first column)  
Shareholder approved plans:
                       
1997 Stock Incentive Plan
    2,157     $ 12.07       288  
2005 Stock Incentive Plan
                1,785  
Non-shareholder approved plans:
                       
2000 Stock Option Plan
    952     $ 8.00       265  
 
                 
Total
    3,109     $ 10.82       2,338  
 
                 
 
(a)   Excludes restricted stock of 1,713,999 awarded and outstanding from the 1997 Plan and restricted stock of 14,730 awarded and outstanding from the 2005 Plan through December 31, 2005.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data for the last five years were derived from audited consolidated financial statements. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, especially as the information pertains to 2003, 2004 and 2005 activity.
In March 2001, General Cable sold its Pyrotenax business unit to Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. The results of operations of this business are included in the financial data presented below for the periods prior to the closing date.
In September 2001, General Cable announced its decision to exit the consumer cordsets business. In October 2001, the Company sold substantially all of the manufacturing assets and inventory of its building wire business to Southwire Company. The results of operations of these businesses are included in the financial data presented below for the periods prior to the closing date. Beginning in the third quarter of 2001, General Cable reported the building wire and cordsets segment as discontinued operations for financial reporting purposes. Administrative expenses formerly allocated to this segment are now reported in the continuing operations segments.
During the second quarter of 2002, General Cable formed a joint venture company to manufacture and market fiber optic cables. General Cable contributed assets, primarily inventory and machinery and equipment, to a subsidiary company which was then contributed to the joint venture in exchange for a note receivable. The joint venture was accounted for under the equity method of accounting for 2002 and 2003, but was fully consolidated for 2004 and 2005 as a result of the Company purchasing the remaining ownership interest in the joint venture in the fourth quarter of 2004 that gave General Cable 100% ownership of the joint venture company.

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Also during 2002, two communications manufacturing plants located in Sanger, California and Monticello, Illinois were closed. The results of operations of these plants as well as the costs related to close the facilities are included in the financial data presented below.
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005(4)     2004     2003     2002     2001(1)  
    (in millions, except metal price and share data)  
Net sales
  $ 2,380.8     $ 1,970.7     $ 1,538.4     $ 1,453.9     $ 1,651.4  
Gross profit
    270.7       214.7       173.4       166.6       240.7  
Operating income
    98.5       56.5       45.7       15.7       104.3  
Other income (expense)
    (0.5 )     (1.2 )     1.5             8.1  
Interest expense, net
    (37.0 )     (35.9 )     (43.1 )     (42.6 )     (43.9 )
Other financial costs
                (6.0 )     (1.1 )     (10.4 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    61.0       19.4       (1.9 )     (28.0 )     58.1  
Income tax benefit (provision)
    (21.8 )     18.1       (2.9 )     9.9       (20.6 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    39.2       37.5       (4.8 )     (18.1 )     37.5  
Loss from discontinued operations
                            (6.8 )
Income (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations
          0.4             (5.9 )     (32.7 )
Net income (loss)
    39.2       37.9       (4.8 )     (24.0 )     (2.0 )
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (22.0 )     (6.0 )     (0.6 )            
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 17.2     $ 31.9     $ (5.4 )   $ (24.0 )   $ (2.0 )
Earnings (loss) of continuing operations per common share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.81     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.55 )   $ 1.14  
Earnings (loss) of continuing operations per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.55 )   $ 1.13  
Earnings (loss) of discontinued operations per common share
  $     $ 0.01           $ (0.18 )   $ (1.20 )
Earnings (loss) of discontinued operations per common share-assuming dilution
  $     $ 0.01           $ (0.18 )   $ (1.19 )
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.82     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (0.06 )
Earnings (loss) per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.73 )   $ (0.06 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
    41.1       39.0       33.6       33.0       32.8  
Weighted average shares outstanding-assuming dilution
    41.9       50.3       33.6       33.0       33.1  
 
                                       
Other Data:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 51.0     $ 35.4     $ 33.4     $ 30.6     $ 35.0  
Capital expenditures
  $ 42.6     $ 37.0     $ 19.1     $ 31.4     $ 54.9  
Average daily COMEX price per pound of copper cathode
  $ 1.68     $ 1.29     $ 0.81     $ 0.72     $ 0.73  
Average daily price per pound of aluminum rod
  $ 0.92     $ 0.85     $ 0.69     $ 0.65     $ 0.69  
                                         
    December 31,  
    2005(4)     2004     2003     2002     2001  
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Working capital(2)
  $ 378.6     $ 298.0     $ 236.6     $ 150.8     $ 169.9  
Total assets
    1,523.2       1,239.3       1,049.5       973.3       1,005.3  
Total debt(3)
    451.6       374.9       340.4       451.9       460.4  
Dividends to common shareholders
                      5.0       6.6  
Shareholders’ equity
    293.3       301.4       240.1       60.9       104.9  
 
(1)   As of January 1, 2001, General Cable changed its accounting method for non-North American metal inventories from the FIFO method to the LIFO method. The impact of the change was an increase in operating income of $4.1 million, or $0.08 of earnings per share, on both a basic and a diluted basis during 2001.
 
(2)   Working capital means current assets less current liabilities.
 
(3)   Excludes off-balance sheet borrowings of $67.8 million at December 31, 2001, $48.5 million at December 31, 2002 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2005. There were no off-balance sheet borrowings as of December 31, 2003 and 2004.
 
(4)   This period includes the preliminary opening balance sheet figures for Silec® and Beru S.A. as of December 31, 2005. Due to the purchase dates, the effects of the acquisitions on the statements of operations’ data was not material.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand General Cable Corporation’s financial position and results of operations. MD&A is provided as a supplement to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (“Notes”) and should be read in conjunction with these Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes. This overview provides the Company’s perspective on the sections included in MD&A. MD&A includes the following:
    General – a general description of the Company’s business, financial information by geographic regions, raw material price volatility and seasonal trends.
 
    Current Business Environment – the Company’s perspective on the challenges it faces and its relative competitive advantage.
 
    Acquisitions and Divestitures – a brief history of acquisitions and divestitures as they relate to the financial statements presented.
 
    Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – a discussion of the accounting policies that require critical judgments and estimates.
 
    The Refinancing – a description of the comprehensive refinancing in the fourth quarter of 2003.
 
    Results of Operations – an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the financial statement periods presented.
 
    Liquidity and Capital Resources – an analysis of cash flows, sources and uses of cash.
General
General Cable is a leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial & specialty and communications markets. Energy cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products for overhead and buried applications. Industrial & specialty wire and cable products conduct electrical current for industrial, OEM, commercial and residential power and control applications. Communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice and data applications.
Certain statements in this report including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial results and performance, plans and objectives, capital expenditures and the Company’s or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions, are forward-looking statements, and as such, General Cable desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” which is afforded such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company’s forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s comments on Page 22 of this report under the heading, “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual results may differ materially from those statements as a result of factors, risks and uncertainties over which the Company has no control. For a list of some of these factors, risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A.
General Cable analyzes its worldwide operations in two geographic groups: 1) North America and 2) International. Corporate charges represent non-recurring charges. For more detail, see Item 1 of this report. The following table sets forth net sales and operating income by geographic group for the periods presented, in millions of dollars:
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Net sales:
                                               
North America
  $ 1,573.2       66 %   $ 1,300.6       66 %   $ 1,074.2       70 %
International
    807.6       34 %     670.1       34 %     464.2       30 %
 
                                   
Total net sales
  $ 2,380.8       100 %   $ 1,970.7       100 %   $ 1,538.4       100 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Operating income (loss):
                                               
North America
  $ 54.0       46 %   $ 17.1       25 %   $ 5.6       10 %
International
    63.1       54 %     52.3       75 %     48.3       90 %
 
                                   
Subtotal
    117.1       100 %     69.4       100 %     53.9       100 %
 
                                         
Corporate charges
    (18.6 )             (12.9 )             (8.2 )        
 
                                         
Total operating income
  $ 98.5             $ 56.5             $ 45.7          
 
                                         

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Over 90% of net sales in the Company’s International operations are derived from energy and industrial & specialty cable sales and the European business specifically is currently benefiting from medium-voltage energy cable capacity shortage in Europe and a shift towards environmentally friendly construction cables.
General Cable’s reported net sales are directly influenced by the price of copper, and to a lesser extent, aluminum. The price of copper and aluminum has historically been subject to considerable volatility. The daily selling price of copper cathode on the COMEX averaged $1.68 per pound in 2005, $1.29 per pound in 2004 and $0.81 per pound in 2003 and the daily price of aluminum rod averaged $0.92 per pound in 2005, $0.85 per pound in 2004 and $0.69 per pound in 2003. General Cable generally passes changes in copper and aluminum prices along to its customers, although there are timing delays of varying lengths depending upon the volatility of metals prices, the type of product, competitive conditions and particular customer arrangements. A significant portion of the Company’s energy and communications business and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s industrial business has metal escalators written into customer contracts under a variety of price setting and recovery formulas. The remainder of the Company’s business requires that the cost of higher metal prices be recovered through negotiated price increases with customers. In these instances, the ability to increase the Company’s selling prices may lag the movement in metal prices by a period of time as the customer price increases are implemented. As a result of this and a number of other practices intended to match copper and aluminum purchases with sales, profitability over time has historically not been significantly affected by changes in copper and aluminum prices, although 2003 and 2004 profitability did suffer due to high unrecovered raw material costs. General Cable does not engage in speculative metals trading or other speculative activities.
The Company is also experiencing significant inflationary pressure on raw materials other than copper and aluminum used in cable manufacturing, such as insulating compounds, steel and wood reels, freight costs and energy costs. The Company has increased selling prices in most of its markets in order to offset the negative effect of increased raw material prices and other costs. However, the Company’s ability to ultimately realize these price increases will be influenced by competitive conditions in its markets, including underutilized manufacturing capacity. In addition, a continuing rise in raw material prices, when combined with the normal lag time between an announced customer price increase and its effective date in the market, may result in the Company not fully recovering these increased costs. If the Company were not able to adequately increase selling prices in a period of rising raw material costs, the Company would experience a decrease in reported earnings.
General Cable generally has experienced and expects to continue to experience certain seasonal trends in sales and cash flow. Larger amounts of cash are generally required during the first and second quarters of the year to build inventories in anticipation of higher demand during the spring and summer months, when construction activity increases. In general, receivables related to higher sales activity during the spring and summer months are collected during the fourth quarter of the year.
Current Business Environment
The wire and cable industry is competitive, mature and cost driven. In many business segments, there is little differentiation among industry participants from a manufacturing or technology standpoint. During 2004 and throughout 2005, the Company’s end markets have continued to demonstrate improvement from the low points of demand experienced in 2003. There has been significant merger and acquisition activity which, the Company believes, may lead to a reduction in the deployment of inefficient, high cost capacity in the industry. In the energy segment, the 2003 power outages in the U.S., Canada and Europe emphasized a need to upgrade the power transmission infrastructure used by electric utilities, which may, over time, cause an increase in demand for General Cable’s energy products. In addition, tax legislation was passed in the United States in 2004 which includes the renewal of tax credits for producing power from wind. This may also cause an increase in demand for the Company’s products as the Company is a significant manufacturer of wire and cable used in wind farms. As a result of the passage of energy legislation in the United States in 2005 that is aimed at improving the transmission grid infrastructure and the reliability of power availability and as a result of the growing energy needs of emerging economies in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, increased demand for the Company’s transmission and distribution cables may occur over time. A volume increase in energy segment sales is already occurring and in combination with increased selling prices is leading to improvements in energy segment operating margins. Demand for both bare aluminum transmission cable and medium-voltage distribution cable strongly increased during the fourth quarter of 2005. In the industrial & specialty segment, industrial construction spending in North America, which influences industrial cable demand, has not fully recovered to reach the peak levels experienced during the mid-1990’s. The Company saw strengthening demand throughout 2005 as a direct result of a strong turnaround in industrial construction spending in North America. This segment has also experienced increased demand for marine, mining and oil and gas exploration products as well as portable power cords. Over the last few years, the communications segment has experienced a significant decline from historical spending levels for outside plant telecommunications products and a weak market for switching/local area networking cables. Overall demand for communications wire and cable products from the Company’s traditional Regional Bell Operating

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Company customers has declined over the last several quarters and may continue to decline, but the Company has temporarily benefited from the consolidation of competitors which occurred during 2004 in the communications market. The Company will also benefit from the substantially completed closure of its Bonham, Texas and Dayville, Connecticut facilities which will allow the Company to better utilize its communications manufacturing assets. The Company is also benefiting from increases in enterprise networking cable sales. The Company anticipates, based on regulatory announcements, further deployment of fiber optic products into the telephone network. Increased spending by the telephone companies on fiber deployment may negatively impact their purchases of the Company’s copper based telecommunications cable products. However, this impact may be somewhat mitigated in that the Company believes it will benefit from the further investment in fiber broadband networks by some of its customers who will most likely need to upgrade a portion of their copper network to support the fiber network.
In addition to the operating trends discussed in the previous paragraph, the Company anticipates that the following trends may negatively affect the earnings of the Company during 2006. The impact of continued rising raw materials costs, including metals and insulating materials, and freight and energy costs has increased the Company’s working capital requirements which have in turn increased the Company’s average outstanding debt level and its interest expense. In addition, due to the anticipated continued rise in interest rates in the United States, the Company’s interest expense on its floating rate asset based revolver is expected to increase during 2006. This impact, however, is expected to be offset by the interest savings resulting from the entry of the Company into a U.S. dollar to Euro cross currency and interest rate swap agreement as announced on October 13, 2005. The agreement has a notional value of $150 million, or approximately 53% of the Company’s currently outstanding $285 million in Senior Notes. The swap has a term of just over two years with a maturity date that coincides with the earliest redemption date of the Senior Notes. This agreement lowers the Company’s borrowing cost by 200 basis points on the swapped portion of the Senior Notes, or approximately $3 million per year in interest expense. Cash interest savings through December 31, 2005 as a result of the swap is approximately $0.6 million.
General Cable believes its investment in Lean Six Sigma training, coupled with effectively utilized manufacturing assets, provides a cost advantage compared to many of its competitors and generates cost savings which help offset rising raw material prices and other general economic cost increases. In addition, General Cable’s customer and supplier integration capabilities, one-stop selling and geographic and product balance are sources of competitive advantage. As a result, the Company believes it is well positioned, relative to many of its competitors, in the current business environment.
As part of General Cable’s ongoing efforts to reduce total operating costs, the Company continuously evaluates its ability to more efficiently utilize existing manufacturing capacity. Such evaluation includes the costs associated with and benefits to be derived from the combination of existing manufacturing assets into fewer plant locations and the possible outsourcing of certain manufacturing processes. During 2004, the Company completed the closure of certain of its industrial manufacturing plants which resulted in a $7.6 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2003 (of which approximately $1.3 million were cash payments) and a $7.4 million charge in 2004 (of which approximately $4.7 million were cash payments). During 2004, the Company also closed its rod mill operation and sold certain equipment utilized in that operation which resulted in a net gain of $0.3 million. During 2005, the Company closed certain of its communications cable manufacturing plants which resulted in a $18.6 million charge in 2005 (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments), which included a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. Total charges for these communication plant closures were approximately $19.1 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments). As of December 31, 2005, production had ceased at both locations.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
General Cable actively seeks to identify key trends in the industry to migrate its business to capitalize on expanding markets and new niche markets or exit declining or non-strategic markets in order to achieve better returns. The Company also sets aggressive performance targets for its business and intends to refocus or divest those activities which fail to meet targets or do not fit long-term strategies.
During the second quarter of 2002, General Cable formed a joint venture company to manufacture and market fiber optic cables. General Cable contributed assets, primarily inventory and machinery and equipment, to a subsidiary company which was then contributed to the joint venture in exchange for a $10.2 million note receivable which resulted in a $5.6 million deferred gain on the transaction. The December 31, 2003 balance sheets included a $10.2 million note receivable from the joint venture partner in other non-current assets and a deferred gain from the initial joint venture formation of $5.6 million in other liabilities. In January 2004, the Company reduced its ownership percentage in the joint venture from 49% to 40% and as a result the deferred gain was reduced to $4.8 million. Beginning in the first quarter of 2004 the Company consolidated the joint venture company as a result of the adoption of FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, as revised, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” For 2004, the joint venture had sales of $21.4 million, an operating loss of $(4.0) million and a

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net loss of $(4.1) million. Prior to the first quarter of 2004, the joint venture company was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At December 31, 2003, other non-current assets included an investment in the joint venture of $3.5 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company exchanged the note receivable from the former joint venture partner for the partner’s ownership interest in the joint venture company. The ownership interest acquired was recorded at fair value which was $2.4 million less than the carrying value of the note receivable, net of the deferred gain, which resulted in a $2.4 million charge. As a result of this transaction, General Cable owned 100% of the fiber optic joint venture company at December 31, 2004, which during 2005 was merged into its principal U.S. operating subsidiary.
In the first quarter of 2005, the Company acquired certain assets of Draka Comteq’s business in North America for a purchase price of $7.5 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. The Company incurred $0.1 million of costs and expenses associated with the acquisition. The net assets acquired are located in Franklin, Massachusetts and manufacture specialty electronics and datacom products. The assets acquired included machinery and equipment, inventory, prepaid assets and intangible assets, net of the assumption of trade payables. The purchase price has been allocated based on the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. During the second quarter of 2005, the final purchase price was agreed with Draka resulting in a cash payment of approximately $0.2 million to the Company.
On December 22, 2005, the Company announced the completion of its purchase of the shares of the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN SA, a diverse, global high technology company. The acquired business is known under the name Silec Cable, S.A.S. (“Silec”). Silec® is based in Montereau, France and employs approximately 1,000 associates with nearly one million square feet of manufacturing space in that location. In 2004, Silec® reported global sales of approximately $261.7 million of which about 60% were linked to the energy infrastructure. In the high-voltage and extra high-voltage market, Silec® is a recognized leader around the world providing the critical link to bring power from the grid into major urban areas. The consideration paid for the acquisition was approximately $82.8 million including fees and expenses at closing which represented 85% of the total estimated purchase price, subject to adjustment under the terms of the definitive share purchase agreement.
On December 30, 2005, the Company announced the acquisition of the Mexican ignition wire set business of Beru AG, a worldwide leading manufacturer of diesel cold start systems. The acquired business is known under the name Beru S.A. de C.V. (Beru S.A.). Beru S.A. is based in Cuernavaca, Mexico and employs approximately 100 associates with one hundred thousand square feet of manufacturing space. Beru S.A. operates an automotive aftermarket assembly and distribution operation with annual revenues of approximately $7 million per year.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A summary of significant accounting policies is provided in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The application of these policies requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reflected in the financial statements. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience, information that is available to management about current events and actions the Company may take in the future and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The most critical judgments impacting the financial statements include determinations with respect to inventory costing and valuation, pension accounting, the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes and revenue recognition which are discussed below. In addition, significant estimates and judgments are also involved in the valuation allowances for sales incentives and accounts receivable; legal, environmental, asbestos and customer reel deposit liabilities; assets and obligations related to other post-retirement benefits; and self insured workers compensation and health insurance reserves. Management periodically evaluates and updates the estimates used in the application of its accounting policies and adjusts amounts in the financial statements as necessary.
Inventory Costing and Valuation
General Cable utilizes the LIFO method of inventory accounting for its metals inventory. The Company’s use of the LIFO method results in its income statement reflecting the current costs of metals, while metals inventories in the balance sheet are valued at historical costs as the LIFO layers were created. As a result of volatile copper prices, the replacement cost of the Company’s copper inventory exceeded the historic LIFO cost by approximately $107 million at December 31, 2005 and by approximately $38 million at December 31, 2004. If LIFO inventory quantities are reduced in a period when replacement

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costs exceed the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would experience an increase in reported earnings. Conversely, if LIFO inventory quantities are reduced in a period when replacement costs are lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would experience a decline in reported earnings. If the Company was not able to recover the LIFO value of its inventory at a profit in some future period when replacement costs were lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would be required to take a charge to recognize in its income statement all or a portion of the higher LIFO value of the inventory. During 2005, the Company reduced its copper inventory quantities in North America resulting in a $1.1 million LIFO gain since LIFO inventory quantities were reduced in a period when replacement costs were higher than the LIFO value of the inventory.
The Company periodically evaluates the realizability of its inventory. In circumstances where inventory levels are in excess of anticipated market demand, where inventory is deemed to be technologically obsolete or not saleable due to condition or where inventory costs exceeds net realizable value, the Company records a charge to cost of goods sold and reduces the inventory to its net realizable value.
Pension Accounting
Pension expense for the defined benefit pension plans sponsored by General Cable is determined based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on assets of 8.5%. This assumption was based on input from actuaries, including their review of historical 10 year, 20 year, and 25 year rates of inflation and real rates of return on various broad equity and bond indices in conjunction with the diversification of the asset portfolio. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on an asset allocation assumption of 65% allocated to equity investments, with an expected real rate of return of 7%, and 35% to fixed-income investments, with an expected real rate of return of 3%, and an assumed long-term rate of inflation of 3%. The actual asset allocations were 65% of equity investments and 35% of fixed-income investments at December 31, 2005 and because of market fluctuations, the actual asset allocations as of December 31, 2004 were 68% of equity investments and 32% of fixed-income investments. Management believes that long-term asset allocations on average will approximate the Company’s assumptions and that an 8.5% long-term rate of return is a reasonable assumption.
The determination of pension expense for the defined benefit pension plans is based on the fair market value of assets as of the measurement date. Investment gains and losses are recognized in the measurement of assets immediately. Such gains and losses will be amortized and recognized as part of the annual benefit cost to the extent that unrecognized net gains and losses from all sources exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market value of assets.
The determination of future pension obligations utilizes a discount rate based on a review of long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency which are expected to be available during the period to maturity of the projected pension benefit obligations, and input from our actuaries. The discount rate used at December 31, 2005 was 5.75%, a decrease from the discount rate of 6.0% used in the prior year. The decrease was due to changes in the bond yield curve.
General Cable evaluates its actuarial assumptions at least annually, and adjusts them as necessary. In 2005, pension expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans was $5.4 million. Based on an expected rate of return on plan assets of 8.5% a discount rate of 5.75% and various other assumptions, the Company estimates its 2006 pension expense for its defined benefit plans will increase approximately $1.1 million from 2005, excluding curtailment costs, primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate and poorer than expected investment performance in 2005. A 1% decrease in the assumed discount rate, excluding curtailment costs, would increase pension expense by approximately $1.3 million. Future pension expense will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the populations participating in the plans. In the event that actual results differ from the actuarial assumptions, the funded status of the defined benefit plans may change and any such change could result in a charge or credit to equity and an increase or decrease in future pension expense and cash contributions.
Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance
General Cable records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation of the deferred tax asset is dependent on, among other things, the ability of the Company to generate a sufficient level of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, the Company has considered both positive and negative evidence, such as historical and forecasted results of operations, including the losses realized in recent periods, and has considered the implementation of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2005, the Company had recorded a net deferred tax asset of $79.4 million ($40.4 million current and $39.0 million long term). Approximately $7.5 million of this deferred tax asset must be utilized prior to its expiration in the period 2007-2009. The remainder of the asset may be used for at least 15 years. This finite life has also been considered by the Company in the valuation of the asset. The Company has and will continue to review on a quarterly basis its assumptions and tax planning

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strategies and, if the amount of the estimated realizable net deferred tax asset is less than the amount currently on the balance sheet, the Company would reduce its deferred tax asset, recognizing a non-cash charge against reported earnings. At December 31, 2005, the Company concluded that, more likely than not, the net deferred tax asset will be realized.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized when goods are shipped to the customer, title and risk of loss are transferred, pricing is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Most revenue transactions represent sales of inventory. A provision for payment discounts, product returns and customer rebates is estimated based upon historical experience and other relevant factors and is recorded within the same period that the revenue is recognized. The Company also has revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables where the multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting when the delivered items have value on a standalone basis, there is objective and reliable evidence of undelivered items and the general right of return is substantially in the control of the Company. Revenue arrangements of this type are generally contracts where the Company is hired to both produce and install a certain product. Revenue is recognized for the product upon delivery to the customer but revenue recognition on installation is deferred until installation is complete.
New Accounting Standards
In December 2004, SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” was issued. This statement will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instruments issued. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Option No. 25. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006 using the modified prospective method, which requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock options upon adoption. Management does not currently expect SFAS No. 123(R) to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, result of operations and cash flows.
In November 2004, SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4” was issued. This statement clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material. SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Management does not currently expect SFAS No. 151 to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In May 2005, SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Correction—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” was issued. This statement requires that the direct effect of voluntary changes in accounting principles be applied retrospectively with all prior period financial statements presented on the new accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the cumulative effect of the change or the period-specific effects. The statement also designates retrospective application as the transition method for newly-issued accounting pronouncements in the instance where the pronouncement does not provide specific transition guidance. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The impact of SFAS No. 154 will depend on the nature and extent of any voluntary accounting changes and corrections of errors after the effective date, but management does not currently expect SFAS No. 154 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2005, FASB Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” was issued. This interpretation requires companies to record a liability for those asset retirement obligations in which the amount or timing of settlement of the obligation are uncertain. FIN 47 is effective in fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2005, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” was issued. SAB No. 107 provides guidance regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies, specifically as related to transactions with non-employees, the transition from non-public to public entity status, valuation methods, the accounting for certain redeemable financial instruments issued under share-based payment arrangements, the classification of compensation expense, non-GAAP financial measures, and other issues related to SFAS No. 123(R). SAB No. 107 becomes effective upon the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). Management does not currently expect SAB No. 107 to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 provides that U.S. corporations could repatriate earnings of foreign subsidiaries at a reduced tax rate through December 31, 2005 under certain circumstances. In December 2004, the FASB Staff issued FASB Staff Position FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,” that allows a company time beyond the financial reporting period of the enactment of the Act to evaluate the Act’s effect on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings. As of December 31, 2005, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested are approximately $165 million. The Company has decided not to repatriate any foreign earnings related to The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
In June 2005, FASB Staff Position No. FAS 143-1, “Accounting for Electronic Equipment Waste Obligations” was issued. The guidance in this FSP relates to accounting for obligations associated with the European Union’s Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The Directive requires EU-member countries to adopt legislation to regulate the collection, treatment, recovery, and disposal of electrical and electronic waste equipment. Under this Directive, a commercial user should apply FASB No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” for all old waste (prior to August 13, 2005) that falls under the Directive by setting up an asset retirement obligation liability for the costs associated with the waste. FSP FAS 143-1 became effective for historical waste covered by the Directive as of the first reporting period ending after June 8, 2005. The adoption of FSP FAS 143-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In July 2005, the FASB issued an exposure draft, “Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions: an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109.” This proposed Interpretation clarifies accounting for uncertain tax positions in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Specifically, the Interpretation requires recognition of a Company’s best estimate of the impact of a tax position only if that position is probable of being sustained by an audit based only on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions failing the probable recognition threshold would result in adjustments in recorded deferred tax assets or liabilities and changes in income tax payables or receivables. This Interpretation, as originally drafted, would become effective for the first fiscal year ending after December 15, 2005. However, the FASB currently does not expect to issue a final Interpretation until the first quarter of 2007, so the effective date will be modified. In addition, in a November 2005 meeting, the FASB indicated that the final Interpretation would likely revise the recognition threshold from a “probable” standard to a “more likely than not” standard. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this proposed Interpretation on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In September 2005, the FASB issued an exposure draft, “Earnings per Share – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 128.” This proposed statement seeks to clarify guidance for mandatorily convertible instruments, the treasury stock method, contracts that may be settled in cash or shares, and contingently issuable shares. The proposed statement would amend the computational guidance for calculating the number of incremental shares included in diluted shares when applying the treasury stock method, would further amend the treasury stock method to treat as assumed proceeds the carrying amount of an extinguished liability upon issuance of shares, would eliminate the provision of Statement 128 that allows an entity not to assume share settlement in contracts that may be settled in either cash or shares, would define a mandatorily convertible instrument and its effects on basic EPS, and would eliminate the weighted-average computation for calculating contingently issuable shares. This statement, if approved, would become effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this proposed statement on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The Refinancing
On November 24, 2003, the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing of its then existing bank debt which improved its capital structure and provided increased financial and operating flexibility by reducing leverage, increasing liquidity and extending debt maturities. The refinancing included the following: (i) a new senior secured revolving credit facility, (ii) the private placement of 7-year senior unsecured notes, (iii) the private placement of redeemable convertible preferred stock and (iv) a public offering of common stock. The Company applied the net proceeds from these refinancing transactions to repay all amounts outstanding under its former senior secured revolving credit facility, senior secured term loans and accounts receivable asset-backed securitization facility and to pay fees and expenses of approximately $23 million related to the refinancing. In the refinancing the Company raised $47.6 million through the sale of 5,807,500 shares of common stock at $8.20 per share (which included a 15% over-allotment option exercised on December 2, 2003) and $103.5 million through the sale of 2,070,000 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock at $50.00 per share (which included the exercise of an option to purchase additional shares of preferred stock). The preferred stock has an annual dividend rate of 5.75% and a conversion price of $10.004 per share. 93.72% of this redeemable convertible preferred stock was converted to common stock by the Company through an inducement offer in December 2005. See Item 5 for details. The refinancing also included $285.0 million of 7-year senior unsecured notes due 2010 and a $240.0 million secured revolving credit facility that has since been increased to $300.0 million through amendments made in subsequent periods. The senior unsecured notes bear interest

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at a fixed rate of 9.5% while loans under the credit facility, as amended, bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 100 to 175 basis points, depending on the Company’s excess availability as defined by the Credit Agreement. See further discussion of the amendment to the credit facility under the heading, “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, statement of operations data in millions of dollars and as a percentage of net sales. Percentages may not add due to rounding.
                                                 
    Fiscal Years Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Net sales
  $ 2,380.8       100.0 %   $ 1,970.7       100.0 %   $ 1,538.4       100.0 %
Cost of sales
    2,110.1       88.6 %     1,756.0       89.1 %     1,365.0       88.7 %
 
                                   
Gross profit
    270.7       11.4 %     214.7       10.9 %     173.4       11.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    172.2       7.2 %     158.2       8.0 %     127.7       8.3 %
 
                                   
Operating income
    98.5       4.1 %     56.5       2.9 %     45.7       3.0 %
Other income (expense)
    (0.5 )           (1.2 )           1.5       0.1 %
Interest expense, net
    (37.0 )     (1.6 )%     (35.9 )     (1.8 )%     (43.1 )     (2.8 )%
Other financial costs
                            (6.0 )     (0.4 )%
 
                                   
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    61.0       2.6 %     19.4       1.0 %     (1.9 )     (0.1 )%
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (21.8 )     (0.9 )%     18.1       0.9 %     (2.9 )     (0.2 )%
 
                                   
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    39.2       1.6 %     37.5       1.9 %     (4.8 )     (0.3 )%
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (net of tax)
                0.4                   -  
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
    39.2       1.6 %     37.9       1.9 %     (4.8 )     (0.3 )%
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (22.0 )     (0.9 )%     (6.0 )     (0.3 )%     (0.6 )     -  
 
                                   
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 17.2       0.7 %   $ 31.9       1.6 %   $ (5.4 )     (0.3 )%
 
                                   
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2004
The net income applicable to common shareholders was $17.2 million in 2005 compared to net income applicable to common shareholders of $31.9 million in 2004. The net income applicable to common shareholders for 2005 included a $22.0 million dividend on preferred stock, $16.3 million of which resulted from a preferred share inducement offer in the fourth quarter, and pre-tax corporate charges of $18.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s communications cable manufacturing facilities, which included a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant.
During the interim periods of 2005, revenue related to certain turn-key energy system projects with multiple deliverables in the Company’s Spanish operations was deferred until completion of those projects. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company determined that the revenues and related profits for a portion of the projects should have been recognized as energy cables were delivered to the customers. Results for the fourth quarter of 2005 included approximately $1.5 million of after-tax earnings that would have been recognized in earlier interim quarters of 2005 if the deferral had not occurred. The amount of after-tax earnings related to this issue was not material in any of the three previously reported interim periods of 2005.
The net income applicable to common shareholders for 2004 included a $6.0 million dividend on the preferred stock, pre-tax charges of $7.1 million relating to the rationalization of certain manufacturing facilities, $1.5 million for remediation costs, $2.4 million related to the unwinding of the Company’s former fiber optics joint venture and $1.9 million related to the write-off of goodwill, a $1.2 million pre-tax loss resulting from unfavorable foreign currency transactions, a $0.4 million after-tax gain from discontinued operations, and a $23.3 million income tax benefit due to the elimination of certain prior year tax exposures.
All 2004 segment figures have been restated for the reclassification of certain business units from the Communications segment to the Industrial & Specialty segment as discussed in Item 1 of this report.

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Net Sales
The following tables set forth metal-adjusted net sales and metal pounds sold by segment, in millions. Net sales for 2004 have been adjusted to reflect the 2005 copper COMEX average price of $1.68 per pound (a $0.39 increase compared to the prior period) and the aluminum rod average price of $0.92 per pound (a $0.07 increase compared to the prior period).
                                 
    Metal-Adjusted Net Sales  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
Energy
  $ 849.6       36 %   $ 753.9       35 %
Industrial & specialty
    989.8       42 %     903.5       42 %
Communications
    541.4       22 %     509.7       23 %
 
                       
Total metal-adjusted net sales
    2,380.8       100 %     2,167.1       100 %
 
                           
Metal adjustment
                  (196.4 )        
 
                           
Total net sales
  $ 2,380.8             $ 1,970.7          
 
                           
                                 
    Metal Pounds Sold  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Pounds     %     Pounds     %  
Energy
    286.5       44 %     275.6       43 %
Industrial & specialty
    245.5       37 %     235.1       36 %
Communications
    126.9       19 %     134.3       21 %
 
                       
Total metal pounds sold
    658.9       100 %     645.0       100 %
 
                       
Net sales increased 21% to $2,380.8 million in 2005 from $1,970.7 million in 2004. After adjusting 2004 net sales to reflect the $0.39 increase in the average monthly COMEX price per pound of copper and the $0.07 increase in the average aluminum rod price per pound in 2005, net sales increased 10% to $2,380.8 million, up from $2,167.1 million in 2004. The net sales increase included a 1% increase, or $20.1 million, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. The increase in metal-adjusted net sales reflects a 13% increase in the energy segment, a 10% increase in the industrial & specialty segment and a 6% increase in the communications segment. Metal pounds sold increased 2% compared to 2004. Metal pounds sold is provided herein as the Company believes this metric to be a good measure of sales volume since it is not impacted by metal prices or foreign currency exchange rate changes and the Company believes its product mix to be relatively constant year over year. The increase in reported net sales in excess of that attributable to the 2% increase in metal pounds sold is a result of the Company’s efforts to increase its selling prices to recover significant raw material cost increases on insulating compounds, steel and wood reels, and higher energy and freight costs. The increase in net sales in this comparison also includes the $20.1 million foreign currency benefit described above which does not impact the metal pounds sold comparison.
The 13% increase in metal-adjusted net sales for the energy segment reflects a 12% increase in net sales in North America and a 13% increase in net sales in the Company’s international operations. The North American net sales reflect an increase in demand for bare aluminum transmission cable compared to 2004, increased selling prices to recover significant raw material price increases, a better mix of products sold and a $10.0 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company expects to continue to experience inflationary pressure on its raw material costs and will continue to increase selling prices to offset the negative effect of rising raw material costs to the extent that it is able. The Company anticipates demand to accelerate due to the passing of energy legislation in the United States in 2005 aimed at improving the transmission grid infrastructure. The Company’s international operations benefited from increased demand for distribution cables, improved selling prices and a $2.4 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
The 10% increase in metal-adjusted net sales in the industrial & specialty segment reflects a 5% increase in the Company’s international operations and a 14% increase in North America. The Company believes the continued improvement in North American sales volume indicates a recovery in the end markets for industrial cables. Additionally, this segment has benefited from an increase in selling prices to recover increased raw material costs and an increase in sales of specialty cables. The increase in net sales of the Company’s international operations reflects strong demand related to its flexible zero-halogen cables in Europe, an area in which the European operation is a leader and a $3.8 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

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The 6% increase in the communications segment metal-adjusted net sales reflects an increase in all business units within this segment. Enterprise networking cable sales in North America increased as the Company’s new go-to-market strategy implemented in late 2004 began to gain traction. The sales volume in data communication cables, primarily LAN cables, increased in 2005 compared to 2004, but continues to experience competitive price pressure. Partially offsetting gains in sales was a continued decrease in demand from the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC’s) for products related to maintenance, repair and expansion of their copper cable infrastructure. Declines in sales of telecommunications cables to the RBOC’s was partially offset by increased sales in the commercial and export markets and increased sales of service wire.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense increased to $172.2 million in 2005 from $158.2 million in 2004. The increase in SG&A was partially due to a $1.7 million increase in expenses related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, a majority of which occurred in early 2005 related to 2004 activities. The increase was also due to a $12.5 million increase in North American salary and fringe benefits related to improved Company performance and increases in the number of employees, especially direct sales personnel, and a $5.0 million increase in Europe mainly as a result of increased salary and fringe benefits and additions to the sales force. This increase was partially offset by $6.9 million of charges in 2004 for plant rationalizations, remediation costs, the winding down of the Company’s former joint venture, and the related goodwill write-off. As a result of these items, reported SG&A was 7.2% of net sales in 2005, down from 7.3% of metal-adjusted net sales in 2004.
Operating Income
The following table sets forth operating income by segment, in millions of dollars.
                                 
    Operating Income  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
Energy
  $ 65.9       56 %   $ 39.8       57 %
Industrial & specialty
    37.4       32 %     27.6       40 %
Communications
    13.8       12 %     2.0       3 %
 
                       
Subtotal excluding corporate charges
    117.1       100 %     69.4       100 %
 
                           
Corporate charges
    (18.6 )             (12.9 )        
 
                           
Total operating income
  $ 98.5             $ 56.5          
 
                           
Operating income of $98.5 million for 2005 increased from $56.5 million in 2004. The increase was primarily the result of increased selling prices in all segments to recover rising raw material costs, continued cost savings from completion of rationalization activities in the industrial and specialty segment, the majority of the cost which was incurred in the prior year, a $1.1 million LIFO gain from the reduction of the Company’s copper inventory quantities in North America and the $0.8 million favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. These increases were partially offset by net corporate charges of $18.6 million relating to the rationalization of certain communications cable manufacturing facilities, which included a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant.
Other Expense
Other expense of $0.5 million in 2005 and $1.2 million in 2004 includes foreign currency transaction losses which resulted from changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which the transaction is denominated.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense increased to $37.0 million in 2005 from $35.9 million in 2004. The increase in interest expense is the result of higher average interest rates on the Company’s floating rate debt and higher average debt levels as compared to 2004, which are partially offset by savings from the Company’s cross currency and interest rate swap. The higher average debt levels in 2005 as compared to 2004 was primarily attributable to increased working capital needs as a result of continued rising raw material costs.

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Tax Provision
The Company’s effective tax rate for 2005 was 35.7% compared to the full year 2004 effective tax rate of 26.8%, as adjusted to exclude the $23.3 million benefit in 2004 of the settlement of prior year tax exposures. The increase in the effective tax rate year over year reflects differences in the relative profitability of business operations in various taxing jurisdictions as well as the recognition in 2004 of net operating loss carryforward benefits in foreign tax jurisdictions for which a tax benefit had not been previously recognized.
Preferred Stock Dividends
During 2005, the Company accrued and paid $5.7 million of regular dividends and also paid $16.3 million related to the inducement offer on its preferred stock. During 2004, the Company accrued and paid $6.0 million in dividends on its preferred stock. The significant increase of dividends paid in 2005 is due to the inducement offer that the Company initiated in the fourth quarter of 2005. See Item 5 of this document for details.
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2003
The net income applicable to common shareholders was $31.9 million in 2004 compared to a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $(5.4) million in 2003. The net income applicable to common shareholders for 2004 included a $6.0 million dividend on the preferred stock, pre-tax charges of $7.1 million relating to the rationalization of certain manufacturing facilities, $1.5 million for remediation costs, $2.4 million related to the unwinding of the Company’s former fiber optics joint venture and $1.9 million related to the write-off of goodwill, a $1.2 million pre-tax loss resulting from unfavorable foreign currency transactions, a $0.4 million after-tax gain from discontinued operations, and a $23.3 million income tax benefit due to the elimination of certain prior year tax exposures.
The net loss applicable to common shareholders for 2003 included a $0.6 million dividend on the preferred stock issued in the fourth quarter of 2003, pre-tax corporate charges of $7.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s industrial cable manufacturing facilities and $2.7 million for severance related to the Company’s cost cutting efforts in Europe. These corporate charges were offset by $2.1 million of income resulting from the reversal of unutilized restructuring reserves related to the closure in prior years of North American manufacturing facilities. The net loss applicable to common shareholders for 2003 also included a $6.0 million charge related to the refinancing of the Company’s bank debt and a $1.5 million foreign currency transaction gain resulting from a favorable change in exchange rates. The net loss applicable to common shareholders for 2003 also included a $4.4 million increase in the tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2003 resulting from the Company’s refinancing.
All 2004 and 2003 segment figures have been restated for the reclassification of certain business units from the Communications segment to the Industrial & Specialty segment as discussed in Item 1 of this report.
Net Sales
The following tables set forth metal-adjusted net sales and metal pounds sold by segment, in millions. Net sales for 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the 2004 copper COMEX average price of $1.29 per pound (a $0.48 increase compared to the prior period) and the aluminum rod average price of $0.85 per pound (a $0.16 increase compared to the prior period).
                                 
    Metal-Adjusted Net Sales  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
Energy
  $ 705.7       36 %   $ 621.2       35 %
Industrial & specialty
    810.5       41 %     701.5       40 %
Communications
    454.5       23 %     431.4       25 %
 
                       
Total metal-adjusted net sales
    1,970.7       100 %     1,754.1       100 %
 
                           
Metal adjustment
                  (215.7 )        
 
                           
Total net sales
  $ 1,970.7             $ 1,538.4          
 
                           

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    Metal Pounds Sold  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
    Pounds     %     Pounds     %  
Energy
    275.6       43 %     258.0       45 %
Industrial & specialty
    235.1       36 %     205.6       35 %
Communications
    134.3       21 %     115.0       20 %
 
                       
Total metal pounds sold
    645.0       100 %     578.6       100 %
 
                       
Net sales increased 28% to $1,970.7 million in 2004 from $1,538.4 million in 2003. After adjusting 2003 net sales to reflect the $0.48 increase in the average monthly COMEX price per pound of copper and the $0.16 increase in the average aluminum rod price per pound in 2004, net sales increased 12% to $1,970.7 million, up from $1,754.1 million in 2003. The net sales increase included a $57.6 million increase due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. The increase in metal-adjusted net sales reflected a 14% increase in the energy segment, a 16% increase in the industrial & specialty segment and a 5% increase in the communications segment. Metal pounds sold increased 11% compared to 2003. Metal pounds sold is provided herein as the Company believes this metric to be a good measure of sales volume since it is not impacted by metal prices or foreign currency exchange rate changes and the Company believes its product mix to be relatively constant year over year.
The 14% increase in metal-adjusted net sales for the energy segment reflected an 8% increase in net sales in North America and a 26% increase in net sales in the Company’s international operations. The North American net sales reflected an increase in demand from power utilities for distribution cables compared to 2003 and an $8.4 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s international operations benefited from increased demand for distribution cables, increased wind farm projects and an $18.6 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
The 16% increase in metal-adjusted net sales in the industrial & specialty segment reflected a 24% increase in the Company’s international operations and a 9% increase in North America. The Company believes the continued improvement in North American sales volume indicates a recovery in the end markets for industrial cables. Additionally, this segment benefited from growth in its domestic automotive aftermarket wire set business and an increase in sales of industrial cables utilized in maintenance, repair and plant operations, as well as an increase in sales of electronics products resulting from sustained penetration into targeted niche markets and an increase in sales of wire harness and assembly products. The net sales of the Company’s international operations increased 24% which reflected strong demand related to its flexible zero-halogen cables in Europe, an area in which the European operation is a leader and a $25.9 million favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
The 5% increase in the communications segment metal-adjusted net sales reflected an increase in all business units within this segment. Metal-adjusted net sales of telephone exchange cable increased in 2004 compared to 2003 as the Company benefited from the consolidation of competitors in 2004. The sales volume in data communication cables, primarily LAN cables, increased in 2004 compared to 2003, but continued to experience competitive price pressure.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense increased to $158.2 million in 2004 from $127.7 million in 2003. The increase in SG&A was due in part to increased variable selling expenses related to higher sales volumes, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, $4.7 million for the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley compliance activities and a change in the reporting of the results of the Company’s fiber optics joint venture. Additionally, SG&A in 2004 included $1.1 million of charges related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s manufacturing facilities, $1.5 million of remediation costs, a $2.4 million charge associated with the wind down of its former fiber optics joint venture and $1.9 million related to the write-off of goodwill. As a result of these items, reported SG&A was 8.0% of net sales in 2004, up from 7.3% of metal-adjusted net sales in 2003.

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Operating Income
The following table sets forth operating income by segment, in millions of dollars.
                                 
    Operating Income  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
    Amount     %     Amount     %  
Energy
  $ 39.8       57 %   $ 38.0       71 %
Industrial & specialty
    27.6       40 %     11.5       21 %
Communications
    2.0       3 %     4.4       8 %
 
                       
Subtotal excluding corporate charges
    69.4       100 %     53.9       100 %
 
                           
Corporate charges
    (12.9 )             (8.2 )        
 
                           
Total operating income
  $ 56.5             $ 45.7          
 
                           
Operating income of $56.5 million for 2004 increased from $45.7 million in 2003. The increase was primarily the result of strong performance from the Company’s international operations, increased sales volume in all segments, ongoing cost cutting initiatives in manufacturing expenses and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. These increases were partially offset by increased raw material costs (both metal and non-metal) which were not fully recovered through customer price increases, $4.7 million for the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley compliance activities, $1.5 million of costs related to the remediation of a former manufacturing facility, and net corporate charges of $11.4 million relating to the rationalization of certain industrial cable manufacturing facilities, the closure of the Company’s rod mill operation and the unwinding of the Company’s fiber optic joint venture and goodwill write-off.
Other Income (Expense)
Other expense of $(1.2) million in 2004 and other income of $1.5 million in 2003 included foreign currency transaction gains/losses which resulted from changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which the transaction is denominated.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense decreased to $35.9 million in 2004 from $49.1 million in 2003. The 2003 net interest expense included $6.0 million of costs related to the Company’s refinancing which consisted of $4.4 million for the write-off of unamortized bank fees related to the Company’s former credit facility, $0.8 million related to the early termination of interest rate swaps and $0.8 million related to the early termination of the accounts receivable asset-backed securitization financing. In addition to the prior year refinancing related costs, the decrease in interest expense was the result of lower outstanding borrowings and interest costs under the Company’s new debt structure (see previous refinancing discussion) effective November 24, 2003, a lower credit spread under the Company’s new credit facility and a reduction in the amortization of bank fees relating to the new credit facility compared to the former credit facility.
Tax Provision
The Company’s negative effective tax rate for 2004 was primarily attributable to the settlement of $23.3 million of prior year tax exposures. Excluding the benefit of the settlement of prior year tax exposures, the Company’s effective tax rate would have been 26.8% which reflected differences in the relative profitability of business operations in various taxing jurisdictions and the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in foreign tax jurisdictions for which a tax benefit had not been previously recognized.
The 2003 income tax provision of $2.9 million included $4.4 million related to a deemed dividend related to the guarantee by certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries of the Company’s new revolving credit facility. The deemed dividend resulted in U.S. taxation of previously unrepatriated foreign earnings and profits, thereby increasing the tax provision but did not impact cash tax payments as the Company utilized net operating losses to offset this additional taxable income. This increase to the tax provision was offset by $0.8 million related to foreign income tax differentials and other permanent differences.
Preferred Stock Dividends
During 2004, the Company accrued and paid $6.0 million in dividends on its preferred stock.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
In general, General Cable requires cash for working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayment, salaries and related benefits, interest, preferred dividends and taxes. General Cable’s working capital requirement increases when it experiences strong incremental demand for products and/or significant copper, aluminum and other raw material price increases. Based upon historical experience and the expected availability of funds under its credit facility, the Company believes its sources of liquidity will be sufficient to enable it to meet the Company’s cash requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayment, salaries and related benefits, interest, preferred dividends and taxes for at least the next twelve months.
General Cable Corporation is a holding company with no operations of its own. All of the Company’s operations are conducted, and net sales are generated, by its subsidiaries and investments. Accordingly, the Company’s cash flow comes from the cash flows of its operations, in particular, the North American operations upon which it has historically depended the most. However, the Company’s ability to use cash flow from its international operations, if necessary, has historically been adversely affected by limitations on the Company’s ability to repatriate such earnings tax efficiently. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 provides that US corporations could repatriate earnings of foreign subsidiaries at a reduced tax rate through December 31, 2005 under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2005, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested are approximately $165 million. The Company did not repatriate any foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
The following table sets forth net cash provided by (used by) operating activities by geographic groups for the following periods (in millions):
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004  
North America
  $ 45.4     $ (35.6 )
International
    75.6       48.1  
 
           
Total
  $ 121.0     $ 12.5  
 
           
Cash flow provided by operating activities in 2005 was $121.0 million. This reflects a decrease in other assets of $7.2 million and an increase in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities of $114.6 million and net income before depreciation and amortization, foreign currency exchange loss, deferred income taxes and gain on the disposal of property of $88.9 million. The decrease in other assets is primarily related to the refund of various taxes during 2005. The increase in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities is primarily due to an increase in accounts payable which reflects greater manufacturing activity by the Company and the increase in raw material costs during 2005 as compared to 2004. These positive cash flows were partially offset by an $83.1 million increase in accounts receivable and a $6.6 million increase in inventories. The increase in accounts receivable reflects improved sales volume experienced in 2005 as a result of improving demand in the Company’s end markets as well as increased pricing in response to increased raw material costs. Inventory has increased as a result of the Company’s need to service the improving demand in its end markets. However, inventory turnover for the total Company improved slightly as compared to 2004 due to the Company’s focus on supply chain management, application of Lean principles and increasing integration with its customers.
Cash flow used by investing activities was $130.5 million in 2005, principally reflecting $42.6 million of capital expenditures and the acquisitions of certain assets of Draka Comteq’s business in North America, the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN SA, known as Silec®, and the Mexican ignition wire set business of Beru AG, known as Beru S.A., for $92.6 million. The Company anticipates capital spending to be approximately $50 million in 2006. Additionally, the Company received proceeds of $3.0 from the sale of property; primarily equipment from the Company’s closed facilities.
Cash flow provided by financing activities in 2005 was $52.5 million. This reflects an increase in borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility of $36.5 million, which was due in part to the higher working capital requirements discussed above as a result of improving demand in the Company’s end markets as well as the increase in raw material prices during 2005. In addition, the Company’s other debt increased $35.4 million due mostly to new borrowings on the Spanish term loan used to purchase Silec®. Also, $2.6 million in proceeds was received from the exercise of stock options. These sources of cash were partially offset by the payment of preferred stock dividends of $22.0 million, $16.3 million of which resulted from the Company’s inducement offer.
The Company’s senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”) were issued in November 2003 in the amount of $285.0 million, bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.5% and mature in 2010. General Cable Corporation and its material North American wholly-owned subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee the Notes on a joint and several basis.

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The Company’s current senior secured revolving credit facility, as amended, provides for up to $300.0 million in borrowings, including a $50.0 million sublimit for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit and a $20.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. Advances under the credit facility are limited to a borrowing base computed using defined advance rates for eligible accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and owned real estate properties. The fixed asset component of the borrowing base is subject to scheduled reductions. At December 31, 2005, the Company had undrawn availability of $147.7 million under the credit facility.
Indebtedness under the credit facility is guaranteed by the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries and is secured by a first priority security interest in tangible and intangible property and assets of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at the Company’s option, equal to either an alternate base rate (prime plus 0.00% to 0.50%) or an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin percentage (LIBOR plus 1.00% to 1.75%). The applicable margin percentage is subject to adjustments based upon the excess availability, as defined.
The Company pays fees in connection with the issuance of letters of credit and a commitment fee equal to 25 basis points, as amended, per annum on any unused commitments under the credit facility. Both fees are payable quarterly.
The credit facility, as amended, requires that the Company comply with certain financial covenants, the principal covenant of which is a quarterly minimum fixed charge coverage ratio test which is only applicable when excess availability, as defined, is below a certain threshold. In addition, the revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes include negative covenants which restrict certain acts, including the payment of dividends to holders of common stock. However, the Company will be permitted to declare and pay dividends or distributions on the convertible preferred stock so long as there is no default under the revolving credit facility and the Company meets certain financial conditions.
The Company amended its Credit Agreement, effective October 22, 2004, which at that point reduced the interest rate on borrowings under the credit facility by 50 basis points, increased the annual capital spending limit and provided for the ability to swap up to $100 million of its existing fixed rate Senior notes to a floating interest rate.
During the second quarter of 2005, the Company amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which increased the borrowing limit on the senior secured revolving credit facility from $240 million to $275 million. Additionally, the amendment increased the maximum amount permitted under the facility for investments in joint ventures from $10 million to $25 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company further amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which increased the borrowing limit on the senior secured revolving credit facility from $275 million to $300 million. Additionally, the amendment extended the maturity date by almost two years to August 2010, lowered borrowing costs by approximately 65 basis points and reduced unused facility fees. Also, the amendment eliminated or relaxed several provisions, including eliminating the annual limit on capital expenditures, expanding permitted indebtedness to include acquired indebtedness of newly acquired foreign subsidiaries, and increasing the level of permitted loan-funded acquisitions. Finally, the amendment satisfied the financing conditions to the Company’s inducement offer to convert shares of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock into its common stock, which was announced and commenced on November 9, 2005. Specifically, the amendment permitted the Company to draw funds from its credit facility to pay the conversion offer premium plus the funds necessary to make a final dividend payment to holders of the preferred stock who converted their shares in the inducement offer.
As previously mentioned, on November 9, 2005, the Company commenced an offer (“the inducement offer”) to pay a cash premium to holders of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock who elected to convert their preferred stock into shares of General Cable common stock. The Company offered the following consideration for each of the 2,069,907 shares of preferred stock subject to the inducement offer:
    A cash premium of $7.88, or $16.3 million if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    4.998 shares of common stock of General Cable Corporation, or approximately 10,345,395 shares of common stock if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    Accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, payable in cash.
The inducement offer expired on December 9, 2005. A total of 1,939,991 shares, or 93.72%, of the Company’s outstanding shares of preferred stock were surrendered and converted by General Cable as part of the inducement offer. The former holders of the converted preferred stock received, in the aggregate, the following:
    9,696,075 shares of General Cable common stock;

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    A cash premium of approximately $15.3 million ($7.88 per share); and
    Approximately $0.3 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, the date immediately preceding the inducement offer’s settlement date of December 14, 2005.
The $16.6 million cash dividend, which includes approximately $1.0 million in costs related to the inducement offer, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005, and represented the difference between the fair value of all securities and other consideration transferred in the transaction by the Company to the preferred shareholders and the fair value of securities issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms of the preferred stock less the costs related to the inducement offer.
129,916 shares, or 6.28%, of the preferred stock remain outstanding under the original terms of the preferred stock issuance, and all shares of preferred stock surrendered for conversion in the inducement offer were canceled and retired.
On December 27, 2005, General Cable entered into a capital lease for certain pieces of equipment being used at the Company’s Indianapolis polymer plant. The capital lease agreement provides that the lease payments for the machinery and equipment will be approximately $0.6 million semi-annually, or approximately $1.2 million on an annual basis. The lease expires in December of 2010, and General Cable has the option to purchase the machinery and equipment for fair value at the end of the lease term. The present value of the minimum lease payments on the capital lease at inception was approximately $5.0 million that has been reflected in fixed assets and in short-term ($0.9 million) and long-term ($4.1 million) lease obligations, as appropriate, in the Company’s December 31, 2005 balance sheet.
On December 22, 2005, Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., a wholly owned Spanish subsidiary of General Cable, entered into both a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility totaling 75 million Euros. This combined facility was entered into to provide Euro-denominated borrowings to partly fund the subsidiary’s acquisition of Silec®, the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN S.A., and to provide funds for general corporate needs of the European business. See “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for more details on the acquisition of Silec®.
The term loan facility of 50 million Euros is available in up to three tranches, with an interest rate of Euribor plus 0.8% to 1.5% depending on certain debt ratios. The term loan is repayable in fourteen semi-annual installments, maturing seven years following the draw down of each tranche. $35.4 million is currently drawn under this term loan facility, leaving undrawn availability of approximately $23.8 million as of December 31, 2005.
The revolving credit facility of 25 million Euros matures at the end of five years and carries an interest rate of Euribor plus 0.6% to 1.0% depending on certain debt ratios. No funds are currently drawn under this revolving credit facility, leaving undrawn availability of approximately $29.6 million as of December 31, 2005. Commitment fees ranging from 15 to 25 basis points per annum on any unused commitments under the revolving credit facility will be assessed to Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., and are payable on a quarterly basis.
The combined facility is subject to certain financial ratios of the European group, the most restrictive of which is net debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). In addition, the indebtedness under the combined facility is guaranteed by the Company’s Portuguese subsidiary, General Cable Celcat Energia E Telecomunicacoes, S.A., and by the recently acquired Silec Cable, S.A.S.
In addition to this new revolving credit facility, the Company’s European operations participate in arrangements with several European financial institutions that provide extended accounts payable terms to the Company on an uncommitted basis. In general, the arrangements provide for accounts payable terms of up to 180 days. At December 31, 2005, the arrangements had a maximum availability limit of the equivalent of approximately $136.2 million, of which approximately $112.4 million was drawn. Should the availability under these arrangements be reduced or terminated, the Company would be required to negotiate longer payment terms or repay the outstanding obligations with suppliers under this arrangement over 180 days and seek alternative financing arrangements which could increase the Company’s interest expense. The Company also has an approximate $37.8 million uncommitted facility in Europe, which allows the Company to sell at a discount, with limited recourse, a portion of its accounts receivable to a financial institution. At December 31, 2005, this accounts receivable facility was not drawn upon.
During the fourth quarter of 2002, as a result of declining returns in the investment portfolio of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, the Company was required to record a minimum pension liability equal to the under funded status of its plan. At December 31, 2002, the Company recorded an after-tax charge of $29.2 million to accumulated other comprehensive income in the equity section of its balance sheet. During 2003, the investment portfolio of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan experienced improved performance and as a result, the Company was able to reduce the after tax charge to accumulated other comprehensive income by $7.3 million. During 2004, the after tax charge to accumulated other

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comprehensive income was increased by $0.2 million. During the fourth quarter of 2005, as a result of worse than expected investment asset performance and changes in certain actuarial assumptions, including the discount rate and mortality rate, the Company was required to record an additional minimum pension liability on its books in an amount that would fully accrue the underfunded status of the plans. As of December 31, 2005, the defined benefit plans were underfunded by approximately $40.9 million based on the actuarial methods and assumptions utilized for purposes of the applicable accounting rules and interpretations, and therefore the Company accrued an additional liability of $13.6 million. The underfunding of the defined benefit plans at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $33.0 million and $39.9 million, respectively.
In 2005, pension expense decreased approximately $0.8 million from 2004, excluding $0.7 million of curtailment expense booked in 2005 related to the Bonham closure, and cash contributions decreased approximately $2.2 million from 2004. In 2006, pension expense is expected to increase approximately $1.1 million, excluding curtailment costs, from 2005, principally due to a decrease in the discount rate and poorer than expected investment performance in 2005, and cash contributions are expected to decrease approximately $2.7 million from 2005.
As part of General Cable’s ongoing efforts to reduce total operating costs, the Company continuously evaluates its ability to more efficiently utilize existing manufacturing capacity. Such evaluation includes the costs associated with and benefits to be derived from the combination of existing manufacturing assets into fewer plant locations and the possible outsourcing of certain manufacturing processes. During 2004, the Company completed the closure of certain of its manufacturing plants which resulted in a $7.6 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2003 (of which approximately $1.3 million were cash payments) and a $7.4 million charge in 2004 (of which approximately $4.7 million were cash payments). During 2004, the Company also closed its rod mill operation and sold certain equipment utilized in that operation which resulted in a net gain of $0.3 million. During 2005, the Company closed certain of its communications cable manufacturing plants which resulted in an $18.6 million charge in 2005 (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments), which included a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. Total charges for these communication plant closures were approximately $19.1 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash payments). As of December 31, 2005, production had ceased at both locations.
Summarized information about the Company’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2005 is as follows (in millions of dollars):
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
            Less than     1 - 3     4 - 5     After 5  
    Total     1 Year     Years     Years     Years  
Contractual obligations:
                                       
 
                                       
Total debt (excluding capital leases)
  $ 446.4     $ 5.4     $ 125.9     $ 295.8     $ 19.3  
Capital leases
    5.2       1.0       2.0       2.2        
Interest payments on Senior Notes
    135.4       27.1       54.2       54.1        
Preferred Stock dividend payments
    3.0       0.4       0.7       0.8       1.1  
Operating leases
    29.2       9.0       9.5       6.0       4.7  
Commodity futures and forward pricing agreements
    146.9       146.9                    
Foreign currency contracts
    43.1       41.8       1.3              
Cross currency and interest rate swap
    170.6       11.1       159.5              
 
                             
Total
  $ 979.8     $ 242.7     $ 353.1     $ 358.9     $ 25.1  
 
                             
As mentioned previously in the “Current Business Environment” section, a cross currency and interest rate swap was entered into by the Company partly to reduce the borrowing cost on a portion of the $285.0 million in Senior Notes. Under the Senior Notes, the Company is required to make payments, at a fixed interest rate of 9.5%, on the $285.0 million balance of the Senior Notes to the holders of the Senior Notes. Under the swap, the Company is required to make future payments, at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, on the Euro-denominated balance of its cross currency and interest rate swap to the parties involved in the swap. The Company is also required, at the end of the swap’s life in the fourth quarter of 2007, to swap the original Euro-denominated principal balance that was equivalent to approximately $148.4 million as of December 31, 2005. However, the Company, in return, receives payments from the parties involved in the swap, at a fixed rate of 9.5%, on the dollar-denominated balance of its cross currency and interest rate swap, and the Company will receive, at the end of the swap’s life in the fourth quarter of 2007, a payment on the original dollar-denominated principal balance of $150.0 million.
The principal U.S. operating subsidiary has unconditionally guaranteed the payments required to be made to the parties involved in the swap. The guarantee continues until the commitment under the swap has been paid in full, including principal plus interest, with the final amount due in November 2007. This subsidiary’s maximum exposure under this guarantee was approximately $170.6 million as of December 31, 2005, but the net exposure position was a favorable $8.2

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million. As of December 31, 2005, the amount recorded in General Cable’s consolidated financial statements for this liability was not significant.
The Company will be required to make future cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans. The estimate for these contributions is approximately $8.2 million during 2006. Estimates of cash contributions to be made after 2006 are difficult to determine due to the number of variable factors which impact the calculation of defined benefit pension plan contributions. General Cable will also be required to make interest payments on its variable rate debt. The interest payments to be made on the Company’s revolving loans and other variable debt are based on variable interest rates and the amount of the borrowings under the revolving credit facility depend upon the Company’s working capital requirements. The Company’s preferred stock dividends are payable in cash or common stock or a combination thereof. 93.72% of the preferred stock was retired by the Company through an inducement offer in December 2005 that has significantly reduced future obligation amounts for preferred stock dividend payments. See Item 5 for details on the inducement offer.
The Company anticipates being able to meet its obligations as they come due based on historical experience and the expected availability of funds under its amended credit facility.
Off Balance Sheet Assets and Obligations
As part of the BICC plc acquisition, BICC agreed to indemnify General Cable against environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the purchase of the business. In the sale of the businesses to Pirelli, General Cable generally indemnified Pirelli against any environmental liabilities on the same basis as BICC plc indemnified the Company in the earlier acquisition. However, the indemnity the Company received from BICC plc related to the European business sold to Pirelli terminated upon the sale of those businesses to Pirelli. In addition, General Cable has agreed to indemnify Pirelli against any warranty claims relating to the prior operation of the business. General Cable agreed to indemnify Raychem HTS Canada, Inc., a business division of Tyco International, Ltd. for certain environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the sale of the Company’s former Pyrotenax business. General Cable has also agreed to indemnify Southwire Company against certain liabilities arising out of the operation of the business sold to Southwire prior to its sale.
During 2005, one of the Company’s international operations contracted with a bank to transfer accounts receivable that it was owed from one customer to the bank in exchange for payments of approximately $1 million. As the transferor, the Company surrendered control over the financial assets included in the transfer and has no further rights regarding the transferred assets. The transfer was treated as a sale and the approximate $1 million received was accounted for as proceeds from the sale. All assets sold were removed from the Company’s balance sheet upon completion of the transfer, and no further obligations exist under this agreement.
Environmental Matters
The Company’s expenditures for environmental compliance and remediation amounted to approximately $1.5 million in 2005, $1.4 million in 2004 and $0.8 million in 2003. In addition, certain of General Cable’s subsidiaries have been named as potentially responsible parties in proceedings that involve environmental remediation. The Company had accrued $2.3 million at December 31, 2005 for all environmental liabilities. In the Wassall acquisition of General Cable from American Premier Underwriters, American Premier indemnified the Company against certain environmental liabilities arising out of General Cable or its predecessors’ ownership or operation of properties and assets, which were identified during the seven-year period ended June 2001. As part of the 1999 acquisition, BICC plc agreed to indemnify General Cable against environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the purchase of the business. The Company has agreed to indemnify Pirelli, Raychem HTS, Canada, Inc. and Southwire Company against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the divested businesses prior to the sale. However, the indemnity the Company received from BICC plc related to the business sold to Pirelli terminated upon the sale of those businesses to Pirelli. While it is difficult to estimate future environmental liabilities, the Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial position as a result of compliance with federal, state, local or foreign environmental laws or regulations or remediation costs.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
General Cable is exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency and commodity prices. To manage risk associated with the volatility of these natural business exposures, General Cable enters into interest rate, commodity and foreign currency derivative agreements related to both transactions and its net investment in its European operations as well as copper and aluminum forward pricing agreements. General Cable does not purchase or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes. General Cable does not engage in trading activities involving commodity contracts for which a lack of marketplace quotations would necessitate the use of fair value estimation techniques.
General Cable’s reported net sales are directly influenced by the price of copper and to a lesser extent aluminum. The price of copper and aluminum has been subject to considerable volatility, with the daily selling price of copper cathode on the COMEX averaging $1.68 per pound in 2005, $1.29 per pound in 2004 and $0.81 per pound in 2003 and the daily price of aluminum rod averaging $0.92 per pound in 2005, $0.85 per pound in 2004 and $0.69 per pound in 2003.
General Cable utilizes the last-in first-out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting for its metals inventory. The Company’s use of the LIFO method results in its income statement reflecting the current costs of metals, while metals inventories in the balance sheet are valued at historical costs as the LIFO layers were created. As a result of volatile copper prices, the replacement cost of the Company’s copper inventory exceeded the historic LIFO cost by approximately $107 million at December 31, 2005 and $38 million at December 31, 2004. If LIFO inventory quantities were reduced in a period when the replacement cost of the inventory exceeded the LIFO value, the Company would experience an increase in reported earnings. Conversely, if LIFO inventory quantities were reduced in a period when replacement costs were lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would experience a decline in reported earnings. If the Company were not able to recover the LIFO value of its inventory at a profit in some future period when replacement costs were lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would be required to take a charge to recognize in its income statement all or a portion of the higher LIFO value of the inventory. During 2005, the Company reduced its copper inventory quantities in North America resulting in a $1.1 million LIFO gain since LIFO inventory quantities were reduced in a period when replacement costs were higher than the LIFO value of the inventory.
General Cable has utilized interest rate swaps and interest rate collars to manage its interest expense exposure by fixing its interest rate on a portion of the Company’s floating rate debt. Under the swap agreements, General Cable typically paid a fixed rate while the counterparty paid to General Cable the difference between the average fixed rate and the three-month LIBOR rate. During 2001, the Company entered into several interest rate swaps which effectively fixed interest rates for borrowings under the former credit facility and other debt. In the fourth quarter of 2003 in conjunction with the refinancing of its bank debt, the Company incurred a cost of $0.8 million to terminate the interest rate swaps related to the former credit facility. At December 31, 2005, the remaining outstanding interest rate swap, that qualifies as a cash flow hedge under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (”SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” had a notional value of $9.0 million, an interest rate of 4.49% and matures in October 2011. The Company does not provide or receive any collateral specifically for this contract. The fair value of interest rate derivatives are based on quoted market prices and third party provided calculations, which reflect the present values of the difference between estimated future variable-rate receipts and future fixed-rate payments. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives and the related carrying value was $(0.4) million and $(0.7) million, respectively. A 10% change in the variable rate would change the unrealized loss by $0.2 million in 2005. All interest rate derivatives are marked-to-market with changes in the fair value of qualifying cash flow hedges recorded as other comprehensive income.
The Company enters into forward exchange contracts, that qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, principally to hedge the currency fluctuations in certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby limiting the Company’s risk that would otherwise result from changes in exchange rates. Principal transactions hedged during the year were firm sales and purchase commitments. The fair value of foreign currency contracts represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net unrealized gain (loss) on the net foreign currency contracts was $0.3 million and $(0.6) million, respectively. A 10% change in the exchange rate for these currencies would change the unrealized gain by $3.6 million in 2005.
In October 2005, the Company entered into a U.S. dollar to Euro cross currency and interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150 million, that qualifies as a net investment hedge of the Company’s net investment in its European operations, in order to hedge the effects of the changes in spot exchange rates on the value of the net investment. The swap has a term of just over two years with a maturity date of November 15, 2007. The fair value of the cross currency and interest rate swap is based on third party provided calculations. At December 31, 2005, the net unrealized gain on the swap was $1.6 million. A 10% change in the exchange rate would change the unrealized gain by $14.8 million in 2005. The swap is marked-to-market quarterly using the “spot method” to measure the amount of hedge ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of the swap as they relate to spot exchange rates are recorded as other comprehensive income whereas changes in the

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fair value of the swap as they relate to the interest rate differential and the change in interest rate differential since the last marked-to-market date are recognized currently in earnings for the period.
Outside of North America, General Cable enters into commodity futures contracts for the purchase of copper and aluminum for delivery in a future month to match certain sales transactions. These contracts qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had an unrealized gain of $11.6 million and $3.5 million respectively, on the commodity futures. A 10% change in the price of copper and aluminum would result in a change in the unrealized gain of $5.1 million in 2005.
The notional amounts and fair values of these financial instruments at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are shown below (in millions). The net carrying amount of the financial instruments was a net asset of $14.1 million at December 31, 2005 and a net asset of $2.2 million at December 31, 2004.
                                 
    2005     2004  
    Notional     Fair     Notional     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
Cash flow hedges:
                               
Interest rate swap
  $ 9.0     $ (0.4 )   $ 9.0     $ (0.7 )
Foreign currency forward exchange
    43.1       0.3       33.6       (0.6 )
Commodity futures
    39.9       11.6       48.8       3.5  
Net investment hedges:
                               
Cross currency and interest rate swap
    150.0       2.6              
 
                           
 
          $ 14.1             $ 2.2  
 
                           
In the normal course of business, General Cable enters into forward pricing agreements for purchase of copper and aluminum for delivery in a future month to match certain sales transactions. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had $106.2 million and $62.4 million, respectively, of future copper and aluminum purchases that were under forward pricing agreements. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had an unrealized gain of $11.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively. General Cable expects the unrealized gains under these agreements to be offset as a result of firm sales price commitments with customers.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company periodically reviews the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. The Company makes modifications to improve the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and internal control structure, and may take other corrective action, if its reviews identify a need for such modifications or actions. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.

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A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2005, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2005.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such item is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f).
As disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2005, the Company concluded that control deficiencies in its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 constituted material weaknesses within the meaning of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 2. Throughout 2005, the Company implemented numerous improvements to internal controls over financial reporting to address these material weaknesses. These improvements included the following:
    The Company added personnel with technical accounting experience;
 
    The Company performed a substantial amount of work on formalizing, implementing, and enforcing new and updated policies in business processes that impact financial reporting, including the compliance process;
 
    The Company implemented increased levels of review of complex and judgmental accounting issues with a greater focus on evidentiary support for control processes;
 
    The Company realigned job responsibilities and restricted system access, as well as adding other mitigating controls such as exception reports to eliminate segregation of duties issues;
 
    The Company implemented enhanced shipment reporting and accounting procedures to ensure proper accounting cut-off;
 
    The Company formalized and enhanced its monitoring of when title passes in all purchase transactions;
 
    The Company added additional controls over accruing for non-purchase order based transactions;
 
    The Company improved the interim and annual review and reconciliation process for certain key account balances;
 
    The Company refined procedures over accounting for fixed assets;
 
    And the Company implemented additional controls over the accounting for finished goods inventory on consignment at customer locations.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and the CFO, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include an assessment of certain elements of the internal control over financial reporting of Beru S.A. de C.V., acquired on December 30, 2005, and Silec Cables, acquired on December 22, 2005, which are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005. The excluded elements constituted, in the aggregate, approximately $206 million of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2005. Based on this evaluation under the COSO framework, including the remediation actions noted above, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f), during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, other than the actions discussed above taken as part of the Company’s remediation efforts and the acquisitions discussed above.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General Cable Corporation:
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that General Cable Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from their assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Beru S.A. de C.V. (“Beru S. A.”), acquired on December 30, 2005, and Silec Cable, S.A.S. (“Silec”), acquired on December 22, 2005, and whose financial statements reflect aggregate total assets and revenues constituting 14% and less than 1%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Beru S.A. and Silec. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005 of the Company and our report dated March 15, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
March 15, 2006

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Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
See the information on the Company’s Executive Officers in Item 1 under the heading, “Executive Officers of the Registrant.” Except as set forth in Item 1, the additional information required by this item, including information on the Directors of the Company, is included in the definitive Proxy Statement which General Cable intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.
General Cable’s amended and restated by-laws provide that its board of directors is divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III). At each annual meeting of the shareholders, directors constituting one class are elected for a three-year term. Each of the directors will be elected to serve until a successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier resignation or removal.
The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that Craig P. Omtvedt, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Audit Committee members, Mr. Welsh, Mr. Lawton and Mr. Smialek, are audit committee financial experts as defined by Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K and are independent within the meaning of Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to its directors, officers (including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees. The Company has also adopted Corporate Governance Principles and Guidelines, an Audit Committee Charter, a Compensation Committee Charter and a Corporate Governance Committee Charter (collectively “Charters”). Copies of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Principles and Guidelines and each of the Charters are available on the Company’s website, www.generalcable.com, and may be found under the “Investor Information” section by clicking on “Corporate Governance”. Any of the foregoing documents is also available in print to any shareholders who request the documents. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website at the location specified above.
On May 10, 2005, the Company submitted its Annual Chief Executive Officer Certification to the New York Stock Exchange as required by Section 303A.12 (a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are filed as exhibits to the Company’s Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is included in the definitive Proxy Statement which General Cable intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is included in the definitive Proxy Statement which General Cable intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this item is included in the definitive Proxy Statement which General Cable intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item is included in the definitive Proxy Statement which General Cable intends to file with

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the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
  (a)   Documents filed as part of the Form 10-K:
  1.   Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8.
 
  2.   Financial Statement Schedule filed herewith for 2005, 2004 and 2003:
  II.   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts              Page 100
All other schedules for which provisions are made in the applicable regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted as they are not applicable, not required, or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
  3.   The exhibits listed on the accompanying exhibit index are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, General Cable Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  General Cable Corporation
 
 
Signed: March 15, 2006  By:   /s/ GREGORY B. KENNY    
    Gregory B. Kenny   
    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
         
/s/ ROBERT J. SIVERD
 
     Robert J. Siverd
  Executive Vice President, General 
     Counsel and Secretary
  March 15, 2006
 
       
/s/ CHRISTOPHER F. VIRGULAK
 
     Christopher F. Virgulak
  Executive Vice President and Chief 
     Financial Officer
     (Chief Accounting Officer)
  March 15, 2006
 
       
/s/ JOHN E. WELSH, III
 
     John E. Welsh, III
  Non-executive Chairman and Director    March 15, 2006
 
       
/s/ GREGORY E. LAWTON
 
     Gregory E. Lawton
  Director    March 15, 2006
 
       
/s/ CRAIG P. OMTVEDT
 
     Craig P. Omtvedt
  Director    March 15, 2006
 
       
/s/ ROBERT L. SMIALEK
 
     Robert L. Smialek
  Director    March 15, 2006

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Exhibit Index
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
3.1
  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-22961) of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 1997, as amended (the “Initial S-1”).
 
   
3.2
  Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
4.1
  Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
4.2
  Certificate of Designations (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K filed December 12, 2003).
 
   
4.3
  Indenture among the Company, certain guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K filed December 12, 2003).
 
   
4.4
  Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and the Initial Purchasers relating to the Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 8-K filed December 12, 2003).
 
   
4.5
  Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, certain guarantors and the Initial Purchasers relating to the Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 8-K filed December 12, 2003).
 
   
10.2
  General Cable Corporation 1998 Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1997).
 
   
10.3
  General Cable Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.4
  General Cable Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1997).
 
   
10.7
  Employment Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.8
  Amendment dated March 16, 1998 to Employment Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1997).
 
   
10.9
  Employment Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.10
  Employment Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.12
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.13
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.14
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated May 13, 1997, between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.15
  Form of Intercompany Agreement among Wassall PLC, Netherlands Cable V.B. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.16
  Stock Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 1997, among Wassall PLC, General Cable Industries Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Initial S-1).
 
   
10.17
  General Cable Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated April 1, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998).
 
   
10.18
  Amended and Restated General Cable Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 14, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998).
 
   
10.19
  Credit Agreement between the Company, Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.20
  Amendment dated October 8, 1999 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.22
  Employment Agreement dated October 18, 1999, between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.23
  Employment Agreement dated October 18, 1999, between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.24
  Employment Agreement dated October 18, 1999, between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by

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Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
  reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.26
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated October 18, 1999 between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.27
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated October 18, 1999 between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.28
  Change-in-Control Agreement dated October 18, 1999 between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999).
 
   
10.29
  BICCGeneral Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan dated December 15, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1999).
 
   
10.30
  BICCGeneral Mid-Term Incentive Plan dated February 1, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1999).
 
   
10.31
  Share Purchase Agreement between General Cable Corporation and Pirelli Cavi e Sistemi S.p.A. dated February 9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1999).
 
   
10.32
  Second amendment dated March 9, 2000 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.33
  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000, between Stephen Rabinowitz and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Quarterly report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.34
  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000, between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.35
  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000, between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.36
  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000, between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.38
  Amended and Restated Change-in-Control Agreement dated April 28, 2000 between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period end March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.39
  Amended and Restated Change-in-Control Agreement dated April 28, 2000, between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.40
  Amended and Restated Change-in-Control Agreement dated April 28, 2000 between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000).
 
   
10.41
  Third amendment dated January 24, 2001 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000).
 
   
10.42
  General Cable Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000).
 
   
10.43
  Asset Purchase Agreement between Southwire Company and General Cable Industries, Inc. and General Cable Corporation dated September 5, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period end September 30, 2001).
 
   
10.44
  Term Sheet dated August 7, 2001, for Retirement and Termination of Employment Agreement dated October 18, 1999, as Amended, between General Cable Corporation and Stephen Rabinowitz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001).
 
   
10.45
  Amendment dated August 6, 2001, to Employment Agreement between Gregory B. Kenny and General Cable Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001).

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Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
10.46
  Amendment dated August 6, 2001, to Change-in-Control Agreement between Gregory B. Kenny and General Cable Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001).
 
   
10.47
  Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2001, among General Cable Capital Funding, Inc., General Cable Industries, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2001).
 
   
10.48
  Series 2001-1 Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2001, among General Cable Capital Funding, Inc., General Cable Industries, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for year ended December 31, 2001).
 
   
10.49
  Series VFC Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2001, among General Cable Capital Funding, Inc., General Cable Industries, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2001).
 
   
10.50
  Receivables Sale Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2001, between General Cable Industries, Inc. and General Cable Capital Funding, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2001).
 
   
10.51
  First amendment dated December 21, 2001 to the Series 2001-1 Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of May 9, 2001, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2001).
 
   
10.52
  Amendment dated April 19, 2002 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002).
 
   
10.53
  Fifth Amendment dated October 11, 2002 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed on October 14, 2002).
 
   
10.54
  Sixth Amendment dated December 26, 2002 to the Credit Agreement between the Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders signatory thereto dated May 28, 1999 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.54 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2002).
 
   
10.55
  General Cable Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan, amended and restated as of July 30, 2002 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.55 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2002).
 
   
10.56
  Amendment No. 2 dated July 11, 2003 to Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000 between Gregory B. Kenny and the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.56 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003).
 
   
10.57
  Amendment No. 1 dated July 11, 2003 to Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000 between Christopher F. Virgulak and the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.57 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003).
 
   
10.58
  Amendment No. 1 dated July 11, 2003 to Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2000 between Robert J. Siverd and the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.58 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003).
 
   
10.59
  Assignment Agreement dated June 9, 2003 by Gregory B. Kenny to General Cable Corporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.59 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.60
  Assignment Agreement dated June 9, 2003 by Christopher F. Virgulak to General Cable Corporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.60 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.61
  Assignment Agreement dated June 9, 2003 by Robert J. Siverd to General Cable Corporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.61 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.62
  Trust Termination Agreement for General Cable 2001 Master Trust dated November 24, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.62 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.63
  Credit Agreement between the Company, Merrill Lynch Capital as Collateral and Syndication Agent, UBS AG as Administrative Agent and the lenders signatory thereto dated November 24, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.63 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).

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Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
10.64
  Code of Business Conduct and Ethics dated December 16, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.64 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.65
  Corporate Governance Principles and Guidelines dated January 2004 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.65 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.66
  First Amendment dated April 14, 2004, to the Credit Agreement between the Company, Merrill Lynch Capital as Collateral and Syndication Agent, UBS AG as Administrative Agent and the lenders signatory thereto dated November 24, 2003 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.66 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004).
 
   
10.67
  Form of Grant Agreement pursuant to the General Cable Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.67 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarter ended October 1, 2004).
 
   
10.68
  Form of Grant Agreement pursuant to the General Cable Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.68 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarter ended October 1, 2004).
 
   
10.69
  Amended and restated Credit Agreement dated October 22, 2004, between the Company and Merrill Lynch Capital as collateral and syndication agent, UBS AG as Administrative Agent and the lenders signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.69 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarter ended October 1, 2004).
 
   
10.70
  First Amendment dated June 13, 2005 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between the Company, Merrill Lynch Capital as Collateral and Syndication Agent, UBS AG as Administrative Agent and the lenders signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.70 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of General Cable Corporation for the quarter ended July 1, 2005).
 
   
10.71
  Second Amended and restated Credit Agreement dated November 23, 2005, between the Company and Merrill Lynch Capital as Collateral and Administrative Agent, National City Business Credit, Inc., as Syndication Agent and the lenders signatory thereto.
 
   
10.72
  Credit Agreement between Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., and Banco de Sabadell, S.A., as Agent and Financial Institution, dated December 22, 2005.
 
   
10.73
  Master Agreement confirming the initiation of a $75.0 million cross currency and interest rate swap between General Cable Corporation and Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., dated October 13, 2005.
 
   
10.74
  Master Agreement confirming the initiation of a $75.0 million cross currency and interest rate swap between General Cable Corporation and Bank of America, N. A., dated October 13, 2005.
 
   
10.75
  Director Compensation Program modification dated January 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on February 1, 2005).
 
   
10.76
  Salary Adjustment for Chief Executive Officer dated January 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on February 1, 2005).
 
   
10.77
  Salary Adjustment for Chief Financial Officer and for Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary dated February 18, 2005 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on February 22, 2005).
 
   
10.78
  General Cable Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on May 16, 2005).
 
   
10.79
  Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on May 16, 2005).
 
   
10.80
  Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on May 16, 2005).
 
   
10.81
  Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on May 16, 2005).
 
   
10.82
  Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on May 16, 2005).
 
   
10.83
  Share Purchase Agreement among Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., Safran SA, and Sagem Communications, dated November 18, 2005 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on December 22, 2005).
 
   
10.84
  Salary Adjustment for Chief Executive Officer dated February 7, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K Current Report as filed on February 7, 2006).
 
   
12.1
  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
   
21.1
  List of Subsidiaries of General Cable.
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15(d) – 14(a).
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15(d) – 14(a).
 
   
32.1
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General Cable Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of General Cable Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of General Cable Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
March 15, 2006

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in millions, except per share data)
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Net sales
  $ 2,380.8     $ 1,970.7     $ 1,538.4  
 
                       
Cost of sales
    2,110.1       1,756.0       1,365.0  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross profit
    270.7       214.7       173.4  
 
                       
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    172.2       158.2       127.7  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income
    98.5       56.5       45.7  
 
                       
Other income (expense)
    (0.5 )     (1.2 )     1.5  
 
                       
Interest income (expense):
                       
Interest expense
    (39.9 )     (37.7 )     (43.9 )
Interest income
    2.9       1.8       0.8  
Other financial costs
                (6.0 )
 
                 
 
    (37.0 )     (35.9 )     (49.1 )
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    61.0       19.4       (1.9 )
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (21.8 )     18.1       (2.9 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    39.2       37.5       (4.8 )
 
                       
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (net of tax)
          0.4        
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    39.2       37.9       (4.8 )
 
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (22.0 )     (6.0 )     (0.6 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 17.2     $ 31.9     $ (5.4 )
 
                 
 
                       
EPS of Continuing Operations
                       
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.81     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
Weighted average common shares
    41.1       39.0       33.6  
 
                 
Earnings (loss) per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
Weighted average common shares-assuming dilution
    41.9       50.3       33.6  
 
                 
 
                       
EPS of Discontinued Operations
                       
Gain per common share
  $     $ 0.01     $  
 
                 
Gain per common share-assuming dilution
  $     $ 0.01     $  
 
                 
 
                       
EPS including Discontinued Operations
                       
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.82     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
Earnings (loss) per common share-assuming dilution
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except share data)
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Assets
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash
  $ 72.2     $ 36.4  
Receivables, net of allowances of $8.6 million in 2005 and $16.0 million in 2004
    542.9       369.4  
Inventories
    363.9       315.5  
Deferred income taxes
    41.9       23.0  
Prepaid expenses and other
    48.6       38.8  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    1,069.5       783.1  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    366.4       356.0  
Deferred income taxes
    52.5       65.7  
Other non-current assets
    34.8       34.5  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 1,523.2     $ 1,239.3  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 472.3     $ 354.2  
Accrued liabilities
    212.2       129.8  
Current portion of long-term debt
    6.4       1.1  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    690.9       485.1  
 
               
Long-term debt
    445.2       373.8  
Deferred income taxes
    13.4       15.3  
Other liabilities
    80.4       63.7  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    1,229.9       937.9  
 
           
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, at redemption value
(liquidation preference of $50.00 per share):
               
2005 – 129,916 shares outstanding
2004 – 2,070,000 shares outstanding
    6.5       103.5  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, issued and outstanding shares:
               
2005 – 49,520,209 (net of 4,968,755 treasury shares)
2004 – 39,335,754 (net of 4,885,823 treasury shares)
    0.5       0.4  
Additional paid-in capital
    246.3       144.1  
Treasury stock
    (52.2 )     (51.0 )
Retained earnings
    103.8       86.4  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (6.8 )     22.4  
Other shareholders’ equity
    (4.8 )     (4.4 )
 
           
 
               
Total shareholders’ equity
    293.3       301.4  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,523.2     $ 1,239.3  
 
           
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Cash flows of operating activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 39.2     $ 37.9     $ (4.8 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used by) operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    51.0       35.4       33.4  
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
    0.5       1.2       (1.5 )
Loss on joint venture wind-down
          4.2        
Deferred income taxes
    (3.9 )     0.6       (6.5 )
Settlement of tax items
          (23.3 )      
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and businesses
    2.1       (0.5 )     6.8  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
                       
Purchase of receivables
                (80.0 )
(Increase) decrease in receivables
    (83.1 )     (82.2 )     27.8  
(Increase) decrease in inventories
    (6.6 )     (45.3 )     16.9  
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    7.2       (12.8 )     14.5  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
    114.6       97.3       (21.1 )
 
                 
Net cash flows of operating activities
    121.0       12.5       (14.5 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows of investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (42.6 )     (37.0 )     (19.1 )
Proceeds from properties sold
    3.0       2.6       2.5  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (92.6 )            
Other, net
    1.7       (1.9 )     (3.1 )
 
                 
Net cash flows of investing activities
    (130.5 )     (36.3 )     (19.7 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows of financing activities:
                       
Preferred stock dividends paid
    (22.0 )     (6.0 )      
Common stock issued, net of fees and expenses
                44.6  
Preferred stock issued, net of fees and expenses
                99.5  
Repayment of loans from shareholders
          0.4       1.0  
Net change in revolving credit borrowings
    36.5       35.6       (35.2 )
Proceeds (repayment) of other debt
    35.4       (2.3 )     (26.0 )
Issuance of long-term debt, net of fees and expenses
                276.6  
Repayment of long-term debt
                (333.3 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    2.6       1.1        
 
                 
Net cash flows of financing activities
    52.5       28.8       27.2  
 
                 
 
                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (7.2 )     6.3       3.0  
 
                 
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in cash
    35.8       11.3       (4.0 )
Cash – beginning of period
    36.4       25.1       29.1  
 
                 
Cash – end of period
  $ 72.2     $ 36.4     $ 25.1  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental Information
                       
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
                       
Income tax payments, net of (refunds)
  $ 15.9     $ 14.7     $ (12.7 )
 
                 
Interest paid
  $ 36.9     $ 38.0     $ 38.5  
 
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
                       
Issuance of restricted stock
  $ 3.6     $ 2.9     $  
 
                 
Entrance into capital leases
  $ 5.7     $     $  
 
                 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(dollars in millions, share amounts in thousands)
                                                                                 
                                                            Accumulated              
    Preferred     Common     Add’l                     Other     Other        
    Stock     Stock     Paid in     Treasury     Retained     Comprehensive     Shareholders’        
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Stock     Earnings     Income/ (Loss)     Equity     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2002
        $       33,135     $ 0.4     $ 100.0     $ (50.0 )   $ 59.9     $ (44.6 )   $ (4.8 )   $ 60.9  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                               
Net loss
                                                    (4.8 )                     (4.8 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                                                            27.1               27.1  
Pension adjustments, net of $4.2 tax expense
                                                            7.3               7.3  
Unrealized investment gain
                                                            1.2               1.2  
Gain on change in fair value of financial instruments, net of $1.9 tax expense
                                                            3.5               3.5  
 
                                                                             
Comprehensive income
                                                                            34.3  
Preferred stock dividend
                                                    (0.6 )                     (0.6 )
Amortization of restricted stock and other
                                    0.4                               0.1       0.5  
Repayment of loans from shareholders
                    (74 )             (0.4 )     (0.4 )                     1.5       0.7  
Issuance of preferred stock net of fees and expenses
    2,070       103.5                       (4.0 )                                     99.5  
Issuance of common stock net of fees and expenses
                    5,808               44.6                                       44.6  
Other
                    40               0.2                                       0.2  
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
Balance, December 31, 2003
    2,070     $ 103.5       38,909     $ 0.4     $ 140.8     $ (50.4 )   $ 54.5     $ (5.5 )   $ (3.2 )   $ 240.1  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                               
Net income
                                                    37.9                       37.9  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                                            23.9               23.9  
Pension adjustments, net of $0.1 tax benefit
                                                            (0.2 )             (0.2 )
Unrealized investment gain
                                                            1.6               1.6  
Gain on change in fair value of financial instruments, net of $1.2 tax expense
                                                            2.6               2.6  
 
                                                                             
Comprehensive income
                                                                            65.8  
Preferred stock dividend
                                                    (6.0 )                     (6.0 )
Amortization of restricted stock and other
                                                                    0.5       0.5  
Repayment of loans from shareholders
                    (58 )             (0.6 )     (0.6 )                     1.2        
Exercise of stock options
                    123               1.0                                       1.0  
Issuance of restricted stock
                    341               2.9                               (2.9 )      
Other
                    21                                                    
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
Balance, December 31, 2004
    2,070     $ 103.5       39,336     $ 0.4     $ 144.1     $ (51.0 )   $ 86.4     $ 22.4     $ (4.4 )   $ 301.4  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                               
Net income
                                                    39.2                       39.2  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                                            (27.3 )             (27.3 )
Pension adjustments, net of $5.3 tax benefit
                                                            (9.9 )             (9.9 )
Unrealized investment gain
                                                            1.0               1.0  
Gain on change in fair value of financial instruments, net of $4.2 tax expense
                                                            6.6               6.6  
 
                                                                             
Comprehensive income
                                                                            9.6  
Preferred stock dividend
                                                    (22.0 )                     (22.0 )
Inducement of preferred stock to common stock
    (1,940 )     (97.0 )     9,696       0.1       96.9                                        
Amortization of restricted stock and other
                                                                    1.7       1.7  
Repayment of loans from shareholders
                    (83 )             (1.2 )     (1.2 )                     1.6       (0.8 )
Exercise of stock options
                    251               2.6                                       2.6  
Issuance of restricted stock
                    294               3.6                               (3.6 )      
Other
                26             0.3             0.2       0.4       (0.1 )     0.8  
 
                                                           
Balance, December 31, 2005
    130     $ 6.5       49,520     $ 0.5     $ 246.3     $ (52.2 )   $ 103.8     $ (6.8 )   $ (4.8 )   $ 293.3  
 
                                                           
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. General
General Cable Corporation and subsidiaries (General Cable) is a leading global developer and manufacturer in the wire and cable industry. The Company sells copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products worldwide. The Company’s operations are divided into three main segments: energy, industrial & specialty and communications. As of December 31, 2005, General Cable operated 28 manufacturing facilities in eleven countries and two regional distribution centers in North America in addition to the corporate headquarters in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of General Cable Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Investments in 50% or less owned joint ventures in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, which resulted in the consolidation of the fiber optic joint venture in the first quarter of 2004. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company unwound the joint venture and as of December 31, 2004 owned 100% of the business and in 2005 merged the entity into its principal U.S. operating subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances among the consolidated companies have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on historical experience and information that is available to management about current events and actions the Company may take in the future. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include valuation allowances for sales incentives, accounts receivable, inventory and deferred income taxes; legal, environmental, asbestos and customer reel deposit liabilities; assets and obligations related to pension and other post-retirement benefits; and self insured workers compensation and health insurance reserves. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized when goods are shipped to the customer, title and risk of loss are transferred, pricing is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Most revenue transactions represent sales of inventory. A provision for payment discounts, product returns and customer rebates is estimated based upon historical experience and other relevant factors and is recorded within the same period that the revenue is recognized. The Company also has revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables where the multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting when the delivered items have value on a standalone basis, there is objective and reliable evidence of undelivered items and the general right of return is substantially in the control of the Company. Revenue arrangements of this type are generally contracts where the Company is hired to both produce and install a certain product. Revenue is recognized for the product upon delivery to the customer but revenue recognition on installation is deferred until installation is complete.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (loss) per common share and loss per common share-assuming dilution are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Earnings per common share-assuming dilution is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units outstanding and the assumed conversion of the Company’s preferred stock, if applicable. See further discussion in Note 18.
Foreign Currency Translation
For operations outside the United States that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, and assets and liabilities are translated at spot exchange rates at the end of the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. The effects of changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated are recorded as foreign currency transaction gains (losses). See further discussion in Note 4.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
Inventories
General Cable values all of its North American inventories and all of its non-North American metal inventories using the last-in first-out (LIFO) method and all remaining inventories using the first-in first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. The Company determines whether a lower of cost or market provision is required on a quarterly basis by computing whether inventory on hand, on a LIFO basis, can be sold at a profit based upon current selling prices less variable selling costs. No provision was required in 2005 or 2004. In the event that a provision is required in some future period, the Company will determine the amount of the provision by writing down the value of the inventory to the level where its sales, using current selling prices less variable selling costs, will result in a profit.
The Company has consignment inventory at certain of its customer locations for purchase and use by the customer or other parties. General Cable retains title to the inventory and records no sale until it is ultimately sold either to the customer storing the inventory or to another party. In general, the value and quantity of the consignment inventory is verified by General Cable through either cycle counting or annual physical inventory counting procedures. At December 31, 2005, the Company had approximately $32.1 million of consignment inventory at locations not operated by the Company with approximately 72% of the consignment inventory being located throughout the United States and Canada.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Costs assigned to property, plant and equipment relating to acquisitions are based on estimated fair values at that date. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets: new buildings, from 15 to 50 years; and machinery, equipment and office furnishings, from 2 to 15 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the lease unless acquired in a business combination, in which case the leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes the reasonably assured life of the lease. The Company’s manufacturing facilities perform major maintenance activities during planned shutdown periods which traditionally occur in July and December. The costs related to these activities are accrued for evenly throughout the year.
The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amount of long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with determinable lives) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company evaluates events or changes in circumstances based mostly on actual historical operating results, but business plans, forecasts, general and industry trends, and anticipated cash flows are also considered. An impairment is assessed when the undiscounted expected future cash flows derived from an asset are less than its carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value and are recognized in earnings. The Company also continually evaluates the estimated useful lives of all long-lived assets and, when warranted, revises such estimates based on current events. Impairment charges, including accelerated depreciation related to plant rationalizations (see Note 10), for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $11.1 million and was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. These charges were included in depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are reviewed at least annually for impairment. During the first quarter of 2004, the Company began consolidating its fiber optic joint venture, which had $1.9 million of goodwill. As part of the Company’s business planning process in 2004, management determined that the initial business premise for the formation of the joint venture was not being realized and that the long-term prospects for the joint venture were significantly below previous expectations. Therefore, during the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a $1.9 million charge for the write-off of this goodwill. The fair value of this business unit was estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows. There was no goodwill on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2005 or 2004.
The Company recorded intangible assets of $0.8 million during 2005 for $0.4 million in trade names and $0.4 million in customer lists related to the acquisition of Draka Comteq’s business in North America which are included in other non-current assets in the December 31, 2005 consolidated balance sheet. Accumulated amortization on the customer lists, deemed to have a 10-year estimated useful life using the straight-line method, and assuming no residual value, was not significant for 2005. The trade names were deemed to have an indefinite useful life and were not amortized. See further discussion on the acquisition in Note 3.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The estimated amortization expense on the acquired intangible assets for the next five years beginning January 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2010 is not significant during any one-year period. The total estimated amortization expense for the five-year period is $0.2 million.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are defined as cash or contracts relating to the receipt, delivery or exchange of financial instruments. Except as otherwise noted, fair value approximates the carrying value of such instruments.
Forward Pricing Agreements for Purchases of Copper and Aluminum
In the normal course of business, General Cable enters into forward pricing agreements for purchases of copper and aluminum to match certain sales transactions. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had $106.2 million and $62.4 million, respectively, of future copper and aluminum purchases that were under forward pricing agreements. The fair market value of the forward pricing agreements was $117.6 million and $69.6 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. General Cable expects to recover the cost of copper and aluminum under these agreements as a result of firm sales price commitments with customers.
Pension Plans
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering certain of its domestic regular full-time employees and, to a lesser extent, international employees. Pension benefits are based on formulas that reflect the employees’ years of service and compensation during the employment period and participation in the plans. The pension expense recognized by the Company is determined using various assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate used to determine the present value of future pension benefits and the rate of compensation increases. See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Self-insurance
The Company is self-insured for certain employee medical benefits, worker’s compensation benefits, environmental and asbestos-related issues. The Company purchases stop-loss coverage in order to limit its exposure to any significant level of employee medical and worker’s compensation claims. Certain insurers are also partly responsible for coverage on many of the asbestos-related issues. Self-insured losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims incurred using the Company’s own historical claims experience.
Concentration of Labor Subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements
At December 31, 2005, approximately 7,300 persons were employed by General Cable, and collective bargaining agreements covered approximately 4,400 employees, or 60% of total employees, at various locations around the world. During the five calendar years ended December 31, 2005, the Company experienced two strikes in North America and one strike in Asia Pacific all of which were settled on satisfactory terms. There were no other major strikes at any of the Company’s facilities during the five years ended December 31, 2005. The only strike that occurred in 2005 was at the Company’s Lincoln, Rhode Island manufacturing facility, and it lasted approximately two weeks. In the United States and Canada, union contracts will expire at one facility in 2006 and two facilities in 2007, representing approximately 2% and 3%, respectively, of total employees as of December 31, 2005. In Europe, Mexico and Asia Pacific, labor agreements are generally negotiated on an annual or bi-annual basis. The Company believes that its relationships with its employees are good.
Concentration of Credit Risk
General Cable sells a broad range of products throughout primarily the United States, Canada, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers, including members of buying groups, composing General Cable’s customer base. General Cable customers generally receive a 30 to 60 day payment period on purchases from the Company. Certain automotive aftermarket customers of the Company receive payment terms ranging from 60 days to 180 days, which is common in this particular market. Ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition are performed, and generally, no collateral is required. General Cable maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses, in the aggregate, have not exceeded management’s estimates. Certain subsidiaries also maintain credit insurance for certain customer balances. Bad debt expense associated with uncollectible accounts for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $0.4 million, $3.3 million and $4.8 million respectively.

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Income Taxes
The Company and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Certain other subsidiaries of the Company file tax returns in their local jurisdictions.
The Company provides for income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Accordingly, deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, as well as other changes in income tax laws, are recognized in net earnings in the period during which such changes are enacted. See Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance
General Cable records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation of the deferred tax asset is dependent on, among other things, the ability of the Company to generate a sufficient level of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, the Company has considered both positive and negative evidence, such as historical and forecasted results of operations, including the losses realized in recent periods, and has considered the implementation of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2005, the Company had recorded a net deferred tax asset of $79.4 million ($40.4 million current and $39.0 million long term). Approximately $7.5 million of this deferred tax asset must be utilized prior to its expiration in the period 2007-2009. The remainder of the asset may be used for at least 15 years. This finite life has also been considered by the Company in the valuation of the asset. The Company has and will continue to review on a quarterly basis its assumptions and tax planning strategies and, if the amount of the estimated realizable net deferred tax asset is less than the amount currently on the balance sheet, the Company would reduce its deferred tax asset, recognizing a non-cash charge against reported earnings.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are utilized to manage interest rate, commodity and foreign currency risk as it relates to both transactions and the Company’s net investment in its European operations. General Cable does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, “Accounting For Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, requires that all derivatives be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of the derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133, as applied to General Cable’s risk management strategies, may increase or decrease reported net income, and stockholders’ equity, or both, prospectively depending on changes in interest rates and other variables affecting the fair value of derivative instruments and hedged items, but will have no effect on cash flows or economic risk. See further discussion in Note 12.
General Cable has entered into interest rate swap and collar agreements designed to act as a cash flow hedge on underlying debt obligations. During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company incurred a cost of $0.8 million for the termination of interest rate swaps as a result of the refinancing of the Company’s bank debt.
Foreign currency and commodity contracts are used as cash flow hedges to hedge future sales and purchase commitments. Unrealized gains and losses on such contracts are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction occurs and is recorded in the income statement at which point such amounts included in other comprehensive income are recognized in income which generally will occur over periods less than one year.
In October 2005, the Company entered into a U.S. dollar to Euro cross currency and interest rate swap agreement that qualifies as a net investment hedge of the Company’s net investment in its European operations in order to hedge the effects of the changes in spot exchange rates on the value of the net investment. The swap is marked-to-market quarterly using the “spot method” to measure the amount of hedge ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of the swap as they relate to spot exchange rates are recorded as other comprehensive income whereas changes in the fair value of the swap as they relate to the interest rate differential and the change in interest rate differential since the last marked-to-market date are recognized currently in earnings for the period.
Accounts Receivable Securitization
The Company accounted for the securitization of accounts receivable in accordance with SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.” At the time the receivables were sold, the balances were removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This statement modified certain standards for the accounting of transfers of financial assets and also required expanded financial statement

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
disclosures related to securitization activities. During the fourth quarter of 2003, this securitization financing was terminated in connection with the refinancing of the Company’s bank debt. See further discussion in Note 6.
Advertising Expense
Advertising expense consists of expenses relating to promoting the Company’s products, including trade shows, catalogs, and e-commerce promotions, and is charged to expense when incurred. Advertising expense was $6.4 million, $5.4 million and $4.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. General Cable has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations and has adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 until the Company adopts SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (See “New Standards”). Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. No compensation cost for stock options is reflected in net income, as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation (in millions, except per share data).
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Net income (loss) as reported
  $ 39.2     $ 37.9     $ (4.8 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends on convertible stock
    (0.4 )     (6.0 )     (0.6 )
Preferred stock dividends on converted stock
    (5.3 )            
Inducement payment and offering costs
    (16.3 )            
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (0.9 )     (2.2 )     (2.2 )
 
                 
Pro forma net income (loss) for basic EPS computation
  $ 16.3     $ 29.7     $ (7.6 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss) as reported
  $ 39.2     $ 37.9     $ (4.8 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends on convertible stock
    (0.4 )     N/A       (0.6 )
Preferred stock dividends on converted stock
    (5.3 )     N/A       N/A  
Inducement payment and offering costs
    (16.3 )     N/A       N/A  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (0.9 )     (2.2 )     (2.2 )
 
                 
Pro forma net income (loss) for diluted EPS computation
  $ 16.3     $ 35.7     $ (7.6 )
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Basic — as reported
  $ 0.42     $ 0.82     $ (0.16 )
Basic — pro forma
  $ 0.40     $ 0.76     $ (0.23 )
 
                       
Diluted — as reported
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )
Diluted — pro forma
  $ 0.39     $ 0.71     $ (0.23 )

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)
These pro forma amounts may not be representative of future disclosures because the estimated fair value of stock options is amortized to expense over the vesting period, and additional options may be granted in future years. In determining the pro forma amounts above, the fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Risk-free interest rate
    3.7 %     4.0 %     3.6 %
Expected dividend yield
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
Expected option life
  5.5 years   6.5 years   6.5 years
Expected stock price volatility
    45.3 %     40.9 %     70.1 %
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 5.56     $ 4.16     $ 2.72  
New Standards
In December 2004, SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” was issued. This statement will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity instruments issued. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Option No. 25. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006 using the modified prospective method, which requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock options upon adoption. Management does not currently expect SFAS No. 123(R) to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In November 2004, SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4” was issued. This statement clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material. SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. Management does not currently expect SFAS No. 151 to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In May 2005, SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Correction—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” was issued. This statement requires that the direct effect of voluntary changes in accounting principles be applied retrospectively with all prior period financial statements presented on the new accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the cumulative effect of the change or the period-specific effects. The statement also designates retrospective application as the transition method for newly-issued accounting pronouncements in the instance where the pronouncement does not provide specific transition guidance. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The impact of SFAS No. 154 will depend on the nature and extent of any voluntary accounting changes and corrections of errors after the effective date, but management does not currently expect SFAS No. 154 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2005, FASB Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” was issued. This interpretation requires companies to record a liability for those asset retirement obligations in which the amount or timing of settlement of the obligation are uncertain. FIN 47 is effective in fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FIN 47 did not to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2005, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” was issued. SAB No. 107 provides guidance regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies, specifically as related to transactions with non-employees, the transition from non-public to public entity status, valuation methods, the accounting for certain redeemable financial instruments issued under share-based payment arrangements, the classification of compensation expense, non-GAAP financial measures, and other issues related to SFAS No. 123(R). SAB No. 107 becomes effective upon the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). Management does not currently expect SAB No. 107 to have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 provides that U.S. corporations could repatriate earnings of foreign subsidiaries at a reduced tax rate through December 31, 2005 under certain circumstances. In December 2004, the FASB Staff issued FASB Staff Position FAS 109-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004,” that allows a company time beyond the financial reporting period of the enactment of the Act to evaluate the Act’s effect on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings. As of December 31, 2005, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested are approximately $165 million. The Company has decided not to repatriate any foreign earnings related to The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
In June 2005, FASB Staff Position No. FAS 143-1, “Accounting for Electronic Equipment Waste Obligations” was issued. The guidance in this FSP relates to accounting for obligations associated with the European Union’s Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The Directive requires EU-member countries to adopt legislation to regulate the collection, treatment, recovery, and disposal of electrical and electronic waste equipment. Under this Directive, a commercial user should apply FASB No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” for all old waste (prior to August 13, 2005) that falls under the Directive by setting up an asset retirement obligation liability for the costs associated with the waste. FSP FAS 143-1 became effective for historical waste covered by the Directive as of the first reporting period ending after June 8, 2005. The adoption of FSP FAS 143-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In July 2005, the FASB issued an exposure draft, “Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions: an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109.” This proposed Interpretation clarifies accounting for uncertain tax positions in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Specifically, the Interpretation requires recognition of a Company’s best estimate of the impact of a tax position only if that position is probable of being sustained by an audit based only on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions failing the probable recognition threshold would result in adjustments in recorded deferred tax assets or liabilities and changes in income tax payables or receivables. This Interpretation, as originally drafted, would become effective for the first fiscal year ending after December 15, 2005. However, the FASB currently does not expect to issue a final Interpretation until the first quarter of 2007, so the effective date will be modified. In a November 2005 meeting, the FASB indicated that the final Interpretation would likely revise the recognition threshold from a “probable” standard to a “more likely than not” standard. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this proposed Interpretation on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In September 2005, the FASB issued an exposure draft, “Earnings per Share – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 128.” This proposed statement seeks to clarify guidance for mandatorily convertible instruments, the treasury stock method, contracts that may be settled in cash or shares, and contingently issuable shares. The proposed statement would amend the computational guidance for calculating the number of incremental shares included in diluted shares when applying the treasury stock method, would further amend the treasury stock method to treat as assumed proceeds the carrying amount of an extinguished liability upon issuance of shares, would eliminate the provision of Statement 128 that allows an entity not to assume share settlement in contracts that may be settled in either cash or shares, would define a mandatorily convertible instrument and its effects on basic EPS, and would eliminate the weighted-average computation for calculating contingently issuable shares. This statement, if approved, would become effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this proposed statement on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
3. Acquisitions and Divestitures
During the second quarter of 2002, General Cable formed a joint venture company to manufacture and market fiber optic cables. General Cable contributed assets, primarily inventory and machinery and equipment, to a subsidiary company which was then contributed to the joint venture in exchange for a $10.2 million note receivable which resulted in a $5.6 million deferred gain on the transaction. Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, the Company consolidated the joint venture company as a result of the adoption of FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 46, as revised, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company exchanged the note receivable from the former joint venture partner for the partner’s ownership interest in the joint venture company. The ownership interest acquired was recorded at fair market value which was $2.4 million less than the carrying value of the note receivable, net of the deferred gain, resulting in a $2.4 million charge to SG&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2004. In addition, the Company wrote-off the goodwill recorded on the joint venture company books resulting in a $1.9 million charge. As a result of this transaction, General Cable owned 100% of the fiber optic joint venture company at December 31, 2004, which during 2005 was merged into its principal U.S. operating subsidiary.
In the first quarter of 2005, the Company acquired certain assets of Draka Comteq’s business in North America for a purchase price of $7.5 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. The Company incurred $0.1 million of costs and

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expenses associated with the acquisition. The net assets acquired are located in Franklin, Massachusetts and manufacture specialty electronics and datacom products. The assets acquired included machinery and equipment, inventory, prepaid assets and intangible assets, net of the assumption of trade payables. The purchase price has been allocated based on the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. During the second quarter of 2005, the final purchase price was agreed with Draka resulting in a cash payment of approximately $0.2 million to the Company.
On December 22, 2005, the Company completed its purchase of the shares of the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN SA, a diverse, global high technology company. The acquired business is known under the name Silec Cable, S.A.S. (“Silec”). Silec® is based in Montereau, France and employs approximately 1,000 associates with nearly one million square feet of manufacturing space in that location. In 2004, Silec® reported global sales of approximately $261.7 million of which about 60% were linked to energy infrastructure. In the high-voltage and extra high-voltage market, Silec® is a recognized leader around the world providing the critical link to bring power from the grid into major urban areas. The consideration paid for the acquisition was approximately $82.8 million including fees and expenses at closing which represented 85% of the total estimated purchase price, subject to adjustment under the terms of the definitive share purchase agreement. A preliminary purchase price allocation based on the estimated fair values, or other measurements as applicable, of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition has been reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2005. This allocation is preliminary, and up to this point, no amount has been allocated to intangible assets and no in-process research and development costs have been identified to be written off, although these circumstances could change as further valuations are completed. Pro forma results of the Silec® acquisition are not material.
On December 30, 2005, the Company announced the acquisition of the Mexican ignition wire set business of Beru AG, a worldwide leading manufacturer of diesel cold start systems. The acquired business is known under the name Beru S.A. de C.V. (Beru S.A.). Beru S.A. is based in Cuernavaca, Mexico and employs approximately 100 associates with one hundred thousand square feet of manufacturing space. Beru S.A. operates an automotive aftermarket assembly and distribution operation with annual revenues of approximately $7 million per year.
4. Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) includes foreign currency transaction gains or losses which result from changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated. During 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded a $(0.5) million loss, a $(1.2) million loss and a $1.5 million gain, respectively, resulting from foreign currency transaction gains and losses.
5. Discontinued Operations
In September 2001, the Company announced its decision to sell its building wire business and to exit its retail cordsets business, the results of which have been reported as discontinued operations. The gain on disposal of the discontinued operations were as follows (in millions):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Pre-tax gain on disposal of discontinued operations
  $     $ 0.6     $  
Income tax expense
          (0.2 )      
 
                 
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
  $     $ 0.4     $  
 
                 
During 2004, the Company recorded a $0.6 million pre-tax gain on the disposal of discontinued operations resulting from the reversal of provisions not expected to be utilized related to the disposal of these operations.
6. Accounts Receivable Asset-Backed Securitization
In May 2001, the Company completed an Accounts Receivable Asset-backed Securitization Financing transaction (“Securitization Financing”). The Securitization Financing provided for certain domestic trade receivables to be transferred to a wholly-owned, special purpose bankruptcy-remote subsidiary without recourse. This subsidiary in turn transferred the receivables to a trust, which issued, via private placement, floating rate five-year certificates in an initial amount of $145

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
million. In addition, a variable certificate component of up to $45 million for seasonal borrowings was also established as a part of the Securitization Financing. This variable certificate component would fluctuate based on the amount of eligible receivables. As a result of the building wire asset sale and the exit from the retail cordsets business, the Securitization Financing program was downsized to $80 million in the first quarter of 2002, through the repayment of a portion of the outstanding certificates. The repayment of the certificates was funded by the collection of the outstanding building wire and retail cordsets accounts receivable. The $45 million seasonal borrowing component was unaffected.
Transfers of receivables under this program were treated as a sale and resulted in a reduction of total accounts receivable reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company continued to service the transferred receivables and received annual servicing fees from the special purpose subsidiary of approximately 1% of the average receivable balance. The market cost of servicing the receivables offset the servicing fee income and resulted in a servicing asset equal to zero. The Company’s retained interest in the receivables were carried at their fair value, which was estimated as the net realizable value. The net realizable value considered the relatively short liquidation period and an estimated provision for credit losses. The provision for credit losses was determined based on specific identification of uncollectible accounts and the application of historical collection percentages by aging category. The receivables were not subject to prepayment risk. The key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of retained interests at the time of securitization were receivables days sales outstanding of 54 and interest rates on LIBOR based on borrowings of 4.92%. At December 31, 2002, key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the retained interest were days sales outstanding of 49 and interest rates on LIBOR based borrowings of 2.0%.
At December 31, 2002, the Company’s retained interest in accounts receivable was $84.8 million and off balance sheet financing, net of cash held in the trust, was $48.5 million. The effective interest rate in the securitization financing was approximately 2.0% at December 31, 2002. In 2002, proceeds from new sales totaled $1,067.6 million and cash collections reinvested totaled $1,030.8 million. The portfolio of accounts receivable that the Company serviced totaled approximately $130 million at December 31, 2002. This securitization financing was terminated during the fourth quarter of 2003 in conjunction with the Company’s refinancing of its bank debt. As a result of its early termination, the Company incurred costs of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.
7. Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Raw materials
  $ 40.6     $ 33.2  
Work in process
    56.2       42.7  
Finished goods
    267.1       239.6  
 
           
Total
  $ 363.9     $ 315.5  
 
           
At December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, $285.7 million and $266.8 million, respectively, of inventories were valued using the LIFO method. Approximate replacement costs of inventories valued using the LIFO method totaled $410.5 million at December 31, 2005 and $310.1 million at December 31, 2004.
If in some future period the Company was not able to recover the LIFO value of its inventory at a profit when replacement costs were lower than the LIFO value of the inventory, the Company would be required to take a charge to recognize in its income statement all or a portion of the higher LIFO value of the inventory. During 2005, the Company recorded a $1.1 million LIFO gain for the liquidation of copper LIFO inventory in North America as the Company reduced its inventory levels during a period when the replacement cost of the copper exceeded the historical LIFO value. The Company also reduced inventory quantities in North America during 2003 and recorded a $0.5 million LIFO liquidation charge, as this reduction occurred during a period when the historical LIFO value of the inventory exceeded its replacement costs.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Land
  $ 27.1     $ 26.8  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    64.1       62.5  
Machinery, equipment and office furnishings
    443.2       469.8  
Construction in progress
    17.9       8.7  
 
           
Total — gross book value
    552.3       567.8  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (185.9 )     (211.8 )
 
           
Total — net book value
  $ 366.4     $ 356.0  
 
           
Depreciation expense totaled $47.5 million, $31.8 million and $29.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
On December 27, 2005, General Cable entered into a capital lease for certain pieces of equipment being used at the Company’s Indianapolis polymer plant. The capital lease agreement provides that the lease payments for the machinery and equipment will be approximately $0.6 million semi-annually, or approximately $1.2 million on an annual basis. The lease expires in December of 2010, and General Cable has the option to purchase the machinery and equipment for fair value at the end of the lease term. The present value of the minimum lease payments on the capital lease at inception was approximately $5.0 million that has been reflected in fixed assets and in short-term ($0.9 million) and long-term ($4.1 million) lease obligations, as appropriate, in the Company’s December 31, 2005 balance sheet.
Capital leases included within property, plant and equipment on the balance sheet were $5.7 million at December 31, 2005 and were not significant at December 31, 2004. Accumulated depreciation on capital leases was $0.5 million at December 31, 2005 and was not significant at December 31, 2004.
9. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Payroll related accruals
  $ 55.8     $ 30.5  
Customers deposits and prepayments
    15.7       13.8  
Taxes other than income
    15.0       15.2  
Customer rebates
    42.5       35.0  
Insurance claims and related expenses
    11.1       6.3  
Accrued restructuring costs
    1.6       1.8  
Current deferred tax liability
    1.6       0.3  
Other accrued liabilities
    68.9       26.9  
 
           
Total
  $ 212.2     $ 129.8  
 
           

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10. Restructuring Charges
Changes in accrued restructuring costs were as follows (in millions):
                         
    Severance     Facility        
    and Related     Closing        
    Costs     Costs     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2002
  $ 4.4     $ 10.8     $ 15.2  
Provisions, net of reversals
    2.5       5.7       8.2  
Utilization
    (5.5 )     (13.6 )     (19.1 )
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2003
    1.4       2.9       4.3  
Provisions, net of reversals
    3.3       3.2       6.5  
Utilization
    (4.2 )     (4.9 )     (9.1 )
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2004
    0.5       1.2       1.7  
Provisions, net of reversals
    3.2       15.4       18.6  
Utilization
    (2.7 )     (16.1 )     (18.8 )
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2005
  $ 1.0     $ 0.5     $ 1.5  
 
                 
During 2005, the Company closed two plants in its communications cables business located in Bonham, Texas, and Dayville, Connecticut. The Company determined that the efficient utilization of its communications manufacturing assets would be enhanced by closure of the Bonham facility, which employed approximately 170 associates at the announcement date and was comprised of more than 360,000 square feet of space, and relocation of production of the Dayville facility, which employed approximately 30 associates at the announcement date and was comprised of more than 87,000 square feet of space, to the Company’s newly acquired plant in Franklin, Massachusetts, and as of December 31, 2005, production had ceased at both locations. The closure and relocation of these facilities was substantially completed.
The total cost of the closures, which was approximately $19.1 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash costs), included approximately $3.2 million for severance costs, and $15.9 million of facility closing costs, which included $11.1 million for fixed asset writedowns at the two facilities. Costs for the year ended December 31, 2005 related to these closures were $3.2 million for severance and related costs and $15.4 million of facility closing costs, which included $11.1 million for fixed asset writedowns which were included in depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. The costs associated with this project, including the $(0.5) million gain, of $18.6 million (of which approximately $7.5 million were cash costs), were recorded in cost of sales in the corporate segment for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The December 31, 2004 balance represented previously accrued costs related to the Company’s discontinued operations and the closure of certain industrial cable manufacturing facilities in prior years. The utilization of these provisions in 2005 was $0.5 million of severance and related costs and $0.7 million of other costs.
During 2004, $7.1 million of provisions were recorded for severance and related costs ($3.3 million) and facility closing costs ($3.8 million) related to the rationalization of industrial cable manufacturing facilities. The Company completed its rationalization plans for these facilities at the end of 2004. During 2004, the Company also reversed unutilized provisions of $0.6 million related to the Company’s discontinued operations. Provisions of $6.0 million were included in cost of sales, $1.1 million were included in selling, general and administrative expenses and the reversal of unutilized provisions of $0.6 million were included in gain on disposal of discontinued operations. All restructuring provisions, net of reversals, are reflected in the corporate segment.
The Company’s Taunton, Massachusetts facility ceased operations on January 30, 2004, and employed approximately 50 associates and was comprised of approximately 131,000 square feet of space. The Company also refocused and realigned production at its Marion, Indiana facility and closed its South Hadley, Massachusetts facility in the third quarter of 2004. This facility employed approximately 40 associates and was comprised of approximately 150,000 square feet of space. The Company’s Plano, Texas rod mill facility ceased operations at the end of June 2004 and employed approximately 30 associates and was comprised of approximately 60,000 square feet of space. During the second quarter of 2004 the Company sold most of the equipment utilized in the rod mill facility. Proceeds from the sale of equipment were partially offset by costs related to closing the facility which resulted in a net gain of $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2004.

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During 2003, provisions of $10.3 million were recorded for severance and related costs resulting from headcount reductions of approximately 110 associates at the Company’s European operations ($2.7 million) and the rationalization of industrial cable manufacturing facilities ($7.6 million). Additionally, the Company reversed unutilized provisions of $1.6 million related to severance costs and $0.5 million related to facility closing costs. Provisions of $10.1 million were included in cost of sales while $0.2 million were in selling, general and administrative expenses. The reversal of unutilized provisions of $2.1 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expense. All of the restructuring provisions, net of reversals are reflected in the corporate segment.
11. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Senior notes due 2010
  $ 285.0     $ 285.0  
Revolving loans
    115.1       78.6  
Spanish term loan
    35.4        
Capital leases
    5.2        
Other
    10.9       11.3  
 
           
Total debt
    451.6       374.9  
Less current maturities
    6.4       1.1  
 
           
Long-term debt
  $ 445.2     $ 373.8  
 
           
 
               
Weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
               
Senior notes due 2010
    9.5 %     9.5 %
Revolving loans
    6.4 %     4.9 %
Spanish term loan
    3.4 %      
Capital leases
    6.5 %      
Other
    3.8 %     3.9 %
On November 24, 2003, the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing of its bank debt that improved its capital structure and provided increased financial and operating flexibility by reducing leverage, increasing liquidity and extending debt maturities. The refinancing included the following: (i) the private placement of 7-year senior unsecured notes, (ii) a new senior secured revolving credit facility, (iii) the private placement of redeemable convertible preferred stock and (iv) a public offering of common stock. The Company applied the net proceeds from these refinancing transactions to repay all amounts outstanding under its former senior secured revolving credit facility, senior secured term loans and accounts receivable asset-backed securitization facility and to pay fees and expenses related to the refinancing.
The senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”) were issued in the amount of $285.0 million, bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.5% and mature in 2010. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $302.1 million at December 31, 2005.
The senior secured revolving credit facility, as amended, is a five year $300.0 million asset based revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries and is secured by substantially all U.S. and Canadian assets. The lenders have also received a pledge of all of the capital stock of the Company’s existing domestic subsidiaries and any future domestic subsidiaries. Borrowing availability is based on eligible U.S. and Canadian accounts receivable and inventory and certain U.S. fixed assets. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $115.1 million and availability of $147.7 million under the terms of the Credit Agreement. Availability of borrowings under the fixed asset component of the facility, as amended, is reduced quarterly over a seven-year period by $7.1 million per annum beginning in 2006. This may result in a reduction in the overall availability depending upon the calculation of eligible accounts receivable and inventory. The facility also includes a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $50.0 million. At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $32.9 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company amended the Credit Agreement which lowered the borrowing rate at that point in time by 50 basis points, increased the annual capital spending limit and provided for the ability to swap up to $100 million of existing fixed rate Senior notes to a floating interest rate.

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During the second quarter of 2005, the Company amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which increased the borrowing limit on the senior secured revolving credit facility from $240.0 million to $275.0 million. Additionally, the amendment increased the maximum amount permitted under the facility for investments in joint ventures from $10 million to $25 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company further amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which increased the borrowing limit on the senior secured revolving credit facility from $275.0 million to $300.0 million. Additionally, the amendment extended the maturity date by almost two years to August 2010, lowered borrowing costs by approximately 65 basis points and reduced unused facility fees. Also, the amendment eliminated or relaxed several provisions, including eliminating the annual limit on capital expenditures, expanding permitted indebtedness to include acquired indebtedness of newly acquired foreign subsidiaries, and increasing the level of permitted loan-funded acquisitions. Finally, the amendment satisfied the financing conditions to the Company’s inducement offer to convert shares of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock into its common stock, which was announced and commenced on November 9, 2005. Specifically, the amendment permitted the Company to draw funds from its credit facility to pay the conversion offer premium plus the funds necessary to make a final dividend payment to holders of the preferred stock who converted their shares in the inducement offer. For more information on the inducement offer, see Note 16.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement, as amended, bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.00% to 1.75% and/or prime plus 0.00% to 0.50% depending upon the Company’s excess availability, as defined by the Credit Agreement. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 5.34%. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.25%, as amended, per annum on the unused portion of the commitment. In connection with the November 2003 refinancing and related subsequent amendments to the Credit Agreement, the Company incurred fees and expenses aggregating $8.4 million, which are being amortized over the term of the Credit Agreement. In addition, $4.4 million of unamortized fees related to the former credit facility were written off in the fourth quarter of 2003.
The Credit Agreement, as amended, contains covenants that limit the payment of dividends to holders of common stock and require a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, only when excess availability, as defined, is below a certain threshold. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
The Company’s former credit facility was entered into in 1999 with one lead bank as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders. During 2002, the Company amended its former credit facility which resulted in the write-off of unamortized bank fees of $1.6 million. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the former credit facility for the period January 1, 2003 through November 24, 2003 was 6.15%.
On December 22, 2005, Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., a wholly owned Spanish subsidiary of General Cable, entered into both a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility totaling 75 million Euros. This combined facility was entered into to provide Euro-denominated borrowings to partly fund the subsidiary’s acquisition of Silec®, the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN S.A., and to provide funds for general corporate needs of the European business. See Footnote 3 of this document for more details on the acquisition of Silec®.
The term loan facility of 50 million Euros is available in up to three tranches, with an interest rate of Euribor plus 0.8% to 1.5% depending on certain debt ratios. The term loan is repayable in fourteen semi-annual installments, maturing seven years following the draw down of each tranche. $35.4 is currently drawn under this term loan facility, leaving undrawn availability of approximately $23.8 million as of December 31, 2005.
The revolving credit facility of 25 million Euros matures at the end of five years and carries an interest rate of Euribor plus 0.6% to 1.0% depending on certain debt ratios. No funds are currently drawn under this revolving credit facility, leaving undrawn availability of approximately $29.6 million as of December 31, 2005. Commitment fees ranging from 15 to 25 basis points per annum on any unused commitments under the revolving credit facility will be assessed to Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., and are payable on a quarterly basis.
The combined facility is subject to certain financial ratios of the European group, the most restrictive of which is net debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). In addition, the indebtedness under the combined facility is guaranteed by the Company’s Portuguese subsidiary, General Cable Celcat Energia E Telecomunicacoes, S.A., and by the recently acquired Silec Cable, S.A.S.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
During 2005, one of the Company’s international operations contracted with a bank to transfer accounts receivable that it was owed from one customer to the bank in exchange for payments of approximately $1 million. As the transferor, the Company surrendered control over the financial assets included in the transfer and has no further rights regarding the transferred assets. The transfer was treated as a sale and the approximate $1 million received was accounted for as proceeds from the sale. All assets sold were derecognized from the Company’s balance sheet upon completion of the transfer, and no further obligations exist under this agreement.
At December 31, 2005, maturities of long-term debt (excluding capital leases) during each of the years 2006 through 2010 are $5.4 million, $5.4 million, $120.5 million, $5.4 million and $290.4 million, respectively, and $19.3 million thereafter.
Maturities of capital lease obligations during each of the years 2006 through 2010 are $1.0 million, $1.0 million, $1.0 million, $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
12. Financial Instruments
General Cable is exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency and commodity prices. To manage risk associated with the volatility of these natural business exposures, General Cable enters into interest rate, commodity and foreign currency derivative agreements, as it relates to both transactions and the Company’s net investment in its European operations, as well as copper and aluminum forward pricing agreements. General Cable does not purchase or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes.
General Cable has utilized interest rate swaps and interest rate collars to manage its interest expense exposure by fixing its interest rate on a portion of the Company’s floating rate debt. Under the swap agreements, General Cable paid a fixed rate while the counterparty paid to General Cable the difference between the fixed rate and the three-month LIBOR rate.
During 2001, the Company entered into several interest rate swaps which effectively fixed interest rates for borrowings under the former credit facility and other debt. In December 2003 in conjunction with the refinancing of its bank debt, the Company incurred a cost of $0.8 million to terminate the interest rate swaps related to the former credit facility. At December 31, 2005, the remaining outstanding interest rate swap had a notional value of $9.0 million, an interest rate of 4.49% and matures in October 2011. The Company does not provide or receive any collateral specifically for this contract. The fair value of interest rate derivatives, that qualify as cash flow hedges as defined in SFAS No. 133, are based on quoted market prices and third party provided calculations, which reflect the present values of the difference between estimated future variable-rate receipts and future fixed-rate payments. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net unrealized loss on the interest rate derivative and the related carrying value was $(0.4) million and $(0.7) million, respectively.
The Company enters into forward exchange contracts, that qualify as cash flow hedges as defined in SFAS No. 133, principally to hedge the currency fluctuations in certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby limiting the Company’s risk that would otherwise result from changes in exchange rates. Principal transactions hedged during the year were firm sales and purchase commitments. The fair value of foreign currency contracts represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net unrealized gain (loss) on the net foreign currency contracts was $0.3 million and $(0.6) million, respectively.
Outside of North America, General Cable enters into commodity futures contracts, that qualify as cash flow hedges as defined in SFAS No. 133, for the purchase of copper and aluminum for delivery in a future month to match certain sales transactions. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had an unrealized gain of $11.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively, on the commodity futures.
Foreign currency and commodity contracts are used to hedge future sales and purchase commitments. Interest rate swaps are used to manage interest expense exposure by fixing the interest rate on a portion of floating rate debt. Unrealized gains and losses on these derivative financial instruments are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction occurs and is recorded in the income statement at which point such amounts included in other comprehensive income are recognized in income which generally will occur over periods less than one year. During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, a $3.9 million gain, a $(1.0) million loss, and a $(6.2) million loss were reclassified from other comprehensive income to the income statement.
In October 2005, the Company entered into a U.S. dollar to Euro cross currency and interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $150 million, that qualifies as a net investment hedge of the Company’s net investment in its European

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operations, in order to hedge the effects of the changes in spot exchange rates on the value of the net investment. The swap has a term of just over two years with a maturity date of November 15, 2007. The fair value of the cross currency and interest rate swap is based on third party provided calculations. At December 31, 2005, the net unrealized gain on the swap was $1.6 million. The swap is marked-to-market quarterly using the “spot method” to measure the amount of hedge ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of the swap as they relate to spot exchange rates are recorded as other comprehensive income whereas changes in the fair value of the swap as they relate to the interest rate differential and the change in interest rate differential since the last marked-to-market date, equaling approximately $1 million as of December 31, 2005, are recognized currently in earnings for the period.
The notional amounts and fair values of these financial instruments at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are shown below (in millions). The carrying amount of the financial instruments was a net asset of $14.1 million and a net asset of $2.2 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
                                 
    2005     2004  
    Notional     Fair     Notional     Fair  
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
Cash flow hedges:
                               
Interest rate swap
  $ 9.0     $ (0.4 )   $ 9.0     $ (0.7 )
Foreign currency forward exchange
    43.1       0.3       33.6       (0.6 )
Commodity futures
    39.9       11.6       48.8       3.5  
Net investment hedges:
                               
Cross currency and interest rate swap
    150.0       2.6              
 
                           
 
          $ 14.1             $ 2.2  
 
                           
In North America, General Cable enters into forward pricing agreements for the purchase of copper and aluminum for delivery in a future month to match certain sales transactions. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had $106.2 million and $62.4 million, respectively, of future copper and aluminum purchases that were under forward pricing agreements. General Cable had an unrealized gain of $11.4 million at December 31, 2005 and $7.2 million at December 31, 2004 related to these transactions. General Cable expects to offset the unrealized gains under these agreements as a result of firm sale price commitments with customers.
13. Income Taxes
    The provision (benefit) for income taxes attributable to continuing operations consisted of the following (in millions):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Current tax expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
  $ 1.1     $ (34.0 )   $  
State
    0.2       (1.4 )     0.2  
Foreign
    23.2       16.7       8.1  
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
    (2.8 )     (1.9 )     (14.7 )
State
                 
Foreign
    0.1       2.5       9.3  
 
                 
Total
  $ 21.8     $ (18.1 )   $ 2.9  
 
                 
The income tax provision (benefit) attributable to the operations and disposal of discontinued operations was $0.2 million for 2004.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The reconciliation of reported income tax expense (benefit) to the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations is as follows (in millions):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Statutory federal income tax
  $ 21.4     $ 6.8     $ (0.7 )
State and foreign income tax differential
    1.6       (1.4 )     (0.3 )
Subpart F taxation of foreign profits
    0.7       0.1       4.4  
Settlement of tax items
    (1.2 )     (23.3 )      
Other, net
    (0.7 )     (0.3 )     (0.5 )
 
                 
Total
  $ 21.8     $ (18.1 )   $ 2.9  
 
                 
The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 66.3     $ 87.5  
Pension and retiree benefits accruals
    15.3       12.6  
Asset and rationalization reserves
    0.5       0.6  
Inventory
    31.2       14.1  
Tax credit carryforwards
    7.5       6.5  
Other liabilities
    14.2       11.1  
Valuation allowance
    (18.5 )     (17.5 )
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    116.5       114.9  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Inventory
    1.7       0.6  
Depreciation and fixed assets
    35.4       41.3  
 
           
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 79.4     $ 73.0  
 
           
As of December 31, 2005, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for its state net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences as well as a portion of its foreign net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences due to uncertainties regarding the ability to obtain future tax benefits for these tax attributes. The December 31, 2005 valuation allowance of $18.5 million increased $1.0 million from the prior year.
The valuation of the deferred tax asset is dependent on, among other things, the ability of the Company to generate a sufficient level of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, the Company has considered both positive and negative evidence, such as historical results of operations, including the losses realized in recent periods, and has considered the implementation of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Approximately $7.5 million of the Company’s deferred tax asset must be utilized prior to its expiration in the period 2007-2009. The remainder of the asset may be used for at least 15 years. This finite life has also been considered by the Company in the valuation of the asset. The Company has and will continue to review on a quarterly basis its assumptions and tax planning strategies and, if the amount of the estimated realizable net deferred tax asset is less than the amount currently on the balance sheet, the Company would reduce its deferred tax asset, recognizing a non-cash charge against reported earnings.
After taking into account 2001 and 2002 U.S. net operating loss carrybacks that resulted in tax refunds of $50.9 million as well as the utilization of U.S. net operating loss carryforwards in 2005, the Company has U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $26.7 million from 2000, $49.4 million from 2002, $36.2 million from 2003, and $14.9 million from 2004. These U.S. net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The Company also has other U.S. net operating loss carryforwards that are subject to an annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. These Section 382 limited net operating loss carryforwards expire in varying amounts from 2007-2009. The total Section 382 limited net operating loss carryforward that may be utilized prior to expiration is estimated at $21.5 million. The Company has approximately $21.7 million of net operating loss carryforwards in various foreign jurisdictions. A valuation allowance has been established against $21.6 million of these foreign net operating losses due to the uncertainty of utilization prior to expiration. A full valuation allowance of approximately $7.6 million has also been established against U.S. state net

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
operating losses. The Company has $7.4 million of U.S. alternative minimum tax credits, which have no expiration date. Approximately $3.1 million of these alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards are also subject to Section 382 limitations.
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 provides that US corporations could repatriate earnings of foreign subsidiaries at a reduced tax rate through December 31, 2005 under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2005, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested are approximately $165 million. Management has decided not to repatriate any foreign earnings pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
14. Pension Plans
General Cable provides retirement benefits through contributory and noncontributory pension plans for the majority of its regular full-time employees. Pension expense under the defined contribution plans sponsored by General Cable in the United States equaled up to four percent of each eligible employee’s covered compensation. In addition, General Cable sponsors employee savings plans under which General Cable may match a specified portion of contributions made by eligible employees.
Benefits provided under defined benefit pension plans sponsored by General Cable are generally based on years of service multiplied by a specific fixed dollar amount. Contributions to these pension plans are based on generally accepted actuarial methods, which may differ from the methods used to determine pension expense. The amounts funded for any plan year are neither less than the minimum required under federal law nor more than the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. Pension plan assets consist of various fixed-income investments and equity securities.
Net pension expense included the following components (in millions):
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Service cost
  $ 2.2     $ 2.1     $ 1.9  
Interest cost
    9.8       9.4       9.1  
Expected return on plan assets
    (10.8 )     (9.6 )     (7.4 )
Net amortization and deferral
    3.5       3.6       4.8  
Curtailment loss
    0.7              
 
                 
Net defined benefit pension expense
    5.4       5.5       8.4  
Net defined contribution pension expense
    7.2       5.9       5.4  
 
                 
Total pension expense
  $ 12.6     $ 11.4     $ 13.8  
 
                 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The changes in the benefit obligation and plan assets, the funded status of the plan and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
               
Beginning benefit obligation
  $ 163.5     $ 154.5  
Impact of foreign currency exchange rate change
    (0.3 )     1.7  
Service cost
    2.2       2.1  
Interest cost
    9.8       9.4  
Special termination benefits
    0.3        
Benefits paid
    (10.8 )     (10.8 )
Employee contributions
    0.1        
Amendments
    (0.1 )     2.0  
Assumption change
    7.0        
Actuarial loss
    8.8       4.6  
 
           
Ending benefit obligation
  $ 180.5     $ 163.5  
 
           
Changes in Plan Assets:
               
Beginning fair value of plan assets
  $ 130.5     $ 114.6  
Impact of foreign currency exchange rate change
    (0.3 )     1.4  
Actual return on plan assets
    9.4       12.3  
Company contributions
    10.8       13.0  
Benefits paid
    (10.8 )     (10.8 )
 
           
Ending fair value of plan assets
  $ 139.6     $ 130.5  
 
           
Reconciliation of Funded Status:
               
Funded status of the plan
  $ (40.9 )   $ (33.0 )
Unrecognized net transition obligation
    0.1        
Unrecognized actuarial loss
    50.9       36.2  
Unrecognized prior service cost
    8.5       10.1  
 
           
Prepaid pension cost
  $ 18.6     $ 13.3  
 
           
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet:
               
Accrued pension liability
  $ (35.5 )   $ (27.3 )
Intangible asset
    3.6       5.2  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    50.5       35.4  
 
           
Net amount recognized
  $ 18.6     $ 13.3  
 
           
The curtailment gain (loss) and special termination benefits in 2005 and 2003 were the result of closing and selling certain manufacturing locations.
The weighted average interest rate assumptions used in determining current year assets and liabilities and determining subsequent year expenses were:
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
Discount rate
    5.75 %     6.0 %     6.0 %
Expected rate of increase in future compensation levels
    4.0 %     4.0 %     4.0 %
Long-term rate of return on plan assets
    8.5 %     8.5 %     8.5 %
Pension expense for the defined benefit pension plans sponsored by General Cable is determined based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including an expected long-term rate of return on assets of 8.5%. This assumption was based on input from actuaries, including their review of historical 10 year, 20 year, and 25 year rates of inflation and real rates of return on various broad equity and bond indices in conjunction with the diversification of the asset portfolio. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on an asset allocation assumption of 65% allocated to equity investments, with an expected real rate of return of 7%, and 35% with fixed-income investments, with an expected real rate of return of 3%, and an assumed long-term rate of inflation of 3%. The actual asset allocations were 65% of equity investments and 35% of fixed-income investments at December 31, 2005 and because of market fluctuations, the actual asset allocations as of December 31, 2004 were 68% of equity investments and 32% of fixed-income investments. Management believes that long-term asset allocation on average will approximate the Company’s assumptions and that a 8.5% long-term rate of return is a reasonable assumption.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The determination of pension expense for the defined benefit pension plans is based on the fair market value of assets as of the measurement date which is December 31. Investment gains and losses are recognized in the measurement of assets immediately. Such gains and losses will be amortized and recognized as part of the annual benefit cost to the extent that unrecognized net gains and losses from all sources exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market value of assets.
The determination of future pension obligations utilizes a discount rate based on a review of long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency which are expected to be available during the period to maturity of the projected pension benefit obligations, and input from our actuaries. The discount rate used at December 31, 2005 was 5.75%, a decrease from the discount rate of 6.0% used in the prior year. The decrease was due to changes in the bond yield curve.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $173.8 million and $157.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $164.9 million and $162.9 million at December 31, 2005, and $150.0 million and $147.7 million at December 31, 2004.
The Company expects to contribute $8.2 million to its defined benefit pension plans for 2006. The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for the Company’s defined benefit plans are $9.7 million in 2006, $9.8 million in 2007, $10.0 million in 2008, $10.1 million in 2009, $10.2 million in 2010 and $56.8 million in the five years thereafter.
The Company has additional contracts related to pension benefits outside of the United States not included in the tables and financial figures above due to their designation as nonparticipating annuity contracts as defined by SFAS 87. These annuity contracts cover 12 retired and 11 current employees in the Company’s operations in Spain, and the contracts act as irrevocable transfers of risk from the Company to the other party to the contracts, an insurance company. The cost of the benefits covered by the annuity contracts is recorded based on the premiums, or costs, required to purchase the contracts. The service cost component of net pension cost was $0.3 million in 2005, $0.2 million in 2004, and $0.3 million in 2003. The benefits covered by the annuity contracts are excluded from the projected benefit obligation and the accumulated benefit obligation of the Company, and the annuity contracts are excluded from the Company’s plan assets as required by SFAS 87.
15. Post-Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
General Cable has post-retirement benefit plans that provide medical and life insurance for certain retirees and eligible dependents. General Cable funds the plans as claims or insurance premiums are incurred. Net post-retirement benefit expense included the following components (in millions):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Service cost
  $ 0.2     $ 0.3     $ 0.3  
Interest cost
    0.6       0.6       0.6  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (0.1 )     (0.1 )     (0.6 )
Curtailment gain
    (0.2 )            
 
                 
Net post-retirement benefit expense
  $ 0.5     $ 0.8     $ 0.3  
 
                 
The curtailment gain was the result of closing certain manufacturing locations in 2005.
The change in the accrued post-retirement benefit liability was as follows (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Beginning benefit obligation balance
  $ 10.0     $ 10.1  
Impact of foreign currency exchange rate change
          0.1  
Net periodic benefit expense
    0.5       0.8  
Benefits paid
    (1.1 )     (1.0 )
 
           
Ending benefit obligation balance
  $ 9.4     $ 10.0  
 
           
The discount rate used in determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 5.5% for the year ended December 31, 2005, 5.5% for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The

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assumed health-care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 9.0%, decreasing gradually to 4.50% in year 2011 and thereafter. Increasing the assumed health-care cost trend rate by 1% would result in an increase in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation of $0.5 million for 2005. The effect of this change would increase net post-retirement benefit expense by $0.1 million. Decreasing the assumed health-care cost trend rate by 1% would result in a decrease in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation of $0.5 million for 2005. The effect of this change would decrease net post-retirement benefit expense by $0.1 million.
The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for the Company’s post-retirement benefits other than pensions are $1.3 million in 2006, $1.3 million in 2007, $1.2 million in 2008, $1.2 million in 2009, $1.2 million in 2010 and $4.4 million in the five years thereafter.
16. Shareholders’ Equity
General Cable is authorized to issue 75 million shares of common stock and 25 million shares of preferred stock.
In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company completed a comprehensive refinancing of its bank debt. The refinancing included the private placement of 2,070,000 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock and a public offering of 5,807,500 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2005, 129,916 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock remained outstanding.
The preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share. Dividends accrue on the convertible preferred stock at the rate of 5.75% per annum and are payable quarterly in arrears. Dividends are payable in cash, shares of General Cable common stock or a combination thereof. Holders of the convertible preferred stock are entitled to convert any or all of their shares of convertible preferred stock into shares of General Cable common stock, at an initial conversion price of $10.004 per share. The conversion price is subject to adjustments under certain circumstances. General Cable is obligated to redeem all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock on November 24, 2013 at par. The Company may, at its option, elect to pay the redemption price in cash or in shares of General Cable common stock with an equivalent fair value, or any combination thereof. The Company has the option to redeem some or all of the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock in cash beginning on the fifth anniversary of the issue date. The redemption premium will initially equal one-half the dividend rate on the convertible preferred stock and decline ratably to par on the date of mandatory redemption. In the event of a change in control, the Company has the right to either redeem the preferred stock for cash or to convert the preferred stock to common stock.
On November 9, 2005, the Company commenced an offer (“the inducement offer”) to pay a cash premium to holders of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock who elected to convert their preferred stock into shares of General Cable common stock. The Company offered the following consideration for each of the 2,069,907 shares of preferred stock subject to the inducement offer:
    A cash premium of $7.88, or $16.3 million if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    4.998 shares of common stock of General Cable Corporation, or approximately 10,345,395 shares of common stock if all shares of preferred stock were converted; and
 
    Accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, payable in cash.
The inducement offer expired on December 9, 2005. A total of 1,939,991 shares, or 93.72%, of the Company’s outstanding shares of preferred stock were surrendered and converted by General Cable as part of the inducement offer. The former holders of the converted preferred stock received, in the aggregate, the following:
    9,696,075 shares of General Cable common stock;
 
    A cash premium of approximately $15.3 million ($7.88 per share); and
 
    Approximately $0.3 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, the date immediately preceding the inducement offer’s settlement date of December 14, 2005.
The $16.6 million cash dividend, which includes approximately $1.0 million in costs related to the inducement offer, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005, and represented the difference between the fair value of all securities and other consideration transferred in the transaction by the Company to the preferred shareholders and the fair value of securities issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms of the preferred stock less the costs related to the inducement offer.

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129,916 shares, or 6.28%, of the preferred stock remain outstanding under the original terms of the preferred stock issuance, and all shares of preferred stock surrendered for conversion in the inducement offer were canceled and retired.
On May 10, 2005, the General Cable Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) was approved and replaced the two previous equity compensation plans, the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors will no longer grant any awards under the previous plans but will continue to administer awards which were previously granted under the 1997 and 2000 plans. The 2005 Plan authorized a maximum of 1,800,000 shares to be granted.
The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the following types of awards to be granted: (i) Stock Options (both Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options); (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iii) Stock Awards; (iv) Performance Awards; and (v) Stock Units, as more fully described in the 2005 Plan. Each award is subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as determined by the Compensation Committee and as set forth in an award agreement. As of December 31, 2005, only 14,730 shares of restricted common stock had been issued under this Plan.
The 1997 Stock Incentive Plan authorized a maximum of 4,725,000 shares, options or units of Common Stock to be granted. Stock options were granted to employees selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer at prices which were not less than the closing market price on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee (or Chief Executive Officer) had authority to set all the terms of each grant. The majority of the options granted under the plan expire in 10 years and become fully exercisable ratably over three years of continued employment or become fully exercisable after three years of continued employment. Restrictions on the majority of shares awarded to employees under the plan expire ratably over a three-year or five-year period, expire after six years from the date of grant or expire ratably from the second anniversary to the sixth anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock units were awarded to employees in November 1998 as part of a Stock Loan Incentive Plan.
The 2000 Stock Option Plan as amended authorized a maximum of 1,500,000 non-incentive options to be granted. No other forms of award were authorized under this plan. Stock options were granted to employees selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer at prices which were not less than the closing market price on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee (or Chief Executive Officer) had authority to set all the terms of each grant. The majority of the options granted under the plan expire in 10 years and become fully exercisable ratably over three years of continued employment or become fully exercisable after three years of continued employment.
During the first quarter of 2001, 355,500 shares of restricted common stock with performance accelerated vesting features were awarded to certain senior executives under the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The restricted shares vest six years from the date of grant unless certain performance criteria are met. The performance measure used to determine vesting is the Company’s stock price. The stock price targets must be sustained for 20 business days in order to trigger accelerated vesting. During the second quarter of 2001, as a result of the achievement of performance criteria, restrictions on 50% of the stock expired and the Company recognized accelerated amortization of $1.2 million.
In January 2004, 340,500 shares of restricted common stock with performance accelerated vesting features were awarded to Company executives and key employees under the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan as amended. The restricted shares vest ratably from the second anniversary of the date of grant to the sixth anniversary unless certain performance criteria are met. The performance measure used to determine accelerated vesting is earnings per share. Twenty percent of this award vested in the fourth quarter of 2005 as a result of the 2005 earnings per share hitting the performance target.
In January 2005, 129,241 shares of restricted common stock were awarded to certain senior executives under the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The restricted shares vest ratably over a five year period.
In April 2005, 164,858 shares of restricted common stock were awarded under the Company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The restricted shares vest ratably over a five year period.
Amortization of all outstanding restricted stock awards was $1.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.1 million during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan (“Deferred Compensation Plan”). This plan is available to directors and certain officers and managers of the Company. The plan allows participants to defer all or a portion of their directors’

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
fees and/or salary and annual bonuses, as applicable, and it permits participants to elect to contribute and defer all or any portion of his or her restricted stock and stock awards. All deferrals to the participants’ accounts vest immediately; Company contributions vest according to the vesting schedules in the qualified plan, and restricted stock vests according to the schedule designated by the award. The Company may make matching and retirement contributions (currently equal to 6% of the participants’ deferral) to the extent that the deferral exceeds the maximum amount of income eligible for pension benefits. The Deferred Compensation Plan does not have dollar limits on tax-deferred contributions. The assets of the Deferred Compensation Plan are held in a Rabbi Trust (“Trust”) and, therefore, are available to satisfy the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company. Participants have the right to request that their account balance be determined by reference to specified investment alternatives (with the exception of the portion of the account which consists of deferred restricted stock). With certain exceptions, these investment alternatives are the same alternatives offered to participants in the General Cable Retirement and Savings Plan for Salaried Associates. In addition, participants have the right to request that the Plan Administrator re-allocate the determination among available investment alternatives provided however that the Plan Administrator is not required to honor such requests. Distributions from the plan are generally made upon the participants’ termination as a director and/or employee, as applicable, of the Company. Participants receive payments from the plan in cash, either as a lump sum payment or through equal annual installments from between one and ten years, except for the restricted stock, which the participants receive in shares of General Cable stock. The Company accounts for the Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with EITF 97-14, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation Arrangements Where Amounts Earned are Held in a Rabbi Trust and Invested.”
Assets of the Trust, other than the restricted stock of the Company, are invested in funds covering a variety of securities and investment strategies, including a General Cable stock fund. Mutual funds available to participants are publicly quoted and reported at market value. The Company accounts for these investments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” The Trust also holds restricted stock shares of the Company. The Company’s restricted stock that is held by the Trust has been accounted for in the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet, and the market value of this restricted stock was $13.6 million as of December 31, 2005 and $7.4 million as of December 31, 2004. The market value of the assets held by the Trust, exclusive of the market value of the shares of the Company’s restricted stock that is accounted for in the shareholders’ equity section, at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $8.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and is classified as “other non-current assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. Amounts payable to the plan participants at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, excluding the market value of the shares of the Company’s restricted stock that is accounted for in the shareholders’ equity section, was $8.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, and is classified as “other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet.
In accordance with EITF 97-14, all market value fluctuations of the Trust assets, exclusive of the shares of restricted stock of the Company, have been reflected in other comprehensive income. Increases or decreases in the market value of the deferred compensation liability, excluding the shares of restricted stock of the Company held by the Trust, are included as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Based on the changes in the total market value of the Trust’s assets, exclusive of the restricted stock, the Company recorded net compensation expense of $1.1 million in 2005, $1.6 million in 2004, and $1.2 million in 2003.
In November 1998, General Cable entered into a Stock Loan Incentive Plan (SLIP) with executive officers and key employees. Under the SLIP, the Company loaned $6.0 million to facilitate open market purchases of General Cable common stock. A matching restricted stock unit (MRSU) was issued for each share of stock purchased under the SLIP. The fair value of the MRSUs at the grant date of $6.0 million, adjusted for subsequent forfeitures, was amortized to expense over the initial five-year vesting period. In June 2003, all executive officers repaid their loans plus interest that were originally made under the SLIP in the amount of $1.8 million. The Company accepted, as partial payment for the loans, common stock owned by the executive officers and restricted stock units previously awarded to them under the SLIP. In July 2003, the Company approved an extension of the loan maturity for the remaining participants in the SLIP for an additional three years to November 2006, subject in the extension period to a rate of interest of 5.0%. As part of the loan extension the vesting schedule on the MRSUs was also extended so that the MRSUs vest in November 2006. During the third quarter of 2004, certain employees repaid their loans plus interest that were originally made under the SLIP in the amount of $1.4 million. The Company accepted, as partial payment for the loans, common stock owned by the employees and restricted stock units previously awarded to them under the SLIP. During the second quarter of 2005, the remaining participants in the SLIP repaid their loans plus interest that were originally made under the SLIP in the amount of $2.2 million. The Company accepted, as partial payment for the loans, common stock owned by the employees and restricted stock units previously awarded to them under the SLIP. Approximately $0.2 million of the loans were forgiven. There are no MRSUs or loans related to this program outstanding as of December 31, 2005. The MRSUs were fully amortized in 2003. Amortization expense related to the MRSUs was $0.4 million during 2003.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 14.2     $ 41.5  
Pension adjustments, net of tax
    (33.4 )     (23.5 )
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax
    8.5       1.9  
Unrealized investment gains
    3.5       2.5  
Other
    0.4        
 
           
Total
  $ (6.8 )   $ 22.4  
 
           
Other shareholder’s equity consisted of the following (in millions):
                 
    December 31,  
    2005     2004  
Loans to shareholders
  $     $ (1.6 )
Restricted stock
    (4.8 )     (2.8 )
 
           
Total
  $ (4.8 )   $ (4.4 )
 
           
17. Stock Options
General Cable applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for stock options issued under its 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, its 2000 Stock Option Plan, and its 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (see description of plans in Note 16). Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for stock option grants under the plans.
A summary of option information for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 follows (options in thousands):
                 
            Weighted  
            Average  
    Options     Exercise  
    Outstanding     Price  
Balance at December 31, 2002
    2,743     $ 13.55  
Granted
    1,126       4.05  
Exercised
    (15 )     7.92  
Forfeited
    (363 )     11.37  
 
           
Balance at December 31, 2003
    3,491       10.61  
Granted
    35       8.73  
Exercised
    (123 )     8.01  
Forfeited
    (117 )     10.37  
 
           
Balance At December 31, 2004
    3,286       10.70  
Granted
    160       11.97  
Exercised
    (251 )     10.19  
Forfeited
    (51 )     10.34  
 
           
Balance At December 31, 2005
    3,144     $ 10.90  
 
           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2005 (options in thousands):
                                             
                        Weighted                
                        Average                
                Weighted     Remaining             Weighted  
Range of     Options     Average     Contractual     Options     Average  
Option Prices     Outstanding     Exercise Price     Life     Exercisable     Exercise Price  
  $0 — $7       997     $ 4.03       7.0       8     $ 4.00  
  $7 — $14       1,638       11.99       4.6       1,454       12.05  
$14 — $21       133       14.27       3.6       132       14.26  
  $21 — $28       376     $ 23.12       2.4       376     $ 23.12  
As of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, there were 1,970,000, 1,640,000 and 1,674,000 exercisable stock options, respectively.
18. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share of Continuing Operations
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations to earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations-assuming dilution is as follows (in millions):
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
EPS from continuing operations – basic:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 39.2     $ 37.5     $ (4.8 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends on convertible stock
    (0.4 )     (6.0 )     (0.6 )
Preferred stock dividends on converted stock
    (5.3 )            
Inducement payment and offering costs
    (16.3 )            
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations for basic EPS computation (1)
  $ 17.2     $ 31.5     $ (5.4 )
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic EPS computation (2)
    41.1       39.0       33.6  
 
                 
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations — basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.81     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
EPS from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 39.2     $ 37.5     $ (4.8 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends on convertible stock, if applicable
    (0.4 )     N/A       (0.6 )
Preferred stock dividends on converted stock, if applicable
    (5.3 )     N/A       N/A  
Inducement payment and offering costs, if applicable
    (16.3 )     N/A       N/A  
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations for diluted EPS computation (1)
  $ 17.2     $ 37.5     $ (5.4 )
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding
    41.1       39.0       33.6  
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units
    0.8       1.0       N/A  
Dilutive effect of assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock, if applicable
    N/A       10.3       N/A  
 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS computation(2)
    41.9       50.3       33.6  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution
  $ 0.41     $ 0.75     $ (0.16 )
 
                 
 
(1)   Numerator
 
(2)   Denominator
On November 9, 2005, the Company commenced an offer (“the inducement offer”) to pay a cash premium to holders of its 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock who elected to convert their preferred stock into shares of General

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Cable common stock. The inducement offer expired on December 9, 2005. A total of 1,939,991 shares, or 93.72%, of the Company’s outstanding shares of preferred stock were surrendered and converted by General Cable as part of the inducement offer. The former holders of the converted preferred stock received, in the aggregate, the following:
    9,696,075 shares of General Cable common stock;
 
    A cash premium of approximately $15.3 million ($7.88 per share); and
 
    Approximately $0.3 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock from November 24, 2005 to December 13, 2005, the date immediately preceding the inducement offer’s settlement date of December 14, 2005.
The $16.6 million cash dividend, which includes approximately $1.0 million in costs related to the inducement offer, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005. As set forth in Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Topic D-42, “The Effect on the Calculation of Earnings per Share for the Redemption or Induced Conversion of Preferred Stock,” when convertible preferred stock is converted pursuant to an inducement offer, the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred in the transaction to the holders of the convertible preferred stock over the fair value of the securities issuable pursuant to the original conversion terms should be subtracted from net income to arrive at net income applicable to common shareholders in the calculation of earnings per share. As such, the inducement payment and offering costs paid by the Company in connection with the inducement offer resulted in a reduction of net income available to common shareholders.
129,916 shares, or 6.28%, of the preferred stock remain outstanding under the original terms of the preferred stock issuance, and all shares of preferred stock surrendered for conversion in the inducement offer were canceled and retired. As set forth in EITF Topic D-53, “Computation of Earnings per Share for a Period That Includes a Redemption or an Induced Conversion of a Portion of a Class of Preferred Stock,” when a company enters into an induced conversion of only a portion of a class of the company’s outstanding preferred stock, any excess consideration should be attributed to the converted shares, and the converted shares should be considered separately from the shares that were not converted for purposes of applying the “if-converted” method from the beginning of the period. As such, for purposes of General Cable’s computation of diluted net income per common share for the year ended December 31, 2005, the portion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock that was converted was considered separately from the portion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock that was not converted. The inducement payment and offering costs paid by the Company in connection with the inducement offer were attributed to the portion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock that was converted. As a result, conversion of the portion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock that was converted into 9,696,075 weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2005 was not assumed because the resulting impact on the calculation of diluted net income per common share would have been anti-dilutive. The portion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock that was not converted was also not assumed because the resulting impact on the calculation of diluted net income per common share would have been anti-dilutive.
The earnings (loss) per common share — assuming dilution computation also excludes the impact of 0.4 million, 1.6 million, and 3.6 million stock options and restricted stock units in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, because their impact was anti-dilutive. This computation also excludes the impact of the assumed conversion of the Company’s preferred stock (which was issued in the fourth quarter of 2003) because its impact was anti-dilutive in 2005 and 2003.
19. Segment Information
General Cable has three reportable operating segments: energy, industrial & specialty and communications. These segments are strategic business units organized around three product categories that follow management’s internal organization structure.
The energy segment manufactures and sells wire and cable products that include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products. The industrial & specialty segment manufactures and sells wire and cable products that conduct electrical current for industrial, OEM, commercial and residential power and control applications. The communications segment manufactures and sells wire and cable products that transmit low-voltage signals for voice and data applications.
In December of 2005, management of the Company made a decision to change the classification of the Wire Harness & Assemblies (WH&A) business and the Carol® Electronics business from the Communications segment to the Industrial & Specialty segment for external reporting purposes. The reasons for this change were the following:
    A shift in customer base occurred related to customers of the Company’s WH&A business.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
    The Carol® Electronics line of products is now managed along with Carol® Cord Products under the supervision of the same management group.
 
    The change in products presented under the Industrial & Specialty and Communications segments better align product categories in a way that follows management’s internal organization structure and more accurately represent the segments considered by the chief operating decision maker (General Cable’s CEO) in judging operating performance as of December 31, 2005.
The changes represent only reclassifications between segments and do not change the Company’s consolidated net sales, operating income, identifiable assets, capital expenditures, and depreciation expense as reported in previous quarterly and annual filings. The effects of the segment restatements on previously reported historical results are included in this footnote. All operating segment information from prior periods presented in this document has been restated to reflect the segment reclassifications. All annual 2005 segment information incorporates the new classifications discussed above.
Segment net sales represent sales to external customers. Segment operating income (loss) represents income (loss) from continuing operations before interest income, interest expense, other income (expense), other financial costs or income taxes. The operating loss included in corporate for 2005 consisted of $18.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s communications cable manufacturing facilities, which includes a $(0.5) million gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant. The operating loss included in corporate for 2004 consisted of $7.1 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s industrial cable manufacturing facilities, $1.5 million for remediation costs of a former manufacturing facility, $2.4 million related to the unwinding of the former fiber optics joint venture and $1.9 million related to the write-off of goodwill. The operating loss included in corporate for 2003 consisted of $7.6 million related to the rationalization of certain of the Company’s industrial cable manufacturing facilities and $2.7 million for severance related to headcount reductions of approximately 110 associates in the Company’s European operations. These charges were partially offset by $2.1 million of income resulting from the reversal of unutilized restructuring reserves related to the closure in prior years of North American manufacturing facilities. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2). The Company has recorded the operating items discussed above in the corporate segment rather than reflect such items in the energy, industrial & specialty or communications segments operating income because they are not considered in the operating performance evaluation of the energy, industrial & specialty or communications segments by the Company’s chief operating decision-maker, its Chief Executive Officer.
Corporate assets included cash, deferred income taxes, certain property, including property held for sale and prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets. The property held for sale consists of real property remaining from the Company’s closure of certain manufacturing operations in the amount of $3.1 million at December 31, 2005 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2004. These properties are actively being marketed for sale. Depreciation on corporate property has been allocated to the operating segments. Depreciation expense included in the corporate column represents accelerated depreciation related to the rationalization of certain plant locations.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Summarized financial information for the Company’s operating segments for the years ended December 31 is as follows (in millions).
                                         
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
2005
  $ 849.6     $ 989.8     $ 541.4     $     $ 2,380.8  
2004
    705.7       810.5       454.5             1,970.7  
2003
    560.2       602.4       375.8             1,538.4  
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
2005
    65.9       37.4       13.8       (18.6 )     98.5  
2004
    39.8       27.6       2.0       (12.9 )     56.5  
2003
    38.0       11.5       4.4       (8.2 )     45.7  
Identifiable Assets:
                                       
2005
    473.7       580.8       301.8       166.9       1,523.2  
2004
    350.6       442.0       303.3       143.4       1,239.3  
Capital Expenditures:
                                       
2005
    19.0       16.5       7.1             42.6  
2004
    13.9       15.7       7.4             37.0  
2003
    6.6       9.1       3.4             19.1  
Depreciation Expense:
                                       
2005
    10.8       12.2       13.4       11.1       47.5  
2004
    5.0       9.0       15.1       2.7       31.8  
2003
    5.7       10.3       13.8             29.8  
Summarized financial information for the Company’s operating segments providing the restated operating segment amounts relating to the reclassification of the WH&A business and Carol® Electronics business as mentioned on page 85 is provided below (in millions):
                                         
    Three Fiscal Months Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
September 30, 2005
  $ 213.3     $ 239.8     $ 147.4     $     $ 600.5  
October 1, 2004
    169.3       193.5       126.5             489.3  
September 30, 2003
    138.2       144.0       100.3             382.5  
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
September 30, 2005
    17.8       9.6       5.5       (15.6 )     17.3  
October 1, 2004
    10.8       10.1       2.4       (3.6 )     19.7  
September 30, 2003
    11.6       1.0       1.5       (0.6 )     13.5  
                                         
    Nine Fiscal Months Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
September 30, 2005
  $ 622.2     $ 733.1     $ 408.0     $     $ 1,763.3  
October 1, 2004
    520.4       617.9       347.1             1,485.4  
September 30, 2003
    413.5       438.3       281.3             1,133.1  
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
September 30, 2005
    45.5       29.0       14.1       (19.1 )     69.5  
October 1, 2004
    28.2       21.8       1.4       (7.9 )     43.5  
September 30, 2003
    29.4       9.2       3.9       (1.7 )     40.8  
Identifiable Assets:
                                       
September 30, 2005
    365.9       471.6       311.4       133.0       1,281.9  
October 1, 2004
    315.7       413.3       301.7       173.5       1,204.2  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
                                         
    Three Fiscal Months Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
July 1, 2005
  $ 212.4     $ 252.1     $ 144.1     $     $ 608.6  
June 30, 2004
    184.6       209.7       123.2             517.5  
June 30, 2003
    142.5       151.2       104.3             398.0  
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
July 1, 2005
    15.4       10.2       5.9       (3.5 )     28.0  
June 30, 2004
    9.9       8.1       0.7       (1.6 )     17.1  
June 30, 2003
    9.2       5.5       2.3       (1.1 )     15.9  
                                         
    Six Fiscal Months Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
July 1, 2005
  $ 408.9     $ 493.3     $ 260.6     $     $ 1,162.8  
June 30, 2004
    351.1       424.4       220.6             996.1  
June 30, 2003
    275.3       294.3       181.0             750.6  
 
                                       
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
July 1, 2005
    27.7       19.4       8.6       (3.5 )     52.2  
June 30, 2004
    17.4       11.7       (1.0 )     (4.3 )     23.8  
June 30, 2003
    17.8       8.2       2.4       (1.1 )     27.3  
 
                                       
Identifiable Assets:
                                       
July 1, 2005
    361.3       475.7       313.7       142.5       1,293.2  
June 30, 2004
    306.5       394.6       300.0       173.0       1,174.1  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
                                         
    Three Fiscal Months Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
April 1, 2005
  $ 196.5     $ 241.2     $ 116.5     $     $ 554.2  
March 31, 2004
    166.5       214.7       97.4             478.6  
March 31, 2003
    132.8       143.1       76.7             352.6  
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
April 1, 2005
    12.3       9.2       2.7             24.2  
March 31, 2004
    7.5       3.6       (1.7 )     (2.7 )     6.7  
March 31, 2003
    8.6       2.7       0.1             11.4  
Identifiable Assets:
                                       
April 1, 2005
    359.4       464.0       310.2       135.0       1,268.6  
March 31, 2004
    297.0       375.3       284.4       168.7       1,125.4  
                                         
    Year Ended  
            Industrial &                    
    Energy     Specialty     Communications     Corporate     Total  
Net Sales:
                                       
2004
  $ 705.7     $ 810.5     $ 454.5     $     $ 1,970.7  
2003
    560.2       602.4       375.8             1,538.4  
 
                                       
Operating Income (Loss):
                                       
2004
    39.8       27.6       2.0       (12.9 )     56.5  
2003
    38.0       11.5       4.4       (8.2 )     45.7  
 
                                       
Identifiable Assets:
                                       
2004
    350.6       442.0       303.3       143.4       1,239.3  
 
                                       
Capital Expenditures:
                                       
2004
    13.9       15.7       7.4             37.0  
2003
    6.6       9.1       3.4             19.1  
 
                                       
Depreciation Expense:
                                       
2004
    5.0       9.0       15.1       2.7       31.8  
2003
    5.7       10.3       13.8             29.8  
The following table presents revenues by geographic group based on the country of origin of the product or services for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
                         
    2005     2004     2003  
North America
  $ 1,573.2     $ 1,300.6     $ 1,074.2  
International
    807.6       670.1       464.2  
 
                 
Total
  $ 2,380.8     $ 1,970.7     $ 1,538.4  
 
                 
The following table presents property, plant and equipment by geographic group based on the location of the asset as of December 31 (in millions):
                 
    2005     2004  
North America
  $ 206.4     $ 213.4  
International
    160.0       142.6  
 
           
Total
  $ 366.4     $ 356.0  
 
           
20. Commitments and Contingencies
Certain present and former operating sites, or portions thereof, currently or previously owned or leased by current or former operating units of General Cable are the subject of investigations, monitoring or remediation under the United States Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), the Federal Resource

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Conservation and Recovery Act or comparable state statutes or agreements with third parties. These proceedings are in various stages ranging from initial investigations to active settlement negotiations to implementation of the cleanup or remediation of sites.
Certain present and former operating units of General Cable in the United States have been named as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at several off-site disposal sites under CERCLA or comparable state statutes in federal court proceedings. In each of these matters, the operating unit of General Cable is working with the governmental agencies involved and other PRPs to address environmental claims in a responsible and appropriate manner.
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had an accrued liability of approximately $2.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for various environmental-related liabilities of which General Cable is aware. American Premier Underwriters Inc., a former parent of General Cable, agreed to indemnify General Cable against all environmental-related liabilities arising out of General Cable’s or its predecessors’ ownership or operation of the Indiana Steel & Wire Company and Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. businesses (which were divested by General Cable), without limitation as to time or amount. While it is difficult to estimate future environmental-related liabilities accurately, General Cable does not currently anticipate any material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows as a result of compliance with federal, state, local or foreign environmental laws or regulations or cleanup costs of the sites discussed above.
As part of the acquisition of the worldwide energy cable and cable systems business of BICC plc, BICC plc agreed to indemnify General Cable against environmental liabilities existing at the date of the closing of the purchase of the business. The indemnity is for an eight-year period ending in 2007 while General Cable operates the businesses subject to certain sharing of losses (with BICC plc covering 95% of losses in the first three years, 80% in years four and five and 60% in the remaining three years). The indemnity is also subject to the overall indemnity limit of $150 million, which applies to all warranty and indemnity claims in the transaction. In addition, BICC plc assumed responsibility for cleanup of certain specific conditions at several sites operated by General Cable and cleanup is mostly complete at those sites. In the sale of the European businesses to Pirelli in August 2000, the Company generally indemnified Pirelli against any environmental-related liabilities on the same basis as BICC plc indemnified the Company in the earlier acquisition. However, the indemnity the Company received from BICC plc related to the European businesses sold to Pirelli terminated upon the sale of those businesses to Pirelli. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under the general indemnity provided by BICC plc. In addition, the Company generally indemnified Pirelli against other claims relating to the prior operation of the business. Pirelli has asserted claims under this indemnification. The Company is continuing to investigate and defend against these claims and believes that the reserves currently included in the Company’s balance sheet are adequate to cover any obligation it may have.
General Cable has agreed to indemnify Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Raychem HTS Canada, Inc. prior to its sale. The indemnity generally is for a five year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in April 2006, and is subject to an overall limit of $60 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
General Cable has also agreed to indemnify Southwire Company against certain environmental liabilities arising out of the operation of the business it sold to Southwire prior to its sale. The indemnity is for a ten year period from the closing of the sale, which ends in the fourth quarter of 2011, and is subject to an overall limit of $20 million. At this time, there are no claims outstanding under this indemnity.
In addition, Company subsidiaries have been named as defendants in lawsuits alleging exposure to asbestos in products manufactured by the Company. At December 31, 2005, there were approximately 9,300 non-maritime claims and 33,300 maritime asbestos claims outstanding. During 2005, there were approximately 90 new non-maritime suits and 100 new maritime claims filed. Approximately 7,000 non-maritime claims, the vast majority from Mississippi, were dismissed, settled or otherwise disposed in this period. No maritime claims were dismissed during 2005. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, General Cable had accrued approximately $2.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for these lawsuits.
The Company does not believe that the outcome of the litigation will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
General Cable is also involved in various routine legal proceedings and administrative actions. Such proceedings and actions should not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its result of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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General Cable has entered into various operating lease agreements related principally to certain administrative, manufacturing and distribution facilities and transportation equipment. Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable lease agreements at December 31, 2005 were as follows: 2006 – $9.0 million, 2007 – $5.4 million, 2008 – $4.1 million, 2009 – $2.9 million, 2010 – $3.1 million, and thereafter $4.7 million. Rental expense recorded in income from continuing operations was $12.6 million, $10.3 million and $11.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 2005 rental expense included charges of $0.4 million related to the rationalizations discussed in Note 10.
The Company’s principal U.S. operating subsidiary has unconditionally guaranteed the payments required to be made to the parties involved in the cross currency and interest rate swap that the Company entered into in 2005. The guarantee continues until the commitment under the swap has been paid in full, including principal plus interest, with the final amount due in November 2007. The maximum exposure under this guarantee was approximately $170.6 million as of December 31, 2005, but the net exposure position was a favorable $8.2 million. As of December 31, 2005, the amount that was recorded for this liability was not significant.
21. Related Party Transactions
In May of 2002, General Cable formed a joint venture company to manufacture and market fiber optic cables. General Cable contributed assets, primarily inventory and machinery and equipment, to a subsidiary company, which was then contributed to the joint venture in exchange for a $10.2 million note receivable, which resulted in a $5.6 million deferred gain on the transaction. Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, the Company was required to consolidate the joint venture company as a result of the adoption of FIN No. 46, as revised. In January 2004, the Company reduced its ownership percentage from 49% to 40% and as a result the deferred gain was reduced to $4.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company exchanged the note receivable from the joint venture partner for the partner’s ownership interest in the joint venture company. The acquired ownership interest was recorded at fair market value, which was $2.4 million less than the carrying value of the note receivable net of the deferred gain, resulting in a charge to SG&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2004. As of December 31, 2004, General Cable owned 100% of the joint venture company.
The joint venture company manufactured and sold to General Cable all of the fiber optic cable products that General Cable sold to its customers. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the eight month period ended December 31, 2002, General Cable purchased approximately $16.0 million, $20.2 million and $12.2 million from the joint venture company. At December 31, 2003, General Cable had a $1.0 million payable to the joint venture company for these purchases.
General Cable sold fiber to the joint venture company. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the eight month period ended December 31, 2002, General Cable sold approximately $8.7 million, $10.4 million and $6.8 million to the joint venture company. At December 31, 2003, General Cable had a $1.0 million receivable from the joint venture company for these transactions.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the joint venture company had sales of $21.4 million, an operating loss of $(4.0) million and a net loss of $(4.1) million. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the joint venture company had sales of $20.6 million and an operating loss and net loss of $(0.6) million. At December 31, 2003, the joint venture company had total assets of $10.0 million, total liabilities of $2.9 million and total equity of $7.1 million. For the eight month period ended December 31, 2002, the joint venture company had sales of $12.3 million and an operating loss and net loss of $(1.2) million. At December 31, 2002, the joint venture company had total assets of $12.9 million, total liabilities of $5.1 million and total equity of $7.8 million.

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22. Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)
The interim financial information is unaudited. In the opinion of management, the interim financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of quarterly financial information. Quarterly results have been influenced by seasonal factors inherent in General Cable’s businesses. The sum of the quarter’s earnings (loss) per share amounts may not add to full year earnings per share because each quarter is calculated independently. Summarized historical quarterly financial data for 2005 and 2004 are set forth below (in millions, except per share data):
                                 
    First     Second     Third     Fourth  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
2005(1)
                               
Net sales
  $ 554.2     $ 608.6     $ 600.5     $ 617.5  
Gross profit
    67.4       71.3       59.9       72.1  
Income from continuing operations
    9.0       11.8       4.2       14.2  
Net income
    9.0       11.8       4.2       14.2  
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
    7.5       10.3       2.7       (3.3 )
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations
  $ 0.19     $ 0.26     $ 0.07     $ (0.08 )
Earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations – assuming dilution
  $ 0.18     $ 0.23     $ 0.07     $ (0.08 )
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.26     $ 0.07     $ (0.08 )
Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution
  $ 0.18     $ 0.23     $ 0.07     $ (0.08 )
                                 
    First     Second     Third     Fourth  
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
2004(2)
                               
Net sales
  $ 478.6     $ 517.5     $ 489.3     $ 485.3  
Gross profit
    45.4       55.2       58.8       55.3  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (1.9 )     5.2       7.4       26.8  
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations
                      0.4  
Net income (loss)
    (1.9 )     5.2       7.4       27.2  
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
    (3.4 )     3.7       5.9       25.7  
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ 0.65  
Earnings (loss) per common share of continuing operations – assuming dilution
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ 0.53  
 
                               
Earnings of discontinued operations per common share
  $     $     $     $ 0.01  
Earnings of discontinued operations per common share – assuming dilution
  $     $     $     $ 0.01  
Earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ 0.66  
Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution
  $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ 0.15     $ 0.54  
 
(1)   During the interim periods of 2005, revenue related to certain turn-key energy system projects with multiple deliverables in the Company’s Spanish operations was deferred until completion of those projects. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company determined that the revenues and related profits for a portion of the projects should have been recognized as energy cables were delivered to the customers. Results for the fourth quarter of 2005 included approximately $1.5 million of after-tax earnings that would have been recognized in earlier interim quarters of 2005 if the deferral had not occurred. The amount of after-tax earnings related to this issue was not material in any of the three previously reported interim periods of 2005. In addition, during 2005, charges related to the rationalization of communications cable manufacturing facilities of $3.5 million, $15.6 million and $(0.5) million, respectively, were included in the second, third and fourth quarters. A $(0.5) gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing plant was included in the third quarter charge.
 
(2)   During 2004, charges related to the rationalization of industrial cable manufacturing facilities of $2.7 million, $1.6 million, $2.0 million and $0.8 million were included in the first, second, third and fourth quarters. Additionally, the third quarter of 2004 included a $1.5 million charge for remediation costs and the fourth quarter of 2004 included a $2.4

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
million charge related to the wind-down of the Company’s former fiber optics joint venture, a $1.9 million charge for the write-off of goodwill and a $23.3 million income tax benefit due to the elimination of certain prior year tax exposures.
23. Supplemental Guarantor Information
General Cable Corporation and its material North American wholly-owned subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee the $285.0 million of Senior Notes due 2010 of General Cable Corporation (the Issuer) on a joint and several basis. The following presents financial information about the Issuer, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries in millions. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are “restricted subsidiaries” for purposes of the Senior Notes. Intercompany transactions are eliminated.
Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2005
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Net sales:
                                       
Customers
  $     $ 1,573.2     $ 807.6     $     $ 2,380.8  
Intercompany
    480.4                   (480.4 )      
 
                             
 
    480.4       1,573.2       807.6       (480.4 )     2,380.8  
Cost of sales
    414.8       1,436.4       690.1       (431.2 )     2,110.1  
 
                             
Gross profit
    65.6       136.8       117.5       (49.2 )     270.7  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    58.6       108.4       54.4       (49.2 )     172.2  
 
                             
Operating income
    7.0       28.4       63.1             98.5  
Other expense
          (0.5 )                 (0.5 )
Interest income (expense):
                                       
Interest expense
    (27.8 )     (50.7 )     (2.0 )     40.6       (39.9 )
Interest income
    38.4       2.1       3.0       (40.6 )     2.9  
 
                             
 
    10.6       (48.6 )     1.0             (37.0 )
 
                             
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    17.6       (20.7 )     64.1             61.0  
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (6.2 )     4.5       (20.1 )           (21.8 )
 
                             
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    11.4       (16.2 )     44.0             39.2  
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (net of tax)
                             
 
                             
Net income (loss)
    11.4       (16.2 )     44.0             39.2  
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (22.0 )                       (22.0 )
 
                             
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ (10.6 )   $ (16.2 )   $ 44.0     $     $ 17.2  
 
                             

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Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2004
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Net sales:
                                       
Customers
  $     $ 1,298.4     $ 672.3     $     $ 1,970.7  
Intercompany
    399.2             20.4       (419.6 )      
 
                             
 
    399.2       1,298.4       692.7       (419.6 )     1,970.7  
Cost of sales
    343.2       1,185.3       587.7       (360.2 )     1,756.0  
 
                             
Gross profit
    56.0       113.1       105.0       (59.4 )     214.7  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    49.5       115.8       52.3       (59.4 )     158.2  
 
                             
Operating income (loss)
    6.5       (2.7 )     52.7             56.5  
Other expense
    (0.9 )     (0.3 )                 (1.2 )
Interest income (expense):
                                       
Interest expense
    (30.2 )     (51.1 )     (4.6 )     48.2       (37.7 )
Interest income
    38.8       4.1       7.1       (48.2 )     1.8  
 
                             
 
    8.6       (47.0 )     2.5             (35.9 )
 
                             
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    14.2       (50.0 )     55.2             19.4  
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (5.0 )     41.5       (18.4 )           18.1  
 
                             
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    9.2       (8.5 )     36.8             37.5  
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (net of tax)
          0.4                   0.4  
 
                             
Net income (loss)
    9.2       (8.1 )     36.8             37.9  
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (6.0 )                       (6.0 )
 
                             
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 3.2     $ (8.1 )   $ 36.8     $     $ 31.9  
 
                             
Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2003
                                         
                    Non              
            Guarantor     Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Net sales:
                                       
Customers
  $     $ 1,074.2     $ 464.2     $     $ 1,538.4  
Intercompany
    28.8                   (28.8 )      
 
                             
 
    28.8       1,074.2       464.2       (28.8 )     1,538.4  
Cost of sales
          1,011.3       382.5       (28.8 )     1,365.0  
 
                             
Gross profit
    28.8       62.9       81.7             173.4  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    22.7       69.0       36.0             127.7  
 
                             
Operating income (loss)
    6.1       (6.1 )     45.7             45.7  
Other income
    1.5                         1.5  
Interest income (expense):
                                       
Interest expense
    (40.2 )     (71.3 )     (3.0 )     70.6       (43.9 )
Interest income
    56.3       14.4       0.7       (70.6 )     0.8  
Other financial costs
    (5.1 )     (0.9 )                 (6.0 )
 
                             
 
    11.0       (57.8 )     (2.3 )             (49.1 )
 
                             
Income (loss) before income taxes
    18.6       (63.9 )     43.4             (1.9 )
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (6.5 )     18.3       (14.7 )             (2.9 )
 
                             
Net income (loss)
    12.1       (45.6 )     28.7             (4.8 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    (0.6 )                         (0.6 )
 
                             
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
  $ 11.5     $ (45.6 )   $ 28.7     $     $ (5.4 )
 
                             

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Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31, 2005
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Assets
                                       
Current assets:
                                       
Cash
  $     $ 14.5     $ 57.7     $     $ 72.2  
Receivables, net of allowances
          219.3       323.6             542.9  
Inventories
          209.2       154.7             363.9  
Deferred income taxes
          40.0       1.9             41.9  
Prepaid expenses and other
    1.2       31.9       15.5             48.6  
 
                             
Total current assets
    1.2       514.9       553.4             1,069.5  
 
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.2       206.2       160.0             366.4  
Deferred income taxes
          49.6       2.9             52.5  
Intercompany accounts
    616.1       109.4       98.7       (824.2 )      
Investment in subsidiaries
    33.7       190.3             (224.0 )      
Other non-current assets
    10.6       23.3       0.9             34.8  
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 661.8     $ 1,093.7     $ 815.9     $ (1,048.2 )   $ 1,523.2  
 
                             
 
                                       
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $     $ 168.6     $ 303.7     $     $ 472.3  
Accrued liabilities
    3.3       95.7       113.2             212.2  
Current portion of long-term debt
          1.0       5.4             6.4  
 
                             
Total current liabilities
    3.3       265.3       422.3             690.9  
 
                                       
Long-term debt
    285.0       128.3       31.9             445.2  
Deferred income taxes
    1.1       2.4       9.9             13.4  
Intercompany accounts
    34.5       698.1       91.6       (824.2 )      
Other liabilities
    12.3       54.3       13.8             80.4  
 
                             
Total liabilities
    336.2       1,148.4       569.5       (824.2 )     1,229.9  
 
                                       
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
    325.6       (54.7 )     246.4       (224.0 )     293.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liability and shareholders’ equity
  $ 661.8     $ 1,093.7     $ 815.9     $ (1,048.2 )   $ 1,523.2  
 
                             

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31, 2004
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Assets
                                       
Current assets:
                                       
Cash
  $ 0.1     $ 7.3     $ 29.0     $     $ 36.4  
Receivables, net of allowances
          166.5       202.9             369.4  
Inventories
          205.6       109.9             315.5  
Deferred income taxes
          22.3       0.7             23.0  
Prepaid expenses and other
    1.2       30.4       7.2             38.8  
 
                             
Total current assets
    1.3       432.1       349.7             783.1  
 
                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    0.2       210.1       145.7             356.0  
Deferred income taxes
          63.1       2.6             65.7  
Intercompany accounts
    658.2       100.7       189.9       (948.8 )      
Investment in subsidiaries
    33.7       248.1             (281.8 )      
Other non-current assets
    5.9       28.5       0.1             34.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total assets
  $ 699.3     $ 1,082.6     $ 688.0     $ (1,230.6 )   $ 1,239.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $     $ 126.7     $ 227.5     $     $ 354.2  
Accrued liabilities
    8.9       68.4       52.5             129.8  
Current portion of long-term debt
                1.1             1.1  
 
                             
Total current liabilities
    8.9       195.1       281.1             485.1  
 
                                       
Long-term debt
    285.0       87.6       1.2             373.8  
Deferred income taxes
          3.7       11.6             15.3  
Intercompany accounts
    37.7       806.5       104.6       (948.8 )      
Other liabilities
    32.9       27.7       3.1             63.7  
 
                             
Total liabilities
    364.5       1,120.6       401.6       (948.8 )     937.9  
 
                                       
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
    334.8       (38.0 )     286.4       (281.8 )     301.4  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total liability and shareholders’ equity
  $ 699.3     $ 1,082.6     $ 688.0     $ (1,230.6 )   $ 1,239.3  
 
                             

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2005
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Cash flows of operating activities:
                                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 11.4     $ (16.2 )   $ 44.0     $     $ 39.2  
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used by) operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
          41.5       9.5             51.0  
Foreign currency exchange loss
          0.5                   0.5  
Loss on joint venture wind-down
                             
Deferred income taxes
    1.1       (1.6 )     (3.4 )           (3.9 )
Settlement of tax items
                             
Loss on disposal of property and businesses
          1.9       0.2             2.1  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
                                       
Increase in receivables
          (50.9 )     (32.2 )           (83.1 )
(Increase) decrease in inventories
          1.9       (8.5 )           (6.6 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    (4.7 )     12.5       (0.6 )           7.2  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
    (26.2 )     74.2       66.6             114.6  
 
                             
Net cash flows of operating activities
    (18.4 )     63.8       75.6             121.0  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of investing activities:
                                       
Capital expenditures
          (25.0 )     (17.6 )           (42.6 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (9.8 )     (82.8 )           (92.6 )
Proceeds from properties sold
          2.4       0.6             3.0  
Other, net
          1.7                   1.7  
 
                             
Net cash flows of investing activities
          (30.7 )     (99.8 )           (130.5 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of financing activities:
                                       
Dividends paid
    (22.0 )                       (22.0 )
Repayment of loans from shareholders
                             
Intercompany accounts
    37.7       (62.6 )     24.9              
Net change in revolving credit borrowings
          36.5                   36.5  
Net change in other debt
                35.4             35.4  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    2.6                         2.6  
 
                             
Net cash flows of financing activities
    18.3       (26.1 )     60.3             52.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
          0.2       (7.4 )           (7.2 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Increase (decrease) in cash
    (0.1 )     7.2       28.7             35.8  
Cash – beginning of period
    0.1       7.3       29.0             36.4  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash – end of period
  $     $ 14.5     $ 57.7     $     $ 72.2  
 
                             

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2004
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Cash flows of operating activities:
                                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 9.2     $ (8.1 )   $ 36.8     $     $ 37.9  
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used by) operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
    0.3       31.7       3.4             35.4  
Foreign currency exchange loss
    0.9       0.3                   1.2  
Loss on joint venture wind-down
          4.2                   4.2  
Deferred income taxes
    (5.0 )     (1.5 )     7.1             0.6  
Settlement of tax items
          (23.3 )                 (23.3 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and businesses
          (0.6 )     0.1             (0.5 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
                                       
Increase in receivables
          (17.3 )     (64.9 )           (82.2 )
Increase in inventories
          (35.7 )     (9.6 )           (45.3 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    1.1       (1.1 )     (12.8 )           (12.8 )
Increase in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
    0.8       11.1       85.4             97.3  
 
                             
Net cash flows of operating activities
    7.3       (40.3 )     45.5             12.5  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of investing activities:
                                       
Capital expenditures
          (17.4 )     (19.6 )           (37.0 )
Proceeds from properties sold
          2.5       0.1             2.6  
Other, net
          (7.9 )     6.0             (1.9 )
 
                             
Net cash flows of investing activities
          (22.8 )     (13.5 )           (36.3 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of financing activities:
                                       
Dividends paid
    (6.0 )                       (6.0 )
Repayment of loans from shareholders
    0.4                         0.4  
Intercompany accounts
    (2.7 )     30.9       (28.2 )            
Net change in revolving credit borrowings
          35.6                   35.6  
Net change in other debt
          (0.1 )     (2.2 )           (2.3 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1.1                         1.1  
 
                             
Net cash flows of financing activities
    (7.2 )     66.4       (30.4 )           28.8  
 
                             
 
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
          0.3       6.0             6.3  
 
                             
 
                                       
Increase in cash
    0.1       3.6       7.6             11.3  
Cash – beginning of period
          3.7       21.4             25.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash – end of period
  $ 0.1     $ 7.3     $ 29.0     $     $ 36.4  
 
                             

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GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2003
                                         
            Guarantor     Non-Guarantor              
    Issuer     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Total  
Cash flows of operating activities:
                                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 12.1     $ (45.6 )   $ 28.7     $     $ (4.8 )
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used by) operating activities:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
    0.5       30.8       2.1             33.4  
Foreign currency exchange gain
    (1.5 )                       (1.5 )
Deferred income taxes
          (2.9 )     (3.6 )           (6.5 )
Loss on disposal of property and businesses
          6.8                   6.8  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
                                       
Purchase of receivables
          (80.0 )                 (80.0 )
Decrease in receivables
          23.0       4.8             27.8  
Decrease in inventories
          13.1       3.8             16.9  
Decrease in other assets
    2.0       11.9       0.6             14.5  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
    1.9       (12.4 )     (10.6 )           (21.1 )
 
                             
Net cash flows of operating activities
    15.0       (55.3 )     25.8             (14.5 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of investing activities:
                                       
Capital expenditures
          (8.9 )     (10.2 )           (19.1 )
Proceeds from properties sold
          2.4       0.1             2.5  
Other, net
          (0.1 )     (3.0 )           (3.1 )
 
                             
Net cash flows of investing activities
          (6.6 )     (13.1 )           (19.7 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash flows of financing activities:
                                       
Common stock issued, net of fees and expenses
    44.6                         44.6  
Preferred stock issued, net of fees and expenses
    99.5                         99.5  
Repayment of loans from shareholders
          1.0                   1.0  
Intercompany accounts
    (131.6 )     90.8       40.8              
Net change in revolving credit borrowings
    (57.9 )     22.7                   (35.2 )
Net change in other debt
                (26.0 )           (26.0 )
Issuance of long term debt, net of fees and expenses
    276.6                         276.6  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (246.2 )     (57.0 )     (30.1 )           (333.3 )
 
                             
Net cash flows of financing activities
    (15.0 )     57.5       (15.3 )           27.2  
 
                             
 
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                3.0             3.0  
 
                             
 
                                       
Increase (decrease) in cash
          (4.4 )     0.4             (4.0 )
Cash – beginning of period
          8.1       21.0             29.1  
 
                             
 
                                       
Cash – end of period
  $     $ 3.7     $ 21.4     $     $ 25.1  
 
                             

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Schedule II
GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(in millions)
                         
    For the Year  
    Ended December 31,  
    2005     2004     2003  
Accounts Receivable Allowances:
                       
Beginning balance
  $ 16.0     $ 15.6     $ 11.6  
Impact of foreign currency exchange rate change
    (1.2 )     1.0       1.3  
Provision
    0.4       3.3       4.8  
Write-offs(1)
    (6.6 )     (3.9 )     (2.1 )
 
                 
Ending balance
  $ 8.6     $ 16.0     $ 15.6  
 
                 
 
                       
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance:
                       
Beginning balance
  $ 17.5     $ 19.0     $ 19.2  
Additions charged to expense
    2.5             1.5  
Reductions from utilization and reassessments
    (1.5 )     (1.5 )     (1.7 )
 
                 
Ending balance
  $ 18.5     $ 17.5     $ 19.0  
 
                 
 
(1) During 2005, the Company’s European operations wrote-off approximately $5.2 million of accounts receivable that had been fully provided for in prior years.

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EX-10.71 2 l18783aexv10w71.txt EXHIBIT 10.71 EXHIBIT 10.71 $300,000,000 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 23, 2005, AMONG GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., AS BORROWER, GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND THE OTHER GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO, AS GUARANTORS, THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NATIONAL CITY BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., AS SYNDICATION AGENT, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AND UBS SECURITIES LLC, AS JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND SWINGLINE LENDER UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS ISSUING BANK AND MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, AS ISSUING BANK TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS................................................... 2 SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms........................................... 2 SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings.................. 47 SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally......................................... 47 SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP.................................. 48 ARTICLE II. THE CREDITS.................................................. 48 SECTION 2.01 Commitments............................................. 48 SECTION 2.02 Loans................................................... 49 SECTION 2.03 Borrowing Procedure..................................... 51 SECTION 2.04 Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans.................... 52 SECTION 2.05 Fees.................................................... 52 SECTION 2.06 Interest on Loans and Default Compensation.............. 54 SECTION 2.07 Termination and Reduction of Commitments................ 54 SECTION 2.08 Interest Elections...................................... 55 SECTION 2.09 [Intentionally Omitted]................................. 56 SECTION 2.10 Optional and Mandatory Prepayments of Loans............. 56 SECTION 2.11 Alternate Rate of Interest.............................. 60 SECTION 2.12 Increased Costs......................................... 60 SECTION 2.13 Breakage Payments....................................... 61 SECTION 2.14 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs................................................ 62 SECTION 2.15 Taxes................................................... 64 SECTION 2.16 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.......... 65 SECTION 2.17 Swingline Loans......................................... 66 SECTION 2.18 Letters of Credit....................................... 67 SECTION 2.19 Determination of Borrowing Base......................... 73 SECTION 2.20 Commitment Increase..................................... 78 ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.............................. 79 SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers.................................... 79 SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability........................... 80 SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.................... 80 SECTION 3.04 Financial Statements.................................... 80 SECTION 3.05 Properties.............................................. 81 SECTION 3.06 Equity Interests and Subsidiaries....................... 84 SECTION 3.07 Litigation; Compliance with Laws........................ 84 SECTION 3.08 Agreements.............................................. 85 SECTION 3.09 Federal Reserve Regulations............................. 85 SECTION 3.10 Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act..................................................... 85
i SECTION 3.11 Use of Proceeds......................................... 85 SECTION 3.12 Taxes................................................... 85 SECTION 3.13 No Material Misstatements............................... 86 SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters........................................... 86 SECTION 3.15 Solvency................................................ 86 SECTION 3.16 Employee Benefit and Pension Plans...................... 87 SECTION 3.17 Environmental Matters................................... 88 SECTION 3.18 Insurance............................................... 89 SECTION 3.19 Security Documents...................................... 89 SECTION 3.20 Equity Financing Documents; Representations and Warranties in Agreement................................. 90 SECTION 3.21 [Intentionally Omitted.]................................ 90 SECTION 3.22 Location of Material Inventory.......................... 90 SECTION 3.23 Accuracy of Borrowing Base.............................. 90 SECTION 3.24 Post-Audit Asset Dispositions........................... 91 SECTION 3.25 Holding Companies; Inactive Subsidiaries................ 91 SECTION 3.26 Common Enterprise....................................... 91 ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS.............................. 91 SECTION 4.01 Conditions to Continue to Fund the Credit Extensions.... 91 SECTION 4.02 Conditions to All Credit Extensions..................... 94 ARTICLE V. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS......................................... 95 SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements, Reports, etc...................... 95 SECTION 5.02 Litigation and Other Notices............................ 98 SECTION 5.03 Existence; Businesses and Properties.................... 98 SECTION 5.04 Insurance............................................... 99 SECTION 5.05 Obligations and Taxes................................... 100 SECTION 5.06 Employee Benefits and Pension Plans..................... 100 SECTION 5.07 Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections............................................. 101 SECTION 5.08 Use of Proceeds......................................... 101 SECTION 5.09 Compliance with Environmental Laws; Environmental Reports................................................. 102 SECTION 5.10 [Intentionally Omitted]................................. 102 SECTION 5.11 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors............ 102 SECTION 5.12 Security Interests; Further Assurances.................. 104 SECTION 5.13 Information Regarding Collateral; Corporate Identity or Taxpayer Identifications................................ 104 SECTION 5.14 Post-Closing Collateral Matters......................... 105 SECTION 5.15 Borrowing Base-Related Reports.......................... 105 SECTION 5.16 [Intentionally Omitted]................................. 107 SECTION 5.17 [Intentionally Omitted]................................. 107 SECTION 5.18 Maintenance of Real Property............................ 107
ii ARTICLE VI. NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................................... 107 SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness............................................ 108 SECTION 6.02 Liens................................................... 111 SECTION 6.03 Sale and Leaseback Transactions......................... 114 SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans and Advances......................... 114 SECTION 6.05 Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions............................................ 117 SECTION 6.06 Restricted Payments..................................... 119 SECTION 6.07 Transactions with Affiliates............................ 121 SECTION 6.08 Financial Covenants..................................... 122 SECTION 6.09 Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, or Other Constitutive Documents, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements, etc......................................... 122 SECTION 6.10 Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries...... 122 SECTION 6.11 Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock................. 123 SECTION 6.12 Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries.................. 123 SECTION 6.13 Business................................................ 124 SECTION 6.14 Limitation on Accounting Changes........................ 124 SECTION 6.15 Fiscal Year............................................. 124 SECTION 6.16 No Negative Pledges..................................... 124 SECTION 6.17 Lease Obligations....................................... 124 SECTION 6.18 Upstream Restrictions................................... 124 SECTION 6.19 Holdings Companies; Inactive Subsidiaries............... 125 SECTION 6.20 Material Agreements..................................... 125 ARTICLE VII. GUARANTEE................................................... 125 SECTION 7.01 The Guarantee........................................... 125 SECTION 7.02 Obligations Unconditional............................... 126 SECTION 7.03 Reinstatement........................................... 127 SECTION 7.04 Subrogation; Subordination.............................. 128 SECTION 7.05 Remedies................................................ 128 SECTION 7.06 Instrument for the Payment of Money..................... 128 SECTION 7.07 Continuing Guarantee.................................... 128 SECTION 7.08 General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations............. 128 ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.......................................... 130 ARTICLE IX. COLLATERAL MATTERS; CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS; APPLICATION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS.......................................... 133 SECTION 9.01 Accounts and Account Collections........................ 133 SECTION 9.02 Inventory; Field Audits and Appraisals.................. 136 SECTION 9.03 Equipment, Real Property and Appraisals................. 136 SECTION 9.04 Cash Collateral Account................................. 137 SECTION 9.05 Application of Proceeds................................. 137
iii ARTICLE X. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT............. 138 SECTION 10.01 Appointment............................................. 138 SECTION 10.02 Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent in Their Individual Capacity..................................... 139 SECTION 10.03 Exculpatory Provisions.................................. 139 SECTION 10.04 Reliance by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent................................................... 140 SECTION 10.05 Delegation of Duties.................................... 140 SECTION 10.06 Successor Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent.. 141 SECTION 10.07 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or Other Lenders.................................. 141 SECTION 10.08 No Other Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent....... 142 SECTION 10.09 Indemnification......................................... 142 SECTION 10.10 Overadvances............................................ 142 SECTION 10.11 Special Agent Advances.................................. 143 SECTION 10.12 Revolving Loan Advances; Payments and Settlements; Interest and Fee Payments............................... 144 ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS................................................ 145 SECTION 11.01 Notices................................................. 145 SECTION 11.02 Waivers; Amendment; Releases of Collateral.............. 146 SECTION 11.03 Expenses; Indemnity..................................... 149 SECTION 11.04 Successors and Assigns.................................. 150 SECTION 11.05 Survival of Agreement................................... 153 SECTION 11.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness................ 153 SECTION 11.07 Severability............................................ 153 SECTION 11.08 Right of Setoff......................................... 153 SECTION 11.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process................................................. 154 SECTION 11.10 Waiver of Jury Trial.................................... 154 SECTION 11.11 Headings................................................ 155 SECTION 11.12 Confidentiality......................................... 155 SECTION 11.13 Interest Rate Limitation................................ 156 SECTION 11.14 Lender Addendum......................................... 156 SECTION 11.15 Dollar Equivalent Calculations.......................... 156 SECTION 11.16 Judgment Currency....................................... 156 SECTION 11.17 Patriot Act............................................. 157 ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT...... 157
iv ANNEXES Annex I Applicable Margin Annex II Closing Checklist SCHEDULES Schedule 1.01(a) Mortgaged Real Property Schedule 1.01(b) Refinancing Indebtedness To Be Repaid Schedule 1.01(c) Guarantors Schedule 1.01(d) Eligible Equipment and Eligible Real Property Schedule 1.01(e) Locations of Eligible Equipment Schedule 1.01(f) Intercompany Agreements Schedule 3.03 Governmental Approvals; Compliance with Laws Schedule 3.05(b) Real Property; Maintenance and Repairs Schedule 3.06(a) Subsidiaries Schedule 3.06(c) Corporate Organizational Chart Schedule 3.08(c) Material Agreements Schedule 3.16 Canadian Pension Plans Schedule 3.17 Environmental Matters Schedule 3.18 Insurance Schedule 3.22 Location of Material Inventory Schedule 4.01(d) Local Counsel Schedule 4.01(n) Landlord Access Agreements Schedule 4.01(o)(iii) Title Insurance Amounts Schedule 5.14 Post-Closing Matters Schedule 6.01(b) Existing Indebtedness Schedule 6.01(c) Existing Interest Rate Protection Agreements Schedule 6.02(c) Existing Liens Schedule 6.04(a) Existing Investments Schedule 6.18 Holdings Companies; Inactive Subsidiaries EXHIBITS Exhibit A-1 Form of Administrative Questionnaire Exhibit A-2 Form of Compliance Certificate Exhibit A-3 Form of LC Request Exhibit A-4 Form of Lender Addendum Exhibit B Form of Assignment and Acceptance Exhibit C Form of Borrowing Request Exhibit D Form of Interest Election Request Exhibit E Form of Joinder Agreement Exhibit ECI Form of Customer Agreement v Exhibit F Form of Landlord Lien Waiver and Access Agreement Exhibit G Form of Mortgage Exhibit H-1 Form of Revolving Note Exhibit H-2 Form of Swingline Note Exhibit I-1 Form of Perfection Certificate Exhibit I-2 Form of Perfection Certificate Supplement Exhibit J-1 Form of US Security Agreement Exhibit J-2 Form of Canadian Security Agreement Exhibit K Form of Opinion of Blank Rome LLP Exhibit L Form of Intercompany Note Exhibit M Form of Borrowing Base Certificate Exhibit SHA Cross Currency Swap Transaction Exhibit 12 Exiting Lender Interest vi SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") dated as of November 23, 2005, is among GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("BORROWER"), the Guarantors (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined herein having the meaning given to it in Article I), the Lenders, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. and UBS SECURITIES LLC, as joint lead arrangers (collectively, in such capacity, "ARRANGERS"), NATIONAL CITY BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., as syndication agent (in such capacity, "SYNDICATION AGENT"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as documentation agent (in such capacity, "DOCUMENTATION AGENT"), UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, in its individual capacity (in such capacity, "UBS"), as issuing bank and MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, in its individual capacity (in such capacity, "MERRILL LYNCH BANK"), as issuing bank (UBS and Merrill Lynch Bank each in such capacity, "ISSUING BANK"), and MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc., in its individual capacity (in such capacity, "Merrill"), as swingline lender (in such capacity, "SWINGLINE LENDER"), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the Lenders, and collateral agent and as security trustee (in such capacity, "COLLATERAL AGENT") for the Secured Parties. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, Borrower and certain parties hereto are parties to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2004 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the "Prior Credit Agreement"), pursuant to which the Lenders extended Revolving Loans and other Credit Extensions in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $275.0 million for the purposes of (a) restating and refinancing outstanding borrowings under the Original Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), (b) financing any Permitted Loan Funded Acquisition and (c) providing funds for general corporate purposes of Borrower; WHEREAS, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, UBS will resign as the administrative agent under the Prior Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, pursuant to this Agreement, Merrill will be appointed as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; WHEREAS, Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Lenders desire to amend and restate the Prior Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein to, among other things, (a) reduce the Applicable Margins as set forth herein and (b) increase the aggregate Revolving Commitments. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Prior Credit Agreement in its entirety as follows: 1 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.01 DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below: "ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, is used when such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate. "ABR BORROWING" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans. "ABR LOAN" shall mean any ABR Revolving Loan. "ABR REVOLVING BORROWING" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Revolving Loans. "ABR REVOLVING LOAN" shall mean any Revolving Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II. "ACCOUNT DEBTOR" shall mean any Person who may become obligated to another Person under, with respect to, or on account of, an Account. "ACCOUNTING CHANGES" shall have meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.04. "ACCOUNTS" shall mean all "accounts," as such term is defined in the UCC, in which any Person now or hereafter has rights, including, without limitation, any and all rights to payment for the sale or lease of goods or rendition of services, whether or not they have been earned by performance, in each case, for purposes of calculating the Borrowing Base, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed by Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantors to the respective customer. "ACQUISITION CONSIDERATION" shall mean the purchase consideration for any Permitted Acquisition and all other payments paid to or for the benefit of the seller by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange for, or as part of, or in connection with, any Permitted Acquisition, whether paid in cash or by exchange of Equity Interests or of assets or otherwise and whether payable at or prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or deferred for payment at any future time, whether or not any such future payment is subject to the occurrence of any contingency, and includes any and all payments representing the purchase price and any assumptions of Indebtedness, "earn-outs" and other agreements to make any payment the amount of which is, or the terms of payment of which are, in any respect subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of any Person or business. "ACQUISITION DEBT ISSUANCE" shall mean unsecured Indebtedness issued to seller(s) or to or sold through financial institutions acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion as consideration for a Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisition in an amount, on such terms (including ownership and structure of the Person being acquired and the identity of all 2 obligors with respect to such debt), and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion as to right and time of payment and as to any other terms, rights and remedies thereunder. "ACTIVATION NOTICE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(e)(i). "ADJUSTED LIBOR RATE" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for any Interest Period, (a) an interest rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) 1 minus the Statutory Reserves (if any) for such Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for such Interest Period. "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto and includes each other Person appointed as the successor pursuant to Article X. "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FEES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b). "ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE" shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A, or such other form as may be supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent. "AFFILIATE" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.07, the term "Affiliate" shall also include any Person that directly or indirectly owns more than 20% of any class of Equity Interests of the Person specified or that is an executive officer or director of the Person specified. "AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "ALTERNATE BASE RATE" shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Base Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively. "APPLICABLE MARGIN" shall mean, for any day, with respect to any Revolving Loan, the applicable percentage set forth in Annex I under the appropriate caption, based upon average daily Excess Availability for the most recent fiscal quarter. 3 "ARRANGERS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "ASSET SALE" shall mean (a) any conveyance, sale, lease, sublease, assignment, transfer or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation and including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any Property (including stock of any Subsidiary of Holdings by the holder thereof) by Holdings, Intermediate Holdings, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to any Person other than Borrower or any Guarantor (excluding (i) Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof, (iii) disposals of obsolete, uneconomical, negligible, worn out or surplus Property in the ordinary course of business or (iv) sales of Cash Equivalents and marketable securities) and (b) any issuance or sale by any Subsidiary of Holdings of its Equity Interests to any Person (other than to Borrower or any Guarantor). "ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit B, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent. "ATTRIBUTABLE INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean, when used with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at a rate equivalent to the then-current weighted average cost of funds for borrowed money of Holdings and all of its Domestic Subsidiaries as at the time of determination, compounded on a semi-annual basis) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in any such sale and leaseback transaction. "AUTOZONE ACCOUNT(S)" shall mean those certain Account(s) with AutoZone, Inc. as the Account Debtor, owing to Borrower, any Borrowing Base Guarantor, or any Subsidiary thereof. "AVAILABLE AMOUNT" shall mean, with respect to any Eligible Account, an amount equal to the book value of such Eligible Account multiplied by the then applicable advance rate with respect to such Eligible Account, as adjusted by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable credit judgment and pursuant to the Credit Agreement. "BASE RATE" shall mean a variable per annum rate, as of any date of determination, equal to the rate of interest which is identified and normally published by Bloomberg Professional Service Page Prime as the "Prime Rate" (or, if more than one rate is published as the Prime Rate, then the highest of such rates). Any change in Base Rate will become effective as of the date the rate of interest which is so identified as the "Prime Rate" is different from that published on the preceding Business Day. If Bloomberg Professional Service no longer reports the Prime Rate, or if such Page Prime no longer exists, the Administrative Agent may select a reasonably comparable index or source to use as the basis for the Base Rate, provided that Administrative Agent shall give prompt subsequent notice of such selection to Borrower. "BIA" shall mean the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), as the same may be in effect from time to time. "BLOCKED ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d). 4 "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States. "BORROWER" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "BORROWING" shall mean (a) Revolving Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Revolving Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan. "BORROWING BASE" shall mean at any time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19, an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) an amount equal to the sum of, without duplication: (i) the book value of Eligible Accounts of Borrower multiplied by the advance rate of 85%, plus (ii) the lesser of (i) the advance rate of 60% of the Cost of Eligible Inventory of Borrower or (ii) the advance rate of 85% of the Net Recovery Cost Percentage multiplied by the Cost of Eligible Inventory of Borrower, plus (iii) the aggregate of all Incorporated Borrowing Bases, plus (iv) the lesser of (i) the Fixed Asset Loan Value of Borrower multiplied by the FALV Amortization Factor or (ii) $50.0 million, minus (v) effective immediately upon notification thereof to Borrower by the Collateral Agent, any Reserves established from time to time by the Collateral Agent in the exercise of its reasonable credit judgment; or (b) the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 4.10(b)(3) of the Qualified Senior Note Indenture. Assets denominated in Canadian Dollars shall for purposes hereof be valued at the Dollar Equivalents. The Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate theretofore delivered to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent with such adjustments (subject to any Lender approval required by Section 2.19) as the Collateral Agent deem appropriate in its reasonable credit judgment to assure that the Borrowing Base is calculated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. "BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE" shall mean an Officers' Certificate from Borrower, substantially in the form of, and containing the information prescribed by, Exhibit M, delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent setting forth Borrower's calculation of the 5 Borrowing Base (including the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 4.10(b)(3) of the Qualified Senior Note Indenture). "BORROWING BASE GUARANTOR" shall mean Holdings, Intermediate Holdings, General Cable Canada, General Cable LLC, General Cable Texas, General Cable Technologies and any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Borrower which may hereafter be approved by Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent which (a) is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary, (b) is currently able to prepare all collateral reports in a comparable manner to the Borrower's reporting procedures and (c) has executed and delivered to Collateral Agent such joinder agreements to guarantees, contribution and set-off agreements and other Security Documents as Collateral Agent has reasonably requested so long as Collateral Agent has received and approved, in its reasonable discretion, (i) a collateral audit and Inventory Appraisal conducted by an independent appraisal or audit firm designated by Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower and (ii) all UCC or PPSA search results necessary to confirm Collateral Agent's first priority Lien on all of such Borrowing Base Guarantor's personal Property, subject to Permitted Liens. "BORROWING BASE GUARANTOR INTERCOMPANY LOAN ACCOUNT" shall mean the sum of (a) the net amount of any intercompany advances (including Letters of Credit issued for the account or benefit of a Borrowing Base Guarantor) which are made and are outstanding to or for the account of a Borrowing Base Guarantor from Borrower and (b) interest accrued and unpaid on such amount at the rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time. "BORROWING REQUEST" shall mean a request by Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent. "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which either the New York Stock Exchange is closed, or on which commercial banks in New York City and Chicago are authorized or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a Eurodollar Revolving Loan, the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market. "CANADIAN" shall mean, as to any Person, a Person that is created or organized under the laws of Canada or a Province or territory of Canada. "CANADIAN BENEFIT PLANS" shall mean all material employee benefit plans of any nature or kind whatsoever that are not Canadian Pension Plans and are maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party having employees in Canada. "CANADIAN DOLLARS" and the sign "CDN$" shall mean lawful currency of Canada. "CANADIAN GUARANTY" shall mean that certain Guarantee dated as of the Original Closing Date addressed to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by General Cable Canada, and that certain Guarantee dated as of the Original Closing Date addressed to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by General Cable Canada Ltd., an Ontario corporation, which are governed by Canadian law, as the same may from time to time be 6 modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. "CANADIAN PENSION PLANS" shall mean each plan which is considered to be a pension plan for the purposes of any applicable pension benefits standards statute and/or regulation in Canada established, maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party for its employees or former employees and shall not mean the Canadian Pension Plan that is maintained by the Government of Canada. "CANADIAN PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" shall mean that certain ULC Securities Pledge Agreement by Holdings pledging all of its Equity Interests in General Cable Canada, that certain ULC Securities Pledge Agreement by Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, pledging all of its Equity Interests in General Cable Canada, and that certain ULC Securities Pledge Agreement by General Cable Canada Ltd., an Ontario corporation, pledging all of its Equity Interests in General Cable Canada, each dated as of the Original Closing Date addressed to Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may from time to time be modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. "CANADIAN PRIORITY PAYMENT RESERVE" shall mean, at any time, with respect to General Cable Canada and any other Canadian Loan Party, the amount past due and owing by any such Person, or the accrued amount for which any such Person has an obligation to remit to a Governmental Authority or other Person pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, in respect of (i) pension fund obligations; (ii) unemployment insurance; (iii) goods and services taxes; sales taxes; employee income taxes and other taxes payable or to be remitted or withheld; (iv) workers' compensation; (v) vacation pay; and (vi) other like charges and demands; in each case, in respect of which any Governmental Authority or other Person may claim a security interest, lien, trust or other claim ranking or capable of ranking in priority to or pari passu with one or more of the Liens granted in the Security Documents. "CANADIAN SECURITY AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain Security Agreement dated as of the Original Closing Date addressed to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by General Cable Canada, which is governed by Canadian law, as the same may from time to time be modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" shall mean, with respect to any Person, for any period, the aggregate amount of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during that period for fixed or capital assets that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be classified as capital expenditures in the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries. "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS" of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) Property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP. 7 "CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04. "CASH EQUIVALENTS" shall mean, as to any Person: (a) securities issued, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured, by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided, that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition by such Person; (b) securities issued, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured, by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or Moody's Investors Services, Inc.; (c) time deposits and certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptance of any Lender or any commercial bank having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia having, capital and surplus aggregating in excess of $500.0 million and a rating of "A" (or such other similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition by such Person; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clauses (c) above, which repurchase obligations are secured by a valid perfected security interest in the underlying securities; (e) commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated in the United States rated at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Rating Service or at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and in each case maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition by such Person; (f) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above; and (g) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business. "CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(e). "CASUALTY EVENT" shall mean, with respect to any Property (including Real Property) of any Person (other than a Person which is a Foreign Subsidiary of Holdings) any loss of title with respect to such Property or any loss of or damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Governmental Authority) of, such Property for which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries) receives insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or other compensation. "Casualty Event" shall include but not be limited to any taking of all or any part of any Real Property of any such Person or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any Real Property of any such Person or any part thereof by any Governmental Authority, civil or military. "CCAA" shall mean the Companies' Creditors Agreement Act (Canada), as the same may be in effect from time to time. 8 "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq. "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) any Person or group (within the meanings of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) acquires ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of capital stock representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding stock of Holdings, (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Holdings by Persons who were not (i) directors of Holdings on the date hereof, (ii) nominated by the board of directors of Holdings, or (iii) appointed by directors so nominated (it being understood that, in the absence of an event described in clause (a) or (b), the replacement of one or more officers of Holdings shall not in and of itself constitute a Change in Control), (c) Holdings at any time ceases to own and control 100% of the capital stock of Intermediate Holdings, (d) Intermediate Holdings at any time ceases to own and control 100% of the capital stock of Borrower, (f) Holdings at any time ceases to, directly or indirectly, own and control 100% of each class of the outstanding equity interests of each Borrowing Base Guarantor and (g) at any time a change of control occurs under and as defined in any documentation relating to any Material Indebtedness. "CHANGE IN LAW" shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or for purposes of Section 2.12(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender's or Issuing Bank's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement. "CHARGES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.13. "CHATTEL PAPER" shall mean all "chattel paper," as such term is defined in the UCC as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York, in which any Person now or hereafter has rights. "CLASS", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Swingline Commitment or LC Commitment. "CLOSING DATE" shall mean November 23, 2005. "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. "COLLATERAL" shall mean, collectively, all of the Security Agreement Collateral, the Mortgaged Real Property and all other Property of whatever kind and nature pledged as collateral under any Security Document. 9 "COLLATERAL AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto and shall include the Collateral Agent in its capacity as trustee for the Secured Parties solely for the purposes of English law in respect of the Collateral which is the subject of the Security Documents and Foreign Pledge Agreements governed by English law, and each other Person appointed as the successor pursuant to Article X "COLLATERAL AGENT FEE" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.05(b)(ii). "COLLECTION ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(e)(i) "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any letter of credit or similar instrument issued for the account of Borrower for the benefit of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor, for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of materials, goods or services by Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor in the ordinary course of their businesses. "COMMITMENT" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender's Revolving Commitment, LC Commitment or Swingline Commitment. "COMMITMENT FEE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a). "COMMITMENT INCREASE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20. "COMMITMENTS" shall mean the aggregate sum of each Lender's Commitment. "COMPANIES" shall mean Holdings and its Subsidiaries; and "COMPANY" shall mean any one of them. "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" shall mean a certificate of a Financial Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2. "CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(e)(i). "CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT BANK" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(e)(i). "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDA" shall mean (a) that certain confidential offering memorandum dated as of November 19, 2003 with respect to the proposed issuance by Holdings of the Qualified Senior Notes, (b) that certain confidential offering memorandum dated as of November 19, 2003 with respect to the proposed issuance by Holdings of the Convertible Preferred Stock and (c) that certain prospectus supplement dated as of November 19, 2003 with respect to the proposed issuance by Holdings of its New Common Stock. "CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES" shall mean Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries. 10 "CONSOLIDATED EBITDA" shall mean, for any applicable measurement period, Consolidated Net Income for such period, as adjusted by adding thereto (a) any provision for (or less any benefit from) income and franchise taxes included in the determination of net income for such period, (b) the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense, (c) amortization and depreciation deducted in the determination of net income for such period, (d) amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, interest paid in kind, (e) losses (or less gains) from Asset Sales included in the determination of net income for such period (excluding sales expenses or losses related to current assets), (f) other non-cash losses (or less gains) included in the determination of net income for such period and for which no cash outlay (or cash receipt) is foreseeable, (g) employee severance and other unusual charges of up to $30.0 million in the aggregate for such period, to the extent recorded for the financial reporting purposes prior to the first anniversary of the Original Closing Date and relating to closures of plants located at (i) 37 Cushman St., Taunton MA 02780, (ii) 440 East 8th Street, Marion, IN 46953 and (iii) 75 Canal St., South Hadley, MA 01075, and (h) with the consent of the Administrative Agent, which may be withheld in its reasonable credit judgment, extraordinary losses (or less gains) included in the determination of net income during such period, net of related tax effects. "CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, for any Test Period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period less (i) the amount of all Capital Expenditures made by Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period and (ii) all cash payments in respect of income taxes made during such period (net of any cash refund in respect of income taxes actually received during such period) to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Test Period. "CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES" shall mean, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period; (b) the scheduled principal amount of all amortization payments on all Indebtedness (including the principal component of all Capital Lease Obligations) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period (as determined on the first day of the respective period); (c) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Capital Stock of Holdings, and (d) all accrued dividends on any Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of Holdings, including the Convertible Preferred Stock (including dividends payable through the issuance of Equity Interests to the extent Holdings has not irrevocably declared such dividends to be payable through the issuance of Equity Interests). Consolidated Fixed Charges for Test Periods ending March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2004, shall be deemed to be, respectively, the Consolidated Fixed Charges as calculated for the period commencing on January 1, 2004 and ending on (x) March 31, 2004 and multiplied by 4.0, (y) June 30, 2004 and multiplied by 2.0 and (z) September 30, 2004 and multiplied by 1.333. "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean, for any period, without duplication, the total consolidated interest expense of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (calculated without regard to any limitations on the payment thereof and including commitment fees, letter of credit fees and net amounts payable under Interest Rate Protection Agreements) determined in accordance with GAAP plus, without duplication, (a) the portion of Capital Lease Obligations of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries representing the interest factor for such period, (b) imputed interest on Attributable Indebtedness, (c) cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than Borrower or a Wholly Owned 11 Subsidiary) in connection with Indebtedness incurred by such plan or trust, (d) all interest paid or payable with respect to discontinued operations, (e) all dividend payments on any series of any Preferred Stock of any Subsidiary of Holdings (other than any Preferred Stock held by Holding or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), and (f) all interest on any Indebtedness of the type described in clause (f) or (k) of the definition of "Indebtedness" with respect to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries. "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net income of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in any event (a) with the consent of Administrative Agent, which may be withheld in its reasonable credit judgment, after-tax extraordinary gains or extraordinary losses; (b) after-tax gains or losses realized from (i) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment or conversion of any Indebtedness or Equity Interest, of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any sales of assets (other than Inventory in the ordinary course of business); (c) net earnings or loss of any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of Holdings) in which Holdings or any Consolidated Subsidiary has an ownership interest, except (in the case of any such net earnings) to the extent such net earnings shall have actually been received by Holdings or such Consolidated Subsidiary (subject to the limitation in clause (d) below) in the form of cash dividends or distributions; (d) the net income of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Consolidated Subsidiary of its net income is not at the time of determination permitted without approval under applicable law or regulation or under such Consolidated Subsidiary's organizational documents or any agreement (except such restrictions as are approved in writing and in advance by the Administrative Agent) or instrument applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or its stockholders; (e) gains or losses from the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles; (f) earnings resulting from any reappraisal, revaluation or write-up of assets; and (g) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Holdings or any Consolidated Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with Holdings or any Consolidated Subsidiary or that Person's assets are acquired by Holdings or such Consolidated Subsidiary. "CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, as to any Person, all Subsidiaries of such Person which are consolidated with such Person for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. "CONTESTED COLLATERAL LIEN CONDITIONS" shall mean, with respect to any Permitted Lien of the type described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (f) of Section 6.02, the following conditions: (a) any Loan Party shall be contesting such Lien in good faith; (b) to the extent such Lien is in an amount in excess of $250,000, in the aggregate with all other such Liens, the Collateral Agent shall have established a Reserve (to the extent of such Lien on Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property) with respect thereto or obtained a bond in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge such Lien and the Collateral Agent's reasonable estimate of all interest and penalties related thereto; and 12 (c) such Lien shall in all respects be subject and subordinate in priority to the Lien and security interest created and evidenced by the Security Documents, except if and to the extent that the law or regulation creating, permitting or authorizing such Lien provides that such Lien is or must be superior to the Lien and security interest created and evidenced by the Security Documents. "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION" shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation, agreement, understanding or arrangement of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS") of any other Person (the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any Property constituting direct or indirect security therefor; (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; (c) to purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation; (d) with respect to bankers' acceptances and letters of credit, until a reimbursement obligation arises; or (e) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term "Contingent Obligation" shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or any product warranties for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for which such Person may be liable, whether severally or jointly, pursuant to the terms of the instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. "CONTROL" shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms "CONTROLLING" and "CONTROLLED" shall have meanings correlative thereto. "CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean Holdings' 5.75% Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of Holdings, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference $50 per share, issued pursuant to the Convertible Preferred Stock Documents. "CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Certificate of Designations relating to the Convertible Preferred Stock, the Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and other documents pursuant to which the Convertible Preferred Stock is issued and all other documents executed and delivered with respect to the Convertible Preferred Stock, in each case in the form delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Original Closing Date. "COST" shall mean, as determined by Collateral Agent in good faith, with respect to Inventory, the lower of (a) landed cost computed on a first-in first-out basis in accordance with GAAP or (b) market value; provided, that for purposes of the calculation of the Borrowing Base, 13 (i) the Cost of the Inventory shall not include: (A) the portion of the cost of Inventory equal to the profit earned by any Affiliate on the sale thereof to Borrower or the Borrowing Base Guarantors, (B) write-ups or write-downs in cost with respect to currency exchange rates, or (C) as determined by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Agent's reasonable credit judgment, any costs associated with shipping, handling, customs duties, or other in-bound freight charges, and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the cost of the Inventory shall be computed in the same manner and consistent with the most recent Inventory Appraisal which has been received and approved by Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion. "CREDIT EXTENSION" shall mean, as the context may require, (a) the making of a Loan by a Lender or (b) the issuance of any Letter of Credit, or the amendment, extension or renewal of any existing Letter of Credit, by the Issuing Bank, in each case, whether pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement, the Prior Credit Agreement or this Agreement; provided, that "Credit Extensions" shall include conversions and continuations of outstanding Revolving Loans. "DEBT ISSUANCE" shall mean the incurrence by Holdings, Intermediate Holdings, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness after the Original Closing Date (other than as permitted by Section 6.01). "DEFAULT" shall mean any event, occurrence or condition which is, or upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute, an Event of Default. "DEFAULT ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE" as to any Lender shall mean the quotient (determined as a percentage) determined as of the date of an Event of Default, whose numerator equals the principal, interest, fees and other Obligations owing to such Lender (including all advances made by such Lender following such Event of Default) plus the amount of such Lender's marked-to-market exposure under Specified Hedging Agreements as of such date and whose denominator equals the principal, interest, fees and other Obligations owing to all Lenders (including all advances made by the Lenders following such Event of Default) plus the amount of all Lenders' marked-to-market exposure under Specified Hedging Agreements as of such date. "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT" means an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent, among Collateral Agent, Borrower or a Guarantor maintaining a deposit account at any bank, and such bank, which agreement provides that (a) such bank shall comply with instructions originated by Collateral Agent directing disposition of the funds in such deposit account without further consent by Borrower or such Guarantor (as applicable), and (b) such bank shall agree that it shall have no Lien on, or right of setoff against, such deposit account or the contents thereof, other than in respect of commercially reasonable fees and other items expressly consented to by Collateral Agent, and containing such other terms and conditions as Collateral Agent may require, including as to any such agreement pertaining to any Blocked Account, providing that all items received or deposited in such Blocked Account are the property of Collateral Agent, and that such bank shall wire, or otherwise transfer, in immediately available funds, on a daily basis to the Concentration Account, or, in the case of the Concentration Account, to the Collection Account, all funds received or deposited into such Blocked Account. 14 "DISQUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" shall mean any Equity Interest (other than Convertible Preferred Stock) which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interests referred to in (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, or (c) contains any repurchase obligation which may come into effect prior to payment in full of all Obligations. "DOCUMENTATION AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "DOCUMENTS" shall mean all "documents," as such term is defined in the UCC as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York, in which any Person now or hereafter has rights. "DOLLAR EQUIVALENT" shall mean, as to any amount denominated in Canadian Dollars or any other currency as of any date of determination, the amount of Dollars that would be required to purchase the amount of Canadian Dollars or such other currency based upon the spot selling rate at which the Administrative Agent offers to sell Canadian Dollars or such other currency for Dollars in the London foreign exchange market at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such date for delivery two (2) Business Days later. "DOLLARS" or "$" shall mean lawful money of the United States. "DOMESTIC" shall mean, as to any Person, a Person which is created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of its states or the District of Columbia. "ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(a). "ELIGIBLE CONSIGNED INVENTORY" shall mean Eligible Inventory of Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor on consignment (A) on a location at which the aggregate Cost of such Eligible Inventory is no less than $100,000, (B) with a consignee of Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor with respect to which the aggregate Cost of such consigned Eligible Inventory is not less than $500,000, and (C) with respect to which Collateral Agent shall have received, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent: (a) a valid consignment agreement or arrangement which is reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent is in place with respect to such Eligible Inventory; (b) UCC searches against the consignee in those jurisdictions in which such Eligible Inventory is subject to consignment and the jurisdiction in which the consignee is organized or maintains its principal place of business and such other searches that the Collateral Agent deems necessary or appropriate; 15 (c) UCC-1 financing statements between the consignee and the Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor, as consignor, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent, which are duly assigned to Collateral Agent; (d) a written notice to any lender to the consignee of the first priority security interest in such Eligible Inventory of Collateral Agent; and (e) an agreement in writing, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent, from the consignee, pursuant to which such consignee, inter alia, acknowledges the first priority security interest of Collateral Agent in such Collateral, agrees to waive any and all claims such consignee may, at any time, have against such Collateral, whether for processing, storage, breach of warranty (with respect to prior purchases) or otherwise, and agrees to permit Collateral Agent access to the premises of such consignee so as to remove such Collateral from such premises and, in the case of any consignee who at any time has custody, control or possession of any Collateral, acknowledges that it holds and will hold possession of the Collateral for the benefit of Collateral Agent and agrees to follow all instructions of Collateral Agent with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing and upon reasonable request of Borrower: (1) upon Collateral Agent receiving evidence satisfactory to it that the applicable consignee has no secured creditors that have a claim with respect to such Eligible Inventory, Administrative Agent may in its discretion waive the requirements of clauses (c) and (d) above; provided, however, that such waiver may be revoked by the Administrative Agent at any time upon five Business Days written notice to Borrower; provided, further, that the amount of the Borrowing Base which may be determined on the basis of Eligible Consigned Inventory which is eligible because of Administrative Agent's waiver pursuant to this subclause (1) of the requirements of clauses (c) and (d) above shall not exceed $10.0 million at any time, (2) upon Collateral Agent receiving evidence satisfactory to it that the applicable consignee is a customer of Borrower in the ordinary course of the Borrower's business, Borrower may, in lieu of entering into an agreement as required by clause (e) above, enter into an agreement with such consignee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit ECI; and (3) upon Collateral Agent receiving evidence satisfactory to it that the applicable consignee is both a customer of Borrower in the ordinary course of business and an Investment Grade Account Debtor, the requirements of clauses (b), (c) and (d) above shall be waived; provided, that (i) Borrower will schedule out such Inventory by location in the Borrower Base Certificate and list whether such customer is an Investment Grade Account Debtor and (ii) the aggregate Cost of Eligible Consigned Inventory which is eligible because of the waiver pursuant to this subclause (3) of the requirements of clauses (b), (c) and (d) above shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time. "ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT" shall mean any Equipment owned by Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor which is acceptable to Administrative Agent in its reasonable credit judgment for lending purposes and which, without limiting Administrative Agent's discretion, meets, and so long as it continues to meet, the following requirements: 16 (a) is located at one of the business locations in the United States or Canada of such Persons set forth on Schedule 1.01(e), (b) is subject to a valid and perfected first priority lien in favor of Collateral Agent, (c) is owned by Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor free and clear of all liens and rights of any other Person, except the valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of Collateral Agent and Permitted Liens, if any, which are subordinated to the Lien of Collateral Agent, (d) does not breach any of the representations or warranties pertaining to such property set forth in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (e) is covered by insurance reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent, (f) is appraised by an independent appraisal or audit firm designated by Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower, and (g) is not ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below; provided, however, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by Administrative Agent in its reasonable credit judgment to address the results of any audit or appraisal performed by Collateral Agent from time to time after the date hereof. An item of Equipment shall be excluded from Eligible Equipment if: (i) Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor does not have good, valid, and marketable title thereto; (ii) it is located on real property leased by Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor, unless it is subject to a Landlord Lien Waiver and Access Agreement executed by the lessor, or other third party, as the case may be, and unless it is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of other Persons, if any, stored on the premises; (iii) it is damaged, defective or obsolete, or it constitutes furnishings, parts, fixtures or is affixed to Real Property, unless such Equipment is affixed to the Mortgaged Real Property listed on Schedule 1.01(e); (iv) Collateral Agent has not received evidence of the property or casualty insurance required by this Agreement with respect to such Equipment; (v) it is subject to a lease with any Person (other than a Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor, provided, that the Lien on and security interest in the related lease shall be granted to the Collateral Agent and Collateral Agent shall have received all control agreements and instruments and all actions shall be taken as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to perfect the Collateral Agent's security interest in such lease); or (vi) it is located at an owned location subject to a mortgage in favor of a lender other than the Collateral Agent (unless a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver has been delivered 17 to the Collateral Agent) or the removal of which is subject to restrictions relating to financing arrangement, including any industrial revenue bond financing. "ELIGIBLE INVENTORY" shall mean, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.19(b), items of Inventory of the Borrower and a Borrowing Base Guarantor. "ELIGIBLE REAL PROPERTY" shall mean the Real Properties which (a) are located at (i) 101 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16603 (Blair County) owned in fee simple by Borrower, (ii) 1453 South Washington, DuQuoin, Illinois 62832 (Perry County) owned in fee simple by Borrower, (iii) 1381 By-Pass North, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky 40342 (Anderson County) owned in fee simple by Intermediate Holdings, (iv) Three Carol Drive, Lincoln, Rhode Island 2865 (Town of Lincoln) owned in fee simple by General Cable LLC, (v) Highway 27 West, Malvern, Arkansas 72105 owned in fee simple by Borrower, (vi) P.O. Box 430, US Highway 80, Marshall, Texas 75688 (Harrison County), owned in fee simple by Borrower, (vii) 4 Tesseneer Drive, Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076, improvements to which are owned by Intermediate Holdings and which is subject to that certain Amended and Restated Ground Lease with Option to Purchase, dated July 26, 1992, between Northern Kentucky University Foundation, Inc., a Kentucky non-profit corporation and General Cable Technologies (by assignments from Holdings), (viii) 345 McGregor Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102, owned in fee simple by Borrower, (ix) 1600 West Main Street, Willimantic, Connecticut 06226. owned in fee simple by Borrower, (x) 440 East 8th Street, Marion, Indiana 46953, owned in fee simple by Borrower and (xi) 19 Bobrick Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38305, owned in fee simple by Borrower or (b) are owned by Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor and designated from time to time by the Administrative Agent as being Eligible Real Property, provided, that with respect to each such parcel of Eligible Real Property, each of the improvements thereon is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable credit judgment for lending purposes and each of which, without limiting such reasonable credit judgment, meets, or continues to meet, the following requirements: (i) it is subject to a first priority mortgage or leasehold mortgage and lien in favor of Collateral Agent, (ii) it is owned by the Borrower and applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor free and clear of all liens and rights of any other Person, except the mortgage or leasehold mortgage and lien in favor of Collateral Agent and Permitted Liens which are subordinate to such mortgage liens of the Collateral Agent, (iii) it does not breach any of the representations or warranties pertaining to such property set forth in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (iv) it is covered by title insurance with respect to the Lien of Collateral Agent and casualty and property insurance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, (v) it is appraised by an independent appraisal or audit firm designated by Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower and (vi) it is the subject of an environmental report reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent. "ENVIRONMENT" shall mean ambient air, surface water and groundwater (including, without limitation, potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources, the workplace or as otherwise defined in any Environmental Law. "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" shall mean any claim, notice, demand, order, action, suit, proceeding or other communication in each case alleging liability for investigation, remediation, removal, cleanup, response, corrective action, damages to natural resources, personal injury, Property damage, fines, penalties or other costs resulting from, related to or arising out of (i) the 18 presence, Release or threatened Release in or into the Environment of Hazardous Material at any location or (ii) any violation of Environmental Law, and shall include, without limitation, any claim seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from, related to or arising out of the presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material or alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety, the Environment. "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" shall mean any and all applicable present and future treaties, laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, decrees, orders, judgments, consent orders, consent decrees or other binding requirements, and the common law, relating to protection of public health or the Environment, the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material, natural resources or natural resource damages, or occupational safety or health. "ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT" shall mean any permit, license, approval, consent or other authorization required by or from a Governmental Authority under Environmental Law. "EQUIPMENT" shall mean, as to any Person, all of such Person's now owned and hereafter acquired equipment, wherever located, including machinery, data processing and computer equipment (whether owned or licensed and including embedded software), vehicles, tools, furniture, fixtures, all attachments, accessions and property now or hereafter affixed thereto or used in connection therewith, and substitutions and replacements thereof, wherever located. "EQUITY FINANCING" shall mean the offering of Convertible Preferred Stock by Holdings on or prior to the Original Closing Date in an amount not less than $90.0 million and offering of New Common Stock on or prior to the Original Closing Date in an amount of not less than $41.0 million. "EQUITY FINANCING DOCUMENTS" shall mean the applicable Confidential Information Memoranda and any other documents pursuant to which the Convertible Preferred Stock and New Common Stock are issued and all other documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered with respect to the Convertible Preferred Stock or the New Common Stock. "EQUITY INTEREST" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), of equity of such Person, including, if such Person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited) and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership, whether outstanding on, or issued after, the Original Closing Date, but excluding debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity. "EQUITY ISSUANCE" shall mean, without duplication, any issuance or sale after the Original Closing Date of (a) any Equity Interests (including any Equity Interests issued upon exercise of any warrant or option) or any warrants or options to purchase Equity Interests or (b) any other security or instrument representing an Equity Interest (or the right to obtain any Equity Interest) in the issuing or selling Person. "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time. 19 "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code. "ERISA EVENT" shall mean (a) any "reportable event," as such term is defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived by regulation); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the receipt by any Company or its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (h) the making of any amendment to any Plan which could result in the imposition of a lien or the posting of a bond or other security; and (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could result in liability to any Company. "EURO", "EURO" "EUROS" or "EUR" shall mean the single currency of Participating Member States. "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING BORROWING" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Revolving Loans. "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING LOAN" shall mean any Revolving Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II. "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII. "EXCESS AVAILABILITY" shall mean, as of any date of determination, (a) the lesser of (i) the Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders on the date of determination and (ii) the Borrowing Base on the date of determination less (b) all outstanding Loans and LC Exposure on the date of determination less (c) in Collateral Agent's reasonable discretion, the aggregate amount of all the outstanding and unpaid trade payables and other obligations of Borrower and/or its Borrowing Base Guarantors which are not paid within 60 days past the due date 20 according to their original terms of sale, in each case as of such date of determination less (d) in Collateral Agent's reasonable discretion, the amount of checks issued by Borrower and/or its Borrowing Base Guarantors to pay trade payables and other obligations which are not paid within 60 days past the due date according to their original terms of sale, in each case as of such date of determination, but which either have not yet been sent or are subject to other arrangements which are expected to delay the prompt presentation of such checks for payment. "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "EXCLUDED TAXES" shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, and (b) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 2.16), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.15(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.15(a) (it being understood and agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, that any withholding tax imposed on a Foreign Lender as a result of a Change in Law or regulation or interpretation thereof occurring after the time such Foreign Lender became a party to this Agreement shall not be an Excluded Tax). "EXISTING ABR BORROWINGS" shall mean all ABR Borrowings advanced under the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement and outstanding on the Closing Date. "EXISTING EURODOLLAR REVOLVING BORROWINGS" shall mean all Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings advanced under the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement and outstanding on the Closing Date. "EXISTING OBLIGATIONS" shall mean the "Obligations", as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement. "EXITING LENDER" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article XII. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean, with respect any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) which could be negotiated in an arm's length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction. "FALV AMORTIZATION FACTOR" shall mean 1 minus a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar quarters elapsed as of any date of determination since December 31, 2005 (but in no event more than 28) and the denominator of which is 28. 21 "FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it. "FEE LETTER" shall mean that certain letter, dated as of the date hereof, among Borrower and Merrill with respect to certain Fees to be paid from time to time by Borrower to Merrill. "FEES" shall mean the Commitment Fees, the Administrative Agent Fees, the Collateral Agent Fees, the LC Participation Fees, the Fronting Fees and any and all fees payable to pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. "FINANCIAL OFFICER" of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer or Controller of such Person. "FIRREA" shall mean the Federal Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. "FIRST AMENDMENT TO PRIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean June 13, 2005. "FIXED ASSET LOAN VALUE" shall mean an amount equal to the sum of (a) the advance rate of 80% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of the Eligible Equipment of the Person owning such Eligible Equipment plus (b) the advance rate of 60% of the appraised fair market value of the Eligible Real Property of the Person owning such Eligible Real Property. The appraised net orderly liquidation value of Eligible Equipment and the appraised fair market value of Eligible Real Property are set forth on Schedule 1.01(d), as Schedule 1.01(d) may be amended from time to time as provided herein. The Fixed Asset Loan Value of Borrower and each of the Borrowing Base Guarantors as of the Closing Date is $59,822,144. If any Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property listed on Schedule 1.01(d) is sold, liquidated or otherwise ceases to be Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property, the calculation of the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Person who owns such Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property shall be reduced by 80% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of such Eligible Equipment or 60% of the appraised fair market value of such Eligible Real Property and such Eligible Equipment and Eligible Real Property shall be deleted from Schedule 1.01(d) and Collateral Agent shall correspondingly amend Schedule 1.01(d) without any further action of any party hereto. At the request of Borrower, the Administrative Agent may consider adding Eligible Equipment and/or Eligible Real Property to Schedule 1.01(d), and if the Administrative Agent determines that the requested Eligible Equipment and Eligible Real Property is to be added to Schedule 1.01(d), then, upon completion of appraisals satisfactory to Administrative Agent conducted at Borrower's cost and expense, the appraised net orderly net orderly liquidation value of any additional Eligible Equipment or the appraised fair market value of any additional Eligible Real Property shall be included in the calculation of the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Person who owns such Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property and such Eligible Equipment and 22 Eligible Real Property shall be added to Schedule 1.01(d) and Administrative Agent shall correspondingly amend Schedule 1.01(d) without any further action of any party hereto. "FOREIGN" shall mean, as to any Person, a Person which is not created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of its States or the District of Columbia, or Canada, or any Province thereof. "FOREIGN CREDIT LINES" shall mean any and all committed or uncommitted credit lines and invoice, commercial paper or draft discounting and other similar credit facilities of Foreign Subsidiaries from banks or other financial institutions which are currently or may in the future become available for such Foreign Subsidiaries, other than any such lines or facilities the utilization of which require that the relevant Foreign Subsidiaries satisfy conditions which cannot currently be met; the amount of any Foreign Credit Line shall refer to the maximum amount that can currently be outstanding to the respective Foreign Subsidiaries under such lines or facilities, including, without limitation, the face amount of letters of credit and contingent obligations with respect to guaranties and similar obligations issued in relation or pursuant thereto. "FOREIGN GUARANTY" shall mean the Canadian Guaranty. "FOREIGN LENDER" shall mean any Lender that is not, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or entity treated as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust. "FOREIGN PLAN" shall mean any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by any Foreign Company with respect to employees employed outside the United States. "FOREIGN PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" shall mean those certain agreements, dated as of the Original Closing Date, (a) by Borrower pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Property Holdings Limited, governed by Jersey law, (b) by Intermediate Holdings pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Investments, SGPS SA, governed by Madeira law, (c) by Intermediate Holdings pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Holdings Netherlands C.V., governed by the law of the Netherlands, (d) by Intermediate Holdings pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Holdings (UK) Limited, governed by English law, (e) by Borrower pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Services Limited, governed by English law, (f) by Intermediate Holdings pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable de Mexico del Norte SA de CV, governed by Mexican law, (g) by Borrower pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Holdings de Mexico SA de CV, governed by Mexican law, and (h) by Intermediate Holdings pledging 65% of Equity Interests in General Cable Holdings (Spain) SRL, governed by Spanish law, in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent and in each case as the same may from time to time be modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. 23 "FRONTING FEES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c). "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis. "GCC SPAIN ACQUISITION" shall mean the acquisition by General Cable Spain of the wire and cable manufacturing business of SAFRAN, S.A. "GCC SPAIN ACQUISITION INTERCOMPANY DEBT" shall mean the unsecured Indebtedness owing by General Cable Spain to Borrower in the principal amount of the Dollar Equivalent of up to $20.0 million by reason of an intercompany advance made by Borrower to General Cable Spain to finance a portion of the cost of the GCC Spain Acquisition. "GCC SPAIN INTERCOMPANY DEBT" shall mean the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Debt, the GCC Spain Pre-Closing Intercompany Debt, the GCC Spain Post-Closing Intercompany Debt and the GCC Spain Refinancing Intercompany Debt, each to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(i) and Section 6.04. "GCC SPAIN POST-CLOSING INTERCOMPANY DEBT" shall mean the unsecured Indebtedness owing by General Cable Spain to Borrower in the principal amount of the Dollar Equivalent of up to $1.0 million by reason of intercompany advances made by Borrower to General Cable Spain after the Original Closing Date (but excluding the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Debt). "GCC SPAIN PRE-CLOSING INTERCOMPANY DEBT" shall mean the unsecured Indebtedness owing by General Cable Spain Holdings to Holdings in the principal amount of the Dollar Equivalent of $35.0 million by reason of intercompany advances made by Holdings to General Cable Spain Holdings prior to the Original Closing Date. "GCC SPAIN REFINANCING INTERCOMPANY DEBT" shall mean the unsecured Indebtedness owing by General Cable Spain Holdings to Holdings arising due to repayment in full of obligations of General Cable Spain Holdings under the applicable agreements listed on Schedule 1.01(b) with the proceeds of an intercompany advance made by Holdings to General Cable Spain Holdings on or before the Original Closing Date in anticipation of the Refinancing. "GENERAL CABLE CANADA" shall mean General Cable Company, a Nova Scotia corporation. "GENERAL CABLE LLC" shall mean General Cable Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. "GENERAL CABLE SPAIN" shall mean Grupo General Cable Sistemas, S.A., a Spanish corporation. 24 "GENERAL CABLE SPAIN HOLDINGS" shall mean General Cable Holdings (Spain), SRL, a Spanish limited liability company. "GENERAL CABLE TECHNOLOGIES" shall mean General Cable Technologies Corp., a Delaware corporation. "GENERAL CABLE TEXAS" shall mean General Cable Texas Operations L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign court, central bank or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body. "GOVERNMENTAL REAL PROPERTY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS" shall mean any Requirement of Law of any Governmental Authority requiring notification of the buyer, lessee, mortgagee, assignee or other transferee of any Real Property, facility, establishment or business, or notification, registration or filing to or with any Governmental Authority, in connection with the sale, lease, mortgage, assignment or other transfer (including, without limitation, any transfer of control) of any Real Property, facility, establishment or business, of the actual or threatened presence or Release in or into the Environment, or the use, disposal or handling of Hazardous Material on, at, under or near the Real Property, facility, establishment or business to be sold, leased, mortgaged, assigned or transferred. "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01. "GUARANTEES" shall mean the guarantees issued pursuant to Article VII and Foreign Guaranties. "GUARANTOR" shall mean each Borrowing Base Guarantor, each Domestic Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(c), General Cable Canada Ltd., an Ontario corporation, and each other Subsidiary that is or becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.11. "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" shall mean the following: hazardous substances; hazardous wastes; polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBS") or any substance or compound containing PCBs; asbestos or any asbestos-containing materials in any form or condition; radon or any other radioactive materials including any source, special nuclear or by-product material; petroleum, crude oil or any fraction thereof; and any other pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, toxic or dangerous chemicals, wastes, materials, compounds, constituents or substances, as all such terms are used in their broadest sense and defined by or under any Environmental Laws. "HEDGING AGREEMENT" shall mean any Interest Rate Protection Agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement. "HEDGING RESERVE" shall mean a Reserve determined by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable credit judgment and giving effect to the aggregate amount owing by Borrower or the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor to a counterparty to a Specified Hedging Agreement, less the amount such counter-party owes Borrower or the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, thereunder, less the aggregate amount of Property pledged to cash collateralize such obligation (other than the Collateral granted under the Loan Documents), in each case based on a mark-to-market analysis and with due regard to recent market volatility as of the last Business 25 Day of the month (or if not available, the nearest prior Business Day for which such evaluation is available). "HOLDING COMPANIES" shall mean Holdings, Intermediate Holdings, Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, General Cable Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and General Cable Overseas Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, General Cable Investments, SGPS SA, a Madeira corporation, General Cable Holdings de Mexico SA de CV, a Mexican corporation, General Cable Holdings New Zealand, a New Zealand corporation, General Cable Holdings (Spain) SRL, a Spanish corporation, General Cable Holdings Netherlands C.V., a Dutch corporation, and General Cable Holdings (UK) Limited, an English corporation. "HOLDINGS" shall mean General Cable Corporation, a Delaware corporation. "INACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean Genca Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Diversified Contractors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, MLTC Company, a Delaware corporation, Marathon Steel Company, an Arizona corporation, General Cable Canada Ltd., an Ontario corporation, General Cable Property Holdings Limited, a Jersey corporation, General Cable Service Limited, organized under the laws of England and Wales and General Cable Export Sales Corporation, a Barbados corporation. "INCORPORATED BORROWING BASE" shall mean at any time, for each Borrowing Base Guarantor, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19, an amount equal to the lesser of : (a) the sum of, without duplication: (i) the book value of Eligible Accounts of such Borrowing Base Guarantor multiplied by the advance rate of 85%, plus (ii) the lesser of (A) the advance rate of 60% of the Cost of Eligible Inventory of such Borrowing Base Guarantor, or (B) the advance rate of 85% of the Net Recovery Cost Percentage multiplied by the Cost of Eligible Inventory of such Borrowing Base Guarantor, plus (iii) if and to the extent Borrower's Fixed Asset Loan Value included in the Borrowing Base is less than $50.0 million, the Fixed Asset Loan Value of such Borrowing Base Guarantor multiplied by the FALV Amortization Factor; provided, that the aggregate of the Fixed Asset Loan Values of Borrower and the Borrowing Base Guarantors included in the Borrowing Base shall in no event exceed $50.0 million, minus (iv) in the case of the Incorporated Borrowing Base of General Cable Canada, the Canadian Priority Payment Reserve, or (b) with respect to all Borrowing Base Guarantors except for Holdings, Intermediate Holdings and General Cable Canada, the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account. "INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or advances; (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, 26 debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid or accrued; (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person; (e) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business on normal trade terms and not overdue by more than 90 days); (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed; (g) all Capital Lease Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations and synthetic lease obligations of such Person; (h) all obligations of such Person in respect of Hedging Agreements to the extent required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such Person; (i) all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person; (j) all obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers' acceptances and similar credit transactions; and (k) all Contingent Obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (j) above. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. For the avoidance of doubt, the reclassification of the Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to SFAS 150 or otherwise in accordance with GAAP shall not be deemed to be Indebtedness hereunder. "INDEMNIFIED TAXES" shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes. "INDEMNITEE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.03(b). "INDUCED CONVERSION PAYMENTS" shall mean (a) a cash premium, (b) cash payments made in lieu of issuing any fractional shares of the common stock of Holdings, (c) Restricted Payments with respect to Convertible Preferred Stock of Holdings for the portion of the quarterly dividend period commencing with the date of the Restricted Payments with respect to such Convertible Preferred Stock made for the most recent quarter dividend period and ending on the date of the conversion referred to below and (d) related fees and expenses, to be paid by Holdings to the holders of its Convertible Preferred Stock as an inducement to such holders to elect to convert such Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of the common stock of Holdings prior to the earliest date on which Holdings may redeem such Convertible Preferred Stock as further described in the Form S-4 filed by Holdings with the SEC in November 9, 2005 (a true and correct copy of which has been made available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders); provided that the aggregate amount of such payments shall not exceed $23.0 million. "INFORMATION" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.12. "INSTRUMENTS" shall mean all "instruments," as such term is defined in the UCC as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York, in which any Person now or hereafter has rights. "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.05(c). 27 "INTERCOMPANY AGREEMENTS" shall mean the agreements listed on Schedule 1.01(f), each as in effect on the Original Closing Date. "INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST" shall mean a request by Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08(b), substantially in the form of Exhibit D. "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Revolving Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December during the period that such Revolving Loan is outstanding and the Maturity Date of such Revolving Loan, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Revolving Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Revolving Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months' duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months' duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid. "INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Revolving Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as Borrower may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Revolving Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Revolving Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Revolving Borrowing; provided, however, that an Interest Period shall be limited to one month to the extent required under Section 2.03(e). "INTEREST RATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT" shall mean any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or similar agreement or arrangement entered into by Holdings, Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries. "INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS" shall mean GK Technologies, Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation. "INVENTORY" shall mean all "inventory," as such term is defined in the UCC as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York, wherever located, in which any Person now or hereafter has rights. "INVENTORY APPRAISAL" shall mean (a) on the Original Closing Date, the report prepared by DoveBid Valuation Services, Inc. dated October 27, 2003 and (b) thereafter, the most recent inventory appraisal conducted by an independent appraisal firm designated by Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower and delivered pursuant to Section 9.02 hereof. 28 "INVESTMENT GRADE ACCOUNT DEBTOR" means an Account Debtor whose unsecured long term debt is rated "BBB-" or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and "Baa3" or better by Moody's Investor's Services, Inc. "INVESTMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04. "ISSUING BANK" shall mean, as the context may require, (a) UBS with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to the Closing Date; (b) Merrill Lynch Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, (c) any other Lender that may become an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.18(i), with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Lender; or (d) collectively, all of the foregoing. "ITA" shall mean the Income Tax Act (Canada) as the same may, from time to time, be in effect. "JOINDER AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E. "JOINT VENTURE" means a Person in which one or more Persons other than any Company own 50% or more of Equity Interests. "JUDGMENT CURRENCY" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.16(a). "LANDLORD LIEN WAIVER AND ACCESS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Landlord Lien Waiver and Access Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F. "LC COMMITMENT" shall mean the commitment of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.18. "LC DISBURSEMENT" shall mean a payment or disbursement made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit. "LC EXPOSURE" shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall mean its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time. "LC PARTICIPATION FEE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c). "LC REQUEST" shall mean a request by Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.18(b) and substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent. "LEASES" shall mean any and all leases, subleases, tenancies, options, concession agreements, rental agreements, occupancy agreements, franchise agreements, access agreements and any other agreements (including all amendments, extensions, replacements, renewals, modifications and/or guarantees thereof), whether or not of record and whether now in existence 29 or hereafter entered into, affecting the use or occupancy of all or any portion of any Real Property. "LENDER ADDENDUM" shall mean with respect to any Lender on the Closing Date, a Lender Addendum in the form of Exhibit A-4, executed and delivered by such Lender on the Original Closing Date, the First Amendment Effective Date or the Closing Date, as applicable, as provided in Section 11.14. "LENDER AFFILIATE" shall mean with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such advisor. "LENDERS" shall mean (a) the financial institutions that have become a party hereto pursuant to a Lender Addendum (other than any such financial institution that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) and (b) any financial institution that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "Lenders" shall include the Swingline Lender. "LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any (i) Standby Letter of Credit and (ii) Commercial Letter of Credit, in each case, issued or to be issued by an Issuing Bank for the account of Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18 of this Agreement or pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement. "LETTER OF CREDIT EXPIRATION DATE" shall mean the date which is ten Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. "LIBOR RATE" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for any Interest Period therefor, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate of interest which is identified and normally published by Bloomberg Professional Service Page BBAM 1 as the offered rate for loans in United States dollars for the applicable Interest Period under the caption British Bankers Association LIBOR Rates as of 11:00 a.m. (London time), on the second full Business Day next preceding the first day of such Interest Period. If Bloomberg Professional Service no longer reports the LIBOR Rate or if such index no longer exists or if Page BBAM 1 no longer exists, the Administrative Agent may select a reasonably comparable replacement index or replacement page, as the case may be. "LIEN" shall mean, with respect to any Property, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, claim, charge, assignment, hypothecation, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, any other type of preferential arrangement in respect of such Property or any filing of any financing statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien under any similar notice or recording statute of any Governmental Authority, including any easement, right-of-way or other encumbrance on title to Real Property, in each of the foregoing cases whether voluntary or imposed by law, and any agreement to give any of the foregoing; (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such Property; and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities. 30 "LINE RESERVE" shall mean a reserve established against the Commitments to reflect the amount of the Commitments which are not available to the Borrower due to the establishment of a Reinvestment Reserve. "LOAN DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Letters of Credit, the Notes (if any), the Security Documents, the Fee Letter and each Specified Hedging Agreement entered into with any counterparty that was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Agreement was entered into. "LOAN PARTIES" shall mean Borrower and Guarantors. "LOANS" shall mean advances made to or at the instructions of Borrower pursuant to Article II hereof or pursuant to Article II of the Prior Credit Agreement and may constitute a Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan. "MARGIN STOCK" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U. "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean (a) a material adverse effect on the business, Property, results of operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, or material agreements of Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) material impairment of the ability of any Borrower, Borrowing Base Guarantor or any other Guarantor that is not a Holding Company or an Inactive Subsidiary to fully and timely perform any of their obligations under any Loan Document, (c) material impairment of the ability of any Guarantor other than Guarantors described in clause (b) above to fully and timely perform any of their obligations under any Security Document; (d) material impairment of the ability of Guarantors other than Guarantors described in clause (b) above, when such Guarantors are taken as a whole, to fully and timely perform any of their obligations under any Guarantees; (e) material impairment of the rights of or benefits or remedies available to the Lenders or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document; or (f) a material adverse effect on the Collateral or the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent (for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens. "MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any Loan Party evidencing an aggregate outstanding principal amount exceeding $3.0 million. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of such Loan Party in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Loan Party would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time. "MATURITY DATE" shall mean August 15, 2010. "MAXIMUM RATE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.13. "MERRILL" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "MORTGAGE" shall mean an agreement, including, but not limited to, a mortgage, deed of trust or any other document, creating and evidencing a Lien on a Mortgaged Real Property, 31 which shall be in substantially in the form of Exhibit G, with such schedules and including such provisions as shall be necessary to conform such document to applicable local or foreign law or as shall be customary under applicable local or foreign law, as the same may from time to time be modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. "MORTGAGED REAL PROPERTY" shall mean (a) each Real Property identified on Schedule 1.01(a) hereto and (b) each Real Property, if any, which shall be subject to a Mortgage delivered after the Original Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11(d) or pursuant to Section 5.11(d) of the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement. "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) or Section 3(37) of ERISA (a) to which any Company or any ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions; (b) to which any Company or any ERISA Affiliate has within the preceding five plan years made contributions; or (c) with respect to which any Company could incur liability. "NET CASH PROCEEDS" shall mean: (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the cash proceeds received by any Loan Party (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received by any Loan Party) in respect of noncash consideration initially received) net of (i) selling expenses (including reasonable brokers' fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes and Borrower's good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale); (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale (provided, that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); (iii) Borrower's good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold within 90 days of such Asset Sale (provided, that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 90 days of such Asset Sale, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); and (iv) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by a senior Lien on the asset sold in such Asset Sale and which is repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset); (b) with respect to any Debt Issuance, the cash proceeds thereof, net of customary fees (including discounts to underwriters), commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith; and (c) with respect to any Casualty Event, the cash insurance proceeds, condemnation awards and other compensation received in respect thereof, net of all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds, awards or other compensation in respect of such Casualty Event and net of amounts which are secured by any senior Lien (to the extent such Liens constitute 32 Permitted Lien hereunder) on the applicable Property and which is paid with such proceeds. "NEW COMMON STOCK" shall mean up to 5,807,500 shares of common stock of Holdings, par value $0.01 per share (of which 5,050,000 are issued on the Original Closing Date) issued pursuant to the applicable Confidential Information Memorandum. "NET RECOVERY COST PERCENTAGE" shall mean the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (a) the numerator of which is the amount equal to the recovery on the aggregate amount of the Inventory at such time on a "net orderly liquidation value" basis as set forth in the most recent Inventory Appraisal received by Collateral Agent in accordance with Section 9.02, net of operating expenses, liquidation expenses and commissions reasonably anticipated in the disposition of such assets, and (b) the denominator of which is the original Cost of the aggregate amount of the Inventory subject to appraisal. "NOTES" shall mean any notes evidencing the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans issued pursuant to this Agreement, if any, substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 or H-2, as the case may be. "OBLIGATION CURRENCY" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.16(a). "OBLIGATIONS" shall mean Existing Obligations and (a) obligations of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties from time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of Borrower and each Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of Borrower and any and all of the other Loan Parties under each Specified Hedging Agreement entered into with any counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Specified Hedging Agreement was entered into, and (d) the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations in respect of overdrafts and related liabilities owed to any Lender, any Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent arising from treasury, depositary and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearinghouse transfer of funds. 33 "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" shall mean a certificate executed by the Chairman of the Board (if an officer), the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one of the Financial Officers, each in his or her official (and not individual) capacity. "ORIGINAL CLOSING DATE" shall mean November 24, 2003. "ORIGINAL CREDIT AGREEMENT" shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2003, among the Borrower and certain parties hereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the PRIOR CLOSING DATE. "OTHER TAXES" shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or Property taxes, charges or similar levies (including interest, fines, penalties and additions to tax) arising from any payment made or required to be made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document. "OVERADVANCE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.10. "OZARK ACCOUNT(S)" shall mean those certain Account(s) with Ozark Auto Purchasing LLC as the Account Debtor owing to Borrower, any other Borrowing Base Guarantor, or any Subsidiary thereof. "PARTICIPANT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.04(e). "PARTICIPATING MEMBER STATE" shall mean any member state which adopts the euro unit of the single currency pursuant to the Treaty. "PAYMENT ACCOUNT" means the account specified on the signature pages hereof into which all payments by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement shall be made, or such other account as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time specify by notice to the Borrower. "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA. "PERFECTION CERTIFICATE" shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit I-1 or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent, as the same shall be supplemented from time to time by a Perfection Certificate Supplement or otherwise. "PERFECTION CERTIFICATE SUPPLEMENT" shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit I-2 or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent. "PERMITTED ACQUISITION" shall mean Permitted Loan Funded Acquisition, Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisition, or either of them. "PERMITTED ASSET SALE" shall mean, any Asset Sale made, directly or indirectly, by Borrower or any Loan Party which meets each of the following conditions: 34 (a) no Default then exists or would result therefrom; (b) Borrower or such Loan Party, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; (c) at least 75% of such consideration received by Borrower or such Loan Party consists of (i) cash or Cash Equivalents, (ii) assets (other than securities) to be used in a business of a same or substantially similar type as that conducted by Borrower and the Subsidiaries on the Original Closing Date or (iii) a combination of cash, Cash Equivalents and such assets described in clause (c)(ii) above; and (d) in the case of any Permitted Asset Sale made by any Domestic and Canadian Loan Party, the Collateral Agent has reasonably determined the Fixed Asset Loan Value of any assets included in the Borrowing Base being sold and made the appropriate adjustments to the Borrowing Base to reflect such Asset Sale and following such adjustment, Borrower is in compliance with Section 6.08(c). "PERMITTED FIXED ASSET EXCHANGE" shall mean, with respect to any Equipment or Real Property (the "RELINQUISHED FIXED ASSET") of any Company, an exchange by such Company, in a transaction or series of related transactions simultaneously or substantially simultaneously consummated, of the Relinquished Fixed Asset for one or more items of Equipment or Real Property (the "REPLACED FIXED ASSET") of any Person which is useful in the conduct of such Company's business and which meets each of the following conditions: (a) no Default then exists or would result therefrom; (b) is an exchange consummated pursuant to agreements, instruments and documents which are submitted for review to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent no less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the consummation of such exchange and which are reasonably satisfactory in the reasonable credit judgment of the Administrative Agent as to form and substance; (c) is an exchange of a Relinquished Fixed Asset located in the United States or Canada owned by a Domestic or Canadian Company for Replaced Fixed Assets located in the United States or Canada or is an exchange of a Relinquished Fixed Asset located outside the United State and Canada owned by a Foreign Company for Replaced Fixed Assets located outside the United States or Canada; (d) is an exchange of a Relinquished Fixed Asset the Exchange Fair Market Value of which, when added to the Exchange Fair Market Value of all Relinquished Fixed Assets exchanged in Permitted Fixed Asset Exchanges since the Original Closing Date, does not exceed the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of $75.0 million in the aggregate; (e) the Borrower shall have certified to the Collateral Agent and the Administration Agent the Exchange Fair Market Values of both the Relinquished Fixed Assets and the Replaced Fixed Assets; and 35 (f) if a Relinquished Fixed Asset is a part of the Collateral, it shall be exchanged for Replaced Fixed Assets with respect to which, at the closing of any Permitted Fixed Asset Exchange, the Collateral Agent will be granted a first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens under Sections 6.02(a), (b), (d) and (g)) pursuant to such documents and by such actions being taken as may be reasonably required by the Collateral Agent, and if a Relinquished Fixed Asset is Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property, (i) the Replaced Fixed Assets shall also constitute Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property, as the case may be, as determined by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Agent's reasonable credit judgment and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall determine the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Replaced Fixed Asset (including any Reserves which will be associated therewith) and the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Relinquished Fixed Assets; provided, however, that to the extent (A) the Exchange Fair Market Value of the Replaced Fixed Assets is less than the Exchange Fair Market Value of the Relinquished Fixed Assets and/or (B) the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Replaced Fixed Assets (after giving effect to any Reserves which will be associated therewith) determined under clause (f)(ii) above is less than the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Relinquished Fixed Assets determined under clause (f)(ii) above (after giving effect to any Reserves to be released as a result of the disposition of such Property), Borrower shall immediately prepay the Obligations (without reduction in Commitments) in the amount equal to the greater of the difference obtained in clause (A) or clause (B) of this proviso as if such amount constituted Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale. For the purposes of this definition, "Exchange Fair Market Value" shall mean Fair Market Value; provided, however, that the Fair Market Value of any Relinquished Fixed Asset or any Replaced Fixed Asset in excess of $1.0 million but less than $5.0 million shall be determined conclusively by the board of directors of Borrower (or a duly authorized committee thereof) acting in good faith and shall be evidenced by a resolution of such board of directors delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; and provided, further, however, that the Fair Market Value of any Relinquished Fixed Asset or any Replaced Fixed Asset in excess of $5.0 million shall be determined by the board of directors of the Borrower as provided in the immediately preceding proviso, whose determination, however, shall not be conclusive but which shall be supported by an appraisal as may be requested the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, at the expense of the Borrower, by an independent, third-party appraiser designated by the Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. "PERMITTED LIENS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02. "PERMITTED LOAN FUNDED ACQUISITION" shall mean, with respect to Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor other than Holdings or Intermediate Holdings, any transaction or series of related transactions for the direct or indirect (a) acquisition of all or substantially all of the Property of any other Person, or of any business, product line or division of any other Person; (b) acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Equity Interests of any other Person, or otherwise causing any other Person to become a Subsidiary of such Person; or (c) merger or consolidation or any other combination with any other Person (so long as the Borrower or a Borrowing Base 36 Guarantor is the surviving entity), if each of the following conditions are met, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent: (i) no Default then exists or would result therefrom; (ii) after giving effect to such acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) Borrower shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.08 (to the extent such covenant is then applicable) as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such acquisition, and all other Permitted Loan Funded Acquisitions consummated since the first day of the relevant Test Period for the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.08 ending on or prior to the date of such acquisition, had occurred on the first day of such relevant Test Period), (B) the Companies can reasonably be expected to remain in compliance with such covenant through the Maturity Date and to have sufficient cash liquidity to conduct their business and pay their respective debts and other liabilities as they come due and (C) average daily Excess Availability for the 90-day period preceding the consummation of such acquisition would have exceeded $50.0 million on a Pro Forma Basis (after giving effect to such acquisition and the Revolving Loans funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period) and the projections in connection with the proposed acquisition (based upon historical financial data of a recent date reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, taking into account the proposed acquisition) shall reflect that average daily Excess Availability of $50.0 million shall continue for at least 1 year after the consummation of such acquisition. (iii) no Company shall, in connection with any such acquisition, assume or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness or other liability (including any material tax or ERISA liability) of the related seller, except (A) to the extent permitted under Section 6.01, and (B) obligations of the seller incurred in the ordinary course of business and necessary or desirable to the continued operation of the underlying properties, and any other such liabilities or obligations not permitted to be assumed or otherwise supported by any Company hereunder shall be paid in full or released as to the assets being so acquired on or before the consummation of such acquisition; (iv) the acquired Person shall be engaged in a business of a same or substantially similar type as that conducted by Borrower and the Subsidiaries on the Original Closing Date and the Property acquired in connection with any such acquisition shall be made subject to the Lien of the Security Documents and shall be free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens; (v) Collateral Agent shall have received (except with respect to asset acquisitions) the Joinder Agreement from the acquired Person, joinder agreement to the Security Documents in the form annexed thereto and such other supplemental agreements, blocked account agreements and other agreements, instruments and documents in connection therewith as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent together with all opinions, certificates, lien search results and other documents, agreements, instruments and reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; 37 (vi) the board of directors or other similar governing body of the acquired Person shall not have indicated publicly its opposition to the consummation of such acquisition; (vii) with respect to any acquisition involving Acquisition Consideration of more than $1.0 million, Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with (A) historical financial statements for the last three fiscal years of the Person or business to be acquired (audited if available without undue cost or delay) and unaudited financial statements thereof for the most recent interim period which are available, (B) reasonably detailed projections for the succeeding year pertaining to the Person or business to be acquired, (C) a reasonably detailed description of all material information relating thereto and copies of all material documentation pertaining to such acquisition, and (D) all such other information and data relating to such acquisition or the Person or business to be acquired as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; (viii) Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders an Officers' Certificate certifying that (A) such acquisition complies with this definition (which shall have attached thereto reasonably detailed backup data and calculations showing such compliance), and (B) such acquisition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (ix) such acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the board of directors of the Person being acquired; and (x) the aggregate Acquisition Consideration for all Permitted Loan Funded Acquisitions since the Original Closing Date shall not exceed $150.0 million; provided, that any Equity Interests constituting all or a portion of Acquisition Consideration shall not have a cash dividend requirement on or prior to the Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Accounts and Inventory of the Person to be acquired or comprising the assets to be acquired shall not be included as Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory until a field audit with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent, including the establishment of Reserves required in the Collateral Agent's reasonable credit judgment. "PERMITTED NON-LOAN FUNDED ACQUISITION" shall mean, with respect to Borrower, any Borrowing Base Guarantor, or any Foreign Subsidiary, any transaction or series of related transactions for the direct or indirect (a) acquisition (other than by Holdings) of all or substantially all of the Property of any other Person, or of any business, product line or division of any other Person; (b) acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Equity Interests of any other Person, or otherwise causing any other Person to become a Subsidiary of such Person; or (c) (i) merger or consolidation or any other combination of the Borrower or any of the Borrowing Base Guarantors (other than Holdings) with any other Person (so long as the Borrower or such Borrowing Base Guarantor shall be the surviving entity) or (ii) merger or consolidation or any other combination of any Foreign Subsidiary with any other: (A) Foreign Person which owns assets and operates business within the United States or Canada; provided, that (x) the aggregate 38 fair market value of all assets within the United States or Canada of all such Foreign Persons acquired after the Original Closing Date do not exceed $5.0 million and (y) all such assets shall be transferred to a Domestic or a Canadian Guarantor within 30 days of the consummation of the Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisition involving such Foreign Person or (B) Foreign Person which owns assets and operates business outside the United States and Canada so long as, if such Foreign Subsidiary is a Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary whose Equity Interest has been pledged and delivered to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, such Foreign Subsidiary is the surviving entity, in each case if each of the following conditions are met, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent: (i) no Default then exists or would result therefrom; (ii) Acquisition Consideration consists entirely of proceeds of an Acquisition Debt Issuance permitted hereunder or Equity Issuance or entirely of a combination of cash which is provided by Foreign Subsidiaries and proceeds of Acquisition Debt Issuance permitted hereunder or Equity Issuance; (iii) such acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the board of directors of the Person being acquired; and (iv) after giving effect to such acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, (A) Borrower shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.08 (to the extent such covenant is then applicable) as of the most recent Test Period (assuming, for purposes of Section 6.08, that such acquisition, and all other Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisitions consummated since the first day of the relevant Test Period for the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.08 ending on or prior to the date of such acquisition, had occurred on the first day of such relevant Test Period), (B) the Companies can reasonably be expected to remain in compliance with such covenant through the Maturity Date and to have sufficient cash liquidity to conduct their business and pay their respective debts and other liabilities as they come due and (C) average daily Excess Availability for the 90-day period preceding the consummation of such acquisition would have exceeded $25.0 million on a Pro Forma basis (after giving effect to such acquisition and the Revolving Loans funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period) and the projections in connection with the proposed acquisition (based upon historical financial data of a recent date reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, taking into account the proposed acquisition) shall reflect that such average daily Excess Availability of $25.0 million shall continue for at least 1 year after the consummation of such acquisition. "PERSON" shall mean any natural Person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "PLAN" shall mean any "employee pension benefit plan" as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA which is maintained or contributed 39 to by any Company or its ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which any Company could incur liability (including, without limitation, under Section 4069 of ERISA). "PNC HEDGE AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain ISDA Master Agreement (and related Schedule) between General Cable Corporation and PNC Bank, National Association, dated as of November 5, 2001, for a notional amount of $9.0 million, with a maturity of November 11, 2011, as amended by that certain ISDA Amendment to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of November 24, 2003 and as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. "PPSA" shall mean the Personal Property Security Act as from time to time in effect in the Province of Nova Scotia and the regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect, provided, however, if validity, attachment, perfection or priority of Collateral Agent's security interests in any Collateral are governed by the personal property security laws of any jurisdiction in Canada other than Nova Scotia, "PPSA" shall mean those personal property security laws in such other jurisdiction for the purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, attachment, perfection or priority and for the definitions related to such provisions. "PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference Equity Interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Original Closing Date. "PRIOR CLOSING DATE" shall mean October 22, 2004. "PRIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals hereto. "PRIOR LIEN" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the applicable Security Document. "PRO FORMA BASIS" shall mean on a basis in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. "PRO RATA PERCENTAGE" of any Revolving Lender at any time shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitment represented by such Lender's Revolving Commitment. "PROPERTY" shall mean any right, title or interest in or to property or assets of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible and including Equity Interests or other ownership interests of any Person and whether now in existence or owned or hereafter entered into or acquired, including, without limitation, all Real Property. "PURCHASE MONEY OBLIGATION" shall mean, for any Person, the obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of any Property (including Equity Interests of any Person) or the cost of installation, construction or improvement of any Property or assets and any refinancing thereof; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such Property by such Person. 40 "QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" of any Person shall mean any capital stock of such Person that is not Disqualified Capital Stock. "QUALIFIED SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Qualified Senior Note Indenture and other agreement pursuant to which the Qualified Senior Notes are issued as contemplated by the Confidential Information Memorandum related to 9.5% Senior Notes and all other documents executed and delivered with respect to the Qualified Senior Notes. "QUALIFIED SENIOR NOTE INDENTURE" shall mean that certain Indenture, dated as of November 24, 2003, among Holdings, the guarantors named therein and US Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to the Qualified Senior Notes, as in effect on the Original Closing Date. "QUALIFIED SENIOR NOTES" shall mean Holdings' 9.5% Senior Notes due 2010 issued pursuant to the Qualified Senior Note Documents and any registered notes issued by Holdings in exchange for, and as contemplated by the Notes, with substantially identical terms as the Notes. "REAL PROPERTY" shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real Property owned, leased or operated by any Person, whether by lease, license or other means, together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures and equipment, all general intangibles and contract rights and other Property and rights incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof. "REFINANCING" shall mean the repayment in full and the termination of any commitment to make extensions of credit under all of the indebtedness of Holdings and Borrower and Guarantors which was outstanding on the Original Closing Date, as listed on Schedule 1.01(b). "REGISTER" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.04(c). "REGULATION D" shall mean Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof. "REGULATION T" shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof. "REGULATION U" shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof. "REGULATION X" shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof. "REINVESTMENT RESERVE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(g). "RELEASE" shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, emanating or migrating of any Hazardous Material in, into, onto or through the Environment. 41 "REQUIRED LENDERS" shall mean, at any time, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of Revolving Exposure. "REQUIREMENTS OF LAW" shall mean, collectively, any and all requirements of any Governmental Authority including any and all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations or similar statutes or case law. "RESERVES" shall mean reserves established against the Borrowing Base that the Collateral Agent may, in its reasonable credit judgment, establish from time to time and that has a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter which is the basis for such Reserve as determined by the Collateral Agent in good faith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Reserves shall include any Hedging Reserve, Reinvestment Reserve (including any Line Reserve) and Canadian Priority Payment Reserve. "RESPONSE" shall mean (a) "response" as such term is defined in CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(24), and (b) all other actions required by any Governmental Authority or voluntarily undertaken to: (i) clean up, remove, treat, abate or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or minimize the further Release, of any Hazardous Material; or (iii) perform studies and investigations in connection with, or as a precondition to, clause (i) or (ii) above. "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" of any corporation shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such corporation and any other officer or similar official thereof with responsibility for the administration of the obligations of such corporation in respect of this Agreement. "RESTRICTED PAYMENTS" with respect to any Company shall mean (a) a declaration or payment of a dividend or return of any equity capital to its stockholders or other equity holders or authorization or the incurrence of any liability to make any other payment, distribution or delivery of other Property in respect of Equity Interest (other than common stock of such Company) or cash to its stockholders or other equity holders as such, (b) redemption, retirement, purchase, defeasance, or other acquisition, direct or indirect, for a consideration of any shares of any class of its capital stock or other Equity Interest outstanding (or any options or warrants issued by such Person with respect to its capital stock or other Equity Interest), or setting aside any funds or any payments on account of the sinking fund for any of the foregoing purposes, or permitting any of Subsidiaries of such Company to purchase or otherwise acquire for a consideration any shares of any class of the capital stock of such Person outstanding (or any options or warrants issued by such Person with respect to its capital stock), (c) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, fees or other charges on or with respect to, and any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment and any claim for rescission with respect to, any Indebtedness expressly subordinated as to right and time of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations (provided, that the Qualified Senior Notes shall not be deemed, for the purposes hereof, to be subordinated by reason of being unsecured), (d) any payment of a claim for the rescission of the purchase or sale of, or for material damages arising from the purchase or sale of, any Equity Interest in such Company or of a claim for reimbursement, indemnification or contribution arising out of or related to any such claim for damages or rescission and (e) any payment, loan, contribution, or 42 other transfer of funds or other Property to any stockholder or any other equity holder of such Company other than payment of compensation in the ordinary course of business to stockholders or other equity holders who are employees of such Company. Without limiting the foregoing, "Restricted Payments" with respect to any Company shall also include all payments made or required to be made by such Company with respect to any stock appreciation right, plan, equity incentive or achievement plans or any similar plans or setting aside of any funds for the foregoing purposes. "REVOLVING AVAILABILITY PERIOD" shall mean the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments. "REVOLVING BORROWING" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Loans. "REVOLVING COMMITMENT" shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder up to the amount set forth on Schedule I to the Lender Addendum executed and delivered by such Lender, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 11.04. The aggregate amount of the Lenders' Revolving Commitments on the Closing Date is $300.0 million. "REVOLVING EXPOSURE" shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lender, plus the aggregate amount at such time of such Lender's LC Exposure, plus the aggregate amount at such of such Lender's Swingline Exposure. "REVOLVING LENDER" shall mean a Lender with a Revolving Commitment. "REVOLVING LOANS" shall mean a Loan made by the Lenders to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a). "ROBERT BOSCH ACCOUNT(S)" shall mean those certain Accounts with Robert Bosch Corporation, as the Account Debtor, owing to Borrower, any Borrowing Base Guarantor, or any Subsidiary thereof. "SARBANES-OXLEY ACT" shall mean the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America. "SECURED PARTIES" shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, Issuing Bank and each party to a Specified Hedge Agreement if at the date of entering into such Specified Hedging Agreement such Person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and such Affiliate executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which such Person (i) appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent under the applicable Loan Documents, (ii) agrees to 43 be bound by the provisions of Section 9.05 and (iii) ratifies the constitution of the Collateral Agent as the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fonde de pouvoir) as provided in Section 10.01(b). "SECURITIES ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement. "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "SECURITY AGREEMENT COLLATERAL" shall mean all Property pledged or granted as collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements delivered on the Original Closing Date or thereafter pursuant to Section 5.11. "SECURITY AGREEMENT" shall mean a Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J among the Loan Parties and Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and Canadian Security Agreement, as the same may from time to time be modified, amended, extended or reaffirmed in accordance with the terms hereof and with the consent of Collateral Agent. "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Security Agreements, the Mortgages, the Perfection Certificate, Foreign Guaranties, Foreign Pledge Agreements, Canadian Pledge Agreements and each other security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local or foreign law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any Property, and all UCC or PPSA or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by such Security Documents, to be filed with respect to the security interests in Property and fixtures created pursuant to such Security Documents and any other document or instrument utilized to pledge as collateral for the Obligations any Property of whatever kind or nature. "SELLER" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereto. "SETTLEMENT DATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.12. "SPECIAL AGENT ADVANCE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.11. "SPECIFIED FOREIGN CURRENCY HEDGING AGREEMENT" shall mean the Hedging Agreement and other documentation in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent evidencing the cross currency swap transaction with Holdings described in Exhibit SHA attached hereto. "SPECIFIED HEDGING AGREEMENTS" shall mean the PNC Hedge Agreement, the Specified Foreign Currency Hedging Agreement or any Hedging Agreements made or entered into at any time, or in effect at any time (whether heretofore or hereafter) between Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantors and a counterparty to a Hedging Agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include any Lender hereunder or any Affiliate of such Lender) and on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. 44 "STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any standby letter of credit or similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting (a) workers' compensation liabilities of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor, (b) the obligations of third-party insurers of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor arising by virtue of the laws of any jurisdiction requiring third-party insurers to obtain such letters of credit, or (c) performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor if required by law or governmental rule or regulation or in accordance with custom and practice in the industry. "STATUTORY RESERVES" shall mean, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the United States Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion Dollars against "Eurodollar liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation D). Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings shall be deemed to constitute Eurodollar liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exceptions or offsets which may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D. "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, with respect to any Person (the "PARENT") at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise set forth herein, reference in this Agreement to "Subsidiary" shall mean Holdings' direct and indirect Subsidiaries. "SUPERMAJORITY LENDERS" shall mean, at any time, Lenders having at least 80% of the Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, at least 80% of the sum of Revolving Exposure. "SURVEY" shall mean a survey of any Mortgaged Real Property (and all improvements thereon) (i) prepared by a surveyor or engineer licensed to perform surveys in the state where such Mortgaged Real Property is located, (ii) dated (or redated) not earlier than six months prior to the date of delivery thereof unless there shall have occurred within six months prior to such date of delivery any exterior construction on the site of such Mortgaged Real Property, in which event such survey shall be dated (or redated) after the completion of such construction or if such construction shall not have been completed as of such date of delivery, not earlier than 20 days prior to such date of delivery, (iii) certified by the surveyor (in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Title Company, (iv) complying in all respects with the minimum detail requirements of the American Land Title Association as such requirements are in effect on the date of preparation of such survey and (v) sufficient for the Title Company to remove all 45 standard survey exceptions from the title insurance policy (or commitment) relating to such Mortgaged Real Property and issue the endorsements of the type required by Section 4.01(o)(iii). "SWINGLINE COMMITMENT" shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make loans pursuant to Section 2.17, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 or Section 2.17. "SWINGLINE EXPOSURE" shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall equal its Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time. "SWINGLINE LENDER" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "SWINGLINE LOAN" shall mean any Loan made by the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.17. "SYNDICATION AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "TAX RETURN" shall mean all returns, statements, filings, attachments and other documents or certifications required to be filed in respect of Taxes. "TAX SHARING AGREEMENTS" shall mean all tax sharing, tax allocation and other similar agreements entered into by Holdings or any Subsidiary of Holdings. "TAXES" shall mean (i) any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, fees, imposts, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other charges, whether computed on a separate, consolidated, unitary, combined or other basis and any and all liabilities (including interest, fines, penalties or additions to tax) with respect to the foregoing, and (ii) any transferee, successor, joint and several, contractual or other liability (including, without limitation, liability pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. law)) in respect of any item described in clause (i). "TEST PERIOD" shall mean, at any time, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of Borrower then last ended (in each case taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b). "TITLE COMPANY" shall mean any title insurance company as shall be retained by Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. "TITLE POLICY" shall mean all policies issued by the Title Company in connection with the Prior Credit Agreement, together with endorsements to such policies to "bring-down" the status of title and to confirm that such policies continue to apply to the Mortgages and the Obligations under this Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement. 46 "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Equity Financing Documents, Qualified Senior Note Documents and the Loan Documents. "TRANSACTIONS" shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur on or prior to the Original Closing Date pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including (a) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the initial borrowings hereunder; (b) the Refinancing; (c) the Equity Financing; (d) the execution and delivery of the Qualified Senior Note Documents and the financing contemplated thereunder; and (e) the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid on or prior to the Original Closing Date and owing in connection with the foregoing. "TREASURY REGULATION" means the regulations promulgated under the Code. "TREATY" shall mean the treaty establishing the European Community being the Treaty of Rome as amended from time to time. "TYPE," when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate. "UBS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto. "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral. "WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, as to any Person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person have a 100% Equity Interest at such time. Unless otherwise set forth herein, reference in this Agreement to "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" shall mean Holdings' direct and indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. "WITHDRAWAL LIABILITY" shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA. SECTION 1.02 CLASSIFICATION OF LOANS AND BORROWINGS. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a "REVOLVING LOAN") or by Type (e.g., a "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING LOAN") or by Class and Type (e.g., a "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING LOAN"). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a "REVOLVING BORROWING") or by Type (e.g., a "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING BORROWING") or by Class and Type (e.g., a "EURODOLLAR REVOLVING BORROWING"). SECTION 1.03 TERMS GENERALLY. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words "INCLUDE", "INCLUDES" and "INCLUDING" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "WITHOUT 47 LIMITATION". The word "WILL" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word "SHALL". Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any Loan Document, agreement, instrument of other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and assigns, (c) the words "HEREIN", "HEREOF" and "HEREUNDER", and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (f) the words "ASSET" and "PROPERTY" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. SECTION 1.04 ACCOUNTING TERMS; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time and all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect on the date hereof unless agreed to by Borrower and the Required Lenders. In the event that any "Accounting Change" (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower's financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. "ACCOUNTING CHANGES" refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the Securities and Exchange Commission (or successors thereto or agencies with similar functions). ARTICLE II. THE CREDITS SECTION 2.01 COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Revolving Lender agrees, severally and not jointly: (a) to make Revolving Loans to Borrower, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date until the earlier of one Business Day prior to the Maturity Date and the termination of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not (subject to provisions of Sections 10.10 and 10.11) result in such Lender's Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving Commitment less such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of any Line 48 Reserve and (B) such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage multiplied by the Borrowing Base then in effect. (b) Within the limits set forth in clause (a) above and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, pay or prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. SECTION 2.02 LOANS. (a) Each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable Commitments; provided, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). Except for Loans deemed made pursuant to Sections 2.02(f) or 2.02(g), Loans (other than Swingline Loans) comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) in the case of ABR Loans, integral multiples of $1.0 million and not less than $5.0 million or (B) in the case of Eurodollar Revolving Loans, an integral multiple of $1.0 million and not less than $5.0 million or (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of the applicable Revolving Commitments. (b) Subject to Sections 2.11 and 2.12, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Revolving Loans as Borrower may request pursuant to Section 2.03. Each Lender may at its option make any Eurodollar Revolving Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided, that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided further that Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than six Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings. (c) Subject to the settlement provisions of Section 10.12, each Lender shall make each Loan (other than Swingline Loans) to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Payment Account, or to such other account as the Administrative Agent may designate from time to time, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, and, except with respect to Loans deemed made pursuant to Sections 2.02(f) or 2.02(g), the Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account as directed by Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or, if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders. (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that 49 such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date. (f) If the Issuing Bank shall not have received from Borrower the payment required to be made by Section 2.18(e) within the time specified in such Section, the Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the LC Disbursement and the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Revolving Lender of such LC Disbursement and its Pro Rata Percentage thereof. Subject to the settlement provisions of Section 10.12, each Revolving Lender shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent on such date (or, if such Revolving Lender shall have received such notice later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any day, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the immediately following Business Day), an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such LC Disbursement (it being understood that such amount shall be deemed to constitute an ABR Revolving Loan of such Lender, and such payment shall be deemed to have reduced the LC Exposure), and the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the Issuing Bank any amounts received by it from Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18(e) prior to the time that any Revolving Lender makes any payment pursuant to this paragraph (f); any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent thereafter will be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made such payments and to the Issuing Bank, as their interests may appear. If any Revolving Lender shall not have made its Pro Rata Percentage of such LC Disbursement available to the Administrative Agent as provided above, such Lender and Borrower severally agree to pay interest on such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is required to be paid in accordance with this paragraph (f) to but excluding the date such amount is paid, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at (i) in the case of Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.06(a), and (ii) in the case of such Lender, for the first such day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and for each day thereafter, the Alternate Base Rate. (g) Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to, and in its sole election Administrative Agent may, debit to the Revolving Loan (i) all payments of principal, interest and Fees and (ii) upon not less than three Business Days' notice to Borrower, expenses reimbursable to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank pursuant to 50 Section 11.03 or pursuant to other Loan Documents and other sums payable under the Loan Documents. SECTION 2.03 BORROWING PROCEDURE. To request a Revolving Borrowing, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or e-mail no later than one Business Day following such request) (i) in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or in the case of an ABR Borrowing (other than Swingline Loans) not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02: (a) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Loan; (b) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing; (c) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day; (d) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing; (e) in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest Period"; provided, that until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Administrative Agent shall have notified Borrower that the primary syndication of the Commitments has been completed and (ii) the date which is 180 days after the Original Closing Date, the Interest Period shall be one month; (f) the location and number of Borrower's account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.02; and (g) that the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (b)-(e) are satisfied as of the date of the notice. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration (subject to the proviso in clause (e) above). Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall notify Collateral Agent of the borrowing Request, confirm with Collateral Agent that the funding of such Borrowing Request is in conformity with this Section 2.03 and advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing. 51 SECTION 2.04 EVIDENCE OF DEBT; REPAYMENT OF LOANS. (a) Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the 10th day (or earlier, but, subject to application of funds under Section 9.01(f), at least two Business Days) after such Swingline Loan is made; provided, that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested. (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type and Class thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto; (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from Borrower to each Lender hereunder; and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender's share thereof. The Administrative Agent shall, from time to time, advise the Collateral Agent of the status of such accounts to permit Collateral Agent to determine the Borrowing Base. (d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms. (e) Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) in the form of Exhibit H-1 or H-2, as the case may be. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 11.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns). (f) All funds in the Blocked Accounts (including the Concentration Account) shall be applied to the Loans and other Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01 hereof. SECTION 2.05 FEES. (a) Commitment Fee. Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (a "COMMITMENT FEE"), equal to 0.25% per annum on the average daily unused amount of each Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Original Closing Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the 52 Original Closing Date. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing Commitment Fees with respect to Revolving Commitments, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose). (b) Administrative Agent Fees; Collateral Agent Fees. Borrower agrees to pay to the (i) the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the administrative fees set forth in the Fee Letter or such other fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FEES") and (ii) (i) Collateral Agent, for its own account, the collateral monitoring fee set forth in the Fee Letter or such other fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Borrower and the Collateral Agent (the "COLLATERAL AGENT FEES"). (c) LC and Fronting Fees. Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee ("LC PARTICIPATION FEE") with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate equal to the Applicable Margin from time to time used to determine the interest rate on Eurodollar Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.06 on the average daily amount of such Lender's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Original Closing Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender's Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee ("FRONTING FEE"), which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Original Closing Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank's standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Accrued LC Participation Fees and Fronting Fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Original Closing Date; provided, that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All LC Participation Fees and Fronting Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the LC Participation Fee shall be increased to a per annum rate equal to 2% plus the otherwise applicable rate with respect thereto. (d) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that the Fronting Fees shall be paid directly to the Issuing Bank. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances. 53 SECTION 2.06 INTEREST ON LOANS AND DEFAULT COMPENSATION. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c), the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing and each Swingline Loan, shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time. (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(c), the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all Obligations shall, upon written notice from the Administrative Agent, or at the election of the Required Lenders, bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a per annum rate equal to (i) in the case of principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.06, (ii) LC Participation Fee shall increase as provided in Section 2.05(c), and (iii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.06. (d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided, that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.06 shall be payable on demand (provided, that, absent demand, such interest shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date and upon termination of the Revolving Commitments), (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Revolving Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. (e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. SECTION 2.07 TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. (a) The Revolving Commitments, the Swingline Commitment, and the LC Commitment shall automatically terminate on the Maturity Date. (b) Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time permanently reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided, that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1.0 million and not less than $5.0 million, (ii) the Commitments shall not be reduced to an amount less than $175.0 million and (iii) the Commitments shall not be terminated or reduced if, after giving effect to any concurrent 54 prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments, the Swingline Exposures would exceed the Swingline Commitment or the LC Exposures would exceed the LC Commitment. (c) Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07 at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be irrevocable. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class. SECTION 2.08 INTEREST ELECTIONS. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.08. Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Borrower shall not be entitled to request any conversion or continuation that, if made, would result in more than six Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any one time. This Section 2.08 shall not apply to Swingline Loans, which may not be converted or continued. (b) To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.08, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by delivery (by telecopy or e-mail) of a written Interest Election Request substantially in the form of Exhibit D by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if Borrower was requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable. (c) Each written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02: (i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing); (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day; (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing; and 55 (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest Period"; provided, that until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Administrative Agent shall have notified Borrower that the primary syndication of the Commitments has been completed and (ii) the date which is 180 days after the Original Closing Date, the Interest Period shall be one month. If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration (subject to the proviso in clause (iv) above). (d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing. (e) If an Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing is not timely delivered prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies Borrower, then, after the occurrence and during the continuance of such Event of Default (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. (f) Each Existing ABR Borrowing outstanding on the Closing Date shall remain outstanding and in all respects continuing and shall be deemed to be an ABR Borrowing hereunder. Each Existing Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing outstanding on the Closing Date shall remain outstanding and in all respects be continuing after the Closing Date and shall be deemed to be a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing hereunder, having the Interest Period that commenced on the date of such Existing Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing. SECTION 2.09 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]. SECTION 2.10 OPTIONAL AND MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS OF LOANS. (a) Optional Prepayments. In addition to prepayments of Borrowings in accordance with Section 9.01 or Section 2.17(c) hereof, Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section 2.10; provided, that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1.0 million and not less than $5.0 million. (b) Revolving Loan and Swingline Loan Prepayments. (i) In the event of the termination of all the Revolving Commitments, Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Borrowings and all outstanding Swingline Loans and replace all outstanding Letters of Credit and/or deposit an amount equal to the LC Exposure in the Cash Collateral Account. 56 (ii) In the event of any partial reduction of the Revolving Commitments, then (A) at or prior to the effective date of such reduction, the Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower and the Revolving Lenders of the sum of the Revolving Exposures after giving effect thereto and (B) if the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments after giving effect to such reduction, then Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, make prepayments in accordance with Section 2.10(i) in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess. (iii) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.] (iv) In the event that the sum of all Lenders' Revolving Exposures exceeds the Revolving Commitments then in effect (including, without limitation, on any date on which Dollar Equivalents are determined pursuant to Section 11.15), the Borrower shall, without notice or demand, make prepayments in accordance with Section 2.10(i) in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess. (v) In the event that the aggregate LC Exposure exceeds the LC Commitment then in effect (including, without limitation, on any date on which Dollar Equivalents are determined pursuant to Section 11.15), the Borrower shall, without notice or demand, immediately replace or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18(j), in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess. (c) Asset Sales. Not later than one Business Day following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Loan Party, Borrower shall, and shall cause the applicable Loan Party (with appropriate adjustments to any intercompany loan account balances or Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account balances, as applicable) to, apply 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto to make prepayments in accordance with Section 2.10(i); provided, that: (i) no such prepayment shall be required with respect to (A) any Asset Sale permitted by Section 6.05(b)(ii), (e) or (h), (B) the disposition of assets subject to a condemnation or eminent domain proceeding or insurance settlement to the extent it does not constitute a Casualty Event, or (C) Asset Sales for fair market value resulting in no more than $100,000 in Net Cash Proceeds per Asset Sale (or series of related Asset Sales) and less than $1.0 million in Net Cash Proceeds in any fiscal year; and (ii) subject to Section 2.10(g) and so long as no Event of Default shall then exist or would arise therefrom and the aggregate of such Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales (except Asset Sales permitted under Section 6.05(b)(v)) shall not exceed $5.0 million in any fiscal year, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that Borrower shall have delivered an Officers' Certificate to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds shall be used by a Loan Party to purchase replacement assets or acquire 100% of the Equity Interests of any Person that owns such assets no later than 270 days following the date of such Asset Sale (which Officers' Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided, that all Property purchased with the Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the 57 applicable Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties in accordance with Sections 5.11 and 5.12; (d) Debt Issuance. Upon any Debt Issuance after the Original Closing Date (other than Acquisition Debt Issuance), Borrower shall, and shall cause the other Loan Parties to, make prepayments in accordance with Sections 2.10(i) in an aggregate principal amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Debt Issuance. (e) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]. (f) Casualty Events. Not later than one Business Day following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from a Casualty Event, Borrower shall apply, and shall cause other Loan Parties (with appropriate adjustments to any intercompany loan account balances or Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account balances, as applicable) to apply, an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to make prepayments in accordance with Sections 2.10(i); provided, that subject to Section 2.10(g) and so long as no Event of Default shall then exist or arise therefrom, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that in the event such Net Cash Proceeds shall not exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate at any time, Borrower shall have delivered an Officers' Certificate (which Officers' Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended) to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be used to repair, replace or restore any Property that is subject of a Casualty Event no later than 270 days following the date of receipt of such proceeds; provided, further, that all Property purchased with the Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties in accordance with Sections 5.11 and 5.12. (g) In the event that Borrower has delivered an Officers' Certificate in accordance with Section 2.10(c)(ii) or in accordance with Section 2.10(f), (i) both a Reserve and a Line Reserve ("REINVESTMENT RESERVE") shall be established (in the amount of the Net Cash Proceeds less, in the case of a Casualty Event, the Net Cash Proceeds attributable to lost or destroyed Inventory) which shall each be released simultaneously with and to the extent of any Loans advanced to the Borrower for the purpose of purchasing assets in accordance with Section 2.10(c)(ii) or 2.10(f), as applicable; provided, that Borrower submits (with the applicable Borrowing Request) an Officer's Certificate setting forth the use of proceeds of the requested Loan and confirming that such use is in compliance with Section 2.10(c)(ii) or 2.10(f), as applicable, and (ii) in the event that any part or all of the Reinvestment Reserve remains in place at the end of the time period set forth in Section 2.10(c)(ii) or 2.10(f), as applicable: (A) Borrower shall, and shall cause other Loan Parties to (with appropriate adjustments to any intercompany loan account balances or Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account balances, as applicable) prepay Obligations in accordance (with a concurrent release of such Reinvestment Reserve) with Section 2.10(i) in the amount of such remaining Reinvestment Reserve without reducing Commitments, and (B) if such Reinvestment Reserve relates to Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property, (x) such Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property shall be deleted 58 from Schedule 1.01(d) and Schedule 1.01(d) shall be amended in accordance with the definition of the term "Fixed Asset Loan Value" (with appropriate adjustments to the Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account), and (y) the Fixed Asset Loan Value of the Person owning such Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property shall be reduced by an amount equal to the appraised net orderly liquidation value of Eligible Equipment or the appraised fair market value of Eligible Real Property, as applicable. For the purposes of determining whether clause (B) of this paragraph (g) shall apply, any Equipment located on one of the locations listed on Schedule 1.01(e) shall be deemed Eligible Equipment and therefore clause (B) of this paragraph (g) shall apply with respect to such Equipment and the amount of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Equipment shall be deemed to be the appraised net orderly liquidation value thereof. (h) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.] (i) Application of Prepayments. (i) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (i) of this Section 2.10(i). Subject to Section 9.04 and so long as no Event of Default shall then exist and be continuing, all mandatory prepayments shall be applied as follows: first, to Fees and reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent then due and payable pursuant to the Loan Documents; second, to interest then due and payable on all Loans; third, to the principal balance of the Swingline Loan until the same has been repaid in full; fourth, to the outstanding principal balance of Revolving Loans until the same has been paid in full, including accompanying accrued interest and charges under Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.15 (Borrower may elect which of any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings is to be prepaid); fifth, to cash collateralize all LC Exposures plus any accrued and unpaid Fees with respect thereto (to be held and applied in accordance with Section 2.18(j) hereof); sixth, to all other Obligations pro rata in accordance with the amounts that such Lender certifies is outstanding; and, seventh, returned to Borrower or to such party as otherwise required by law. All such mandatory prepayments of the Revolving Loans shall cause a corresponding reduction in the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders in accordance with their applicable Revolving Commitments. (ii) Amounts to be applied pursuant to this Section 2.10 to the prepayment of Revolving Loans shall be applied, as applicable, first to reduce outstanding ABR Revolving Loans, respectively. Any amounts remaining after each such application shall be applied to prepay Eurodollar Revolving Loans, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the amount of any prepayment of Loans required under this Section 2.10 shall be in excess of the amount of the ABR Loans at the time outstanding, only the portion of the amount of such prepayment as is equal to the amount of such outstanding ABR Loans shall be immediately prepaid and, at the election of Borrower, the balance of such required prepayment shall be prepaid immediately, together with any amounts owing to the Lenders under Section 2.13. (j) Notice of Prepayment. Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by 59 telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial repayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.06. SECTION 2.11 ALTERNATE RATE OF INTEREST. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing: (a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period; or (b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, e-mail or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing. SECTION 2.12 INCREASED COSTS. (a) If any Change in Law shall: (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or (ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Revolving Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; 60 and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Revolving Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then Borrower will pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered. (b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's capital or on the capital of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's policies and the policies of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company for any such reduction suffered. (c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.12 shall be delivered to Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof. (d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's right to demand such compensation; provided, that Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.12 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall not begin earlier than the date of effectiveness of the Change in Law. SECTION 2.13 BREAKAGE PAYMENTS. In the event of (a) the payment or prepayment, whether optional or mandatory, of any principal of any Eurodollar Revolving Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Revolving Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Revolving Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as 61 a result of a request by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16, then, in any such event, Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be delivered to Borrower and Administrative Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof. SECTION 2.14 PAYMENTS GENERALLY; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS. (a) Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15, or otherwise) on or before the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Payment Account or such other place as the Administrative Agent may from time to time designate in writing, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and 11.03 shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Persons specified therein. Subject to the settlement provisions of Section 10.12, the Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments under each Loan Document shall be made in Dollars. (b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto 62 in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties. (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of Borrower in the amount of such participation. (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. (e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.02(c), 2.02(f), 2.14(d), 2.17(d), 2.18(d) or 11.03(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender's obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid. 63 SECTION 2.15 TAXES. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made without set-off, counterclaim or other defense and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any and all Indemnified Taxes; provided, that if Borrower or such Borrowing Base Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) Borrower or such Borrowing Base Guarantor shall make such deductions or withholdings and (iii) Borrower or such Borrowing Base Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. (b) In addition, Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. (c) Borrower shall indemnify and pay the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.15) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by Borrower to a Governmental Authority, Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. (e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. Each Foreign Lender either (1) (i) agrees to furnish either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) and (ii) agrees (for the benefit of Borrower and the Administrative Agent), to the extent it may lawfully do so at such times, upon reasonable request by Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to provide a new Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN (or successor form) upon the expiration or 64 obsolescence of any previously delivered form to reconfirm any complete exemption from, or any entitlement to a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to any interest payment hereunder or (2) in the case of any such Foreign Lender that is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (i) agrees to furnish either (a) a "Non-Bank Certificate" in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and two accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) or (b) an Internal Revenue Form W-8ECI (or successor form), certifying (in each case) to such Foreign Lender's legal entitlement to an exemption or reduction from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to all interest payments hereunder and (ii) agrees (for the benefit of Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to the extent it may lawfully do so at such times, upon reasonable request by Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to provide a new Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI (or successor form) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form to reconfirm any complete exemption from, or any entitlement to a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to any interest payment hereunder. (f) If the Administrative Agent or a Lender (or an assignee) determines in its reasonable discretion that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.15, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section 2.15 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or the Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, however, that Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee), agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or assignee) is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Nothing contained in this Section 2.15(f) shall require the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or assignee) to make available its tax returns or any other information which it deems confidential to Borrower or any other Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will any Lender be required to pay any amount to Borrower the payment of which would place such Lender in a less favorable net after-tax position than such Lender would have been in had the additional amounts giving rise to such refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes never been paid in the first place. SECTION 2.16 MITIGATION OBLIGATIONS; REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS. (a) Mitigation of Obligations. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment. 65 (b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 11.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee selected by Borrower that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided, that (i) Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. SECTION 2.17 SWINGLINE LOANS. (a) Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $20.0 million or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the lesser of (A) the total Revolving Commitments minus any Reinvestment Reserve and (B) the Borrowing Base then in effect; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans. (b) Swingline Loans. To request a Swingline Loan, Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loans. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from Borrower. Except for Swingline Loans deemed made pursuant to Section 2.02(g), the Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to Borrower by means of a credit to an account as directed by the Borrower in the request for such Swingline Loan (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.18(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan. Borrower shall not request a Swingline Loan if at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such request a Default has occurred and is continuing. Swingline Loans shall be made in minimum amounts of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 above such amount. 66 (c) Prepayment. Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to repay any Swingline Loan, in whole or in part, upon giving written or telecopy notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written, or telecopy notice) to the Swingline Lender and to the Administrative Agent before 1:00 p.m., New York City time on the date of repayment at the Swingline Lender's address for notices specified in the Swingline Lender's Administrative Questionnaire; provided, that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000. All principal payments of Swingline Loans shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid to the date of payment (d) Participations. The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever (provided, that such payment shall not cause such Lender's Revolving Exposure to exceed such Lender's Revolving Commitment). Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02(f) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.02 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from Borrower (or other party on behalf of Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve Borrower of any default in the payment thereof. SECTION 2.18 LETTERS OF CREDIT. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for Borrower's account or the account of any Borrowing Base Guarantor in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period (provided, that Borrower shall be a co-applicant with respect to 67 each Letter of Credit issued for the account of or in favor of any Borrowing Base Guarantor). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by Borrower to, or entered into by Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Issuing Bank may consent to issuing Letters of Credit that have automatic extension or renewal provisions ("evergreen" Letters of Credit) in its sole discretion, which evergreen Letters of Credit Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, elect not to permit to be extended or renewed at any time. If, as of the date which is 60 days prior to the Maturity Date, any evergreen Letters of Credit may for any reason remain outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn, Borrower shall immediately deposit in the Cash Collateral Account, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an amount in cash representing 105% of the aggregate maximum amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 9.04 hereof. (b) Request for Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit, Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) an LC Request to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on the third Business Day preceding the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (or such later date and time as is acceptable to both the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent). A request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent: (i) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (ii) the amount thereof; (iii) the expiry date thereof; (iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (v) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (vi) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (vii) such other matters as the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may require. A request for an amendment, renewal or extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (i) the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended; (ii) the proposed date of amendment, renewal or extension thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the nature of the proposed amendment, renewal or extension; and (iv) such other matters as the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may require. If requested by the Issuing Bank, Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank's standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50.0 million and (ii) the total Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the total Revolving Commitments minus the Line Reserve and (B) the Borrowing Base then in effect. Unless the Issuing Bank shall agree otherwise, no Letter of Credit shall be in an initial amount less than $100,000. (c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) in the case of a Standby Letter of Credit, (x) the date which is one year after the date of the issuance of such Standby Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (y) the Letter of Credit 68 Expiration Date and (ii) in the case of a Commercial Letter of Credit, (x) the date that is 180 days after the date of issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, 180 days after such renewal or extension) and (y) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date. (d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. (e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Issuing Bank an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by Borrower prior to such time, on such date, then not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time on (i) the Business Day that Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided, that Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.17 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, Borrower's obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Pro Rata Percentage of the unreimbursed LC Disbursement in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02(f) with respect to Loans made by such Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, distribute such payment to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may 69 appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement. (f) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of Borrower to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.18, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the obligations of Borrower hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their Affiliates, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank's failure to exercise reasonable care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit. (g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing 70 Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement (other than with respect to the timing of such reimbursement obligation set forth in Section 2.18(e)). (h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided, that, if Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18, then Section 2.06(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.18 to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment. (i) Resignation or Removal of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may resign as Issuing Bank hereunder at any time upon at least 30 days' prior notice to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and Borrower. The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. One or more Lenders may be appointed as additional Issuing Banks in accordance with subsection (k) below. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank or any such additional Issuing Bank. At the time any such resignation or replacement shall become effective, Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(c). From and after the effective date of any such resignation or replacement or addition, as applicable, (i) the successor or additional Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term "ISSUING BANK" shall be deemed to refer to such successor or such addition or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor or such additional Issuing Bank and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the resignation or replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit. If at any time there is more than one Issuing Bank hereunder, Borrower may, in its discretion, select which Issuing Bank is to issue any particular Letter of Credit. (j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, Borrower shall deposit in the Cash Collateral Account, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided, that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to Borrower described in clause (g) or (h) of Article VIII. Each such deposit shall be held by the Collateral Agent in a Cash Collateral 71 Account pursuant to Section 9.04 as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Collateral Agent and at the risk and expense of Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Collateral Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Obligations of Borrower under this Agreement. If Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount plus any accrued interest or realized profits of such amounts (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If Borrower is required to provide an amount of such collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.10(b), such amount plus any accrued interest or realized profits on account of such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.10(b) and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. (k) Additional Issuing Banks. Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as an issuing bank under the terms of this Agreement; provided, that no Lender shall be designated as an issuing bank unless such Lender maintains reporting systems acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to LC Exposure and agrees to provide regular reporting to the Administrative Agent with respect to such LC Exposure. Any Lender designated as an issuing bank pursuant to this paragraph (k) shall be deemed (in addition to being a Lender) to be the Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Lender, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the term "Issuing Bank" shall, with respect to such Letters of Credit, be deemed to refer to such Lender in its capacity as Issuing Bank, as the context shall require. (l) The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if: (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Original Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Original Closing Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or 72 (ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank. (m) The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the Issuing Bank would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit. SECTION 2.19 DETERMINATION OF BORROWING BASE. (a) Eligible Accounts. On any date of determination of the Borrowing Base, all of the Accounts owned by Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, and reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent shall be "Eligible Accounts" for the purposes of this Agreement, except any Account to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. In addition, the Administrative Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Original Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust the applicable advance rate with respect to Eligible Accounts, in its reasonable credit judgment, subject to the approval of the Supermajority Lenders in the case of adjustments, new criteria or changes in the applicable advance rates which have the effect of making more credit available. Eligible Accounts shall not include any of the following Accounts: (i) any Account in which the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, does not have a first priority and exclusive perfected Lien; (ii) any Account that is not owned by a Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor; (iii) any Account due from an Account Debtor that is not domiciled in the United States or Canada or, if not a natural Person, it is not a Domestic or Canadian Person; (iv) any Account that is payable in any currency other than Dollars or Canadian Dollars; (v) any Account that does not arise from the sale of goods or the performance of services by such Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor in the ordinary course of its business; (vi) any Account that does not comply with all applicable legal requirements, including, without limitation, all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority (including any Account due from an Account Debtor located in the States of New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia or any other State, unless Borrower and the Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable (at the time the Account was created and at all times thereafter) (i) had filed and has maintained effective a current notice of business activities report with the appropriate office or agency of the States of New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia, or any other State, as applicable, or (ii) was and has continued to be exempt from filing such report and has provided the Lenders with satisfactory evidence thereof); 73 (vii) any Account (a) upon which the right to receive payment of either Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, is not absolute or is contingent upon the fulfillment of any condition whatsoever unless such condition is satisfied or (b) as to which either Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, is not able to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial or administrative process or (c) that represents a progress billing consisting of an invoice for goods sold or used or services rendered pursuant to a contract under which the Account Debtor's obligation to pay that invoice is subject to the Borrower's or Borrowing Base Guarantor', as applicable, completion of further performance under such contract or is subject to the equitable lien of a surety bond issuer; (viii) to the extent that any defense, counterclaim, setoff or dispute is asserted as to such Account, it being understood that the remaining balance of the Account shall be eligible; (ix) any Account that is reissued in respect of partial payment, including without limitation debit memos and charge backs; (x) any Account that is not a true and correct statement of bona fide indebtedness incurred in the amount of the Account for merchandise sold to or services rendered and accepted by the applicable Account Debtor; (xi) any Account with respect to which an invoice or other electronic transmission constituting a request for payment, reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent in form and substance, has not been sent on a timely basis to the applicable Account Debtor according to the normal invoicing and timing procedures of Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable; (xii) any Account that arises from a sale to any director, officer, other employee or Affiliate of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor (including, without limitation, NextGen), or to any entity that has any common officer or director with any Borrower or Borrowing Base Guarantor; (xiii) to the extent the Borrower or any Subsidiary is liable for goods sold or services rendered by the applicable Account Debtor to the Borrower or any Subsidiary but only to the extent of the potential offset; (xiv) any Account that arises with respect to goods that are delivered on a bill-and-hold, cash-on-delivery basis or placed on consignment (other than Eligible Consigned Inventory), guaranteed sale or other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor is or may be conditional or with respect to which the applicable Account Debtor is treated by Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor as a cash-in-advance terms customer (regardless of whether shipment was in fact withheld subject to receiving payment); (xv) any Account that is in default; provided, that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Account shall be deemed in default upon the occurrence of any of the following: (a) any Account not paid within 90 days following its original invoice date; 74 (b) any Account which is due according to its original terms of sale more than 90 days after its original invoice date, except as may be approved in advance and in writing by Collateral Agent in its discretion, with such limitations as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; it being understood and agreed that (I) as of the Closing Date, an AutoZone Account, a Robert Bosch Account, an Ozark Account or an Account of Graybar Electric Company, Inc. or State Electric Supply Co., Inc. which is due according to its original terms of sale more than 90 days after its original invoice date shall not be deemed in default by reason of this clause (b) or by reason of clause (a) above, as long as such Account is not more than 30 days past due according to its original terms of sale and does not remain unpaid for more than 150 days after its original invoice date; (II) to the extent AutoZone, Inc., Robert Bosch Corporation, or Ozark Auto Purchasing LLC is an Investment Grade Account Debtor, an AutoZone Account, Robert Bosch Account, or Ozark Account which is due according to its original terms of sale more than 90 days after its original invoice date shall not be deemed in default by reason of this clause (b) or by reason of clause (a) above, as long as such Account is not more than 30 days past due according to its original terms of sale and does not remain unpaid for more than 180 days after its original invoice date (195 days after its original invoice date in the case of an AutoZone Account having an original invoice date on or after January 1, 2007 and prior to January 1, 2008; and 210 days after its original invoice date in the case of an AutoZone Account having an original invoice date on or after January 1, 2008), and (III) (A) if the aggregate Available Amounts of all AutoZone Accounts that are Eligible Accounts shall at any time exceed 25% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts which are included in the Borrowing Base, then the Collateral Agent may establish a Reserve in the exercise of its reasonable credit judgment in an amount equal to the excess of the aggregate Available Amounts of such AutoZone Accounts over 25% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts, (B) if the aggregate Available Amounts of all Robert Bosch Accounts that are Eligible Accounts shall at any time exceed 7% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts which are included in the Borrowing Base, then the Collateral Agent may establish a Reserve in the exercise of its reasonable credit judgment in an amount equal to the excess of the aggregate Available Amounts of such Robert Bosch Accounts over 7% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts, and (C) if the aggregate Available Amounts of all Ozark Accounts that are Eligible Accounts shall at any time exceed 3% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts which are included in the Borrowing Base, then the Collateral Agent may establish a Reserve in the exercise of its reasonable credit judgment in an amount equal to the excess of the aggregate Available Amounts of such Ozark Accounts over 3% of the aggregate Available Amounts of all Eligible Accounts; (c) the Account Debtor obligated upon such Account suspends business, makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or fails to pay its debts generally as they come due; or 75 (d) a petition is filed by or against any Account Debtor obligated upon such Account under any bankruptcy law or any other federal, state, provincial or foreign (including any provincial) receivership, insolvency relief or other law or laws for the relief of debtors; (xvi) any Account that is the obligation of an Account Debtor (other than an individual) if 50% or more of the Dollar amount of all Accounts owing by that Account Debtor are ineligible under the other criteria set forth in this Section 2.19(a); (xvii) any Account as to which any of the representations or warranties in the Loan Documents are untrue; (xviii) to the extent such Account is evidenced by a judgment, Instrument or Chattel Paper; (xix) to the extent such Account exceeds any credit limit established by the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable credit judgment, following prior notice of such limit by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower; (xx) that portion of any Account (a) in respect of which there has been, or should have been, established by the Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor a contra account, whether in respect of contractual allowances with respect to such Account, audit adjustment, anticipated discounts or otherwise, or in respect of which Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor accrues liability for deposits made by Account Debtors in respect of the reels used to store cable, or (b) which is due from an Account Debtor to whom the Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor owes a trade payable, but only to the extent of such trade payable or (c) which the Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor knows is subject to the exercise by an Account Debtor of any right of recession, set-off, recoupment, counterclaim or defense or (d) of any Account Debtor that is taking part in a volume rebate program and is meeting the requisite volume criteria; or (xxi) any Account on which the Account Debtor is a Governmental Authority, unless Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, has assigned its rights to payment of such Account to the Administrative Agent pursuant to, in the case of a federal Governmental Authority, the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended, or Financial Administration Act (Canada), as amended, and pursuant to applicable law, if any, in the case of any other Governmental Authority, and such assignment has been accepted and acknowledged by the appropriate government officers. (b) Eligible Inventory. For purposes of this Agreement, Eligible Inventory shall exclude any Inventory to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to establish, modify or eliminate Reserves against Eligible Inventory from time to time in its reasonable credit judgment. In addition, the Administrative Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Original Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth below, to establish new criteria and to adjust the applicable advance rate with respect to Eligible Inventory, in its reasonable credit judgment, subject to the approval of the Supermajority Lenders in the case of adjustments, new criteria, 76 changes in the applicable advance rate or the elimination of Reserves which have the effect of making more credit available. Eligible Inventory shall not include any Inventory of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor that: (i) the Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties, does not have a first priority and exclusive perfected Lien on such Inventory; (ii) is not located on premises in United States or Canada; (iii) (A) is located on premises leased by Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor, unless (x) at such location the aggregate value of Inventory exceeds $250,000, and (y) either (1) a reasonably satisfactory Landlord Lien Waiver and Access Agreement has been delivered to the Collateral Agent, or (2) Reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent have been established with respect thereto or (B) is stored with a bailee or warehouseman where the aggregate value of Inventory exceeds $250,000 unless either (x) a reasonably satisfactory, acknowledged bailee waiver letter has been received by the Collateral Agent or (y) Reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent have been established with respect thereto, or (C) is located at an owned location subject to a mortgage in favor of a lender other than the Collateral Agent where the aggregate value of Inventory exceeds $250,000 unless either (x) a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver has been delivered to the Collateral Agent or (y) Reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent have been established with respect thereto; (iv) is placed on consignment (other than Eligible Consigned Inventory); (v) is covered by a negotiable document of title, unless such document has been delivered to the Collateral Agent with all necessary endorsements, free and clear of all Liens except those in favor of the Collateral Agent and the Lenders and landlords, carriers, bailees and warehousemen if clause (iii) above has been complied with; (vi) is to be returned to suppliers; (vii) is obsolete, unsalable, shopworn, seconds, damaged or unfit for sale; (viii) is slow moving (in excess of 1-year supply); (ix) consists of display items, samples or packing or shipping materials, manufacturing supplies or replacement parts (it being understood that Eligible Inventory shall not exclude work-in-process Inventory if it is not excluded in accordance with other criteria set forth herein, unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable credit judgment); (x) is not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of Borrower's or any Borrowing Base Guarantor's, as applicable, business; (xi) breaches any of the representations or warranties pertaining to Inventory set forth in the Loan Documents; 77 (xii) consists of Hazardous Material or goods that can be transported or sold only with licenses that are not readily available; (xiii) is not covered by casualty insurance maintained as required by Section 5.04; (xiv) consists of custom made Inventory which is not saleable to any other customer or in ordinary course; (xv) is in transit; or (xvi) is subject to any licensing arrangement the effect of which would be to limit the ability of Collateral Agent, or any Person selling the Inventory on behalf of Collateral Agent, to sell such Inventory in enforcement of the Collateral Agent's Liens, without further consent or payment to the licensor or other. (c) Eligible Equipment and Eligible Real Property. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to establish, modify or eliminate Reserves against Eligible Equipment and Eligible Real Property from time to time in its reasonable credit judgment. In addition, the Administrative Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Original Closing Date, to adjust any of the criteria set forth in the definitions of the terms "Eligible Equipment" and "Eligible Real Property", to establish new criteria and to adjust the applicable advance rate with respect to Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property, in its reasonable credit judgment, subject to the approval of the Supermajority Lenders in the case of adjustments, new criteria, changes in the applicable advance rate or the elimination of Reserves which have the effect of making more credit available and in the case of any change in the FALV Amortization Factor. Any Equipment affixed to the Mortgaged Real Property listed on Schedule 1.01(e), if otherwise eligible hereunder, shall be deemed Eligible Equipment rather than Eligible Real Property. SECTION 2.20 COMMITMENT INCREASE. From time to time after the Closing Date, the Revolving Commitments may be increased (but in no event in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate for all such increases) (the "COMMITMENT INCREASE CAP") such that the aggregate Revolving Commitments shall at no time exceed $350,000,000 (any such increase, a "COMMITMENT INCREASE") at the option of Borrower pursuant to delivery of written notice from Borrower of a proposed Commitment Increase to the Administrative Agent if each of the following conditions have been met: (a) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result from such Commitment Increase; (b) no Commitment Increase may be in an amount less than $10,000,000; (c) no existing Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolving Commitment in connection with any Commitment Increase; (d) the proposed Commitment Increase shall have been consented to in writing by each existing Lender (if any) who is increasing its Revolving Commitment and/or each other institution (if any) that constitutes a permitted assignee under Section 11.04(b) and that has 78 agreed to become a Lender in respect of all or a portion of the Commitment Increase (each such Lender, a "New Lender"); (e) the proposed Commitment Increase, together with any prior Commitment Increase, shall not exceed the Commitment Increase Cap; and (f) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) an agreement setting forth such Commitment Increase, together with Lender Addendums and promissory notes with respect thereto, (ii) evidence of corporate authorization on the part of the Loan Parties with respect to such Commitment Increase, (iii) opinions of counsel with respect to such Commitment Increase, (iv) amendments to the Security Documents in connection with such Commitment Increase, (v) on behalf of each existing Lender and/or New Lender participating in such Commitment Increase, payment of fees (if any) agreed to by Borrower and payable to such Persons in connection with such Commitment Increase and (vi) evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above in connection with such Commitment Increase, in each case as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Each of the Borrower, Lenders and Administrative Agent acknowledges and agrees that each Commitment Increase meeting the conditions set forth in this Section 2.20 shall not require the consent of any Lender other than those Lenders, if any, which have agreed to increase their Revolving Commitments in connection with such proposed Commitment Increase. After giving effect to any Commitment Increase, it may be the case that the outstanding Revolving Loans are not held pro rata in accordance with the new Revolving Commitments. In order to remedy the foregoing, on the effective date of the applicable Commitment Increase, the Revolving Lenders (including, without limitation, any new Lenders) shall make payments to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent agrees, upon receipt of all such payments, to disburse such amounts to the Lenders so that after giving effect thereto the Revolving Loans will be held by the Revolving Lenders (including, without limitation, any new Lenders), pro rata in accordance with the Pro Rate Percentages hereunder (after giving effect to the applicable Commitment Increase). ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders (with references to the Companies being references thereto after giving effect to the Transactions unless otherwise expressly stated) that: SECTION 3.01 ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Each Company (a) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own and lease its Property and (c) is qualified and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction) to do business in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. 79 SECTION 3.02 AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY. The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party's powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. SECTION 3.03 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS; NO CONFLICTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.03, the Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents and (iii) consents, approvals, registrations, filings or actions the failure of which to obtain or perform could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Company or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate, result in a default or require any consent or approval under any applicable law or regulation, indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Company or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Company, except for violations, defaults or the creation of such rights that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of any Company, except Liens created under the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens. SECTION 3.04 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. (a) Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries (i) as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, audited by and accompanied by the opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, and (y) as of and for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2005 and for the comparable period of the preceding fiscal year, in each case, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Holdings. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and present fairly and accurately the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods. Except as set forth in such financial statements or schedules hereto, as of the Closing Date, there are no liabilities of any Company of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, which if unpaid could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which could reasonably be expected to result in such a liability, other than liabilities under the Loan Documents and the Qualified Senior Note Documents. (b) Prior to the Original Closing Date, Borrower has delivered to the Lenders Holdings' (i) Confidential Information Memoranda, (ii) unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and statements of income and cash flows as of and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 and for the comparable period of the preceding fiscal year and (iii) consolidated projections for a 5-year period after the Original Closing Date. Such projections 80 and financial statements have been prepared in good faith by the Loan Parties, based on the assumptions stated therein (which assumptions are believed by the Loan Parties as of the Original Closing Date and on the Closing Date to be reasonable), are based on the best information available to the Loan Parties as of the date of delivery thereof, accurately reflect all adjustments required to be made to give effect to the Transactions. The projections are based upon the same accounting principles as those used in the preparation of the financial statements described above and the estimates and assumptions stated therein, all of which the Loan Parties believes to be reasonable and fair in light of current conditions and current facts known to the Loan Parties and, as of the Closing Date, reflect the Loan Parties' good faith and reasonable estimates of the future financial performance of the Loan Parties for the period set forth therein. The projections are not a guaranty of future performance, and actual results may differ from the projections. (c) Since December 31, 2002, there has been no event, change or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. SECTION 3.05 PROPERTIES. (a) Each Company has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its Property material to its business, except for minor irregularities or deficiencies in title that, individually or in the aggregate, do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such Property for its intended purpose. Title to all such Property held by such Company is free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. The Property of the Companies, taken as a whole, (i) is in good operating order, condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) (except to the extent that the failure to be in such condition could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect) and (ii) constitutes all the Property which is required for the business and operations of the Companies as presently conducted. (b) Real Property. As of the Closing Date, (i) Schedule 3.05(b) contains a true and complete list of each interest in Real Property owned by any Company and describes the type of interest therein held by such Company. Schedule 3.05(b) contains a true and complete list of each Real Property leased, subleased or otherwise occupied or utilized by any Company, as lessee, sublessee, franchisee or licensee, and describes the type of interest therein held by such Company and whether such lease, sublease or other instrument requires the consent of the landlord thereunder or other parties thereto to the Transactions. (ii) The Real Property and the current use thereof complies in all material respects with (i) all applicable Requirements of Law (including building and zoning ordinances and codes), and the Borrower or the relevant Company is not an illegal user of such Real Property, and (ii) all insurance requirements of this Agreement, in each case, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (iii) No Casualty Event has been commenced or, to the best knowledge of Borrower and the Companies, is contemplated with respect to all or any portion of any material Real Property or for any materially adverse relocation of roadways providing access to such Real 81 Property other than a Casualty Event relating to Real Property that has been restored, replaced or rebuilt. (iv) There are no current, pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower and the Companies, proposed special or other assessments for public improvements or otherwise affecting any Mortgaged Real Properties, nor are there any contemplated improvements to such Mortgaged Real Properties that may result in such special or other assessments, in each case, other than such assessments that will be paid prior to delinquency. (v) Neither the Borrower nor the Companies have suffered, permitted or initiated the joint assessment of any Mortgaged Real Property with any other real property constituting a separate tax lot that would interfere with the legal foreclosure of such Mortgaged Real Property independent of any property that is not a Mortgaged Real Property. All owned Real Property is comprised of one or more parcels, each of which or such parcels together constitutes a separate tax lot and none of which constitutes a portion of any other tax lot. (vi) Each of the Borrower and the Companies has obtained all material permits (including assembly permits), licenses, variances and certificates required by Requirements of Law to be obtained by such Person and necessary to the use and operation of the Mortgaged Real Properties for the purposes for which they are currently used. Each of the Borrower and the Companies has obtained all permits (including assembly permits), licenses, variances and certificates required by Requirements of Law to be obtained by such Person and necessary to the use and operation of Real Property other than Mortgaged Real Properties except to the extent that the failure to obtain such permits, licenses, variances and certificates could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use being made of all Real Property is in material conformity with the certificate of occupancy and/or such other permits, licenses, variances and certificates for such Real Property and any other reciprocal easement agreements, restrictions, covenants or conditions affecting such Real Property. (vii) Except for maintenance and repairs in the ordinary course of business or as set forth on Schedule 3.05(b), to the best knowledge of Borrower and the Companies, all Real Property owned by Loan Parties is free from structural defects and all building systems contained therein are in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, suitable for the purposes for which they are currently being used. (viii) No Person other than the Companies has any possessory interest in any Real Property or right to occupy any Real Property except for leases, subleases and concessions (i) in the ordinary course of business and (ii) on terms no less favorable to the Companies than terms that were available to unaffiliated parties in the market generally at the time entered into. There are no outstanding options to purchase or rights of first refusal or restrictions on transferability affecting any owned Real Property. (ix) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the affected Property, (i) all Real Property has adequate rights of access to public ways to permit the Real Property to be used for its intended purpose and is served by operating and adequate water, electric, telephone, sewer, sanitary sewer and storm drain facilities, (ii) all public utilities necessary to the continued use and enjoyment of the Real Property and the Companies 82 have the legal right to the continued use thereof, (iii) all roads necessary for the full utilization of the Real Property for its current purpose have been completed and dedicated to public use and accepted by all Governmental Authorities or are the subject of access easements for the benefit of such Real Property and (iv) all reciprocal easement agreements affecting any Real Property are in full force and effect and no Company is aware of any defaults thereunder. Except for public streets and sidewalks and other non-material parcels in respect of which any further discontinuance of use or occupying would not materially interfere with the value or utility of adjacent or nearby Real Property, no Company uses or occupies any real property other than such Real Property in connection with the use and operation of any Real Property. (x) No building or structure constituting Real Property or any appurtenance thereto or equipment thereon, or the use, operation or maintenance thereof, violates any restrictive covenant or encroaches on any easement or on any property owned by others, which violation or encroachment materially interferes with the use or could materially adversely affect the value of such building, structure or appurtenance or which encroachment is necessary for the operation of the business at any Real Property. All buildings, structures, appurtenances and equipment necessary for the use of each Mortgaged Real Property for the purpose for which it is currently being used are located on the real property encumbered by such Mortgage. (xi) Each parcel of Real Property, including each lease, has adequate available parking to meet legal and operating requirements (after taking into account reciprocal easement agreements and other easements on adjoining or nearby land). (xii) No portion of the Real Property owned by a Loan Party has suffered any material damage by fire or other material casualty loss that has not heretofore been substantially repaired and restored to its original condition. No portion of the Real Property owned by a Loan Party (other than the Real Property located in Willimantic, Connecticut for which Borrower has flood insurance) is located in a special flood hazard area as designated by any federal governmental authorities. (c) Each Company owns, or is licensed to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trade names, servicemarks, copyrights, technology, trade secrets, proprietary information, domain names, know-how and processes necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted (the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY"), except for those the failure to own or license which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does any Company know of any valid basis for any such claim (except for such claim and infringement that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect). The use of such Intellectual Property by each Company does not infringe the rights of any Person, except for such claims and infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (d) As of the Closing Date, (i) no Company has received any notice of, nor has any knowledge of, the occurrence or pendency or contemplation of any Casualty Event affecting all or any portion of the Property and (ii) no Mortgage encumbers improved Real Property that is located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 83 as an area having special flood hazards and with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. SECTION 3.06 EQUITY INTERESTS AND SUBSIDIARIES. (a) Schedule 3.06(a) sets forth a list of (i) all the Subsidiaries and their jurisdiction of organization as of the Closing Date and (ii) the number of shares of each class of its Equity Interests authorized, and the number outstanding (and the record holder of such Equity Interests), on the Closing Date and the number of shares covered by all outstanding options, warrants, rights of conversion or purchase and similar rights at the Closing Date. All Equity Interests of each Company are duly and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by Holdings or Borrower, directly or indirectly through Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and all Equity Interests of Borrower are owned directly by Intermediate Holdings and all Equity Interests of Intermediate Holdings are owned directly by Holdings. Each Loan Party is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Equity Interests pledged by it under the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements, free of any and all Liens, rights or claims of other Persons, except the security interest created by the Security Agreements, and there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or Property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any such Equity Interests. (b) No consent of any Person including any other general or limited partner, any other member of a limited liability company, any other shareholder or any other trust beneficiary is necessary or desirable in connection with the creation, perfection or first priority status of the security interest of the Collateral Agent in any Equity Interests pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Security Documents or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in the Security Documents or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof. (c) An accurate organization chart, showing the ownership structure of Holdings, Borrower and each Subsidiary on the Closing Date, and after giving effect to the Transaction, is set forth on Schedule 3.06(c). SECTION 3.07 LITIGATION; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. (a) As of the Closing Date, there are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened against or affecting any Company or any business, Property or rights of any such Person (i) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Except for matters covered by Section 3.17, no Company or any of its Property is in violation of, nor will the continued operation of their Property as currently conducted violate, any Requirements of Law (including any zoning or building ordinance, code or approval or any building permits) or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Real Property or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. 84 SECTION 3.08 AGREEMENTS. (a) No Company is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any corporate or other constitutional restriction that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (b) No Company is in default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing Indebtedness, or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its Property are or may be bound, where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (c) Schedule 3.08(c) accurately and completely lists all material agreements (other than leases of Real Property set forth on Schedule 3.05(b) and other than the Intercompany Agreements) to which any Company is a party which are in effect on the date hereof in connection with the operation of the business conducted thereby and Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent complete and correct copies of all such material agreements, including any amendments, supplements or modifications with respect thereto. SECTION 3.09 FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS. (a) No Company is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock. (b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X. The pledge of the Security Agreement Collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements does not violate such regulations. SECTION 3.10 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. No Company is (a) an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company," as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) a "holding company," an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. SECTION 3.11 USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans on and after the Closing Date to finance any Permitted Loan Funded Acquisition, fund the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Debt and for general corporate purposes. SECTION 3.12 TAXES. Each Company has (a) timely filed or caused to be timely filed all federal Tax Returns and all material, state, local and foreign Tax Returns or materials required to have been filed by it and all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects and has (b) duly and timely paid or caused to be duly and timely paid all Taxes (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) due and payable by it and all assessments received by it, except Taxes (i) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Company shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (ii) which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that any such contest of Taxes with respect to Collateral shall also satisfy the Contested Collateral 85 Lien Conditions. Each Company has made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all Taxes not yet due and payable. Each Company is unaware of any proposed or pending tax assessments, deficiencies or audits that could be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. SECTION 3.13 NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS. None of any information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of any Company to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto (including the Confidential Information Memoranda) contained, contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omission, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not misleading as of the date such information is dated or certified; provided, that to the extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each Loan Party represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule. SECTION 3.14 LABOR MATTERS. As of the date hereof and the Closing Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Company pending or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of any Company have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters in any manner which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from any Company, or for which any claim may be made against any Company, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Company except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which any Company is bound. SECTION 3.15 SOLVENCY. Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Original Closing Date and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of each Loan taking into account rights of contribution against or reimbursement from other Loan Parties, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the Property of each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party (individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries) will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct its business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date and (e) with respect to any Canadian Loan Party, that on such date (i) the property of such Person is sufficient, if disposed of at a fairly 86 conducted sale under legal process, to enable payment of all its obligations, due and accruing due, (ii) the property of such Person is, at a fair valuation, greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (iii) such Person has not ceased paying its current obligations in the ordinary course of business as they generally become due, and (iv)) such Person is not for any reason unable to meet its obligations as they generally become due. In determining the foregoing, the amount of contingent liabilities (such as litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount that can be reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability. SECTION 3.16 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND PENSION PLANS. (a) Each Domestic Company and its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of any Domestic Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates or the imposition of a Lien on any of the assets of a Domestic Company. As of the date of the most recent financial statements, there is no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined by Section 412(a) of the Code). Each Company and its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with the terms of the July 1999 agreement (and any amendments or related letters) between Holdings and the PBGC that addresses the Plans. Using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with subpart 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the aggregate liabilities of each Company or its ERISA Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16, the Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under the ITA and all other applicable laws which require registration and no event has occurred which is reasonably likely to cause the loss of such registered status. All material obligations of any Canadian Loan Party (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with the Canadian Pension Plans and the funding agreements therefor have been performed in a timely fashion. There have been no improper withdrawals or applications of the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. There are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. Each of the Canadian Pension Plans is fully funded in accordance with the contribution schedules determined by the Plan actuary (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable governmental authorities and which are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles). General Cable Canada does not employ any employees outside of Canada. (c) Each Foreign Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities. No Foreign Company has incurred any material obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Plan. Each Foreign Plan is funded in accordance with the contribution schedule determined by the Plan actuary (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authority 87 and which are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles). For each Foreign Plan which is not funded, the obligations of such Foreign Plan are properly accrued. SECTION 3.17 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 or except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) The Companies and their businesses, operations and Real Property are and in the last six years have been in compliance with, and the Companies have no liability under, Environmental Law; (ii) The Companies have obtained all Environmental Permits required for the conduct of their businesses and operations, and the ownership, operation and use of their assets, under Environmental Law, all such Environmental Permits are valid and in good standing and, under the currently effective business plan of the Companies, no expenditures or operational adjustments will be required in order to renew or modify such Environmental Permits during the next five years; (iii) There has been no Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any real Property or facility presently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Companies or their predecessors in interest that could result in liability of the Companies under Environmental Law; (iv) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies, threatened against the Companies, or relating to the real Property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Companies or relating to the operations of the Companies, and there are no actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents that could form the basis of such an Environmental Claim; and (v) No Person with an indemnity or contribution obligation to the Companies relating to compliance with or liability under Environmental Law is in default with respect to such obligation. (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 or except as, individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) No Company is obligated to perform any action or otherwise incur any expense under Environmental Law pursuant to any order, decree, judgment or agreement by which it is bound or has assumed by contract or agreement, and no Company is conducting or financing any Response pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to any Real Property or any other location; (ii) No Real Property or facility owned, operated or leased by the Companies and, to the knowledge of the Companies, no real Property or facility formerly owned, operated or leased by the Companies or any of their predecessors in interest is (x) listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or (y) listed on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System 88 promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or (z) included on any similar list maintained by any Governmental Authority including, without limitation, any such list relating to petroleum; (iii) No Lien has been recorded or, to the knowledge of any Company, threatened under any Environmental Law with respect to any Real Property or assets of the Companies; (iv) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not require any notification, registration, filing, reporting, disclosure, investigation, remediation or cleanup pursuant to any Governmental Real Property Disclosure Requirements or any other Environmental Law; and (v) The Companies have made available to Lenders all material reports and assessments in the possession, custody or control of, or otherwise reasonably available to, the Companies concerning compliance with or liability under Environmental Law at the properties owned within the United States, which reports may concern the existence of Hazardous Material at such properties. SECTION 3.18 INSURANCE. Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all insurance maintained by each Company as of the Closing Date. As of each such date, such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums have been duly paid. Each Company has insurance in such amounts and covering such risks and liabilities as are in accordance with normal industry practice. SECTION 3.19 SECURITY DOCUMENTS. (a) The Security Agreements are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in and Lien on the Security Agreement Collateral and, when (i) financing statements and other filings in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4 to the Perfection Certificate and (ii) upon the taking of possession or control by the Collateral Agent of the Security Agreement Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected only by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Collateral Agent to the extent possession or control by the Collateral Agent is required by each Security Agreement), the Lien created by the Security Agreements shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder in the Security Agreement Collateral (other than such Security Agreement Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected under the UCC or PPSA as in effect at the relevant time in the relevant jurisdiction), in each case subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens. (b) When the Security Agreements or a short form thereof is filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, as applicable, the Lien created by such Security Agreements shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder in the Intellectual Property (as defined in such Security Agreements), in each case subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens. (c) Each Mortgage executed and delivered as of the Original Closing Date is, or, to the extent any Mortgage is duly executed and delivered thereafter by the relevant Loan Party, will 89 be, effective to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on and security interest in all of the Loan Parties' right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Real Properties thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when the Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 1.01(a), (or, in the case of any Mortgage executed and delivered after the date thereof in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.11 and 5.12, when such Mortgage is filed in the offices specified in the local counsel opinion delivered with respect thereto in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.11 and 5.12) the Mortgages shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Real Properties and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than Liens reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. (d) Each Security Document delivered pursuant to Sections 5.11 and 5.12 will, upon execution and delivery thereof, be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in and Lien on all of the Loan Parties' right, title and interest in and to the Collateral thereunder, and when all appropriate filings or recordings are made in the appropriate offices as may be required under applicable law, such Security Document will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral, in each case subject to no Liens other than the applicable Permitted Liens. SECTION 3.20 EQUITY FINANCING DOCUMENTS; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN AGREEMENT. (a) The Lenders have been furnished true and complete copies of each Equity Financing Document to the extent executed and delivered on or prior to the Original Closing Date. (b) All representations and warranties of each Company set forth in the Equity Financing Documents were true and correct in all material respects as of the time such representations and warranties were made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Original Closing Date as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date. SECTION 3.21 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.] SECTION 3.22 LOCATION OF MATERIAL INVENTORY. Schedule 3.22 sets forth all locations in the United States and Canada where the aggregate value of Inventory owned by the Loan Parties exceeds the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000. SECTION 3.23 ACCURACY OF BORROWING BASE. At the time any Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to this Agreement, (a) each Account and each item of Inventory included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base satisfies all of the criteria stated herein (or of which Borrower has hereafter been notified by Collateral Agent under Section 2.19) to be an Eligible Account and an item of Eligible Inventory, respectively, (b) each item of Equipment included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base satisfies all of the criteria stated herein to be an Eligible Equipment and (c) each parcel of Real Property included in the calculation of the 90 Borrowing Base satisfies all of the criteria stated herein satisfies all of the criteria stated herein to be an Eligible Real Property. SECTION 3.24 POST-AUDIT ASSET DISPOSITIONS. As of the Original Closing Date, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties have not disposed of assets (other than Inventory sold in the ordinary course of their business) which are set forth in the Inventory Appraisal, Equipment appraisal or Real Property appraisals and which have an aggregate fair market value of more than the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000. SECTION 3.25 HOLDING COMPANIES; INACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES. (a) Except for the ownership of interests in Real Property set forth in Schedule 6.18, no Holding Company (i) engages in any trade or business other than providing administrative and managerial services on behalf of the Companies, (ii) owns any assets (other than Equity Interests and Indebtedness, including intercompany Indebtedness, which are pledged to the Collateral Agent) or (iii) has any liabilities (other than for Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding with respect to and/or incurred by any such Holding Company under Section 6.01) in an aggregate amount that exceeds $25,000. (b) No Domestic or Canadian Inactive Subsidiary (i) has assets with an aggregate book value in excess of $25,000 other than Indebtedness and Equity Interests on the Closing Date pledged to the Collateral Agent, (ii) has any liabilities (other than Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding with respect to and/or incurred by any such Subsidiary under Section 6.01) in an aggregate amount that exceeds $25,000 or (iii) engages in any trade or business. SECTION 3.26 COMMON ENTERPRISE. Holdings is the direct or indirect and beneficial owner and holder of all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock or other Equity Interests in the Borrower and the other Guarantors. Borrower and Guarantors make up a related organization of various entities constituting a single economic and business enterprise so that Borrower and Guarantors share a substantial identity of interests such that any benefit received by any one of them benefits the others. Borrower and certain Guarantors render services to or for the benefit of Borrower and/or the other Guarantors, as the case may be, purchase or sell and supply goods to or from or for the benefit of the others, make loans, advances and provide other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of Borrower and Guarantors (including, inter alia, the payment by Borrower and Guarantors of creditors of the Borrower or Guarantors and guarantees by Borrower and Guarantors of indebtedness of Borrower and Guarantors and provide administrative, marketing, payroll and management services to or for the benefit of Borrower and Guarantors). Borrower and Guarantors have centralized accounting, common officers and directors and are in certain circumstances are identified to creditors as a single economic and business enterprise (i.e., as Holdings' "domestic" business). ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS SECTION 4.01 CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE CREDIT EXTENSIONS. The obligation of each Lender to make or continue the Credit Extensions requested to be made or continued by it on the Closing Date and of each Issuing Bank to issue or to cause to be issued or 91 continue Letters of Credit on the Closing Date shall be subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01. (a) Loan Documents. All legal matters incident to this Agreement, the Borrowings and extensions of credit hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to the Lenders, to the Issuing Bank to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent an executed counterpart of this Agreement and such other documents, instruments, agreements, certificates and legal opinions as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all those listed in the Closing Checklist attached hereto as Annex II. (b) Corporate Documents. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall have received: (i) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party dated the Closing Date and certifying (A) that there has been no change to the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents since the Original Closing Date, (B) that there has been no change to the by-laws of such Loan Party since the Original Closing Date, (C) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party (together with a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the certificate in this clause (i)); (ii) a long form certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State; and (iii) such other documents as the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. (c) Officers' Certificate. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01 and paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 4.02 and certifying that no Default or Event of Default under the Prior Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing as of the Closing Date. (d) Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall have received, on behalf of themselves, the Arrangers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, (i) a favorable written opinion of (A) Blank Rome LLP, special counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit K and (B) Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian counsel for the Loan Parties and (ii) a favorable written confirmation of each other local and foreign counsel listed on Schedule 4.01(d) (all of which counsels delivered opinions in 92 connection with the Prior Credit Agreement), in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and (C) covering such other matters relating to the Loan Documents and the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. (e) Fees. (i) The Arrangers, Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees and other amounts due and payable (excluding such Fees which may become due and payable on each anniversary of the Original Closing Date as set forth in Section 12.01(f)) on or prior to the Closing Date, including, and, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses of Latham & Watkins, LLP, special counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), and the fees and expenses of any local counsel, appraisers, consultants and other advisors) required to be reimbursed or paid by Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document and (ii) Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent (for the account of the Lenders) in immediately available funds an amendment fee equal to each Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of .125% of the Commitments. (f) Personal Property Requirements. The Collateral Agent shall have received certified copies of UCC, PPSA, tax and judgment lien searches, bankruptcy and pending lawsuit searches or equivalent reports or searches, each of a recent date listing all effective financing statements, lien notices or comparable documents that name any Loan Party as debtor and that are filed in those state, county or provincial jurisdictions in which any Property of any Loan Party is located and the state, county or provincial jurisdictions in which any Loan Party is organized or maintains its principal place of business and such other searches that the Collateral Agent deems necessary or appropriate, none of which encumber the Collateral covered or intended to be covered by the Security Documents (other than Permitted Liens and those relating to Liens acceptable to the Collateral Agent). (g) Real Property Requirements. The Collateral Agent shall have received: (i) with respect to each Mortgage, endorsements to each Title Policy as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to "bring-down" the status of title and to confirm that the Title Policy continues to apply to the Mortgages and the Obligations under this Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement; and (ii) with respect to each Mortgaged Real Property, such affidavits, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including, without limitation, a so-called "gap" indemnification and no-new improvements to survey affidavits) as shall be required to induce the Title Company to issue the endorsements contemplated in subparagraph (a) above. (iii) with respect to each Mortgage, an amendment to such Mortgage, in recordable form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent providing, among other things, for the recognition of the amendment and restatement of this Agreement as set forth herein and the reaffirmation of the Mortgage; and 93 (iv) evidence of payment of any and all mortgage, documentary, intangibles or similar taxes, if any, which shall be due and payable in connection with either the increase in the amount of the Obligations under this Agreement or the recording of any such Mortgage amendment referenced in clause (iii) above. SECTION 4.02 CONDITIONS TO ALL CREDIT EXTENSIONS. The obligation of each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make any Credit Extension (including the initial Credit Extension) shall be subject to, and to the satisfaction of, each of the conditions precedent set forth below. (a) Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or such notice shall have been deemed given in accordance with Section 2.03) if Loans are being requested or, in the case of the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.18(b) or, in the case of the Borrowing of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting such Swingline Loan as required by Section 2.17(b). (b) No Default. The Borrower and each other Loan Party shall be in compliance in all material respects with all the terms and provisions set forth herein and in each other Loan Document on its part to be observed or performed, and, at the time of and immediately after such Credit Extension, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the Credit Extension requested to be made on such date. (c) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party set forth in Article III hereof or in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified as to "materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date. (d) No Material Adverse Effect. There has been no event, condition and/or contingency that has had or is reasonable likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, as reasonably determined by either the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent. (e) No Legal Bar. No order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall purport to restrain such Lender from making any Loans to be made by it or the Issuing Bank from issuing Letters of Credit. No injunction or other restraining order shall have been issued, shall be pending or noticed with respect to any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the making of Loans hereunder. Each of the delivery of a Borrowing Request or notice requesting the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Credit Extension shall constitute a representation and warranty by Borrower and each other Loan Party that on the date of such Credit Extension (both immediately before and after giving effect to such Credit Extension and the application of the proceeds thereof) the conditions 94 contained in this Section 4.02 have been satisfied. Borrower shall provide such information (including calculations in reasonable detail of the covenants in Section 6.08) as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to confirm that the conditions in this Section 4.02 have been satisfied. ARTICLE V. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS Each Loan Party covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired or been fully cash collateralized and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to: SECTION 5.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, REPORTS, ETC. In the case of Holdings and Borrower, furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender: (a) Annual Reports. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (but no later than the date on which Holdings is required to file a Form 10-K under the Exchange Act), (i) the consolidated and consolidating (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity) balance sheet of Holdings as of the end of such fiscal year and related consolidated and consolidating (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity) statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, and notes thereto (including a note with a balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows separating out results consistent with reporting to the SEC), all prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and accompanied by an opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or one of the other "Big 4" accounting firms (which opinion shall not be qualified as to scope or contain any going concern or other qualification), stating that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the Consolidated Companies as of the end of and for such fiscal year in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, (ii) a management report in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth, on a consolidating basis (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity), the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Companies (on a consolidated basis) as of the end of and for such fiscal year, as compared to the Consolidated Companies' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for the previous fiscal year and its budgeted results of operations and cash flows, (iii) a management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for such fiscal year, as compared to the previous fiscal year and (iv) a schedule setting forth the intercompany Indebtedness outstanding and changes thereto since the prior fiscal year; 95 (b) Quarterly Reports. Within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (but no later than the date on which Holdings is required to file a Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act), (i) the consolidated and consolidating (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity) balance sheet of Holdings as of the end of such fiscal quarter and related consolidated and consolidating (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity) statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, in comparative form with the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year, and notes thereto (including a note with a balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows separating out results consistent with reporting to the SEC), all prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer stating that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Companies as of the date and for the periods specified in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and on a basis consistent with audited financial statements referred to in paragraph (a) if this Section 5.01(b), subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, (ii) a management report in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth, on a consolidating basis (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity), the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Companies (on a consolidated basis) as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, as compared to the Consolidated Companies' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of the end of such fiscal quarter and for the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year and its budgeted results of operations and cash flows, (iii) a management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, as compared to the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year and (iv) a schedule setting forth the intercompany Indebtedness outstanding and changes thereto since the fiscal quarter; (c) Monthly Reports. Within 30 days after the end of each month, the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings as of the end of such month and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Holdings for such month and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, in comparative form with the consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year, accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer stating that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Companies as of the date and for the periods specified in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, and setting forth, on a consolidating basis (by region or, if requested by the Collateral Agent exercising in its reasonable credit judgment, by entity), the results of operations and cash flows for such month and for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, as compared to its results of operations and cash flows for the comparable periods in the previous fiscal year and its budgeted results of operations and cash flows and a schedule setting forth the intercompany Indebtedness outstanding and changes thereto since the prior month; (d) Financial Officer's Certificate. (i) Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer certifying that no Default has occurred or, if such a Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent 96 thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto; (ii) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate; and (iii) in the case of paragraph (a) above, a report of the accounting firm opining on or certifying such financial statements stating that in the course of its regular audit of the financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with GAAP, such accounting firm obtained no knowledge that any Default has occurred or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof; (e) Financial Officer's Certificate Regarding Collateral. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate or Supplement; (f) Public Reports. Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed to holders of its Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor), as the case may be; (g) Management Letters. Promptly after the receipt thereof by any Company, a copy of any "management letter" received by any such Person from its certified public accountants and the management's responses thereto; (h) Budgets. No later than January 1, 2005 for the fiscal year of Holdings and Borrower ending on December 31, 2005, and no later than the first day of each subsequent fiscal year of Holdings and Borrower, a budget in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including budgeted statements of income by each of Borrower's business units and sources and uses of cash and balance sheets) prepared by each of Holdings and Borrower, respectively, for each fiscal month of such fiscal year prepared in detail, of Holdings, Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries, with appropriate presentation and discussion of the principal assumptions upon which such budgets are based, accompanied by the statement of a Financial Officer of each of Holdings and Borrower to the effect that the budget of Holdings and Borrower, respectively, is a reasonable estimate for the period covered thereby; (i) Annual Meetings with Lenders. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of Holdings, Holdings and Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, hold a meeting (at a mutually agreeable location and time) or, at the Administrative Agent's option, participate in a conference call with all Lenders who choose to attend such meeting or participate in such conference call at which meeting or conference call shall be reviewed the financial results of the previous fiscal year and the financial condition of the Companies and the budgets presented for the current fiscal year of the Companies; and (j) Other Information. Promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Company, or compliance with the 97 terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request. SECTION 5.02 LITIGATION AND OTHER NOTICES. Furnish to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following: (a) any Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto; (b) the filing or commencement of, or to the knowledge of any Company, any threat or notice of intention of any Person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority, (i) against any Company or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) with respect to any Loan Document; (c) any event that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (d) the occurrence of a Casualty Event which is reasonably likely to result in a loss or damage in excess of $100,000 and will ensure that the Net Cash Proceeds of any Casualty Event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents; (e) (i) the incurrence of any material Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on, or claim asserted against any of the Collateral or (ii) the occurrence of any other event which could materially affect the value of the Collateral; and (f) any threatened indictment by any Governmental Authority of any Loan Party, as to which any Loan Party receives knowledge or notice, under any criminal or civil proceedings against any Loan Party pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture of (i) any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $1.0 million or (ii) any other Property of any Loan Party which is necessary or material to the conduct of its business. SECTION 5.03 EXISTENCE; BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES. (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05 or, in the case of any Subsidiary, where the failure to perform such obligations, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business; maintain and operate such business in substantially the manner in which it is presently conducted and operated; comply with all applicable Requirements of Law (including any and all zoning, building, Environmental Law, ordinance, code or approval or any building permits or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Real Property) and decrees and orders of any 98 Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted, except where the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; pay and perform its obligations under all Leases and Transaction Documents; and at all times maintain and preserve all Property material to the conduct of the business of any Loan Party and keep such Property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business of any Loan Party carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided, that nothing in this Section 5.03(b) shall prevent (i) sales of assets, consolidations or mergers by or involving any Company in accordance with Section 6.05; (ii) the withdrawal by any Company of its qualification as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where such withdrawal, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) the abandonment by any Company of any rights, franchises, licenses, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights or patents that such Person reasonably determines are not useful to its business. SECTION 5.04 INSURANCE. (a) Keep its insurable Property adequately insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers (provided, that Borrower shall not be deemed to breach this provision if, after its insurer becomes unsound or irreputable, Borrower promptly and diligently obtains adequate insurance from an alternative carrier); maintain such other insurance, to such extent and against such risks, including fire and other risks insured against by extended coverage, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, including public liability insurance against claims for personal injury or death or Property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection with the use of any Property owned, occupied or controlled by it; and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law; and, with respect to the Collateral, otherwise maintain all insurance coverage required under each applicable Security Document, such policies to be in such form and amounts and having such coverage as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, it being agreed that the levels of insurance in place on the Original Closing Date, absent a material change in the Property of the Loan Parties, shall be satisfactory to the Collateral Agent so long as appropriate steps are taken to assure that such insurance coverage is also obtained for any future Subsidiaries. (b) All such insurance shall (i) provide that no cancellation thereof shall be effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Collateral Agent of written notice thereof, (ii) name the Collateral Agent as mortgagee (in the case of Property insurance) or additional insured (in the case of liability insurance) or loss payee (in the case of casualty insurance), as applicable, (iii) if reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, include a breach of warranty clause and (iv) be reasonably satisfactory in all other respects to the Collateral Agent. (c) Notify the Collateral Agent immediately whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.04 is taken out by any Company; and promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent a duplicate original copy of such policy or policies. (d) Obtain flood insurance in such total amount as the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may from time to time reasonably require, if at any time the area in which any improvements located on any real Property covered by a Mortgage is designated a "flood hazard 99 area" in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1975, as amended from time to time. (e) Deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a report of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such insurance and such supplemental reports with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request. SECTION 5.05 OBLIGATIONS AND TAXES. (a) Pay its Indebtedness and other obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge promptly when due all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its Property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien other than a Permitted Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the applicable Company shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested obligation, Tax, assessment or charge and enforcement of a Lien other than a Permitted Lien and, in the case of Collateral, the applicable Company shall have otherwise complied with the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions. (b) Timely and correctly file all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it. SECTION 5.06 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND PENSION PLANS. (a) With respect to each Plan, comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent (x) as soon as possible after, and in any event within 10 days after any Responsible Officer of the Companies or their ERISA Affiliates or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Companies or their ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $500,000 or the imposition of a Lien, a statement of a Financial Officer of Holdings setting forth details as to such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that the Companies propose to take with respect thereto, and (y) upon request by the Administrative Agent, copies of: (i) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any Company or any ERISA Affiliate with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan; (ii) the most recent actuarial valuation report for each Plan; (iii) all notices received by any Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor or any governmental agency concerning an ERISA Event; and (iv) such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Plan (or employee benefit plan sponsored or contributed to by any Company) as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. (b) For each existing Canadian Pension Plan of any Canadian Loan Party, such Canadian Loan Party shall, except as provided in Schedule 3.16, ensure that such plan retains its registered status under and is administered in a timely manner in all material respects in accordance with the applicable pension plan text, funding agreement, the ITA and all other applicable laws. For 100 each Canadian Pension Plan hereafter adopted by any Canadian Loan Party that is required to be registered under the ITA or any other applicable laws, that Canadian Loan Party shall use its best efforts to seek and receive confirmation in writing from the applicable governmental authorities to the effect that such plan is unconditionally registered under the ITA and such other applicable laws. For each existing and hereafter adopted Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan of any Canadian Loan Party, such Canadian Loan Party shall in a timely fashion perform in all material respects all obligations (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with such plan and the funding media therefor. Each Canadian Loan Party shall deliver to Collateral Agent if requested by Collateral Agent, (i) promptly after the filing thereof by such Canadian Loan Party with any applicable governmental authority, copies of each annual and other return, report or valuation with respect to each Canadian Pension Plan of such Canadian Loan Party; (ii) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that such Canadian Loan Party may receive from any applicable Governmental Authority with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan of such Canadian Loan Party; (iii) notification within 30 days of any increases having a cost to such Canadian Loan Party in excess of Cdn. $250,000 per annum, in the benefits of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the commencement of contributions to any such plan to which such Canadian Loan Party was not previously contributing and (iv) all material documents related to matters disclosed in Schedule 3.16. SECTION 5.07 MAINTAINING RECORDS; ACCESS TO PROPERTIES AND INSPECTIONS. Keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Keep proper records of intercompany accounts (including, without limitation, the Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account) with full, true and correct entries reflecting all payments received and paid (including, without limitation, funds received by Borrower from swept deposit accounts of the other Companies). Each Loan Party and other Company whose Equity Interests are pledged to the Collateral Agent will permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to visit and inspect the financial records and the Property of such Loan Party and other Company whose Equity Interests are pledged to the Collateral Agent at reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of any Loan Party and other Company whose Equity Interests are pledged to the Collateral Agent with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor. SECTION 5.08 USE OF PROCEEDS. Use the proceeds of the Loans and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes set forth in Section 3.11. 101 SECTION 5.09 COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS; ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS. (a) Comply, and use its best efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons occupying Real Property owned, operated or leased by any Loan Party to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits applicable to its operations and Real Property; obtain and renew all material Environmental Permits applicable to its operations and Real Property; and conduct any Response in accordance with Environmental Laws; provided, that no Company shall be required to undertake any Response to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP. (b) If a Default caused by reason of a breach of Section 3.17 or 5.09(a) shall have occurred and be continuing for more than 20 days without the Companies commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default, at the written request of the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, provide to the Lenders within 45 days after such request, at the expense of Borrower, an environmental assessment report regarding the matters which are the subject of such default, including where appropriate, any soil and/or groundwater sampling, prepared by an environmental consulting firm and in the form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or Response to address them. SECTION 5.10 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] SECTION 5.11 ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL; ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS. (a) Subject to this Section 5.11, with respect to any Property acquired after the Original Closing Date by Borrower or any other Loan Party that is intended to be subject to the Lien created by any of the Security Documents but is not so subject (but, in any event, excluding any Property described in paragraph (b) of this subsection) promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the acquisition thereof provided Collateral Agent has provided all joinder agreements to the applicable Security Documents necessary for the Loan Parties to comply herewith): (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such amendments or supplements to the relevant Security Documents or such other documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall deem necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties, a Lien on such Property subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (ii) take all actions necessary to cause such Lien to be duly perfected to the extent required by such Security Document in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Borrower shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent such reasonable documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of the Security Documents against such after-acquired properties or assets. (b) With respect to any Person that is or becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (regardless of whether such Subsidiary is established, created or acquired) (other than any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a direct Subsidiary of a Loan Party) promptly (and in any event within 30 days after such Person becomes a Subsidiary) (i) deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates, if any, representing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary (provided, that with 102 respect to any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary, in no event shall more than 65% of the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary be subject to any Lien or pledged under any Security Document if such pledge would have a material adverse tax impact on Borrower (determined at the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent after consultation with Borrower), together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of such Subsidiary's parent, as the case may be, and all intercompany notes owing from such Subsidiary to any Loan Party together with instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of such Subsidiary, and (ii) cause such new Subsidiary (other than any Foreign Subsidiary if such pledge would have a material adverse tax impact on Borrower (determined at the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent after consultation with Borrower) (A) to execute a Joinder Agreement or such comparable documentation and a joinder agreement to the Security Documents in the form annexed thereto which is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B) to take all actions necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Collateral Agent to cause the Lien created by the Security Agreements to be duly perfected to the extent required by such agreement in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent. (c) If at any time any one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries in the aggregate (other than any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a "first-tier" Foreign Subsidiary) not otherwise subject to Section 5.11(b) have assets having either a book value or fair market value in excess of $10.0 million, then Borrower shall, and shall cause one or more of such Subsidiaries to, comply with Section 5.11(b) within the time frames set forth in such subsection so that no one or more such Subsidiaries in the aggregate hold assets having either a book value or fair market value in excess of $10.0 million. (d) Each Loan Party will promptly grant to the Collateral Agent, within 60 days of the acquisition thereof, a security interest in and Mortgage Lien on each owned or leased Real Property of such Loan Party as is acquired by such Loan Party after the Original Closing Date and that, together with any improvements thereon, individually has a fair market value of at least $1.0 million, as additional security for the Obligations (unless the subject Property is already mortgaged to a third party to the extent permitted by Section 6.02). Such Mortgages shall be granted pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and shall constitute valid and enforceable perfected Liens subject only to Liens reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent. The Mortgages or instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Mortgages and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith shall be paid in full. Such Loan Party shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of any existing Mortgage or new Mortgage against such after-acquired Real Property (including, without limitation, a Title Policy, a Survey and local counsel opinion (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) in respect of such Mortgage). 103 SECTION 5.12 SECURITY INTERESTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES. Promptly, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, at Borrower's expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record, or cause to be registered, filed or recorded, in an appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument supplemental to or confirmatory of the Security Documents or otherwise deemed by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent reasonably necessary or desirable for the continued validity, perfection and priority of the Liens on the Collateral covered thereby superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons other than the holders of Prior Liens and subject to no other Liens except as permitted by the applicable Security Document, or obtain any consents, including, without limitation, landlord or similar lien waivers and consents, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith. Deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent from time to time such other documentation, consents, authorizations, approvals and orders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall reasonably deem necessary to perfect or maintain the Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents. Upon the exercise by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to any Loan Document which requires any consent, approval, registration, qualification or authorization of any Governmental Authority execute and deliver all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders may be so required to obtain. If the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders determine that they are required by law or regulation to have appraisals prepared in respect of the Real Property of any Loan Party constituting Collateral, Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent appraisals that satisfy the applicable requirements of the Real Estate Appraisal Reform Amendments of FIRREA and are otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent. SECTION 5.13 INFORMATION REGARDING COLLATERAL; CORPORATE IDENTITY OR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATIONS. (a) Furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent 30 days prior written notice (in the form of an officer's certificate), clearly describing any of the following changes (i) in any Loan Party's corporate name or in any trade name used to identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its properties, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party's chief executive office, its principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records relating to Collateral owned by it or any office or facility at which Collateral owned by it is located (including the establishment of any such new office or facility), (iii) in any Loan Party's identity, taxpayer identification, or corporate structure, (iv) in any Loan Party's Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or (v) in any Loan Party's jurisdiction of organization. Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or PPSA or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral. Borrower agrees to provide to the Collateral Agent such other information in connection with such changes as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request. Borrower also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is subject to a Casualty Event. 104 (b) Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 5.01, deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer and the chief legal officer of Borrower (i) setting forth any changes to the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Closing Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.13(b) and (ii) certifying that the Loan Parties have not taken any actions (and are not aware of any actions so taken) to terminate any UCC or PPSA financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations to protect and perfect the security interests and Liens under the Security Documents; it being understood and agreed that, from time to time, upon reasonable request of a Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall deliver to such Lender such certificates, supporting documentation and supporting detail delivered to them under Section 5.13 and Section 5.15. SECTION 5.14 POST-CLOSING COLLATERAL MATTERS. Execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 5.14, in each case within the time limits specified on such schedule. SECTION 5.15 BORROWING BASE-RELATED REPORTS. The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered (at the expense of the Borrower) to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent the following: (a) as soon as available but in no event less frequently than monthly, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time on the tenth Business Day of the fiscal month following the most recent fiscal month then ended, a Borrowing Base Certificate from the Borrower accompanied by such supporting detail and supporting documentation as shall be requested by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable judgment, provided, that if daily Excess Availability for ten or more days (whether consecutive or non-consecutive) during any fiscal quarter is less than $50.0 million and so long as Borrower does not maintain average daily Excess Availability in excess of $50.0 million for a period of three (3) consecutive fiscal months following the end of such fiscal quarter, Borrower shall deliver additional weekly roll-forward of Accounts referenced in paragraph (b)(i) below within five (5) Business Days after the end of each calendar week, and, if requested by the Collateral Agent, a Borrowing Base Certificate (prepared weekly to reflect results satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) within five (5) Business Days after the end of each calendar week, or more frequent Borrowing Base Certificates reflecting shorter periods as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent. Each Borrowing Base Certificate shall reflect all information through the end of the appropriate period for Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor; (b) as soon as available but in no event less frequently than monthly (or more frequently as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent), not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time on the tenth Business Day of the fiscal month following the most recent fiscal month then ended, Accounts and Inventory eligibility calculations and all supporting calculations including, but not limited to, (i) a roll-forward of Accounts from the last period including but not limited to the following: sales, other debits, cash 105 collections, write-offs, cash discounts, product returns, pricing errors, other dilutive credits and other non-dilutive credits, (ii) a summary trial balance showing Accounts (consolidated by total customer balance) aged from the original invoice statement date as follows: 1 to 30 days, 31 to 60 days, 61-90 days and 91 days or more, accompanied by a comparison to the prior month's summary trial balance totals, (iii) a detailed trial balance showing Accounts (consolidated by total customer balance) specifically identified in Section 2.19 (xv)(a), aged in a format similar to the format set forth in clause (ii) above, (iv) a schedule of top ten Accounts aged in a format similar to the format set forth in clause (ii) above, (v) a schedule of Inventory (other than Inventory on consignment) by location showing raw materials, work in process and finished goods, (vi) a schedule of Inventory on consignment by location (vii) a schedule of the top ten trade payable balances, (viii) a reconciliation of Accounts to the general ledger and the financial statements, (ix) a reconciliation of Inventory to the general ledger and the financial statements, (x) a reconciliation of trade accounts payable to the general ledger and the financial statements; (c) on the date any Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above or at such more frequent intervals as the Collateral Agent may request from time to time (together with a copy of all or any part of such delivery requested by any Lender in writing after the Closing Date), a copy of the ledger registering the Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account as of the date of the Borrowing Base Certificate, accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable credit judgment; (d) at the time of delivery of each of the financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) and (b), a reconciliation of the Accounts trial balance and quarter-end Inventory reports of Borrower and Borrowing Base Guarantors to the general ledger of such Loan Party, in each case, accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable credit judgment; (e) on the date any Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above following the most recent fiscal quarter then ended or at such more frequent intervals as the Collateral Agent may request from time to time (together with a copy of all or any part of such delivery requested by any Lender in writing after the Closing Date), a general description of material assets (other than Eligible Equipment or Eligible Real Property) owned by the Loan Parties which have been disposed of; (f) on the date any Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) above following the most recent fiscal quarter then ended or at such more frequent intervals as the Collateral Agent may request from time to time (together with a copy of all or any part of such delivery requested by any Lender in writing after the Closing Date), a list of any applications for the registration of any patent, trademark or copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any similar office or agency which any Loan Party has filed in the prior fiscal quarter; 106 (g) not later than the tenth Business Day of each fiscal month (or more frequently as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent), a schedule of all Hedging Agreements, including notional amounts and a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the amount Borrower or the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor, as applicable, owes counterparties to Specified Hedging Agreements based on a mark-to-market analysis and with due regard to recent market volatility as of the last Business Day of the previous fiscal month (or if not available, the nearest prior Business Day for which such evaluation is available); and (h) such other reports, statements and reconciliations with respect to the Borrowing Base or Collateral of any or all Loan Parties as the Collateral Agent shall from time to time request in its reasonable credit judgment. The delivery of each certificate and report or any other information delivered pursuant to this Section 5.15 shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the statements and information contained therein are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date. SECTION 5.16 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] SECTION 5.17 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]. SECTION 5.18 MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY. Borrower and each applicable Loan Party shall: (a) Keep all Real Property and systems useful and necessary in the business of Borrower and such Loan Party in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. (b) Maintain all rights of way, easements, grants, privileges, licenses, certificates, and permits necessary or advisable for the use of any Real Property and not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, consent to any material public or private restriction as to the use of any Real Property. (c) Preserve and protect the Lien status of each respective Mortgage and, if any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) is asserted against a Mortgaged Real Property, promptly and at its expense, give the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a detailed written notice of such Lien and pay the underlying claim in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be released or bonded over in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. ARTICLE VI. NEGATIVE COVENANTS Each Loan Party covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired or 107 been fully cash collateralized and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, no Loan Party will, nor will they cause or permit any Subsidiaries to: SECTION 6.01 INDEBTEDNESS. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness, except: (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) (i) Indebtedness actually outstanding on the Original Closing Date and listed on Schedule 6.01(b) or (ii) refinancings or renewals thereof; provided, that (A) any such refinancing Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced, plus the amount of any premiums required to be paid thereon and fees and expenses associated therewith, (B) such refinancing Indebtedness has a later or equal final maturity and longer or equal weighted average life than the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced and (C) the covenants, events of default subordination and other provisions thereof (including any guarantees thereof) shall be, in the aggregate, no less favorable to the Lenders than those contained in the Indebtedness being renewed or refinanced, and (iii) the Qualified Senior Notes (including any notes issued in exchange therefor) in accordance with the registration rights document entered into in connection with the issuance of the Qualified Senior Notes; (c) Indebtedness of any Company under (i) Interest Rate Protection Agreements listed on Schedule 6.01(c), (ii) under Specified Hedging Agreement constituting Interest Rate Protection Agreements entered into in order to fix the effective rate of interest on the Loans and such other non-speculative Interest Rate Protection Agreements which constitute Specified Hedging Agreement which may be entered into from time to time by such Company and which such Company in good faith believes will provide protection against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to floating rate Indebtedness of such Company then outstanding, and permitted to remain outstanding, pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.01 or (iii) under Specified Hedging Agreements constituting Interest Rate Protection Agreements entered into to exchange fixed rate of interest on not more than $100.0 million of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness evidenced by the Qualified Senior Notes, for floating rate of interest thereon; (d) Indebtedness under Specified Hedging Agreements (other than Interest Rate Protection Agreements) entered into from time to time by any Company in accordance with Section 6.04(c); (e) to the extent recorded in the Companies' intercompany account ledgers, intercompany Indebtedness of any of the Companies outstanding to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(d), 6.04(m) or 6.06(d); 108 (f) Indebtedness of the Borrower, its Domestic Subsidiaries and General Cable Canada in respect of Purchase Money Obligations and Capital Lease Obligations and refinancings or renewals thereof (other than refinancings funded with intercompany advances), in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $10.0 million at any time outstanding; (g) Indebtedness incurred by Foreign Subsidiaries (including Foreign Credit Lines but exclusive of the GCC Spain Intercompany Debt) from time to time after the Original Closing Date so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness (including trade letters of credit) incurred pursuant to this paragraph (g) at any time outstanding does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of (i) with respect to Indebtedness outstanding under the Foreign Credit Lines, the Dollar Equivalent of $300.0 million and (ii) with respect to all such other Indebtedness, $100.0 million; provided, that such Indebtedness incurred by Foreign Subsidiaries which is owing to Borrower or a Borrowing Base Guarantor shall be permitted only to the extent permitted under Section 6.04(d)(ii); (h) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Foreign Subsidiary after the Closing Date; provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Foreign Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Foreign Subsidiary; (i) the GCC Spain Intercompany Debt as long as (i) the aggregate principal amount of all GCC Spain Pre-Closing Intercompany Debt existing on the Closing Date does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $35.0 million, (ii) the GCC Spain Refinancing Intercompany Debt does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $27.7 million, (iii) the GCC Spain Post-Closing Intercompany Debt incurred by reason of intercompany advances of Borrower to General Cable Spain after the Original Closing Date does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1.0 million, (iv) the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Debt incurred by reason of intercompany advances of Borrower to General Cable Spain after the Closing Date does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $20.0 million and as long as Excess Availability exceeds $50.0 million after giving effect to any such advance and the Revolving Loans funded in connection therewith, and (v) in each case, such Indebtedness shall simultaneously be recorded on General Cable Spain's, General Cable Spain Holdings', Borrower's and Holdings' ledgers, as applicable, as an intercompany loan and shall be evidenced by a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit L, which shall be pledged (and delivered) by Borrower and Holdings as Collateral pursuant to the Security Agreement; provided, that the proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred by General Cable Spain in favor of Banco de Sabadell following the incurrence of the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Debt shall be immediately applied by General Cable Spain to repay to Borrower the GCC Spain Acquisition Intercompany Indebtedness until repaid in full and shall be immediately applied by Borrower to repay the Obligations (without reduction in Commitments); (j) Indebtedness for industrial revenue bonds or other similar governmental or municipal bonds for the deferred purchase price of newly acquired Property and to finance equipment of Borrower and the Borrowing Base Guarantors (pursuant to 109 purchase money mortgages or otherwise and whether owed to the seller or a third party) used in the ordinary course of business (provided, that such financing is entered into within 180 days of the acquisition of such Property) of Borrower and the Borrowing Base Guarantors which shall not exceed $25 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding without the Administrative Agent's prior written consent, and any refinancings of Indebtedness permitted under this paragraph (j); (k) Indebtedness in respect of workers' compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance bonds, surety appeal or similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by a Company in the ordinary course of its business; (l) unsecured Contingent Obligations: (i) of Holdings in respect of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) of any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred by such Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to paragraph (g) above and as long as such Contingent Obligations of Holdings are issued in the ordinary course business and do not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $5.0 million in the aggregate at any time; (ii) of Holdings or Borrower in respect of lease obligations, contract obligations or other obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) of any other Loan Party to the extent not otherwise prohibited hereunder as long as such Contingent Obligations are issued by Holdings and Borrower in the ordinary course of their business; and (iii) of Holdings in respect of lease obligations, contract obligations or other obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) of any Foreign Subsidiary as long as such Contingent Obligations are issued by Holdings in respect of obligations incurred by such Foreign Subsidiary in the ordinary course of such Foreign Subsidiary's business or are in respect of obligations related to Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisitions; (iv) of Holdings in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money of Joint Ventures as long as such Contingent Obligations do not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $25.0 million in the aggregate at any time; or (v) of any Foreign Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness of any other Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent the primary Indebtedness of such other Foreign Subsidiary is permitted under paragraph (g) or (h) above; (m) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments or governmental charges to the extent that payment thereof shall not at the time be required to be made in accordance with Section 5.05; (n) Indebtedness in respect of netting services and overdraft protections in connection with deposit accounts, in each case in the ordinary course of business; 110 (o) Acquisition Debt Issuance; and (p) other unsecured Indebtedness (not of the type covered in paragraphs (a) - (o) above) of any Company incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist after the Closing Date not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $10.0 million in the aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding. SECTION 6.02 LIENS. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on any Property now owned or hereafter acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except (the "PERMITTED LIENS"): (a) inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or delinquent and Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies, which (i) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property or assets subject to any such Lien, or (ii) in the case of any such charge or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions; (b) Liens in respect of Property of any Company imposed by law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers', warehousemen's, materialmen's, landlords', workmen's, suppliers', repairmen's and mechanics' Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, and (i) which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the Property of the Companies, taken as a whole, and do not materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Companies, taken as a whole, (ii) which do not pertain to Indebtedness that is due and payable or which pertain to Liens that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property or assets subject to any such Lien, and (iii) in the case of any such Lien which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions; (c) Liens in existence on the Original Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02(c); provided, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness, if any, secured by such Liens does not increase; and (ii) such Liens do not encumber any Property other than the Property subject thereto on the Original Closing Date; (d) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), covenants, encroachments, protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies on or with respect to any Real Property, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not (i) securing Indebtedness, (ii) individually or in the aggregate materially impairing the value or marketability of such Real Property and (iii) 111 individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the conduct of the business of the Companies at such Real Property; (e) Liens arising out of judgments or awards not resulting in a Default and in respect of which such Company shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review in respect of which there shall be secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appeal or proceedings; provided, that the aggregate amount of all such judgments or awards (and any cash and the fair market value of any Property subject to such Liens) does not exceed $1.0 million at any time outstanding; (f) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (i) imposed by law or deposits made in connection therewith in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money), or (iii) arising by virtue of deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability for premiums to insurance carriers; provided, that (w) with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof, such Liens are for amounts not yet due and payable or delinquent or, to the extent such amounts are so due and payable, such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, which proceedings for orders entered in connection with such proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property or assets subject to any such Lien, (x) to the extent such Liens are not imposed by law, such Liens shall in no event encumber any Property other than cash and Cash Equivalents which have been deposited with such lienholder or has otherwise been subordinated to the Liens securing the Obligations hereunder pursuant to a Landlord Lien Waiver and Access Agreement, (y) in the case of any such Lien against any of the Collateral, such Lien and the contest thereof shall satisfy the Contested Collateral Lien Conditions and (z) the aggregate amount of deposits at any time pursuant to clause (ii) and (iii) shall not exceed $250,000 in the aggregate; (g) Leases or subleases with respect to the assets or properties of any Company, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of such Company's business so long as such Leases are subordinate in all respects to the Liens granted and evidenced by the Security Documents and do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Company or (ii) materially impair the use (for its intended purposes) or the value of the Property subject thereto; (h) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by any Company in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the past practices of such Company; (i) Liens arising pursuant to Purchase Money Obligations or Capital Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(f), Liens securing Indebtedness incurred 112 pursuant to Section 6.01(j) or Liens arising pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions to the extent permitted under Section 6.03; provided, that (i) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien (including refinancings thereof) does not exceed 100% of the cost of the Property being acquired or leased at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (ii) any such Liens attach only to the Property being financed pursuant to such Purchase Money Obligations, Capital Lease Obligations, other Indebtedness or sale and leaseback transactions and do not encumber any other Property of any Company; (j) bankers' Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by any Company, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided, that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness; (k) Liens on Property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired or merged with or into or consolidated with any Company (and not created in anticipation or contemplation thereof) so long as such merger or acquisition is permitted pursuant to Section 6.05; provided, that such Liens do not extend to Property not subject to such Liens at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than the existing Lien; (l) Liens on Property of Foreign Subsidiaries; provided, that (i) such Liens do not extend to, or encumber, Property which constitutes Collateral, and (ii) such Liens extending to the Property of any Foreign Subsidiary secure only Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries as of the Original Closing Date or Indebtedness incurred by a Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.01(g); (m) Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents; (n) licenses or sublicenses of Intellectual Property granted by any Company in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Company; (o) Liens attaching solely to cash earnest money deposits in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; (p) Liens in favor of customs and revenues authorities which secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods to the extent required by law; (q) Liens deemed to exist in connection with set-off rights in the ordinary course of Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' business; (r) replacement, extension or renewal of any Lien permitted herein in the same property previously subject thereto provided the underlying Indebtedness is permitted to be replaced, extended and renewed under Section 6.01(b); 113 (s) the filing of financing statements solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods; and (t) other Liens (not of a type set forth in clauses (a) through (s) above) incurred in the ordinary course of business of any Company with respect to obligations (other than Indebtedness) that do not in the aggregate exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding; provided, however, that no Liens (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02(a)(ii)) shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on any Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Notes (each as defined in the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements). SECTION 6.03 SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any Property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such Property or other Property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the Property being sold or transferred unless at the time of the proposed sale and leaseback transaction: (a) no Default then exists or would result therefrom; (b) the aggregate Fair Market Value of all Property permitted to be sold and leased back pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall not exceed $20.0 million; (c) Borrower shall have delivered, at least five Business Days prior thereto, all agreements, documents and instruments pursuant to which the proposed sale and leaseback is to be effected, all of which shall be on terms and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and (d) Borrower shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent certifying that no Default exists or would result after giving effect to the proposed sale and leaseback, identifying the Property subject to such sale and leaseback transaction and that all of the requirements for a Permitted Asset Sale have been satisfied. SECTION 6.04 INVESTMENTS, LOANS AND ADVANCES. Directly or indirectly, lend money or credit or make advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any other Person, or purchase or own a futures contract or otherwise become liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract (all of the foregoing, collectively, "INVESTMENTS"), except that the following shall be permitted: (a) Investments outstanding on the Original Closing Date and identified on Schedule 6.04(a); (b) the Companies may (i) acquire and hold accounts receivables owing to any of them if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms, (ii) acquire and hold cash and Cash Equivalents, (iii) endorse negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, (iv) make lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business; or (v) make prepayments and deposits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business; 114 (c) any Company may enter into Interest Rate Protection Agreements to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(c), Holdings and Borrower may enter into the Specified Foreign Currency Hedging Agreement or any Company may enter into and perform its obligations under Specified Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and so long as any such Specified Hedging Agreement is not speculative in nature and is (i)(A) related to income derived from operations of such Company or otherwise related to purchases permitted hereunder from suppliers or (B) entered into to protect such Company against fluctuations in the prices of raw materials used in its businesses and (ii) permitted by Section 6.01(d); (d) (i) Borrower, any Borrowing Base Guarantor, or any Foreign Subsidiary may make intercompany loans and advances to Borrower or any other Borrowing Base Guarantor (other than Holdings), (ii) Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor may make intercompany loans and advances to any Foreign Subsidiary (other than General Cable Spain) in an amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $10.0 million to all Foreign Subsidiaries (other than General Cable Spain) in the aggregate outstanding at any time, (iii) Borrower or Holdings may make intercompany loans or advances to General Cable Spain or General Cable Spain Holdings giving rise to the GCC Spain Intercompany Debt to the extent permitted in Section 6.01(i), (iv) Borrower may make intercompany loans and advances to Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, MLTC Company, a Delaware corporation, and General Cable Technologies as long as such intercompany loans and advances to all such Persons do not exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate at any time and (v) any Foreign Subsidiary may make intercompany loans and advances to any other Foreign Subsidiary; provided, that each loan and advance referenced in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above shall simultaneously be recorded on Borrower's, the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor's, or the applicable Foreign Subsidiary's ledgers as an intercompany loan and shall be evidenced by a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit L, which, except in the case of promissory notes evidencing loans or advances made by any Foreign Subsidiary, shall be pledged (and delivered) by Borrower or the applicable Borrowing Base Guarantor that is the lender of such intercompany loan as Collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements and which shall be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to such promissory notes; (e) Any Company may make loans and advances (including payroll, travel and entertainment related advances) in the ordinary course of business to its respective employees or senior management (other than any loans or advances to any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) that would be in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof made by all Companies at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $ 2.0 million; (f) Borrower, Holdings, Intermediate Holdings, any Canadian Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary may establish Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.12 (provided that (i) any Subsidiary formed by a Canadian Subsidiary will also be a Canadian Subsidiary, (ii) any Subsidiary formed by a Foreign Subsidiary will also be a 115 Foreign Subsidiary) and (iii) any Subsidiary formed by a Domestic Subsidiary (other than Intermediate Holdings or Borrower) will also be a Domestic Subsidiary; (g) Investments (other than intercompany loans and advances) (i) by Borrower in any Borrowing Base Guarantor (but with respect to Holdings, only to the extent such Investments in Holdings are permitted under 6.07, or with respect to Intermediate Holdings, only to the extent such Investments in Intermediate Holdings are permitted under Section 6.06(d) or 6.07), (ii) by any Company (other than Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor) in Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor and (iii) by any Foreign Subsidiary in any other Company; (h) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers in the ordinary course of business and consistent with such Company's past practices that are received in settlement of bona fide disputes or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or liquidation or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers; (i) Investments made by Borrower or any Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in compliance with Section 6.05; (j) earnest money required and any Equity Issuance made by Holdings in connection with and to the extent permitted by Permitted Acquisitions; (k) Loan Parties may hold Investments to the extent such Investments reflect an increase in the value of Investments otherwise permitted under this Section 6.04 hereof; (l) Investments in (i) deposit accounts opened in the ordinary course of business provided, that such deposit accounts are subject to Deposit Account Control Agreements and (ii) securities accounts opened in the ordinary course of business provided, that such securities accounts are subject to Securities Account Control Agreements; (m) Borrower may make intercompany loans and advances to Holdings solely for the purpose of: (i) Holdings' repurchasing, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to repurchase, outstanding shares of its common stock following the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of employees, officers or directors of any Company as long as (A) such loans and advances in the aggregate shall not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year of Holdings less any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.06(d)(i) in such fiscal year and (B) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and no Default would result after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment; (ii) Holdings' paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay, its income tax and income taxes pursuant to 116 the Tax Sharing Agreement, in accordance with Section 6.07(e), in each case when and as due; (iii) Holdings' paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay scheduled semi-annual interest on the Qualified Senior Notes; (iv) Holdings' making, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to make, Restricted Payments with respect to Convertible Preferred Stock elected to be made by Holdings in cash for the current quarter dividend period (commencing with the first such quarterly dividend period ending February 24, 2004); and (v) Holdings' paying, so long as all such proceeds are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay, the Induced Conversion Payments as long as (A) such loans and advances do not exceed $23.0 million in the aggregate less any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.06(d)(vi) and (B) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to any such loan or advance; provided, that each loan and advance referenced in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above shall simultaneously be recorded on Borrower's ledger as an intercompany loan and shall be evidenced by a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit L, which shall be pledged (and delivered) by Borrower as Collateral pursuant to the Security Agreements and which shall be subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to such promissory notes; (n) additional Investments after the Original Closing Date in any Joint Venture as long as the aggregate outstanding amount of additional Investments in all Joint Ventures does not exceed with respect to all Joint Ventures the Dollar Equivalent of $100.0 million in the aggregate; provided that if, before or after giving effect to any such additional Investment, the aggregate outstanding amount of such additional Investments would exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $50.0 million in the aggregate, then no such additional Investment shall be made unless average daily Excess Availability for the 90-day period preceding the funding of such additional Investment would have exceeded $75.0 million (after giving effect to any Revolving Loans funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period) and is reasonably expected to exceed $75.0 million for at least 90 days following the funding of such additional Investment; and (o) (i) Loan Parties may capitalize or forgive any Indebtedness owed to it by other Loan Parties (except that Borrower shall not forgive intercompany loans made to any other Loan Party) and (ii) Holdings may capitalize the GCC Spain Refinancing Intercompany Debt in an amount not to exceed 10.0 million Euros as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing SECTION 6.05 MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, SALES OF ASSETS AND ACQUISITIONS. Wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, enter 117 into any Asset Sale, or otherwise convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time) all or any part of its Property or assets, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) all or any part of the Property, Equity Interests, or assets of any Person (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time), except that: (a) Capital Expenditures by Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent permitted by Section 6.08(b); (b) (i) purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials, equipment and intangible assets in the ordinary course of business shall be permitted, (ii) subject to Section 2.10(c), Asset Sales of used, worn out, obsolete or surplus Property by any Company in the ordinary course of business and the abandonment or other Asset Sale of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable judgment of Borrower, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Companies taken as a whole shall be permitted, (iii) sale of Equipment or Real Property, as applicable, or any portion thereof, due to the termination of operations at (A) 37 Cushman St., Taunton MA 02780, (B) 440 East 8th Street, Marion, IN 46953 and (C) 75 Canal St., South Hadley, MA 01075, in each case, shall be permitted on terms and pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (iv) Permitted Asset Sales by all Loan Parties aggregating no more than $10.0 million less any prepayments made pursuant to the definition of Permitted Fixed Asset Exchange shall be permitted, (v) Asset Sales shall be permitted by any Foreign Subsidiary as long as, individually and in the aggregate, such Assets Sales do not comprise all or substantially all of the Property of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a direct Subsidiary of a Loan Party and (vi) Permitted Fixed Asset Exchanges shall be permitted; (c) Investments in connection with any such transaction may be made to the extent permitted by Section 6.04; (d) Holdings and its Subsidiaries may sell Cash Equivalents and use cash for purposes that are not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business; (e) Borrower and the Subsidiaries may lease (as lessee or lessor) real or personal Property and may guaranty such lease, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable Security Documents; (f) the Transactions shall be permitted as contemplated by the Transaction Documents; (g) Borrower, any Borrowing Base Guarantor (other than Holdings) or, in the case of any Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisition, any Foreign Subsidiary may consummate Permitted Acquisitions, and Holdings may consummate Permitted Non-Loan Funded Acquisitions; (h) any Loan Party (other than Holdings, Intermediate Holdings or Borrower) may transfer Property or lease to or acquire or lease Property from any Loan Party or any 118 Loan Party (other than Holdings, Borrower and Intermediary Holdings) may be merged into another Domestic or Canadian Loan Party as long as Borrower, Holdings or Intermediary Holdings is the surviving corporation of such merger; provided, that the Lien on and security interest in such Property granted or to be granted in favor of the Collateral Agent under the Security Documents shall be maintained or created in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11 or 5.12, as applicable; (i) any Foreign Subsidiary may transfer Property or lease to or acquire or lease Property from any Foreign Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary may be merged into another Foreign Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any merger involving a Foreign Subsidiary that is a direct Subsidiary of a Loan Party, the surviving corporation of such merger is a direct Subsidiary of a Loan Party; provided, that the Lien on and security interest in the Equity Interests of any such first-tier Foreign Subsidiary shall be maintained or created in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11; (j) any Subsidiary (other than Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor) may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs at any time; provided, that such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as applicable, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (k) discounts or forgiveness of account receivables in the ordinary course of business or in connection with collection or compromise thereof shall be permitted provided the account debtor is not an Affiliate; (l) Permitted Liens (to the extent constituting a conveyance of Property) shall be permitted; and (m) General Cable Spain may consummate the GCC Spain Acquisition on or prior to December 31, 2005. To the extent the Supermajority Lenders waive the provisions of this Section 6.05 with respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold as permitted by this Section 6.05, such Collateral (unless sold to a Company) shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall take all actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing. SECTION 6.06 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Make any Restricted Payment, except that: (a) any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party (other than Borrower and Intermediate Holdings) (i) may make Restricted Payments to Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary or Canadian Subsidiary which is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (ii) if such Domestic Subsidiary or Canadian Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, may make Restricted Payments to its shareholders generally so long as Borrower or its Subsidiary which owns the Equity Interest or interests in the Subsidiary making such Restricted Payments receives at least its proportionate share thereof (based upon its relative holdings of Equity Interests in the Subsidiary making such Restricted Payments and taking into account the relative preferences, if any, of the various classes of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary); 119 (b) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (i) may make Restricted Payments to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) if such Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, may make Restricted Payments to its shareholders generally so long as Subsidiary which owns the Equity Interest or interests in the Subsidiary making such Restricted Payments receives at least its proportionate share thereof (based upon its relative holdings of Equity Interests in the Subsidiary making such Restricted Payments and taking into account the relative preferences, if any, of the various classes of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary); (c) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may make Restricted Payments to a Loan Party as long as (i) such Loan Party is the most direct holder of Equity Interest in such Subsidiary and (ii) proceeds thereof, through one or more Restricted Payments of the Persons that are the most direct holders of Equity Interest in the Person making the Restricted Payments, are received by Borrower or Holdings; (d) Borrower may make cash Restricted Payments to Intermediate Holdings, provided, that Intermediate Holdings contemporaneously uses the proceeds of such Restricted Payments to make Restricted Payments in the same amount to Holdings solely for the purpose of: (i) Holdings' repurchasing, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to repurchase, outstanding shares of its common stock following the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of employees, officers or directors of any Company as long as (A) such Restricted Payments in the aggregate shall not exceed, together with the intercompany loans and advances under Section 6.04(m)(i), $500,000 in any fiscal year of Holdings and (B) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and no Default would result after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment; (iii) Holdings' paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay, its income tax and income taxes pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, in accordance with Section 6.07(e), in each case when and as due; (iv) Holdings' paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay scheduled semi-annual interest on the Qualified Senior Notes; (v) Holdings' making, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to make, Restricted Payments with respect to Convertible Preferred Stock elected to be made by Holdings in cash for the current quarter dividend period (commencing with the first such quarterly dividend period ending February 24, 2004); (vi) Holdings' paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are in fact promptly used by Holdings to pay, the Induced Conversion Payments as long as (A) such Restricted Payments in the aggregate shall not exceed, together with the 120 intercompany loans and advances under Section 6.04(m)(v), $23.0 million in the aggregate and (B) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment; (e) to the extent any payment under any Intercompany Agreement constitutes a Restricted Payment, Borrower, Holdings or other Guarantor, as applicable, party to such Intercompany Agreement may make such Restricted Payment; (f) Borrower may make cash Restricted Payments to Intermediate Holdings other than those described in clause (d) above, provided, that Intermediate Holdings uses the proceeds of such Restricted Payments to make Restricted Payments in the same amount to Holdings as long as (A) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments received by Holdings does not exceed $10.0 million in any fiscal year of Holdings and (B) Borrower delivers written notice thereof to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent prior to making each such Restricted Payment. SECTION 6.07 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into, directly or indirectly, any transaction or series of related transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any Affiliate of any Company (other than between or among Borrower and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries), other than in the ordinary course of business and on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Company as would reasonably be obtained by such Company at that time in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, except that: (a) Restricted Payments may be made to the extent provided in Section 6.06; (b) loans may be made and other transactions may be entered into between and among any Company and its Affiliates to the extent permitted by Sections 6.01 and 6.04; (c) customary fees may be paid to non-officer directors of Holdings and customary indemnities may be provided to all directors of Holdings; (d) Borrower may pay management fees to Holdings from time to time in an amount not in excess of Holdings' compensation expenses for its employees; (e) Borrower or any Subsidiary may make payments to Holdings pursuant to a Tax Sharing Agreement in an amount not in excess of the federal and state (in such states that permit consolidated or combined tax returns) income tax liability that Borrower and the Subsidiaries would have been liable for if any of the Companies had filed their taxes on a stand-alone basis; provided, that such payments shall be made by Holdings no earlier than five days prior to the date on which Holdings is required to make its payments to the Internal Revenue Service, as applicable; (f) Borrower, Holdings and other Guarantors party to the Intercompany Agreement may make payments under the Intercompany Agreements; and (g) the Transactions may be effected. 121 SECTION 6.08 FINANCIAL COVENANTS. (a) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. If daily Excess Availability for five or more days (whether consecutive or non-consecutive) during any fiscal quarter is less than $50.0 million (such occurrence, a "triggering event"), thereafter (and until such time as average daily Excess Availability is in excess of $50.0 million for a period of three (3) consecutive fiscal months following such fiscal quarter), permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, determined as of the end of each of the Borrower's fiscal quarters (commencing with the end of the fiscal quarter within which such triggering event occurred) for the Test Period then ended, to be less than 1:00 to 1.0. (b) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.] (c) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.] SECTION 6.09 LIMITATION ON MODIFICATIONS OF INDEBTEDNESS; MODIFICATIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, OR OTHER CONSTITUTIVE DOCUMENTS, BY-LAWS AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS, ETC. (i) Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of existing Indebtedness or of any agreement (including any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement or security agreement) relating thereto other than any amendments or modifications to Indebtedness which do not in any way materially adversely affect the interests of the Lenders and are otherwise permitted under Section 6.01(b); (ii) except as required by Sections 4.08 and 4.11(e) of the Qualified Senior Note Indenture, make (or give any notice in respect thereof) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of, or any prepayment or redemption as a result of any asset sale, change of control or similar event of, any indebtedness outstanding under the Qualified Senior Notes; (iii) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Qualified Senior Notes or any agreement (including any Qualified Senior Note Document) relating thereto other than amendments or modifications which do not in any way materially adversely affect the interests of the Lenders and which are effected to make technical corrections to the respective documentation; (iv) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any other Transaction Document, in each case except for amendments or modifications which are not in any way adverse in any material respect to the interests of the Lenders; or (v) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents (including by the filing or modification of any certificate of designation) or by-laws, or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its capital stock (including any shareholders' agreement), or enter into any new agreement with respect to its capital stock, other than any amendments, modifications, agreements or changes pursuant to this clause (v) or any such new agreements pursuant to this clause (v) which do not in any way materially adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Lenders; and provided, that Holdings may issue such capital stock as is not prohibited by Section 6.11 or any other provision of this Agreement and may amend articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents to authorize any such capital stock. SECTION 6.10 LIMITATION ON CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARIES. Directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or participation in its 122 profits owned by Borrower or any other Subsidiary, or pay any Indebtedness owed to Borrower or any other Subsidiary (except such restrictions as are approved in writing and in advance by the Administrative Agent), (b) make loans or advances to Borrower or any of Borrower's other Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any of its properties to Borrower or any of Borrower's other Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law; (ii) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (iii) the Qualified Senior Note Documents; (iv) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Borrower or any other Subsidiary; (v) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into by Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (vi) any holder of a Lien permitted by Section 6.02 may restrict the transfer of the asset or assets subject thereto; (vii) restrictions which are not more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement contained in any documents governing any Indebtedness incurred after the Original Closing Date in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Prior Credit Agreement or the Original Credit Agreement; (viii) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any Property permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale; (ix) any agreement in effect at the time such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary; or (x) in the case of any joint venture which is not a Loan Party in respect of any matters referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above, restrictions in such Person's organizational or governing documents or pursuant to any joint venture agreement or stockholders agreements solely to the extent of the Equity Interests of or assets held in the subject joint venture or other entity. SECTION 6.11 LIMITATION ON ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK. (a) With respect to Holdings, issue after the Original Closing Date any Equity Interest that is not Qualified Capital Stock. (b) Neither Intermediate Holdings nor Borrower will, and will not permit any Subsidiary, to issue any Equity Interest of any Subsidiary (including by way of sales of treasury stock) or any options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, Equity Interest of any Subsidiary, except (i) for stock splits, stock dividends and additional Equity Interests issuances which do not decrease the percentage ownership of Borrower or any Subsidiaries in any class of the Equity Interest of such Subsidiary; (ii) Subsidiaries of Borrower formed after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.12 may issue Equity Interests to Borrower or the Subsidiary which is to own such stock; and (iii) Borrower may issue common stock that is Qualified Capital Stock to Holdings. All Equity Interests issued in accordance with this Section 6.11(b) shall, to the extent required by Section 5.12 or the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements, be delivered to the Collateral Agent for pledge pursuant to the Security Agreements and Foreign Pledge Agreements. SECTION 6.12 LIMITATION ON CREATION OF SUBSIDIARIES. Establish or create any additional Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders; provided, that Holdings or any of its direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (including any of its direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiaries) may establish or create one or more direct Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person without such consent, in each case subject to compliance with the applicable provisions of Section 5.11 and Section 5.12; provided, further that (i) any Subsidiary formed by a Canadian Subsidiary will also be a Canadian Subsidiary, (ii) 123 any Subsidiary formed by a Foreign Subsidiary will also be a Foreign Subsidiary) and (iii) any Subsidiary formed by a Domestic Subsidiary (other than Intermediate Holdings or Borrower) will also be a Domestic Subsidiary. SECTION 6.13 BUSINESS. (a) With respect to Holdings, engage in any business activities or have any assets or liabilities, other than (i) its ownership of the Equity Interests of Borrower and other direct and indirect Subsidiaries of Holdings and its performance of administrative and managerial services on behalf of such Companies, (ii) obligations under the Transactions Documents and Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding with respect to and/or incurred by Holdings under Section 6.01, and (iii) activities and assets incidental to the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii). (b) With respect to Borrower and the Subsidiaries of Holdings, engage (directly or indirectly) in any business other than those businesses in which Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Original Closing Date (or which are substantially related thereto or are reasonable extensions thereof). SECTION 6.14 LIMITATION ON ACCOUNTING CHANGES. Make or permit, any change in accounting policies or reporting practices, without the consent of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except changes that, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or are required by GAAP. SECTION 6.15 FISCAL YEAR. Change its fiscal year end to a date other than December 31. SECTION 6.16 NO NEGATIVE PLEDGES. Directly or indirectly enter into or assume any agreement (other than this Agreement and the Qualified Senior Note Documents) prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon the properties or assets of any Company (other than a Foreign Subsidiary), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for Property subject to purchase money security interests, operating leases and capital leases. SECTION 6.17 LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligations as lessee for the rental or hire of real or personal Property of any kind under leases or agreements to lease having an original term of one year or more that would cause the direct and contingent liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, in respect of all such obligations to exceed $15.0 million payable in any period of 12 consecutive months. SECTION 6.18 UPSTREAM RESTRICTIONS. Directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) to (a) pay any dividend or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other Equity Interest (except such restrictions as are approved in writing and in advance by the Administrative Agent) or (b) make or repay any loans or advances to any parent of any Subsidiary, or (c) transfer assets from any Subsidiary to its parent other than restrictions on transfers of Equipment or Real Property that do not represent more than 5% of the consolidated assets of the Holdings and its Subsidiaries. 124 SECTION 6.19 HOLDINGS COMPANIES; INACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES. (a) Except for the ownership interest in Real Property set forth in Schedule 6.18 (and Indebtedness evidenced by Qualified Senior Notes), (i) permit any Holding Company to engage in any trade or business other than providing administrative and managerial services on behalf of the Companies, (ii) own any assets (other than Equity Interests and Indebtedness, including intercompany Indebtedness, which were pledged to the Collateral Agent on the Original Closing Date) or (iii) incur any liability (other than Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding with respect to and/or incurred by such Holding Company under Section 6.01 in an aggregate amount that exceeds $25,000. (b) Cause or permit any Domestic or Canadian Inactive Subsidiary to (i) own any assets with an aggregate book value in excess of $25,000 (or, in the case of General Cable Canada, Limited, an Ontario corporation, an aggregate book value in excess of $25,000 plus the aggregate book value of its assets as of the Original Closing Date) other than Indebtedness, including intercompany Indebtedness, and Equity Interests pledged to the Collateral Agent on the Original Closing Date, (ii) incur any liability (other than Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding with respect to and/or incurred by such Subsidiary under Section 6.01) in an aggregate amount that exceeds $25,000 or (iii) engage in any trade or business. SECTION 6.20 MATERIAL AGREEMENTS. No Company shall, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, in their reasonable collective credit judgments, change or amend the terms of any Intercompany Agreement; and there shall not have occurred the termination of, or the receipt by any Loan Party of notice of the termination of, or the occurrence of any event or condition which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, constitute an event of default under or permit the termination of, any one or more of the Intercompany Agreements, which occurrence, unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment, shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder. ARTICLE VII. GUARANTEE SECTION 7.01 THE GUARANTEE. The Guarantors (other than General Cable Canada, which has on the Original Closing Date executed and delivered the Canadian Guaranty) hereby jointly and severally affirm, acknowledge and ratify the Guarantees under the Original Credit Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement and guarantee as a primary obligor and not as a surety to each Secured Party and their respective successors and assigns the prompt payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of and interest (including any interest, fees, costs or charges that would accrue but for the provisions of the Title 11 of the United States Code after any bankruptcy or insolvency petition under Title 11 of the United States Code) on the Loans made by the Lenders to, and the Notes held by each Lender of, Borrower, and all other Obligations from time to time owing to the Secured Parties by any Loan Party under any Loan Document (including, without limitation, any Specified Hedging Agreement), in each case strictly in accordance with the terms thereof (such obligations being herein collectively called the "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS"). The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree that if Borrower or other Guarantor(s) shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the 125 Guarantors will promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal. SECTION 7.02 OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL. The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 7.01 and under Section 7.01 of the Original Credit Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement shall constitute a guaranty of payment and are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, joint and several, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or Guarantor (except for payment in full). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Guarantors hereunder which shall remain absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances as described above: (a) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument to which Borrower is or may become a party; (b) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to any of the provisions thereof; (c) the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect its Lien against, any security for the Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Administrative Agent and Lenders in respect thereof (including the release of any such security); (d) the insolvency of Borrower or any other Guarantor; (e) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived; (f) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted; (g) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be amended in any respect, or any right under the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be amended or waived in any respect or any other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; 126 (h) any lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, Issuing Bank or any Lender or Agent as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall fail to be perfected; (i) the release of Borrower or any other Guarantor; or (j) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor (other than indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Obligations and the termination of all Commitments). The Guarantors hereby expressly waive diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that any Loan Party thereof exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against Borrower under this Agreement or the Notes, if any, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantors waive any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension, waiver, termination or accrual of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by any Secured Party upon this Guarantee or acceptance of this Guarantee, and the Guaranteed Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Guarantee, and all dealings between Borrower and the Secured Parties shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee. This Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to any right of offset with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations at any time or from time to time held by Secured Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be conditioned or contingent upon the pursuit by the Secured Parties or any other Person at any time of any right or remedy against Borrower or against any other Person which may be or become liable in respect of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or against any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon the Guarantors and the successors and assigns thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of the Lenders, and their respective successors and assigns, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of this Agreement there may be no Guaranteed Obligations outstanding. SECTION 7.03 REINSTATEMENT. The obligations of the Guarantors under this Article VII shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of Borrower or other Loan Party in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise. The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that they will indemnify each Secured Party on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel) incurred by such Secured Party in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, other than any costs or expenses resulting from the bad faith or willful misconduct of such Secured Party. 127 SECTION 7.04 SUBROGATION; SUBORDINATION. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that until the indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all Guaranteed Obligations and the expiration and termination of the Commitments of the Lenders under this Agreement it shall not exercise any right or remedy arising by reason of any performance by it of its guarantee in Section 7.01, whether by subrogation or otherwise, against Borrower or any other Guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The payment of any amounts due with respect to any Indebtedness of Borrower or any other Guarantor now or hereafter owing to any Guarantor or Borrower by reason of any payment by such Guarantor under the Guarantee in this Article VII is hereby subordinated to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. In addition, any Indebtedness of the Guarantors now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment in full in cash to the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any such Indebtedness of Borrower to such Guarantor until the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any Guarantor shall prior to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such Indebtedness, such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by such Guarantor as trustee for the Secured Parties and be paid over to Administrative Agent on account of the Guaranteed Obligations without affecting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of the guaranty contained herein. SECTION 7.05 REMEDIES. The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that, as between the Guarantors and the Lenders, the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes, if any, may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Article XI (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Article XI) for purposes of Section 7.01, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against Borrower and that, in the event of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable by Borrower) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 7.01. SECTION 7.06 INSTRUMENT FOR THE PAYMENT OF MONEY. Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the guarantee in this Article VII and under Article VII of the Original Credit Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement constitutes an instrument for the payment of money, and consents and agrees that any Lender or Agent, at its sole option, in the event of a dispute by such Guarantor in the payment of any moneys due hereunder, shall have the right to bring a motion-action under New York CPLR Section 3213. SECTION 7.07 CONTINUING GUARANTEE. The guarantee in this Article VII and under Article VII of the Original Credit Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement is a continuing guarantee of payment, and shall apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising. SECTION 7.08 GENERAL LIMITATION ON GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS. In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Guarantor under Section 7.01 and under Section 7.01 of the Original Credit 128 Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement would otherwise be held or determined to be void, voidable, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 7.01 and under Section 7.01 of the Original Credit Agreement and the Prior Credit Agreement, then, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Guarantor, any Loan Party or any other Person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding. 129 ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT In case of the happening of any of the following events ("EVENTS OF DEFAULT"): (a) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise; (b) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in (a) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days; (c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in connection with any Loan Document or the borrowings or issuances of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished; it being recognized by Lenders, however, that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by said projections may differ from the projected results; (d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Company of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03, 5.08, 5.16 or in Article VI; (e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Company of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01 or 5.15 and such default shall continue unremedied or shall not be waived for a period of 5 days; (f) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Company of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (d) or (e) above) and such default shall continue unremedied or shall not be waived for a period of 20 days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to Borrower; (g) any Company shall (i) fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations), when and as the same shall become due and payable, or (ii) fail to observe or perform any other term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing any such Indebtedness if the effect of any failure referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or a trustee on its or their behalf (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) to cause, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; provided, that it shall not 130 constitute an Event of Default pursuant to this paragraph (f) unless the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) exceeds $100,000 at any one time; (h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of any Domestic or Canadian Company (other than any Domestic or Canadian Company which is an Inactive Company and with respect to which the book value of its tangible assets does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $3.0 million) or any Foreign Company with respect to which the book value of its tangible assets exceeds the Dollar Equivalent of $3.0 million, or of a substantial part of the Property or assets of any Company, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, BIA, CCAA or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any such Company or for a substantial part of the Property or assets of any such Company; or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of any such Company; and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; (i) any Domestic or Canadian Company or any Foreign Company with respect to which the book value of its tangible assets exceeds the Dollar Equivalent of $3.0 million shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (g) above; (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any such Company or for a substantial part of the Property or assets of any such Company; (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding; (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (vi) become unable (after taking into account all rights of contribution), admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due; (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or (viii) wind up or liquidate; (j) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $1.0 million shall be rendered against any Company or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Company to enforce any such judgment; (k) an ERISA Event or noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans shall have occurred that, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events and noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Domestic or Canadian Company and its ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $500,000 or the imposition of a Lien on any assets of a Company; 131 (l) any security interest and Lien purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created and granted under such Security Documents (including a perfected first priority security interest in and Lien on, all of the Collateral thereunder (except as otherwise expressly provided in such Security Document)) in favor of the Collateral Agent, or shall be asserted by Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in or Lien on the Collateral covered thereby; (m) the Guarantees shall cease to be in full force and effect, unless in connection with the sale, merger or dissolution of a Guarantor to the extent permitted under Section 6.05 hereof; (n) any Loan Document or any material provisions thereof shall at any time and for any reason be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Loan Party or any other Person, or by any Governmental Authority, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof (exclusive of questions of interpretation of any provision thereof), or any Loan Party shall repudiate or deny that it has any liability or obligation for the payment of principal or interest or other obligations purported to be created under any Loan Document; (o) there shall have occurred a Change in Control; (p) any Loan Party shall be prohibited or otherwise restrained from conducting the business theretofore conducted by it in any manner that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect by virtue of any determination, ruling, decision, decree or order of any court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction; or (q) the indictment by any Governmental Authority of any Loan Party as to which any Loan Party or Administrative Agent receives notice as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination, in the good faith determination of Administrative Agent, under any criminal statute, or commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against any Loan Party pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture of (i) any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $1.0 million or (ii) any other Property of any Loan Party which is necessary or material to the conduct of its business; then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings or Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan 132 Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower and the Guarantors, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to Holdings or Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower and the Guarantors, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding. ARTICLE IX. COLLATERAL MATTERS; CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS; APPLICATION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS SECTION 9.01 ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNT COLLECTIONS. (a) Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor shall notify Collateral Agent promptly of: (i) any material delay in the performance by Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor of any of their material obligations to any Account Debtor or the assertion of any material claims, offsets, defenses or counterclaims by any Account Debtor, or any material disputes with Account Debtors, or any settlement, adjustment or compromise thereof, (ii) all material adverse information known to any Loan Party relating to the financial condition of any Account Debtor and (iii) any event or circumstance which, to any Loan Party's knowledge, would result in any Account no longer constituting an Eligible Account. Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor hereby agree not to grant to any Account Debtor any credit, discount, allowance or extension, or to enter into any agreement for any of the foregoing, without Collateral Agent's consent, except in the ordinary course of business in accordance with practices and policies previously disclosed in writing to Collateral Agent. So long as no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor may settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with any Account Debtor. At any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Collateral Agent shall, at its option, have the exclusive right to settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with Account Debtors of any Loan Party or grant any credits, discounts or allowances. (b) With respect to each Account: (i) the amounts shown on any invoice delivered to Collateral Agent or schedule thereof delivered to Collateral Agent shall be true and complete in all material respects, (ii) no payments shall be made thereon except payments immediately delivered to Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any applicable Security Document (to the extent so required), (iii) there shall be no setoffs, deductions, contras, defenses, counterclaims or disputes existing or asserted with respect thereto except as reported to Collateral Agent and promptly reflected in the reporting of the Borrowing Base, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (iv) none of the transactions giving rise thereto will violate any applicable laws or regulations, all documentation relating thereto will be legally sufficient under such laws and regulations and all such documentation will be legally enforceable in accordance with its terms. 133 (c) Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time or times, in Collateral Agent's name or in the name of a nominee of Collateral Agent, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Account or other Collateral, by mail, telephone, e-mail, facsimile transmission or otherwise. To facilitate the exercise of the right described in the immediately preceding sentence, Borrower hereby agrees to provide Collateral Agent upon request the name and address of each Account Debtor of Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor. (d) Borrower shall establish and maintain, at its sole expense, and shall cause each Guarantor to establish and maintain, at its sole expense blocked accounts or lockboxes and related deposit accounts (collectively, the "BLOCKED ACCOUNTS"), as Collateral Agent may specify, with such banks as are acceptable to Collateral Agent into which Borrower and Guarantors shall promptly deposit and direct their respective Account Debtors to directly remit all payments on Accounts and all payments constituting proceeds of Inventory or other Collateral (other than proceeds of a Casualty Event or Asset Sales that do not require a permanent repayment under Loan Documents) in the identical form in which such payments are made, whether by cash, check or other manner and shall be identified and segregated from all other funds of the Loan Parties. Borrower and Guarantors shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Collateral Agent a Deposit Account Control Agreement duly authorized, executed and delivered by each bank where a Blocked Account for the benefit of Borrower or any Guarantor is maintained, and by each bank where any other deposit account is from time to time maintained. Borrower shall further execute and deliver, and shall cause each Guarantor to execute and deliver, such agreements and documents as Collateral Agent may require in connection with such Blocked Accounts and such Deposit Account Control Agreements. Except as permitted by Section 9.01(e)(iii), Borrower and Guarantors shall not establish any deposit accounts after the Original Closing Date, unless Borrower or Guarantor (as applicable) have complied in full with the provisions of this Section 9.01 with respect to such deposit accounts. Borrower agrees that all payments made to such Blocked Accounts or other funds received and collected by Collateral Agent or any Lender, whether in respect of the Accounts, as proceeds of Inventory or other Collateral or otherwise shall be treated as payments to Collateral Agent and Lenders in respect of the Obligations and therefore shall constitute the property of Collateral Agent and Lenders to the extent of the then outstanding Obligations. (e) The Borrower and each Guarantor shall maintain a cash management system which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent (the "CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM"). The Cash Management System shall contain, among other things, the following: (i) With respect to the Blocked Accounts of Borrower and each Guarantor, the applicable bank maintaining such Blocked Accounts shall agree, from and after the receipt of a notice (on "ACTIVATION NOTICE") from the Collateral Agent (which Activation Notice (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any agreement with such applicable bank) may be given, and at the request of the Required Lenders, shall be given, by Collateral Agent at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or at any time after daily Excess Availability for ten or more days (whether consecutive or non-consecutive) during any fiscal quarter is less than $50.0 million (and until such time as average daily Excess Availability is in excess of $50.0 million for a period of three (3) consecutive months following such fiscal quarter)), to forward daily all amounts in each Blocked Account to one Blocked Account designated as concentration account in the name of Borrower (the "CONCENTRATION 134 ACCOUNT") at the bank that shall be designated as the Concentration Account bank for Borrower (the "CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT BANK"), which, on the Original Closing Date, shall be account #4005296793 maintained by PNC Bank, National Association. The Concentration Account Bank shall agree, pursuant to the applicable Deposit Account Control Agreement, to forward daily all amounts in the Concentration Account to the account designated as collection account (the "COLLECTION ACCOUNT") which shall be under the exclusive dominion and control of the Collateral Agent; (ii) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]; (iii) Borrower may maintain, in its name, an account or accounts at a bank reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, into which Administrative Agent shall, from time to time, deposit proceeds of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans made to Borrower hereunder and which bank shall agree, pursuant to Deposit Account Control Agreement relative to such disbursement account, from and after the receipt of a notice from the Collateral Agent (which notice may be given by Collateral Agent at any time an Event of Default occurs and is continuing) to forward all amounts in each Blocked Account to the applicable Collection Account. Any provision of this Section 9.01 to the contrary notwithstanding, (A) Loan Parties may maintain payroll accounts and trust accounts that are not a part of the Cash Management Systems provided that no Loan Party shall accumulate or maintain cash in such accounts and the disbursement account(s) described in the preceding sentence as of any date of determination in excess of checks outstanding against such accounts as of that date and amounts necessary to meet minimum balance requirements and (B) Loan Parties may maintain local cash accounts that are not a part of the Cash Management Systems which individually do not at any time contain funds in excess of $100,000 and, together with all other such local cash accounts, do not exceed $1.0 million. (f) The Administrative Agent shall apply all funds received in the Collection Account on a daily basis to the repayment (by transferring same to the account of or pursuant to direction of Administrative Agent) of (i) first, Fees and reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent then due and payable; (ii) second, to interest then due and payable on all Loans, (iii) third, Overadvances, (iv) fourth, the Swingline Loans, (v) fifth, ABR Revolving Loans, (vi) sixth, Eurodollar Revolving Loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (excluding Eurodollar Revolving Loans (A) with respect to which the application of such payment would result in the payment of the principal prior to the last day of the relevant Interest Period and (B) which Borrower elects to continue pursuant to Section 2.08(b)), and (vii) last, other amounts which are due, in each case without a reduction in the Commitments; all further funds received in any of the Collection Account shall, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, be transferred or applied by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the directions of Borrower or the respective other Loan Party. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall not transfer or apply any such funds from the Collection Account in accordance with such directions unless the Administrative Agent determine to release such funds to Borrower. Absent any such determination by the Administrative Agent, all such funds in the Collection Account shall be transferred to the Cash Collateral Account to be applied to the Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the last day of the relevant Interest Period of such Eurodollar Revolving Loan or to the Obligations as they come due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise). If consented to by the 135 Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders, such funds in the Cash Collateral Account may be released to Borrower. (g) Borrower and its directors, employees, agents and other Affiliates and Borrowing Base Guarantors shall, acting as trustee for Collateral Agent, receive, as the property of Collateral Agent, any monies, checks, notes, drafts or any other payment relating to and/or proceeds of Accounts, Inventory or other Collateral which come into their possession or under their control and immediately upon receipt thereof, shall deposit or cause the same to be deposited in the Blocked Accounts, or remit the same or cause the same to be remitted, in kind, to Collateral Agent. In no event shall the same be commingled with Borrower's own funds. Borrower agrees to reimburse Collateral Agent on demand for any amounts owed or paid to any bank at which a Blocked Account is established or any other bank or Person involved in the transfer of funds to or from the Blocked Accounts arising out of Collateral Agent's payments to or indemnification of such bank or Person. SECTION 9.02 INVENTORY; FIELD AUDITS AND APPRAISALS. With respect to the Inventory: (a) Borrower and Borrowing Base Guarantors shall at all times maintain records of Inventory reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, keeping correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory, the cost therefor and daily withdrawals therefrom and additions thereto; (b) any of the Administrative Agent's and Collateral Agent's officers, employees or agents shall have the right, at any time or times, in the name of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, any designee of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to Accounts or Inventory by mail, telephone, electronic communication, personal inspection or otherwise and to conduct field audits of the financial affairs and Collateral of the Loan Parties, and Borrower shall cooperate fully with the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process; (c) the Loan Parties shall cooperate fully with the Collateral Agent and its agents during all Collateral field audits and Inventory Appraisals which shall be at the expense of Borrower and which shall be conducted no more frequently than twice per year in the case of Collateral field audits and once per year in the case of Inventory Appraisals, or, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, more frequently at Collateral Agent's request; (d) neither Borrower nor any Borrowing Base Guarantor shall sell Inventory to any customer on approval, or any other basis which entitles the customer to return (except for the right of customers for Inventory which is defective or non-conforming) or may obligate any Loan Party to repurchase such Inventory; and (e) Borrower Borrowing Base Guarantor shall keep the Inventory in good and marketable condition. SECTION 9.03 EQUIPMENT, REAL PROPERTY AND APPRAISALS. With respect to the Equipment and owned Real Property: (a) upon the Collateral Agent's request, Borrower shall, at its expense, no more than one (1) time in any twelve (12) month period commencing with the Original Closing Date, but at any time or times as the Collateral Agent may request following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent written appraisals as to the Equipment and/or the owned Real Property by an independent appraiser designated by the Collateral Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower, (b) Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor shall 136 notify Collateral Agent promptly of any event or circumstance which, to any Loan Party's knowledge, would result in any Equipment no longer constituting an Eligible Equipment and (c) Borrower and each Borrowing Base Guarantor shall notify Collateral Agent promptly of any event or circumstance which, to any Loan Party's knowledge, would result in any Real Property no longer constituting an Eligible Real Property. SECTION 9.04 CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. (a) The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to establish and maintain at its office at 222 North LaSalle Street, 16th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601, in the name of the Collateral Agent and pursuant to a dominion and control Agreement, one or more restricted deposit account designated as a "CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" bearing the name of the owners of the funds contained therein (e.g., General Cable Industries Inc. - Cash Collateral Account). Each Loan Party shall deposit into its respective Cash Collateral Account from time to time the cash collateral required to be deposited under Section 2.18(j) or Section 9.01(f) hereof. (b) The balance from time to time in such Cash Collateral Accounts shall constitute part of the Collateral and shall not constitute payment of the Obligations until applied as hereinafter provided. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, all amounts held in the Cash Collateral Accounts shall constitute collateral security (i) first for the liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit outstanding from time to time and second for the other Obligations hereunder until such time as all Letters of Credit shall have been terminated and all of the liabilities in respect of Letters of Credit have been paid in full, and (ii) if held in Cash Collateral Account pursuant to Section 9.01(f), then for the Obligations as provided therein. SECTION 9.05 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral pursuant to the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its remedies shall be applied, together with any other sums then held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, promptly by the Collateral Agent as follows (with, in the case of proceeds from a Borrowing Base Guarantor, a corresponding reduction in the Borrowing Base Guarantor Intercompany Loan Account): (a) First, to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses, fees, commissions and taxes of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, compensation to the Collateral Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Collateral Agent in connection therewith, together with interest on each such amount at the highest rate then in effect under this Agreement from and after the date such amount is due, owing or unpaid until paid in full; (b) Second, to the payment of all other reasonable costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, costs and expenses and all costs, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the other Secured Parties in connection therewith, together with interest on each such amount at the highest rate then in effect under this Agreement from and after the date such amount is due, owing or unpaid until paid in full; 137 (c) Third, without duplication of amounts applied pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash, of each Lender's Default Allocation Percentage of interest, principal and other amounts constituting Obligations, equally and ratably in accordance with each Lender's Default Allocation Percentage of such amounts; and (d) Fourth, the balance, if any, to the Person lawfully entitled thereto (including the applicable Loan Party or its successors or assigns). In the event that any such proceeds are insufficient to pay in full the items described in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 9.02, the Loan Parties shall remain liable for any deficiency. ARTICLE X. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT SECTION 10.01 APPOINTMENT. (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Merrill as the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each Lender irrevocably authorizes Merrill, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. (b) Each Secured Party hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Merrill as the Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each Lender irrevocably authorizes Merrill its capacity as the Collateral Agent, to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as otherwise provided herein, Collateral Agent shall hold all Collateral and all payments of principal, interest, fees, charges and expenses received pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents for the benefit of Secured Parties and shall enforce the rights in the Collateral on behalf of the Secured Parties. Without limiting any of the foregoing, for the purposes of holding any security granted by any Loan Party pursuant to the laws of the Province of Quebec, the Collateral Agent shall be the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fonde de pouvoir) (within the meaning of the Civil Code of Quebec) for all present and future Secured Parties and in particular for all present and future holders of the bond(s) issued by any Loan Party in favor of the Collateral Agent (the "BOND"). Each of the Secured Parties hereby confirms and ratifies the appointment of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Prior Credit Agreement to act as the Person holding an irrevocable power of attorney (fonde de pouvoir) pursuant to article 2692 of the Civil Code of Quebec in order to hold security granted by a Loan Party in the Province of Quebec to secure a Bond. By executing an Assignment and Acceptance, each future Secured Party shall be deemed to ratify the constitution of the Collateral Agent as the holder of the irrevocable power of attorney (fonde de pouvoir) granted herein. Each party hereto agrees that, notwithstanding Section 32 of an Act respecting the Special Powers of 138 Legal Persons (Quebec), Collateral Agent may, as the Person holding the power of attorney of the Secured Parties, acquire and/or be holder of the Bond. (c) Each Secured Party authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and other Loan Documents for the benefit of Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized on behalf of all Secured Parties, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any Secured Party to take any action with respect to any Collateral or the Security Documents or the other Loan Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the security interest in and liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Documents and the other Loan Documents. Each Secured Party agrees that it shall have recourse under or by virtue of the Security Documents to the Collateral only through the Collateral Agent, that it shall have no independent recourse to the Liens created by the Security Documents and that it shall refrain from exercising any rights or remedies under the Security Documents which have or may have arisen or which may arise as a result of an Event of Default or an acceleration of the maturities of the Obligations, except that, any Secured Party (i) may give directions to the Collateral Agent as one of the Required Lenders, and (ii) may, to the extent permitted by law or under any Loan Document, set off any amount of any balances held by it for the account of any Company or any other property held or owing by it to or for the credit or for the account of any Company provided, however, that to the extent the amount so set off is to be applied to any of the Obligations held by such Secured Party, such amount shall be delivered by such Secured Party to the Collateral Agent for application pursuant to this Agreement. (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) above, each Lender shall have the right, with prior notice to Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, but without the approval or consent of Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the other Lenders, with respect to any Specified Hedging Agreement of such Lender, (i) to declare an event of default, termination event or other similar event thereunder and to create an early termination date, (ii) to determine net termination amounts in accordance with the terms of such Specified Hedging Agreement and to set-off amounts between Specified Hedging Agreement, and (iii) in the absence of acceleration of all the Obligations under Article VIII, to prosecute any legal action against the applicable Company to enforce net amounts owing to such Lender under the Specified Hedging Agreement. (e) The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may perform any of their duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees and each may, from time to time, agree to reallocate or temporarily assign its rights and responsibilities hereunder to the other. SECTION 10.02 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder or Collateral Agent, as applicable. SECTION 10.03 EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan 139 Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (except for the Collateral Agent in its capacity as trustee for the Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral which is the subject of Security Documents governed by English law), (b) the Administrative Agent the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 11.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, or any of its respective Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as expressly provided in this Agreement) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent by Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable. SECTION 10.04 RELIANCE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. SECTION 10.05 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable. The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and any such respective sub-agent may perform any 140 and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of each Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. SECTION 10.06 SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND/OR COLLATERAL AGENT. The Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least 20 days' prior notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with Borrower, to appoint a successor from among the Lenders. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, which successor shall be a commercial banking institution organized under the laws of the United States (or any state thereof) or a United States branch or agency of a commercial banking institution, and having combined capital and surplus of at least $250.0 million; provided, however, that if such retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable is unable to find a commercial banking institution which is willing to accept such appointment and which meets the qualifications set forth above, the retiring Administrative Agent's and/or Collateral Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent's and/or Collateral Agent's resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article X and Section 11.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, its respective sub-agents and their respective Affiliates in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable. SECTION 10.07 NON-RELIANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR OTHER LENDERS. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this 141 Agreement, any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. SECTION 10.08 NO OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR COLLATERAL AGENT. The Lenders identified in this Agreement, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Syndication Agent nor the Documentation Agent shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or any other Lender in this Article X. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent hold such titles in name only, and that such titles confer no additional rights or obligations relative to those conferred on any Lender hereunder. SECTION 10.09 INDEMNIFICATION. The Lenders severally agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower or the Guarantors and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower or the Guarantors to do so), ratably according to their respective outstanding Loans and Commitments in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section 10.09 (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which all Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such outstanding Loans and Commitments as in effect immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section 10.09 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. SECTION 10.10 OVERADVANCES. The Administrative Agent shall not make (and shall prohibit the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, as applicable, from making) any Revolving Loans or provide any Letters of Credit to Borrower on behalf of Lenders intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, or Letters of Credit would cause the aggregate amount of the Revolving Exposure to exceed the Borrowing Base, without the prior consent of all Lenders, except, that, the Administrative Agent (after consultation with and consent of the Collateral Agent) may make (or cause to be made) such additional Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans or provide such additional Letters of Credit on behalf of Lenders, intentionally and with actual knowledge that such Loans or Letters of Credit will cause (a) the total outstanding Revolving Exposure to exceed the Borrowing Base, or (b) Excess Availability to be less than $15.0 million, in each case as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable in its discretion (each an "OVERADVANCE" and collectively the "OVERADVANCES"), 142 provided, that: (i) the total principal amount of the Overadvances to Borrower which the Administrative Agent may make or provide (or cause to be made or provided) after obtaining such actual knowledge that the Revolving Exposure equals or exceeds the Borrowing Base shall not exceed the amount equal to $20.0 million outstanding at any time less the then outstanding amount of any Special Agent Advances and shall not cause the Revolving Exposure to exceed the Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders or the Pro Rata Percentage of the Revolving Exposure of a Lender to exceed such Lender's Revolving Commitment, (ii) without the consent of all Lenders, (A) no Overadvance shall be outstanding for more than sixty (60) days and (B) after all Overadvances have been repaid, the Administrative Agent shall not make any additional Overadvance unless sixty (60) days or more have elapsed since the last date on which any Overadvance was outstanding and (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds, on demand from Borrower together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent at the interest rate provided for in Section 2.06(c). Each Lender shall be obligated to pay the Administrative Agent the amount of its Pro Rata Percentage of any such Overadvance provided, that the Administrative Agent is acting in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.10. All Overadvances shall be secured by Collateral. SECTION 10.11 SPECIAL AGENT ADVANCES. Administrative Agent (after consultation with and consent of the Collateral Agent) may, at its option, from time to time, at any time on or after an Event of Default and for so long as the same is continuing or upon any other failure of a condition precedent to the making of Loans hereunder, make such disbursements and advances ("SPECIAL AGENT ADVANCES") which the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion after such consultation with the Collateral Agent, deems necessary or desirable either (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral or any portion thereof or (ii) to pay any other amount chargeable to Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents consisting of costs, fees and expenses and payments to any Issuing Bank (provided, that in no event shall (i) Special Agent Advances for such purpose exceed the amount equal to $20.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time less the then outstanding Overadvances under Section 10.10 hereof and (ii) Special Agent Advances plus the Revolving Exposure exceed the Lenders' Commitment at the time of such Event of Default or cause any Lender's Revolving Exposure to exceed such Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment at the time of such Event of Default). Special Agent Advances shall be repayable on demand and be secured by the Collateral. Special Agent Advances shall not constitute Loans but shall otherwise constitute Obligations hereunder. Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender and Borrower in writing of each such Special Agent Advance, which notice shall include a description of the purpose of such Special Agent Advance. Each Lender agrees that it shall make available to Administrative Agent, upon Administrative Agent's demand, in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of each such Special Agent Advance. If such funds are not made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds, on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during such period (as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at Administrative Agent's option based on the arithmetic mean determined by Administrative Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that day by each of the three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by Administrative Agent) and if such 143 amounts are not paid within three (3) days of Administrative Agent's demand, at the highest interest rate provided for in Section 2.06(a). SECTION 10.12 REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCES; PAYMENTS AND SETTLEMENTS; INTEREST AND FEE PAYMENTS. (a) If the Administrative Agent elects to require that each Revolving Lender make funds available to the Administrative Agent, prior to a disbursement by the Administrative Agent to Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Revolving Lender by facsimile or, subject to Section 11.01(c), e-mail of the amount of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of the Revolving Loan requested by Borrower no later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of funding of such Revolving Loan, and each such Revolving Lender shall pay the Administrative Agent on such date such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of such requested Revolving Loan in accordance with Section 2.03. Nothing in this Section 10.12 or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to require the Administrative Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Administrative Agent or Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder. (b) On a Business Day of each week as selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent, or more frequently (including daily), if the Administrative Agent so elects (each such day being a "SETTLEMENT DATE"), the Administrative Agent will advise each Revolving Lender by facsimile or, subject to Section 11.01(c), e-mail of the amount of each such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of the Revolving Loan balance as of the close of business of the Business Day immediately preceding the Settlement Date. In the event that payments are necessary to adjust the amount of such Revolving Lender's actual Pro Rata Percentage of the Revolving Loan balance to such Lender's required Pro Rata Percentage of the Revolving Loan balance as of any Settlement Date, the party from which such payment is due shall pay the Administrative Agent, without setoff or discount, to the Payment Account not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day following the Settlement Date the full amount necessary to make such adjustment. Any obligation arising pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever. In the event settlement shall not have occurred by the date and time specified in the second preceding sentence, interest shall accrue on the unsettled amount at the Federal Funds Rate, for the first three (3) days following the scheduled date of settlement, and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin applicable to ABR Borrowings. (c) On each Settlement Date, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Revolving Lender by facsimile or, subject to Section 11.01(c), e-mail of the amount of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Percentage of principal, interest and fees paid for the benefit of Revolving Lenders with respect to each applicable Revolving Loan, to the extent of such Revolving Lender's credit exposure with respect thereto, and shall make payment to such Revolving Lender not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day following the Settlement Date of such amounts in accordance with wire instructions delivered by such Revolving Lender to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be modified from time to time by written notice to the Administrative Agent. 144 (d) The provisions of this Section 10.12 shall be deemed to be binding upon Administrative Agent and Lenders notwithstanding the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, or any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding pertaining to Borrower or any other Loan Party. ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 11.01 NOTICES. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy (or, to the extent provided below, by electronic communication), as follows: (a) if to any Loan Party, to Borrower at: General Cable Corporation 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, KY 41076 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Telecopy No.: (859) 572-8440 E-mail address: with a copy to: Blank Rome LLP One Logan Square Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attention: Matthew Siembieda, Esq. Harvey I. Forman, Esq. Telecopy No.: (215) 569-5555 E-mail address: (b) if to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, to it at: Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. 222 North LaSalle Street, 16th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601 Attention: Mark Gertzof Telecopy No.: (312) 499-3127 E-mail address: 145 with a copy to the Administrative Agent as set forth in Section 11.01(b) above and, except with respect to communications under Sections 5.01 and 5.15, to: Latham & Watkins, LLP 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 5800 Chicago, IL 60606 Attention: James W. Doran Telecopy No.: (312) 993-9767 E-mail address: (c) if to a Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth on the applicable Lender Addendum or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have become a party hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or by certified or registered mail, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 11.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 11.01 and failure to deliver courtesy copies of notices and other communications shall in no event affect the validity or effectiveness of such notices and other communications. Notices and other communications to the parties hereto may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved from time to time by the Administrative Agent, provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to notices sent directly to any Lender if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided, that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender's receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the "return receipt requested" function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor, provided, that if any such notice or other communication is not sent or posted during normal business hours, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day. SECTION 11.02 WAIVERS; AMENDMENT; RELEASES OF COLLATERAL. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any 146 abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 11.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. (b) Except as provided in Section 2.20 with respect to a Commitment Increase, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the written consent of the Required Lenders; provided, that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Dollar amount of the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender or increase the commitments of all Lenders without the consent of each Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon or amend Annex I or the definition of "Applicable Margin" (other than to waive default interest under Section 2.06(c) to the extent a waiver of the underlying default giving rise to such default interest does not require a vote of all Lenders), or reduce or forgive any Fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Letter of Credit beyond the Maturity Date, or postpone any prepayment or cash collateralization required under Section 2.10(b), without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.14(b), (c) or Section 9.05 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or set-offs required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change Section 2.02(a) or (f) or any other Section of this Agreement in a manner that would alter the pro rata allocation among the Lenders of Loan or L/C Disbursements without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) change the percentage set forth in the definition of "Required Lenders", "Supermajority Lenders" or any other provision of any Loan Document (including this Section 11.02) specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be), (vii) release Holdings or any Guarantor from its Guarantee (except as expressly provided in Article VII), or limit its liability in respect of such Guarantee, without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents (including pursuant to any Permitted Fixed Asset Exchange or Permitted Asset Sale) or alter the relative priorities of the Obligations entitled to the Liens of the 147 Security Documents (except in connection with securing additional Obligations equally and ratably with the other Obligations), in each case without the written consent of each Lender, or (ix) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class; provided, further, that (1) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (2) any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Revolving Lenders may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Borrower and requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section 11.02(b) if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by Borrower, the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent (and, if their rights or obligations are affected thereby, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender) if (x) by the terms of such agreement the Commitment of each Lender not consenting to the amendment provided for therein shall terminate upon the effectiveness of such amendment and (y) at the time such amendment becomes effective, each Lender not consenting thereto receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement. (c) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of the provisions of this Agreement that requires unanimous approval of all Lenders as contemplated by Section 11.02(b) (other than clause (iii) of such Section), the consent of the Supermajority Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Borrower shall have the right to replace all, but not less than all, of such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (so long as all non-consenting Lenders are so replaced) with one or more Persons pursuant to Section 2.16 so long as at the time of such replacement each such new Lender consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided, however, that Borrower shall not have the right to replace a Lender solely as a result of the exercise of such Lender's rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Lender) pursuant to paragraph (iii) of Section 11.02(b); provided, further, that concurrently with the effectiveness of its replacement, each replaced Lender receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such replacement. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement or any Loan Document, if a "secured creditor" (as that term is defined under the BIA) is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to include a Person to whom obligations are owed on a joint or joint and several basis, then the Canadian Loan Parties' Obligations (and the Obligations of its Subsidiaries), to the extent such Obligations are secured, only shall be several obligations and not joint or joint and several obligations. 148 (e) Without the consent of the Supermajority Lenders, the Collateral Agent shall not execute any releases of the Liens created by Security Documents with respect to Collateral having an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $15.0 million in any fiscal year of the Borrower except for releases in connection with Permitted Fixed Asset Exchanges, Permitted Asset Sales, or the disposition of any Property by Borrower or any Borrowing Base Guarantor (or by the Collateral Agent in connection with an enforcement of such Liens), as otherwise permitted under this Agreement. SECTION 11.03 EXPENSES; INDEMNITY. (a) Borrower and Holdings agree, jointly and severally, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including but not limited to expenses incurred in connection with due diligence and travel, courier, reproduction, printing and delivery expenses) incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein and the preparation, execution and delivery, and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any Inventory Appraisal, or in connection with any amendments, modifications, enforcement costs, work-out costs, documentary taxes or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection with the work-out enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 9.02 of this Agreement) and the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the fees, charges and disbursements of Latham & Watkins, counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, or work-out, the fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender. (b) The Loan Parties agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, each Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons and each of their respective directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents (each such Person being called an "INDEMNITEE") against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges, expenses and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the Transactions, (ii) any actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit, (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, on, under or from any Property owned, leased or operated by any Company, or any Environmental Claim related in any way to any Company; provided, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. (c) The provisions of this Section 11.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the expiration of any Letter of Credit, the invalidity or unenforceability of any 149 term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 11.03 shall be payable on written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested. (d) To the extent that Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 11.03, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender's pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against any of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender's "pro rata share" shall be determined based upon its share of the sum of the total Revolving Exposure and unused Commitments at the time. SECTION 11.04 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by Borrower without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Affiliates of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement. (b) Any Lender may assign to one or more banks, insurance companies, investment companies or funds or other institutions (other than Borrower, Holdings or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided, that (i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, Borrower (except (i) after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default or (ii) prior to the completion of the primary syndication (as determined by Arrangers) of the Commitments and the Loans by the Arrangers) and the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of an assignment of all or a portion of a Revolving Commitment or any Lender's obligations in respect of its LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender) must give their prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, any assignment made in connection with the primary syndication of the Commitment and Loans by the Arrangers or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitments or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the 150 Administrative Agent) shall not be less than in the case of Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans, $5.0 million unless each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, except that this clause (iii) shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (iv) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and (v) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and provided, further that any consent of Borrower otherwise required under this paragraph shall not be required if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 11.04(b), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement (provided, that any liability of Borrower to such assignee under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15 shall be limited to the amount, if any, that would have been payable thereunder by Borrower in the absence of such assignment, except to the extent any such amounts are attributable to a Change in Law occurring after the date of such assignment), and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and 11.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 11.04. (c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "REGISTER"). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error, and Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender and any Lender (with respect to its own interest only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. (d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 11.04 and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section 11.04, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No 151 assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph. (e) Any Lender may, without the consent of Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a "PARTICIPANT") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents; provided, that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 11.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section 11.04, Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 11.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided, that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.14(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender shall, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain at one of its offices a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of its Participants, and the amount and terms of its participations, provided, that no Lender shall be required to disclose or share the information contained in such register with the Borrower or any other party, except as required by applicable law. (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the prior written consent of Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15 unless Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of Borrower, to comply with Sections 2.15(e) and (f) as though it were a Lender. (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 11.04 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided, that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In the case of any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, such Lender may, without the consent of Borrower or the Administrative Agent, collaterally assign or pledge all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including the Loans and Notes or any other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement, to any holder of, trustee for, or any other 152 representative of holders of, obligations owed or securities issued, by such fund, as security for such obligations or securities; provided, that the documentation governing or evidencing such collateral assignment or pledge shall provide that any foreclosure or similar action by such trustee or representative shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 11.04 concerning assignments and shall not be effective to transfer any rights under this Agreement or in any Loan, Note or other instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement unless the requirements of Section 11.04 concerning assignments are fully satisfied. SECTION 11.05 SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15 and 11.03 and Article X shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. SECTION 11.06 COUNTERPARTS; INTEGRATION; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Fee Letter constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. SECTION 11.07 SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. SECTION 11.08 RIGHT OF SETOFF. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates are hereby authorized at any time and from 153 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, but excluding trust and payroll accounts) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of Borrower against any of and all the obligations of Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 11.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have. SECTION 11.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles that would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. (b) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its Property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, 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 such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. 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 or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction. (c) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 11.09. 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. (d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 11.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. SECTION 11.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether based on contract, tort or any other theory). Each party hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other 154 party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 11.10. SECTION 11.11 HEADINGS. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement. SECTION 11.12 CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates or its Lender Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential pursuant to the terms hereof), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.12, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) is publicly available at the time of disclosure or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.12 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Borrower or any Subsidiary. For the purposes of this Section 11.12, "Information" means all information received from Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to Borrower or any Subsidiary or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, that, in the case of information received from Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.12 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other written or oral understanding or agreement to which the parties hereto are parties or by which they are bound, the parties acknowledge and agree that (i) any obligations of confidentiality contained herein and therein do not apply and have not applied from the commencement of discussions between the parties to the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transactions (and any related transactions or arrangements), and (ii) each party (and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transactions and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, all within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 155 1.6011-4; provided, however, that each party recognizes that the privilege each has to maintain, in its sole discretion, the confidentiality of a communication relating to the Transaction, including a confidential communication with its attorney or a confidential communication with a federally authorized tax practitioner under Section 7525 of the Code, is not intended to be affected by the foregoing. SECTION 11.13 INTEREST RATE LIMITATION. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the "CHARGES"), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the "MAXIMUM RATE") which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 11.13 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender. SECTION 11.14 LENDER ADDENDUM. Each Lender a party to the Prior Credit Agreement on the Original Closing Date has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Lender Addendum duly executed by such Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender to become a party to this Agreement on the Closing Date shall do so by delivering to the Administrative Agent a Lender Addendum duly executed by such Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. SECTION 11.15 DOLLAR EQUIVALENT CALCULATIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, all valuations or computations of monetary amounts set forth in this Agreement or the Loan Documents shall include as the context may require the Dollar Equivalent of amounts of Canadian Dollars and, in any event, valuation of assets included in the Borrowing Base which are in Canadian Dollars shall be converted to Dollar Equivalent of such amounts for the purpose of calculating the Borrowing Base on each date that a Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered hereunder and at such other times as designated by the Administrative Agent. Such Dollar Equivalent shall remain in effect until the same is recalculated by the Administrative Agent as provided above and notice of such recalculation is received by the Borrower, it being understood that until such notice of such recalculation is received, the Dollar Equivalent shall be that Dollar Equivalent as last reported to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each such determination of the Dollar Equivalent. SECTION 11.16 JUDGMENT CURRENCY. (a) The Borrower's obligation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to make payments in Dollars (pursuant to such obligation, the "OBLIGATION CURRENCY") shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent or the respective Lender of the full amount of the Obligation Currency 156 expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Borrower in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the "JUDGMENT CURRENCY") an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made at the Dollar Equivalent, and in the case of other currencies, the rate of exchange (as quoted by the Administrative Agent or if the Administrative Agent does not quote a rate of exchange on such currency, by a known dealer in such currency designated by the Administrative Agent) determined, in each case, as of the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the "JUDGMENT CURRENCY CONVERSION DATE"). (b) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Borrower covenants and agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date. (c) For purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent or any other rate of exchange for this Section 11.16, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency. SECTION 11.17 PATRIOT ACT. Each Lender and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any other party) 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 "ACT"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT SECTION 12. The parties hereto agree that, on the Closing Date, but subject to clause (i) below, the following transactions shall be deemed to occur automatically, without further action by any party hereto: (a) The Prior Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety in the form of this Agreement. (b) All Existing Obligations (including, without limitation, all Existing Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings and all Letters of Credit issued pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement) shall in all respects be continuing after the Closing Date and shall be deemed to be Obligations governed by this Agreement. 157 (c) This Agreement shall not be deemed to evidence or result in a novation or repayment of the Existing ABR Borrowings and Existing Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings and reborrowing hereunder, but the Existing Obligations under the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement and the Liens securing payment and performance thereof shall in all respects be continuing as Obligations under this Agreement and as Liens securing payment and performance thereof. (d) All references in the Loan Documents executed in connection with the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement (collectively, the "Prior Other Loan Documents") to (i) the Original Credit Agreement or the Prior Credit Agreement or the "Credit Agreement" shall be deemed to include references to this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and (ii) the "Lenders" or a "Lender", the "Administrative Agent", or the "Collateral Agent" shall mean such terms as defined in this Agreement (collectively, the "Prior Loan Documents"). The Prior Other Loan Documents that are not superseded by corresponding Loan Documents executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. (e) Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that each of the Prior Other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party remains in full force and effect and hereby ratifies and reaffirms all of its respective payment and performance obligations, contingent or otherwise, under each of the Prior Other Loan Documents to which it is a party and, to the extent such Loan Party granted Liens on or security interests in any of its properties pursuant to any of the Prior Other Loan Documents as security for the Existing Obligations, such Loan Party, as the case may be, hereby ratifies and reaffirms such grant of security and confirms and agrees that such Liens and security interests secure all of the Obligations under this Agreement and remain in full force and effect after giving effect to this Agreement. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent or any Lender under the Prior Credit Agreement or any Prior Other Loan Document, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Prior Credit Agreement or any Prior Other Loan Document, except as specifically set forth therein. (f) The agency fee as set forth in the Fee Letter shall be due and payable on each anniversary of the Original Closing Date and shall continue to accrue under the Fee Letter. (g) Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that as of close of business on November 22, 2005, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Existing ABR Borrowing and the Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings (excluding accrued interest thereon and fees and expenses (including professional fees and expenses) related thereto) under the Prior Credit Agreement was $ $131,000,000 and that neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party or other Person has any defense, counterclaim or setoff with respect to the payment thereof. (h) Each Lender hereunder that was a party to the Prior Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Closing Date agrees that its "Commitments" (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement) shall be replaced with the Commitments of such Lender hereunder. 158 (i) Each of the undersigned designated on the signature pages hereof as "Exiting Lender" (each an "EXITING LENDER" and collectively, the "EXITING LENDERS") hereby agrees to sell and assign, without recourse, at par, to one or more Lenders hereunder, and each of such Lenders hereunder purchases and assumes, without recourse, at par, from the Exiting Lenders, effective on the Closing Date, all of such Exiting Lender's interest set forth opposite its name on Exhibit 12 attached hereto in rights and obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement), including, without limitation, the Swingline Commitment, Revolving Commitment, Swingline Loans, Revolving Loans and participations held by such Exiting Lender in Letters of Credit (as each such term is defined in the Prior Credit Agreement) which are outstanding on the Closing Date (such interest being the "EXITING LENDER INTEREST"). Each Lender hereunder shall pay to the Administrative Agent on November 28, 2005 (the "TRUE-UP DATE") the amounts necessary to fund (i) its share of the purchase price owing to the Exiting Lenders described on Exhibit 12 and (ii) payments to other Lenders hereunder, such that, after giving effect to the funding of such purchase price and such payments, each Lender hereunder shall have funded its Pro Rata Percentage of the Loans held by such Lender. Each Lender hereunder hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to disburse on the same day such amounts to the Exiting Lenders and the Lenders hereunder as are necessary to effect the foregoing. Borrower shall pay on the True-Up Date all accrued but unpaid interest and fees owing under the Prior Credit Agreement prior to the True-Up Date to the Exiting Lenders, and the Exiting Lenders hereby authorize and direct Borrower to make such payments to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent agrees, upon receipt of such payment from Borrower, to disburse on the same day such amounts to the Exiting Lenders. In order to effectuate the foregoing settlement procedures, the parties hereto agree that (i) prior to the True-Up Date, interest and fees shall continue to accrue on the Existing Obligations at the rates set forth in the Prior Credit Agreement and each Lender's and each Exiting Lender's interest therein shall be based upon its Pro Rata Percentage (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement) of the Existing Obligations prior to giving effect to this Agreement and (ii) Borrower shall not request any Credit Extension hereunder prior to the True-Up Date. Exiting Lenders and each party hereto hereby (A) acknowledges and agrees that, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, pursuant to Section 10.06 of the Prior Credit Agreement, UBS resigned as Administrative Agent under the Prior Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined therein) and Merrill has been appointed as successor Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, (B) waives any requirement that UBS provide any notice of its resignation, and (C) agrees that , notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the provisions of Article X and Section 11.03 of the Prior Credit Agreement shall continue in effect for the benefit of the UBS as a retiring Administrative Agent, its respective sub-agents and their respective Affiliates in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.. [Signature Pages Follow] 159 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written. GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., as the Borrower By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE COMPANY, as a Loan Party, Guarantor and Borrowing Base Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION, as a Loan Party, Borrowing Base Guarantor and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GK TECHNOLOGIES, INCORPORATED, as a Loan Party, Borrowing Base Guarantor and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, LLC, as a Loan Party, Borrowing Base Guarantor and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT GENERAL CABLE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, as a Loan Party, Borrowing Base Guarantor and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE TEXAS OPERATIONS, L.P., as a Loan Party, Borrowing Base Guarantor and Guarantor By: GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., its general partner By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- MARATHON MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC., as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE OVERSEAS HOLDINGS, INC., as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT GENERAL CABLE MANAGEMENT LLC, as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- DIVERSIFIED CONTRACTORS, INC., as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- MLTC COMPANY, as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- MARATHON STEEL COMPANY, as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT GENCA CORPORATION, as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- GENERAL CABLE CANADA LTD., as a Loan Party and Guarantor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., as a Lender, Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- Payment Account: Name of Bank: LaSalle Bank, NA City: Chicago, Illinois ABA/Routing No: 071 000 505 Account Name: MLBFS - Corporate Finance Account Number: 5800393182 Account Holder's Address: 222 N LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60601 UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, as Issuing Bank By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA, as Issuing Bank By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT __________________________, A LENDER By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- SIGNATURE PAGE TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT ANNEX I APPLICABLE MARGIN
REVOLVING LOANS -------------------- EXCESS AVAILABILITY EURO DOLLAR ABR ------------------- ----------- ----- LEVEL I: < or = $50.0 million 1.75% 0.50% LEVEL II: > $50 million, but < or = $100 million 1.50% 0.25% LEVEL III: > $100 million, but < or = $150 million 1.375% 0.125% LEVEL IV: > $150 million, but < or = $175 million 1.25% 0.00% LEVEL V: > $175 million 1.00% 0.00%
For the purposes of the above pricing grid, from the Closing Date through December 31, 2005, the Applicable Margin shall be set at Level III. Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from changes in Excess Availability shall become effective on the first day of each quarter, commencing January 1, 2006, based upon average daily Excess Availability for the immediately preceding quarter, as calculated by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excess Availability shall be deemed to be in Level I for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin at any time during the existence of an Event of Default.
EX-10.72 3 l18783aexv10w72.txt EXHIBIT 10.72 SIGNED VERSION - EXECUTION COPY EXHIBIT 10.72 DECEMBER 22, 2005 GRUPO GENERAL CABLE SISTEMAS S.A. (SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP) (as the Borrower) GENERAL CABLE CELCAT ENERGIA E TELECOMUNICACOES S.A. (as the Guarantor) BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. (as the Agent) BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. (as the Financial Institution) ---------- LONG-TERM FINANCING IN THE AMOUNT OF E75,000,000 ---------- 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CLAUSE PAGE - ------ ---- 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION....................................... 12 Definitions....................................................... 12 Interpretation.................................................... 20 2. AMOUNT............................................................... 22 Amount Total...................................................... 22 Amount of Portion A............................................... 22 Amount of Portion B............................................... 22 3. PURPOSE.............................................................. 23 4. DURATION............................................................. 23 5. SYNDICATION.......................................................... 23 Distribution...................................................... 23 Joint rights and responsibilities................................. 24 6. DISPOSITIONS, PRE-CONDITIONS AND PERIOD OF DISPOSITION............... 24 Notice of Disposition............................................. 24 Information to attach to Notice of Disposition.................... 25 Pre Conditions for Dispositions................................... 26 Amount of the Dispositions........................................ 27 Communication with the Financial Institutions..................... 27 Impossibility of obtaining funds from the Financial Institutions................................................... 28 Periods of Disposition............................................ 29 First French Disposition of Portion A............................. 29 7. INTEREST PERIODS..................................................... 32 Duration until the Date of Syndication............................ 32 Duration after the Date of Syndication............................ 32 Adjustments to the Duration of the Interest periods............... 33 8. INTEREST RATES....................................................... 33 Ordinary Interest Rate............................................ 33 Margin............................................................ 34 Substitute Interest Rates......................................... 36 Accrual and liquidation of interest............................... 37 Communication of the applicable interest rate..................... 37 Entities of Reference............................................. 37 Equivalent annual rate............................................ 38 9. PENALTY RATE......................................................... 38 10. CAPITALIZATION....................................................... 38 11. ORDINARY AMORTIZATION................................................ 40 Of Portion A...................................................... 40
2 Of Portion B...................................................... 41 12. EXPECTED AMORTIZATION................................................. 42 Voluntary Expected Amortization.................................... 42 Mandatory Expected Amortization.................................... 42 Effects of Expected Amortization................................... 44 13. PAYMENTS.............................................................. 46 By the Borrower and the Guarantors................................. 46 By the Financial Institutions...................................... 46 Taxes and Withholding.............................................. 47 Date............................................................... 48 14. COMPENSATION AND PROPORTIONAL DISTRIIBUTION........................... 48 Compensation....................................................... 48 Proportional Distribution.......................................... 48 Omission of petition for bankruptcy................................ 50 15. IMPUTATION OF PAYMENTS................................................ 50 16. RECOVERY.............................................................. 51 Litigation......................................................... 51 Expected Payment................................................... 51 Notification....................................................... 51 17. INTERVENING CIRCUMSTANCES............................................. 53 Unlawfulness....................................................... 53 Increased costs.................................................... 53 Market incidents................................................... 54 18. BORROWER'S AND GUARANTOR'S STATEMENTS................................. 56 Declarations by the Borrower....................................... 56 Declarations by the Guarantor...................................... 60 19. COMMITMENTS BY THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTOR......................... 63 Borrower's general commitments..................................... 63 Borrower's financial commitments................................... 69 Guarantor's commitments............................................ 71 20. CERTIFICATIONS OF FULFILLMENT......................................... 75 21. DEFAULT............................................................... 77 Assumption of Default.............................................. 77 Notification....................................................... 80 Statement and consequences of early termination.................... 80 22. INDEMNITY............................................................. 83 23. LIST OF GUARANTEES.................................................... 84 24. GUARANTEE............................................................. 84 Content of Guarantee............................................... 84 Adherence by New Guarantors........................................ 86 25. MORTGAGE AGREEMENT.................................................... 86
3 26. VALIDITY AND EXECUTION OF GUARANTEES.................................. 87 Validity........................................................... 87 Execution.......................................................... 88 27. AGENT................................................................. 90 Appointment........................................................ 90 Relationship....................................................... 90 Credit approval.................................................... 91 Payments........................................................... 92 Determination of interest rates.................................... 92 Notification of litigation......................................... 92 Resignation........................................................ 93 Indemnity.......................................................... 93 Conflict of interest............................................... 94 28. COMMISSIONS........................................................... 96 Initial Commission................................................. 96 Agent Commission................................................... 96 Non-Disposition Commission......................................... 96 29. EXPENSES.............................................................. 96 30. VAT AND TAX ON CAPITAL TRANSFERS AND DOCUMENTATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS........................................................ 97 Value Added Tax.................................................... 97 Documentation of Legal Proceedings................................. 98 31. SYNDICATION PROCESS................................................... 100 Syndication........................................................ 100 Syndication Agreement and effectiveness of Syndication............. 100 New Financial Institutions......................................... 101 Deadline for Syndication and communication to the Borrower......... 101 Information communication.......................................... 101 Expenses........................................................... 101 32. ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS............................................. 101 Assignments and transfers by the Borrower and the Guarantors....... 101 Assignments and transfers by the Financial Institutions............ 102 Transfer Contracts................................................. 102 Assignees.......................................................... 103 Notification and verification of Transfer Possibility.............. 103 Information communication.......................................... 103 Expenses........................................................... 104 33. DEBT CERTIFICATION.................................................... 106 By the Agent....................................................... 106 By each Financial Institution...................................... 106 34. EXECUTIVE ACTION...................................................... 106 35. CUMULATIVE RIGHTS AND WAIVERS......................................... 107 36. NOTIFICATIONS......................................................... 107
4 37. OFFICES............................................................... 108 38. LANGUAGE.............................................................. 109 39. PRESERVATION OF THE CONTRACT.......................................... 109 40. ELECTION OF LAW....................................................... 110 41. JURISDICTION.......................................................... 110 ATTACHMENT 1 Shares of Financial Institutions............................. 114 ATTACHMENT 2 Notice of Disposition Model.................................. 116 ATTACHMENT 3 Demand for Payment Model..................................... 118 ATTACHMENT 4 Signatory Letter Model....................................... 120 ATTACHMENT 5 Syndication Contract and Transfer Contract Models............ 122 CHAPTER A SYNDICATION CONTRACT MODEL................................... 122 CHAPTER B TRANSFER CONTRACT MODEL...................................... 127 ATTACHMENT 6 Structure of the Borrower's Group............................ 131 CHAPTER A PRIOR TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE TARGET COMPANIES............. 131 CHAPTER B AFTER THE ACQUISITION OF THE TARGET COMPANIES................ 132 ATTACHMENT 7 Structure of Stocks of the Borrower in Relation to the Parent Company......................................................... 133 ATTACHMENT 8 List of Guarantees in Effect................................. 134 CHAPTER A ISSUED BY THE BORROWER OR IN RELATION TO THE BORROWER'S ASSETS................................................... 136 1. Guarantees of a personal nature.................................. 136 2. Guarantees of a real nature...................................... 142 CHAPTER B ISSUED BY THE GUARANTOR OR CONCERNING THE GUARANTOR'S ASSETS.................................................. 143 1. Guarantees of a personal nature.................................. 143 2. Guarantees of a real nature...................................... 143 ATTACHMENT 9 List of Litigation........................................... 146 ATTACHMENT 10 List of Real Estate Holdings................................ 152 ATTACHMENT 11 Loans and Mortgages Models.................................. 154 CHAPTER A MODEL FOR THE FRENCH LIEN.................................... 154 CHAPTER B MODEL FOR THE SPANISH LIEN................................... 169 CHAPTER C MODEL FOR THE MORTGAGE DEED.................................. 177 ATTACHMENT 12 Business Plan............................................... 184 CHAPTER A BALANCE...................................................... 184 CHAPTER B PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT...................................... 185
5 CHAPTER C CASH FLOW.................................................... 186
6 PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY 7 DRAFT OF LONG-TERM FINANCING In Barcelona, on December 22, 2005. Before me, Mr. Manuel Piquer Belloch, a Notary, authorized to discharge the duties of this office in Barcelona, residing in this city and member of the Illustrious Notarial Association (Ilustre Colegio de Notarios) in Cataluna THERE APPEARED ON ONE PART, (1) GRUPO GENERAL CABLE SISTEMAS S.A. (A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP) (hereinafter, the BORROWER), a company of Spanish nationality, domiciled in calle Casanovas 150, Barcelona, registered in the Mercantile Registry of Barcelona in volume 35769, page 194, sheet number B-18317 and with CIF (Spanish Tax ID) number A-08102790. It is represented in these proceedings by Mr. DOMINGO GOENAGA CAMPMANY, of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with offices at calle Casanovas 150, Barcelona and bearer of National Identity Document (DNI) number 37,561,848-L, who is acting by virtue of an agreement by the board of directors of the Borrower, dated October 20, 2005, as shown to me through a document authorized by Barcelona Notary, Mr. Jose-Vicente Torres Montero dated December 16, 2005 with protocol number 2,336. AND ON ANOTHER PART, (2) GENERAL CABLE CELCAT ENERGIA E TELECOMUNICACOES S.A. a company of Portuguese nationality, domiciled in Avenida Marques de Pombal 36-38, Em Morelena, District of Pero Pinheiro, Municipality of Sintra (Portugal) registered in the Commercial Registry (Conservatoria do Registo Comercial) of Sintra/Cascais under number 5166. It is represented in these proceedings by Mr. DOMINGO GOENAGA CAMPMANY, of legal age, ofSpanish nationality, with offices at calle Casanovas 150, Barcelona and bearer of National Identity Document (DNI) number 37,561,848-L, acting by virtue of the power vested by the general assembly of said company dated December 20, 2005. Hereinafter, the GUARANTOR. AND ON ANOTHER PART, (3) BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. (hereinafter, the FINANCIAL INSTITUTION), with CIF (Spanish Tax ID) number A-08000143 and offices at Plaza Catalonia 1, Sabadell (Barcelona). Registered in the Mercantile Registry of Barcelona volume 20092, page 1, sheet number B-1511. It is represented in these proceedings by Mr. JUAN JIMENEZ DELGADO, of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with offices at Sant Cugat del Valles (Barcelona), calle Sena 12 and bearer of National Identity Document number 33,878,067-X, acting by 8 virtue of the power of attorney authorized by the notary of Sabadell (Barcelona), Mr.. Javier Mico Giner on the date of June 5, 2003, with number 3,444 of his protocol, who arranged for entry 1,208 to be made in the company record and by Mr. LUIS PRETER TRESSERRAS, of legal age, of Spanish nationality, with offices at Plaza Catalonia 1, Dabadell (Barcelona) and bearer of National Identity Document (DNI) number 46,059,998-Y, acting by virtue of the power authorized by the notary of Sabadell (Barcelona), Mr. Javier Mico Giner with number 2,369 of his protocol, who arranged for this entry to be made in the 1,200th company record DO DECLARE (A) That the Borrower has applied to the Financial Institution for financing in the total amount of up to seventy-five million euros (E75,000,000), for the purpose of (i) financing the purchase of the Spanish Shares and the French Shares (as defined hereinafter); and (ii) the financing of the Borrower's corporate necessities (hereinafter, the FINANCING). (B) That the Financial Institution is willing to grant the Financing to the Borrower under the terms of this Agreement. (C) That the parties have agreed that, in the event that a Syndication is formed (as defined hereinafter), Banco de Sabadell S.A. shall be designated as the Agent of the Financing, which accepts said role at this time, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. (D) That prior to the signing of this Agreement, the Borrower has delivered to the Agent (to the satisfaction of the latter) the following documentation: (1) a legal opinion issued dated December 22, 2005 by Blank Rome LLP under North American law confirming that the signing of this Agreement and the granting of the Financing do not and shall not imply any assumption of default of the following Agreements signed by the Parent Company (as defined hereinafter): (i) Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 23, 2005 and (ii) the Indenture Note dated November 24, 2005; (2) the preliminary tax appraisal statements of real estate holdings belonging to the Borrower located on Casanovas Street (Barcelona), in Manlleu (Barcelona), Abrera (Barcelona) and Montcada (Barcelona), for a minimum overall appraisal amount of eighty-six million one hundred thousand euros (E86,100,000); and (3) a preliminary business plan by the Borrower's Group for the 2005-2008 period, reviewed by Ernst & Young. (E) That without impairment to the complete and unlimited personal liability of the Borrower, the Guarantor is willing to grant, in accordance with what is set forth in this Agreement (and the Financial Institution accepts as such), a joint guarantee to the Financial Institutions guaranteeing that the Borrower will fulfill the obligations assumed as a result of this Agreement. (F) That as additional guarantees to the Financial Institutions, the Borrower issues a mortgage agreement on various properties, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. 9 (G) That furthermore, as additional guarantees to the Financial Institutions, the Borrower wishes to undertake to offer the Spanish Shares (as defined hereinafter) as security and to offer the French Shares (as defined hereinafter) as security. The parties, mutually recognizing the necessary legal capacity and competence to sign this Agreement, and execute the agreements that issue therefrom, do hereby sign and undertake to fulfill the following CLAUSES (REST OF PAGE IS LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 10 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 11 SECTION I DEFINITIONS 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION DEFINITIONS 1.1 In this Agreement, each of the following expressions in the singular includes the plural form, and vice versa, and unless the context indicates otherwise, shall have the meaning indicated hereafter: ADVERSE CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE refers to any fact or circumstance that entails (or might entail) a loss or cost to the Parent Company or to any company belonging to the group headed by the Parent Company (including the Borrower and/or the Guarantor) that, in the opinion of the strengthened majority shareholders and after having heard the Borrower, may adversely affect the financial and economic situation or net worth of the Borrower and/or any of the Guarantors in such a way that the ability of the Borrower (and/or of the Guarantor) to fulfill its payment obligations under this contract may be compromised, or that substantially reduces the combined value of the guarantees offered to the Lending Institutions in connection with this Agreement; AFFILIATE refers to those companies or entities in which the Borrower (directly or indirectly) has a Share of more than fifty percent (50%) of its voting stock, or an equivalent Share that makes it into a majority shareholder or partner; AGENT refers to Banco de Sabadell S.A., whose particulars are set forth in the heading of this Agreement, or any successor acting as agent for the Financial Institutions pursuant to this Agreement; AGREEMENT refers to this financing agreement, including not only the text hereof, and therefore all its Clauses, but also the Appendices which form an integral part hereof; AMOUNT OF PORTION A refers to the maximum amount available from Portion A, that is, fifty million euros (E50.000.000); AMOUNT OF PORTION B refers to the maximum amount available from Portion B, that is, twenty-five million euros (E25.000.000); ASSUMPTION OF DEFAULT makes reference to any of the circumstances mentioned in Clause 21.1; AUDITOR, in relation to this Agreement, refers to Deloitte & Touche Espana S.A., or a first rate firm of international auditors of eminent repute, duly qualified to conduct this work in Spain, that will consistently indicate to the Borrower fulfillment of the obligations established in this Agreement, as long as such are acceptable to the Financial Institutions. The Financial Institutions cannot oppose the appointment of a new auditor proposed in writing by the Borrower to replace Deloitte & Touche Espana S.A.; the new Auditor proposed in writing by the Borrower is one of the following: PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditors S.L.; KPMG Auditors S.L.; or Ernst & 12 Young S.L. In the event that the Borrower should propose any other Auditor different from the aforementioned, the Financial Institutions may oppose said appointment within the maximum period of fifteen (15) days from the reception of the written proposal by the Borrower, with the Borrower being able to propose new alternative auditing firms, up to a maximum of three (3) firms within a period not greater than seven (7) days from the reception of the respective notification written by the Agent. If the Financial Institutions should be justifiably opposed to all those proposed for the appointment, or if the Borrower should fail to exercise its right to propose an Auditor within the period of one (1) month following the first communication on the replacement of the Auditor, the Financial Institutions will make the appointment through the Agent. In all cases, the costs of the appointment, replacement and activities of the Auditor shall always accrue to the Borrower; BANKRUPTCY LAW refers to Act 22/2003, dated July 9, regarding Bankruptcy. BORROWER'S ACCOUNT refers to the account opened by the Borrower with the Agent, number 0081-5172-84-0001059813, and into which the amounts of the dispositions requested by the Borrower shall enter. BORROWER'S GROUP refers to the ensemble of entities forming part of the group headed by the Borrower in accordance with the criteria established in Article 4 of the applicable Act 24/1988, dated July 28, regarding the Securities Market (explicitly including General Cable Celcat Energia e Telecomunicacoes S.A.); BUSINESS DAY, to all intents and purposes (except as indicated below), refers to any day of the week except for holidays fixed as such (i) in the calendar of the TARGET (Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System) system for payments in euros or (ii) to the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. Exclusively for purposes of calculating interest rates, Business Days are those defined as such in the calendar of the TARGET system for payment in euros; BUSINESS PLAN refers to the plan of financial projections ("base case") drawn up by the management of the Borrower in relation to future financial business projections of the Borrower's Group for the 2006-2013 period and reviewed by Ernst & Young (an initial draft for the period fo 2005-2008 appears in Attachment 12 attached), as it is updated from time to time; CHANGE OF CONTROL refers to any modification in the current capital structure of the Borrower or any Guarantor resulting in (i) either a direct or indirect Share in the Parent Company less than one hundred percent (100%) of the capital of the Borrower or of any Guarantor; or (ii) if the Parent Company should fail to retain Control (direct or indirect) of the Borrower and/or of any Guarantor. CONSOLIDATED EBITDA refers to the EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) of the Borrower's Group, calculated on the basis of the Consolidated Financial Statements; CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS refers to the annual consolidated accounts (including the annual report and statement of the origin and allocation of funds) of the 13 Borrower's Group, formulated by the management of the Borrower for approval by its ordinary shareholders meeting, and audited by the Auditor, and which, in all cases, shall be drawn up in accordance with the Spanish General Accounting Plan; CONTRACT signifies this finance contract, including not only the body of the same, but also all of the clauses, as well as Attachments 1 to 12, which are integral parts of the same; CONTROL refers to any company situation in which one of the situations foreseen in Article 42, Item 1 of the Spanish Commercial Code should arise. DATE OF DISPOSITION, in relation to the Notice of Disposition, refers to the date on which the Agent shall have made available the Disposition to the Borrower in the Borrower's Account in the amount requested in the respective Notice of Disposition; DATE OF FINAL PAYMENT refers to the date corresponding to the seventh anniversary of the Date of Disposition corresponding to the latest Disposition drawn from Portion A. On said date, the Borrower must have repaid the total amount and other amounts accrued in favor of the Financial Institutions as a result of this Agreement, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; DATE OF FINAL PAYMENT OF PORTION B refers to the 22nd day of December, 2010; DATE OF LIQUIDATION AND PAYMENT OF INTEREST refers to each of the end dates of the Interest periods in question; DATE OF OBLIGATORY EXPECTED AMORTIZATION refers to each of the dates set forth in Clause 12.4; DATE OF REPAYMENT, in relation to Portion A, refers to each of the dates of loan amortization in accordance with Clause 11 and in relation to Portion B, to the Final Date of Payment for Portion B; DATE OF SYNDICATION refers to the date on which the Syndication becomes effective which, in accordance with Clause 31.3, will be the Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest immediately following the date of the signing of the Syndication Agreement; DATE OF VOLUNTARY EXPECTED AMORTIZATION refers to each of the dates set forth in Clause 12.1; DEMAND FOR PAYMENT refers to the demand for payment that any Financial Institution can make upon any Guarantor, by the terms of Clause 24.1, and the model for which is attached as Attachment 3 below; DISPOSITION OR DISPOSITIONS REFERS, individually or jointly, to the borrowing of funds performed by the Borrower drawn from the Financing, in accordance with the terms of Clause 6; 14 EBITDA refers to Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization and is calculated as the sum of the benefits accrued, plus payments made for amortization of property (both material and immaterial) plus the variation of provisions relating to the assets of the company in question, all to be calculated according to the Spanish General Accounting Plan and for a period of twelve (12) months; ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION or EURO ZONE refers to monetary union instituted by all or some of the governments of the member state of the European Union, in accordance with what is set forth in the Treaty of the European Community, as it has been revised and amended from time to time. ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION has the meaning given to it by Clause 18.1(w)(i); EQUITY (in relation to the Borrower's Group) refers to the amount resulting from the sum of subscribed shares, share premiums, reserves of any kind (not including the reserves for revaluation of assets carried out subsequent to the date this Agreement enters into force), the subordinated debt and profits and losses attributable to the Borrower, as resulting from the Consolidated Financial Statements, all being calculated in accordance with the Spanish General Accounting Plan; EXPECTED AMORTIZATION refers to amortization ahead of schedule (either voluntary or compulsory), in whole or in part, of the Principal of Portion A and the reduction ahead of schedule (either voluntary or compulsory) of the Amount of Portion B, carried out in accordance with the terms of Clause 12; FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS refers to the Banco de Sabadell S.A. and those institutions which, as a result of their Share in the Syndication, may come to be brokers of the Financing, as well as their respective successors and assignees who, in turn, may participate in the Financing; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS refers to the annual audited accounts (including the annual report and the statement of the origin and allocation of funds) of a company, formulated by the management of such company for approval by its respective ordinary shareholders meeting, and which, in all cases, shall be drawn up in keeping with any accounting regulations applicable according to the corresponding jurisdiction; FINANCING refers to the financing made available to the Borrower by the Financial Institutions, for the Total Amount and in keeping with the terms of this Agreement; FRENCH DISPOSITIONS OF PORTION A refers to the two (2) sole disposition of funds that the Borrower may make and charge to Portion A to acquire the French Shares. For these purposes, certifies that, according to Clause 6.9, the first French Disposition of Portion A is made available to the Borrower upon the date of this Contract; FRENCH SHARES refers to the sixty million thirty-seven thousand (60,037,000) shares (from 1 to 60,037,000, inclusive) of E1 nominal value each amounting to one hundred percent (100%) of the shares of the French Target Company; 15 FRENCH SECURITY refers to the jus ad rem of a guarantee to be provided by the Borrower (under French law) in favor of the Financial Institutions for the French Shares, as set forth in Clause 23(d); FRENCH TARGET COMPANY refers to Silec Cable S.A.S., domiciled in 2 Boulevard du General Martial Valin, 75015 Paris (France) and registered in the Registry of Business and Companies of Paris under number RCS 484 920 194; GUARANTEE refers to the personal and joint guarantee offered by the Guarantor (and to be offered by New Guarantors) in favor of the Financial Institutions to guarantee fulfillment of the obligations assumed by the Borrower as a result of this Agreement; GUARANTEES GRANTED refers to the personal or real guarantees that any company of the Borrower's Group has given in favor of third parties that are not part of the Borrower's Group, and that have not been figured as Indebtedness, specifically including economic and financial guarantees; GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS refers to any obligation derived from this Contract (payment or not and modified, altered or extended); GUARANTORS refers to General Cable Celcat Energia e Telecomunicacoes S.A. (whose particulars are set forth in the heading of this Agreement), as well as those Material Affiliates who may come to adhere to this Agreement as New Guarantors, pursuant to the terms of Clause 24.2 ; HEDGE CONTRACTS refer to hedge contracts on interest rates, for an overall percentage not less than eighty percent (80%) of the Amount of Portion A, at market prices and for a period not less than five (5) years. It is expressly stated that Hedge Contracts must be subscribed through the Agent. HOLDING refers to that company or entity in which the Borrower (holds (directly or indirectly) a share less than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of its voting stock; INDEBTEDNESS refers to the indebtedness (both short and long term) resulting from loans, whether from Financial Institutions, or through the issue of bonds, IOUs or obligations that can be converted into shares of stock or similar instruments and other indebtedness for funds (both short and long term) that have been loaned, with implicit or explicit payment of interest (including indebtedness arising as a result of this Agreement), discounts and long term and short term financial leasings, all in accordance with the Spanish General Accounting Plan; INTEREST PERIOD refers to each period of time into which the life of the Financing is divided for purposes of accrual and liquidation of interest, as set forth in Clause 7; LEC refers to Act 1/2000, dated January 7, regarding Civil Lawsuits; LETTER OF AGREEMENT refers to the letter of agreement to be signed by New Guarantors to adhere to this Agreement in keeping with Clause 24.2, using the model in Attachment 4 attached hereto; 16 MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS refers to all Financial Institutions whose shares at the moment of calculation add up to more than fifty percent (50%) of the total of all Shares; MARGIN refers to each one of the differentials that increment the Prime Rate, and that are detailed and calculated pursuant to the terms of Clauses 8.3 and 8.4; MATERIAL AFFILIATE refers to each one of the Affiliates that, at any time during the period in which this Agreement is in force, shall satisfy the following conditions: (a) the assets of said Affiliate (taken individually) must amount to at least five percent (5%) of Total Assets; (b) the assets of said Affiliate (taken individually) must amount to at least five percent (5%) of Consolidated EBITDA; or (c) the assets of said Affiliate (taken individually) must amount to at least five percent (5%) of Consolidated Revenues; Furthermore, those Affiliates that are necessary so as to insure, at any time during the life of this Agreement, and jointly among the Borrower and the Guarantors, coverage of at least ninety percent (90%) of Total Assets, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Revenues; MORTGAGE AGREEMENT refers to an unconditional undertaking by the Borrower to provide in favor of the Financial Institutions the jus ad rem of mortgage on all or some of the Real Estate Holdings, by the terms set forth in Clause 25; NET FINANCIAL DEBT refers to the Total Financial Debt minus the position of the Treasury; NEW GUARANTORS refers to those Material Affiliates who, as permitted by applicable legislation, may come to adhere to the Agreement, pursuant to the terms of Clause 24.2; NOTICE OF DISPOSITION refers to any notices of disposition of funds drawn from the Financing, to be formulated by the Borrower pursuant to the model set forth hereinafter in Appendix 2, and which should be presented to the Agent in keeping with Clause 6; ORDINARY AMORTIZATION refers to ordinary amortization in whole or in part, of the Principal of Portion A and the ordinary reduction of the Amount of Portion B, carried out in accordance with the terms of Clause 11; ORDINARY RATE OF INTEREST refers to the ordinary rate of interest for the Financing, defined and calculated in accordance with the terms of Clause 8; OVER THE COUNTER OPERATIONS refers to any operations that do not need to be directly reflected as Indebtedness in the balance sheet of the respective Financial Statements (pursuant to the Spanish General Accounting Plan), but which indicate for any entity 17 of the Borrower's Group, certain present and/or future undertakings to which earnings are subject and/or may entail payments. For this purpose, obligations arising from factoring agreements subject to appeal are included, and specifically exclude confirming operations; PARENT COMPANY refers to General Cable Corporation (a company of American nationality, registered in Delaware on April 22, 1994, domiciled in The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 (United States of America)); PENALTY RATE refers to the interest rate applicable to those amounts not paid by the Borrower at the time they fall due, calculated in accordance with the terms of Clause 9; PERIOD FOR DISPOSITION FROM PORTION A refers to the period of six (6) months set forth in Clause 6.8(a), during which the Borrower may make the Dispositions charged to Portion A, as set forth in Clause 6 ; PERIOD FOR DISPOSITION FROM PORTION B refers to the period set forth in Clause 6.8(b), during which the Borrower may undertake the Dispositions drawn from Portion B, as set forth in Clause 6; PORTION refers to each of the Portions into which the Financing is divided; PORTION A refers to the Portion of the Financing for a total amount of fifty million euros (E50.000.000), as a loan and in keeping with the terms of this Agreement; PORTION B refers to the Portion of the Financing for an amount of up to twenty-five million euros (E25.000.000), as revolving credit, and in keeping with the terms of this Agreement; PRINCIPAL refers to the Total Amount borrowed by the Borrower in the way of Dispositions, minus, if applicable, amounts amortized or repaid, whether ahead of schedule or not, as set forth in this Agreement; PRIME RATE refers to the EURIBOR (Euro Interbank Offered Rate) rate of interest, as defined and calculated pursuant to the terms of Clause 8.2; PRINCIPAL SUBSTITUTE RATE OF INTEREST refers to the rate of interest calculated and applied in accordance with the terms of Clause 8.5; RATIOS refers to the following ratios Net Financial Debt to Consolidated EBITDA: Net Financial Debt to Equity; REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS refers to each of the real estate holdings and buildings completed or in progress, in the attached listing of Real Estate Holdings, and which shall be subject to the Mortgage Agreement; REFERENCE ENTITIES refers to Banco Pastor, S.A.; Banco Popular Espanol S.A.; and 18 Caja de Ahorros and Monte de Piedad of Madrid, and any other entities that may become Reference Entities, pursuant to the terms of Clauses 8.10 and 8.13; SHARE, in relation to each of the Financial Institutions, refers to the percentage of the shares of each institution in the Financing at any given time; DISPOSITION OR DISPOSITIONS refers, individually or jointly, to the disposition of funds from the Borrower drawn on the Financing, in accordance with the terms of Clause 6; SPAIN refers to the Kingdom of Spain; SPANISH GENERAL ACCOUNTING PLAN refers to (i) the system and principles of accounting applicable in Spain, approved by Royal Decree 1643/1990, dated December 20; (ii) the methods and procedures of consolidation applicable in Spain in accordance with Royal Decree 1815/1991, dated December 20; as well as (iii) any other accounting principles, methods and procedures that may come into force in Spain, pursuant to the applicable legislation at any given moment, throughout the life of this Agreement (in particular, International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS). If as a result of the application of new accounting principles, methods and/or procedures in the future (in particular, IFRS) disputes should arise between the Financial Institutions and the Borrower or the Auditor at the time of verifying compliance with the Ratios and other financial volumes (Equity), said Ratios and financial volumes shall revert to being calculated on the basis of the accounting principles, methods and criteria consistently applied by the Borrower's Group on the date of this Agreement; SPANISH DISPOSITION OF PORTION A refers to the only disposition of funds that the Borrower can make charged to Portion A to acquire the Spanish Shares; SPANISH SHARES refers to 500,500 Shares amounting to one hundred percent (100%) of the shares of the Spanish Target Company; SPANISH SECURITY refers to the jus ad rem of a guarantee to be provided by the Borrower (under Spanish law) in favor of the Financial Institutions for the Spanish Shares, as set forth in Clause 23(c); SPANISH TARGET COMPANY refers to E.C.N. Cable Group S.L., domiciled in Zona Industrial Betono Escalmendi, Pabellon 36, Vitoria (Alava), with CIF (Spanish Tax ID) number B-01225325 and registered in the Mercantile Registry of Alava to volume 737, folio 56, page number VI-4873; SUBORDINATED DEBT refers to any participative loan subscribed by the Borrower (i) with a date of maturity subsequent to the Final Date of Maturity and (ii) whose payment obligations (of any kind) are subordinated to the payment obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement, and that is construed for accounting purposes (according to the provisions of Royal Decree Law 7/1996, of June 7 and according to the resolution made by the Accounting Institute and Accounts Auditing of December 20, 1996) as accountable wealth of the Borrower; 19 SUBSIDIARY SUBSTITUTE RATE OF INTEREST refers to the rate of interest calculated and applied in accordance with the terms of Clause 8.6; SECURITIES refers jointly to the Spanish Security and the French Security; SYNDICATION refers to the process of assignment of part of the Share of Banco de Sabadell S.A. (as the sole Financial Institution as of the date of this Agreement) in favor of new Financial Institutions; SYNDICATION AGREEMENT means everything ascribed thereto in Clause 31.2; TARGET COMPANIES refers jointly to the Spanish Target Company and the French Target Company; TEMPORARY FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS refers to temporary financial investments (specifically excluding loans and credits granted by any company of the Borrower's Group and other non-liquid investments of said companies, as defined in the Spanish General Accounting Plan; TOTAL AMOUNT refers to the overall amount of the Financing, that is, seventy five million euros (E75.000.000); TOTAL ASSETS refers to the sum of all assets (whether characterized as fixed or liquid assets) of each and every one of the entities comprising the Borrower's Group, at the consolidated level, in accordance with the General Spanish Plan of Accounting TOTAL FINANCIAL DEBT refers, on any given date, to the sum of indebtedness, Over-the-Counter operations and those involving the Guarantees that have been issued (avoiding duplication of calculations); TREASURY refers (at the consolidated level of the Borrower1s Group) to the amount resulting from the sum total of the treasury and analogous items, and the Temporary Financial Investments, according to the formulations of said amounts in the Spanish General Accounting Plan; TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS refers to all Financial Institutions whose shares at the moment of calculation add up to more than sixty-six point six percent (66.6%) of the total of all Shares; INTERPRETATION 1.2 Unless the context indicates otherwise, every reference in this Agreement to: (a) an AGREEMENT, apart from references to this Agreement, also may refer to an assignment, contract, agreement, franchise, license, treaty or undertaking (in every instance, whether verbal or in writing) and as these have been modified from time to time; (b) the ASSETS of each juridical person is to be construed as a reference to the 20 totality or any part of the business and its business activities, goods, assets and rights (including all rights to receive income); (c) DEBTS include any obligation (be it present or future, real or contingent, guaranteed or not guaranteed, principal or security, or under any other designation) for the payment of reimbursement of funds. (d) LAW or LAWS include the customary and legal law, encompassing the Constitution, Laws, Decree Laws, Royal Decrees, Legislative Royal Decrees, Orders, judgments, legislation, Ordinances, Regulations, statutes, treaties or other legislative measures of Spain or in any other jurisdiction, any instrument of international law, and of the European Community, or any present or future directive, regulation, injunction or requisition; (e) EUROS or E are to be understood to refer to the legal tender in the countries that at any given moment comprise the Economic and Monetary Union; and (f) times given are understood to be in Barcelona time The titles and table of contents are included merely for ease of reference. (REST OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK) 21 SECTION II FINANCING 2. AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT 2.1 The Financial Institutions finance the Borrower a total amount of seventy-five million Euros (E75,000,000), divided into two (2) Portions (Portion A and Portion B) and the Borrower accepts it, within the terms and conditions of this Contract, which will expire, except for the anticipated resolution, on the Final Due Date. 2.2 The Borrower commits to repay the Total Amount and to pay the interest, commissions, taxes, late interests and any other chargeable expense due to any other item as a result of this operation until it is totally paid, as provided in this Contract. AMOUNT OF PORTION A 2.3 The Financial Institutions give the Borrower Portion A the amount of fifty million Euros (E50,000,000) as a loan. Portion A will only be available to the Borrower under three (3) dispositions (First and Second French Disposition of Portion A and the Sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A), so the amounts of Portion A that are not available after disposing of the Dispositions charged to Portion A and the amounts reimbursed by the Borrower to the Financial Institutions with regard to Portion A may not be disposed again by the Borrower nor will increase the Amount of Portion B, in such a way that: (a) The Amount of Portion A which is not disposed by the Borrower after the Dispositions charged to Portion A (First and Second French Disposition of Portion A and Sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A); and (b) The amounts reimbursed due to Ordinary Amortization or Expected Amortization (voluntary or mandatory) of Portion A will appropriately reduce the Amount of Portion A (proportionally reducing the Total Amount automatically) and will not be made available by the Borrower nor will they increase the Amount of Portion B. AMOUNT OF PORTION B 2.4 The Financial Institutions give the Borrower Portion B, in the amount of up to twenty-five million Euros (E25,000,000), as a revolving credit line ("revolving"). The quantities of the Amount of Portion B that have not been disposed of at the date the Period of Disposition of Portion B ends and the amounts provided by the Borrower, the reduction of the Amount of Portion B in accordance with the terms of Clause 12.1 as below, will appropriately reduce the Amount of Portion B (proportionally reducing the Total Amount automatically) and will not be made available again by the Borrower nor will they increase the Amount of Portion A. 22 3. PURPOSE 3.1 The Total Amount will be solely and exclusively destined to: (a) With regard to the amount of the First and Second French Disposition of Portion A, the financing of the acquisition of French Shares; (b) With regard to the amount of the Sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A, the financing of the acquisition of Spanish Shares; and (c) With regard to the amount of Portion B, the partial financing of the Borrower's general corporate needs. 3.2 The Financial Institutions (through the Agent) may, even if they are not under obligation to do so, request from the Borrower a written confirmation of the application of the Total Amount that the Borrower has disposed of to the effect provided in the preceding clause. The Borrower must provide the appropriate written confirmation (or if it were so required, a notarial act) prepared by a duly authorized representative within five (5) business days of the date of receipt of the appropriate written request from the Agent (following the instructions of the Financial Institutions, if that were the case). 4. DURATION 4.1 This Contract will continue to be in force until the Loan Maturity Date, without prejudice to the possibility of claiming the rights derived from it beyond the referenced date to conform to this Contract. On said date, the Borrower must have made the payment of the totality of the amounts due for any reason by virtue of this Contract, all without prejudice to the possibility, or if applicable, the obligation to reimburse those amounts in advance, to conform the terms of this Contract. 5. SYNDICATION DISTRIBUTION 5.1 In the event that there is a Syndication, it is stated from this moment that each one of the Financial Institutions will participate in the Total Amount, proportional to their Shares (which is found preceding their name, in the last column on the right of enclosed) and, except if it is otherwise disposed between the Financial Institutions, each Financial Institution will participate in every Disposition conducted with a charge against a Portion, proportionately to their appropriate Shares of that Portion. 23 JOINT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 5.2 The rights and responsibilities of each one of the Financial Institutions derived from this Contract are joint and, therefore, totally independent. Therefore, the nature, range, characterization or exceptions that can come between them with regard to the Shares of a Financial Institution will not affect in any way or extend the Shares of the rest of the Financial Institutions. Without prejudice to the statements expressly outlined in this Contract, the rights of each one of the Financial Institutions may be executed by each Financial Institution with total autonomy and independence with regard to all the other Financial Institutions. Each Financial Institution may conduct acts of extrajudicial nature leaning toward the conservation and defense of their own rights and those of the other Financial Institutions, but they must inform the Agent of that in writing. Every Financial Institution may judicially exercise with exclusivity their own rights, within the terms of Clause 21. In the event that any Financial Institution, in spite of the commitments acquired by this Contract, did not make available the funds committed by their own virtue to the Agent, that would not effect the rest of the Financial Institutions, which will only be obligated to make available to the Agent the funds that have been committed on an individual basis and that they consequently are not, under obligation to assume the appropriate part to the non-compliant Financial Institution; all without prejudice to the actions and exceptions that the appropriate Borrower may have toward the non-compliant Financial Institution. 6. DISPOSITIONS, PRIOR CONDITIONS AND PERIOD OF DISPOSITION NOTICE OF DISPOSITION 6.1 The Dispositions need to be requested by the Borrower by sending Notices of Disposition to the Agent. Any Notice of Disposition will be signed by a duly authorized representative of the Borrower and will be presented by the latter to the Agent (in a form equal to the model incorporated in this Contract as enclosed) at least five (5) business days in advance of the date in which the Disposition will be effective (the DATE OF DISPOSITION, as defined in the model of Notice of Disposition attached). If the amount requested under the Notice of Disposition is greater than the Total Amount, the Notice of Disposition will not be valid and will be rendered as not issued. In the same way, any Notice of Disposition which, individually or in conjuction with others issued and not reimbursed, is greater than the Amount of Portion A or the Amount of Portion B (as appropriate), will not be valid and will be rendered as not issued. 24 In the Notice of Disposition, the Borrower must specify that on the Date of Disposition all the previous conditions included in Clause 6.3 will be met. Any Notice of Disposition validly presented to the Agent will be irrevocable. INFORMATION TO ATTACH TO NOTICE OF DISPOSITION 6.2 Along with the appropriate Notice of Disposition, the Borrower will deliver to the Agent (unless it has been previously delivered and there is a return receipt from the Agent): (a) If it is the first Notice of Disposition: (i) a copy of the due diligence reports (due diligence) prepared with regard to the acquisition of the Target Companies, to the satisfaction of the Agent; (ii) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) in accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Registry Regulation, in certification of the agreements adopted by (1) the sole member of the Borrower and (2) the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving the terms of this Financing and the signing of this Contract and other additional and/or supplementary documents to same; (iii) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) to that effect, in which the Net Financial Debt/Consolidated EBITDA is credited (including those of the Target Companies) and has been (and will be after the Disposition is carried out) less than three point five (3.5); (iv) the original certification of the Guarantor (either of the board or the assembly of partners or shareholders, administrative council or a combination of both, or any other, in accordance with the applicable legislation) in which the authorization granted to the Guarantor is expressed granting them the Guarantee within the terms of this Contract; (v) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) to that effect, in which it is credited that (i) at the date of the Notice of Disposition (inclusively), an Assumption of Default has not been produced nor will it be produced as a consequence of the requested Disposition; and (ii) that at the Date of the Disposition, all prior requirements indicated in Clause 6.3 have been met; and (vi) a copy of the documents that credit (to the satisfaction of the Agent) the ability of the party signing the Notice of Disposition; (b) In reference to the Notice of Disposition of the Sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A, in addition to the conditions established in Section (a), the Borrower must present a copy of the sales/purchase contract of the Spanish 25 Shares that must compile, to the satisfaction of the Financial Institutions, the necessary guarantees of coverage of the possible hidden liabilities; and (c) In reference to the ulterior Notices of Disposition (either charged to the same Portion or to other Portions) (i) a copy of the documents that credit (to the satisfaction of the Agent) the ability of the party signing the Notice of Disposition; and (ii) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) to that effect, in which it is credited that at the Date of Disposition, all the previous conditions indicated in Clause 6.3 will be met. If the Notice of Disposition (i) substantially differs from what is indicated in 0enclosed or does not meet in any way the characteristics outlined in Clause 6.1; or (ii) is not delivered to the Agent along with the previously referenced documentation; or (iii) if on the Date of Disposition, none of the conditions outlined in the following Clause 6.3 (unless it(they) have(has) been waived in writing by the Agent, following the instructions of the Financial Institutions), such Notice of Disposition will be considered as not issued (and the Agent will immediately notify the Borrower of this), and the Financial Institutions will then not be obligated to make the amount requested in the Notice of Disposition available to the Borrower. CONDITIONS PRIOR TO THE DISPOSITIONS 6.3 The Dispositions will be in effect within the terms of this Clause 6, as long as the following conditions are met: (a) The appropriate Notice of Disposition meets the characteristics referenced in Clause 6.1; (b) The Borrower has delivered the appropriate Notice of Disposition to the Agent in accordance and along with all the other documentation referenced in Clause 6.2; and that (c) Up to the time of the appropriate Date of Disposition: (i) No Assumption of Default has been produced (and particularly, an Adverse Change of Circumstance has not been produced), or will be produced as a consequence of the requested Disposition; and (ii) Each one of the statements compiled in this Contract continues to be an exact and truthful representation of the reality of the situation at the Date of the Disposition, as if it were formulated on that date by reference to the existing events and circumstances at this time. 26 AMOUNT OF THE DISPOSITIONS Second French Disposition of Portion A and Sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A 6.4 The Borrower may conduct the second French Disposition of Portion A and/or the sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A during the Period of Disposition of Portion A for a maximum aggregate amount of twenty million Euros (E20,000,000), taking the following limits into account. (a) the maximum allowable amount under the second French Disposition of Portion A shall be eleven million Euros (E11.000.000); and (b) the maximum allowable amount under the Spanish Disposition of Portion A shall be nine million Euros (E9.000.000). In the event that it is the last day of the Period of Disposition of Portion A, and the Borrower has not made a disposition of the total preceding amount, Portion A will remain cancelled by the amount which has not been disposed of, consequently reducing the Amount of Portion A. The Borrower must present a receipt (through notarial certificate of receipt) for the amount delivered to them through the second French Disposition of Portion A and through the sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A within five (5) business days following the finalization of the Period of Disposition of Portion A. Dispositions to be charged to Portion B 6.5 The Borrower may carry out Dispositions to be charged to Portion B during the Period of Disposition of Portion B, as long as all the conditions outlined below are met: (a) The amount of any Disposition requested to be charged to Portion B must add up to, as a minimum, three million Euros (E3,000,000) and, if it is greater, it should be a multiple of one million Euros (E1,000,000); and (b) The Borrower may not have more than five (5) live Dispositions to be charged to Portion B at a given time during the life of the Financing. In the event that on the last day of the Period of Disposition of Portion B, the Borrower has not disposed in their totality of the Amount of Portion B, Portion B will remain cancelled by that non-disposed of amount, consequently reducing the Amount of Portion B. COMMUNICATIONS SENT TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 6.6 Once the Agent has received a Notice of Disposition validly completed in accordance with the previous clauses, the Agent will let the Financial Institutions know no later than by eleven o'clock (11:00) on the next business day after they have received it in accordance with this Contract, indicating the appropriate amount to each 27 Financial Institution according to their Shares of the appropriate Portion, as well as (if applicable) the Interest Period chosen by the Borrower for said Disposition. Each Financial Institution will make available to the Agent the appropriate amount in accordance with their Shares in the appropriate Portion, no later than by eleven o'clock (11:00) on the appropriate Date of Disposition and in the way outlined in the following Clause 13.2. The Agent will only be obligated to deliver to the Borrower the amounts actually entered by the Financial Institutions. Once the Agent has received a Notice of Disposition in accordance with Clause 6.1 and the conditions established in 6.3 have been met, the Agent will deliver to the Borrower (on the appropriate Date of Disposition) the amount received from the Financial Institutions with regard to that Notice of Disposition, through an installment to the Account of the Borrower, charged to the appropriate Portion. THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS' INABILITY TO OBTAIN FUNDS 6.7 In the event that it is impossible for any Financial Institution to obtain and make available to the Borrower (through the Agent) the amounts committed by virtue of this Contract due to unavoidable events or circumstances very exceptional or beyond their control that affect the money market for installment deposits in Euros: (a) Said Financial Institution(s): (i) Will immediately let the Agent know (so they can let the rest of the Financial Institutions and the Borrower know) about that(those) circumstance(s); and (ii) Will not assume any responsibility, in accordance with the dispositions in Article 1.105 of the Spanish Civil Code; (b) The Agent (after consulting with the rest of the Financial Institutions) and the Borrower will negotiate in good faith the possible alternatives to adopt to make it possible to continue with the Financing; and (c) In the event that: (i) The affected Borrower, the Agent and the Financial Institution(s) agree; or (ii) A possible alternate solution is not obtained within thirty (30) calendar days after the start of the negotiations The Shares of said affected Financial Institution(s) will be automatically extinguished, and the Borrower must return to that(those) Financial Institution(s) as many amounts pending return under this Contract as appropriate within a maximum term of fifteen (15) calendar days, starting on the date of the agreement between the Borrower, the Agent and the Financial 28 Institution(s) affected, or, if applicable, starting on the day of finalization of the thirty (30) day term referenced in the preceding section (ii). PERIODS OF DISPOSITION 6.8 The Borrower may send Notices of Disposition (in accordance with the disposition in this Clause 6): (a) To be charged to Portion A, during a period of six (6) months starting on the date of this Contract; and (b) To be charged to Portion B, starting on the date of this Contract for up to one (1) month prior to the Loan Maturity Date of Portion B (excluded). FIRST FRENCH DISPOSITION OF PORTION A 6.9 In this act, the Borrower requests that the Financial Institution make available the amount of thirty million euros (E30,000,000) to be charged to Portion A, for the payment of the purchase price of the French Shares (the first French Disposition of Portion A). For those purposes, and to comply with the disposition in the preceding Clause 6.3, the Borrower delivers the following documentation to the Agent: (a) a copy of the due diligence reports (due diligence) prepared with regard to the acquisition of the French Target Company, at the satsifaction of the Agent; (b) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) in accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Registry Regulation, in certification of the agreements adopted by (1) the sole member of the Borrower and (2) the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving the terms of this Financing and the signing of this Contract and other additional and/or supplementary documents to same; (c) the original certification of the Borrower, signed by the duly authorized person(s) to that effect, in which the Ratio of Net Financial Debt/Consolidated EBITDA is credited (including the French Target Company) and has been (and will be after the first French Disposition of Portion A) less than three point five (3.5); and (d) the original certification of the Guarantor (either of the board or the assembly of partners or shareholders, administrative council or a combination of both, or any other, in accordance with the applicable legislation) in which the authorization granted to the Guarantor is expressed to sign this Contract and, specifically granting them the Guarantee within the terms of this Contract. Likewise, with regard to the first French Disposition of Portion A conducted in this same Contract, the Borrower declares to the Agent that (i) to date (inclusive) no Assumption of Default has been produced or will be produced as a consequence of 29 the first French Disposition of Portion A requested; and (ii) that at today's date (the Date of Disposition of the first French Disposition of Portion A) each condition(s) previously indicated in the preceding clause 6.3 have been met. Through this Contract, the Borrower instructs the Agent to, once the amount of the first French Disposition of Portion A is entered in the Borrower's Account, make a transfer for the amount of, E68,418,418.06 for the payment of all French Shares, to the following account: Account Holder: Sagem Communication Banko: Societe Generale, Paris Etoile Enterprises Account: 30003-03175-00020229842-27 IBAN: FR76 30003 03175 00020229842 27 Swift: SOGEFRPP By following the instructions of the Borrower, the Agent accepts the Notice of Disposition contained in this Clause and commits to enter the referenced amount of the first French Disposition of Portion A in the previous account on the date of this Contract The Borrower presents a receipt of the amount of the first French Disposition of Portion A (REST OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK) 30 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 31 SECTION III INTEREST AND LATE INTEREST 7. INTEREST PERIODS DURATION UNTIL THE DATE OF SYNDICATION 7.1 For the period from the date of this Contract until the Date of Syndication, the Interest periods that will apply will be of one (1) month, for Dispositions conducted and charged to Portion A or charged to Portion B before the Date of Syndication. Without prejudice to the above, any Dispositions issued prior to the Date of Syndication will bear a last Interest Period (prior to the Date the Union is established) of such an extension that will finalize on the Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest which corresponds to the Date of Syndication, even if that implies that said duration needs to be set in months and/or weeks and/or days. DURATION AFTER THE DATE OF SYNDICATION 7.2 For purposes of accrual and liquidation of interest, the life of the Financing will be divided in Interest periods, as follows: (a) With regard to the Dispositions conducted and charged to Portion A before the date of Syndication, they will have a duration of six (6) months, starting on the Date of Syndication; and (b) With regard to the Dispositions to be charged to Portion B, conducted starting on the Date of Syndication, each Interest Period will have a duration of one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months (as chosen by the Borrower), starting on the appropriate Date of Disposition. For the purposes of informing the Borrower of the selection with regard to the term of each Interest Period: (i) For the first Interest Period pertaining to each Disposition conducted and charged to Portion B, the Borrower must communicate the term chosen in the appropriate Notice of Disposition; and (ii) For ulterior Interest periodss pertaining to the Dispositions to be charged to Portion B, the Borrower must notify within at least five (5) business days prior to the date of commencement of the start of the next Interest Period pertaining that Disposition. Failure in notifying will signify that the Borrower has chosen the same term applied to the Disposition due in the preceding Interest Period. The Agent, as soon as they are aware of that selection, will notify the rest of the Financial Institutions. The disposition in this clause will be extended without prejudice to the establishments in the following Clauses 7.3 and 8.5 through 8.7. 32 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DURATION OF THE INTEREST PERIODS 7.3 The duration of the Interest Periods will be adjusted as follows: (a) The first Interest Period of each one of the Dispositions will start on (and include) the date on which the requested funds are entered in the Account of the Borrower (the Date of Disposition, in accordance with the definition included in the Notice of Disposition) and will expire, without prejudice to the dispositions in the preceding sections, on the last day of the pertinent Interest periods (excluded); (b) Each subsequent Interest Period will start on (and include) the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period finalizes. To compute the different Interest periods, the first day included and the last day included will be extended; (c) If an Interest Period finalizes on a date which is not a business day, the expiration date of said Interest Period will be moved to the next immediate business day (without prejudice to the dispositions in Clause 13.4); (d) In any case, all the Interest Periods will be of such duration that they will finalize (except if they have previously finalized, conforming to the terms of this Contract) on the Date of Refund (of the appropriate Portion) immediately after the start of the appropriate Interest Period, even if that implies that said duration needs to be set in months and/or weeks and/or days; (e) Any Interest Period that otherwise would extend beyond the Date of Expiration of Portion A or Portion B (as appropriate), will be of such a duration that it will finalize on the Date of Expiration of Portion A or Portion B (as appropriate), even if that implies that said duration must be established in months and/or weeks and/or days; and (f) If an Interest Period were extended or reduced due to the disposition in the following Clause 13.4, the subsequent Interest Period will end (without prejudice to the application of the preceding sections) on the day of the same number of the one in which the preceding Interest Period should have ended if it had not been extended or reduced. 8. INTEREST RATES ORDINARY INTEREST RATE 8.1 The Ordinary Interest Rate applicable to the Principal will be calculated by the Agent, by adding the applicable Margin to the Basic Rate (EURIBOR). 8.2 It is understood that EURIBOR is the rate of gross interest, obtained by adding the two components indicated below (without rounding): 33 (a) the EURIBOR Rate for deposits in Euros for a term equal to the Interest Period used (in accordance with the preceding Clause 7) which results from the REUTERS screen, "EURIBOR01" page, as a quoted Rate at eleven o'clock (11:00) on the second business day immediately preceding the date of commencement of the following Interest Period. The REUTERS screen, on the "EURIBOR01" page, is the one that reflects the content of the "EURIBOR01" page on the REUTERS MONITOR MONEY RATES SERVICE (or any other page that may replace it in this service). In the absence of rates as stated in the preceding paragraph, we will be, on the EURIBOR Rate for deposits in Euros of amounts and periods equal to the ones referenced in the preceding paragraph, resulting from the "TELERATE" screen (BRIDGE TELERATE, formerly Dow Jones Markets), on page 248 (or any other page that may replace it in this service) at eleven o'clock (11:00) on the second business day immediately preceding the date of commencement of the next Interest Period; and (b) The taxes, brokerage fees, expenses and commissions that the Financial Institutions need to satisfy because they have obtaining the resources necessary for this type of operations in accordance with the standard practice in the banking market. If, as a consequence of the application of Clause 7.3, any Interest Period should have a different duration than that of the terms of the deposits in Euros for which, in accordance with the preceding section (a), there are rates of EURIBOR, the interest rate applicable to that Interest Period will be calculated through the lineal interpolation of the two (2) EURIBOR rates pertaining the immediately preceding period and the period immediately after, for which there is a quote. The second business day immediately preceding the date of commencement of each Interest Period, the Agent will proceed to perform the calculation of the Ordinary Interest Rate applicable to that Interest Period and will communicate it simultaneously to the Borrower and the Financial Institutions within the same day of the calculation. MARGIN For Dispositions charged to Portion A 8.3 The initial amount of the Margin applicable to the Basic Rate for the Dispositions charge to Portion A will be one hundred basic points (1%). Said initial Margin may vary in the function of the evolution of the Ratio of Net Financial Debt/Consolidated EBITDA, according to the following table: 34
RATIO OF NET FINANCIAL DEBT/CONSOLIDATED EBITDA MARGIN - ----------------------------------------------- ------ Ratio > 3.5 1.50% 3.5 = or > Ratio > 3.0 1.35% 3.0 = or > Ratio > 2.5 1.20% 2.5 = or > Ratio > 2.0 1.00% Ratio < or = 2.0 0.80%
For the purposes of applying the new Margin, the calculation of the referenced ratio will be conducted annually and will be credited through the Auditor's annually issued certificate in accordance with the Clause 20.1(a), therefore applying the new Margin (if necessary) during the Interest Period commencing after the referenced Auditor's certificate is received by the Agent. Margin of Portion B 8.4 The initial amount of the Margin applicable to the Basic Rate for the Dispositions charged to Portion B will be of seventy basic points (0.70%). Said initial Margin may vary in the function of the evolution of the Ratio of Net Financial Debt/Consolidated EBITDA, according to the following table:
RATIO OF NET FINANCIAL DEBT/CONSOLIDATED EBITDA MARGIN - ----------------------------------------------- ------ Ratio > 3.5 1.00% 3.5 = or > Ratio > 3.0 0.90% 3.0 = or > Ratio > 2.5 0.80% 2.5 = or > Ratio > 2.0 0.70% Ratio < or = 2.0 0.60%
For the purposes of applying the new Margin, the calculation of the referenced ratio will be conducted annually and will be credited through the Auditor's annually issued certificate in accordance with the Clause 20.1(a), therefore applying the new Margin (if necessary) during the Interest Period commencing after the referenced Auditor's certificate is received by the Agent. 35 SUBSTITUTE INTEREST RATES Principal Substitute Interest Rate 8.5 In the event that it were impossible to determine, because of circumstances of those markets, the Ordinary Interest Rate applicable to the referenced Interest Period, a variable principal substitute interest will be applied during that Interest Period (the PRINCIPAL SUBSTITUTE INTEREST RATE), which will be equal to the arithmetic average of the interest rates facilitated by the Entities of Reference on the day of commencement of the pertinent Interest Period for deposits in Euros in the interbank market for one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months of duration (according to the applicable term or the one chosen by the Borrower in accordance with the preceding Clause No. 7), plus Margin, brokerage, expenses, commissions and taxes. The rate determined will be applied starting on the same day it is determined. Subsidized Substitute Interest Rate and Entities of Reference 8.6 Assuming that it is not possible to determine the Principal Substitute Interest Rate in accordance with the establishment in the preceding Clause 8.5, a Subsidized Substitute Interest Rate will be applied (the SUBSIDIZED SUBSTITUTE INTEREST RATE), determined as established in the following paragraphs: (a) The Agent will calculate the Subsidized Substitute Interest Rate applicable by adding the Margin to the Substitute EURIBOR; and (b) By "Substitute EURIBOR", it is understood, for the purposes of this Contract, the EURIBOR rate for deposits in Euros for which there is a quote (preferably the nearest one, rather than the most remote one), incremented by any tax or charge which liens or may lien this type of operation in the future, plus the brokerage expenses or any other type of applicable expense. Application of the Substitute Interest Rate (Principal or Subsidized) 8.7 In the case of application of Substitute Interest Rates (Principal or Subsidized) as many Substitute Interest Rates as liquidations will be practiced, each one corresponding with the amount of days of application of the Substitute Interest Rate (Principal or Subsidized, as appropriate), and the Borrower needs to satisfy them at the end of the duration of the substitute period. The application of the Substitute Interest Rates referenced in the preceding clauses will cease at the time the exceptional circumstances which may have induced their application disappear, and there will be another application of the Ordinary Interest Rate as soon as the circumstances of the market allow it, after an immediate notification from the Agent to the Borrower and the Financial Institutions. To apply the Ordinary Interest Rate again, the process to determine the Ordinary Interest Rate, as established in Clause 8.2, will be restarted two (2) business days in which the Substitute Interest Rate would be applied, prior to the expiration of the Interest Period then in force. 36 In those cases in which, due to the application of a Substitute Interest Rate, a Interest Period other than the one initially provided as established in Clause 7 was used, at the time in which the exceptional circumstances which would have made them applicable, the duration of the next Interest Period will be adjusted so the expiration coincides with the end of the Interest Period, which, if it were not due to those circumstances, would be in force at this time. ACCRUAL AND LIQUIDATION OF INTEREST 8.8 The Principal will accrue interest daily, favoring the Financial Institutions, at the rate of interest established in this Contract. Said interest will liquidate and become demandable, without being required, on the appropriate Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest. To calculate the interests to be liquidated on each Date of Liquidation and the Payment of Interest, we will use as a base a year consisting of three hundred and sixty (360) days, and that interest will be calculated based on the exact number of calendar days in each case. COMMUNICATION OF THE APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE 8.9 Both the Ordinary Interest Rate as well as the Substitute Interest Rate (Principal and Subsidized) will be communicated by the Agent to the Borrower and the rest of the Financial Institutions simultaneously, on the same business day they are determined in accordance with this Contract. In case there is an error shown in the calculation of the interest rate applicable, it may be proven at any time in the current Interest Period and it will be corrected by the Agent immediately, and that correction will be in effect starting on the initial date of application of the wrong rate. ENTITIES OF REFERENCE Omission by an Entity of Reference 8.10 Supposing any of the Entities of Reference did not provide a quote statement, the one applied will be the rate resulting from the application of the simple arithmetic average of the rates stated by, at least, two (2) of the remaining Entities of Reference. Mergers and demergers of Entities of Reference 8.11 In the event that any of the Entities of Reference merges with any credit entity or is absorbed by another, the new resulting or absorbing one will substitute it, for the purposes provided in this Contract. If, on the other hand, the demerger of any of the Entities of Reference were produced, all the entities resulting from the demerger that continue to be credit entities will be considered Entities of Reference. 37 Substitution of Entities of Reference 8.12 Any of the Entities of Reference may be substituted by another entity through an agreement between the Borrower and the Agent (a pact expressly accepted by the remaining parts of this Contract). New Entity of Reference 8.13 If any Entity of Reference acquires a Share in the Financing (including, as an example, through acquisitions as a result of merging or demerging processes), or disappears: (a) It will cease to be an Entity of Reference; and (b) The Agent will appoint, as soon as it is reasonably possible, another financial institution to be an Entity of Reference, as a substitute for the Entity of Reference ceasing (a pact expressly accepted by the remaining parts of this Contract). EQUIVALENT ANNUAL RATE 8.14 For informational purposes, and in accordance with the establishments in Circular 8/1990 of Banco de Espana (Bank of Spain), it is stated that the equivalent annual rate (TAE) for nominal interest rate applicable to the Financing, will be determined according to the formula found in Enclosure V of the referenced Circular, published in the Official Newsletter of the State No. 226, dated September 20, 1990, in accordance with the new denominations of the mathematical symbols contained in Circular 13/1993, dated December 21, which is expressly held as reproduced. 9. PENALTY RATE Without prejudice to the resolution right established in Clause 21, if any of the payments which will be made by the Borrower (or the Guarantors if applicable) for any reason are not made on the date set forth in this Contract, the amounts pending payment will produce a penalty rate resulting from an increase of two hundred basic points (2%), the interest rate applicable every time, favoring the Financial Institutions and without any need of a prior claim. The penalty rate calculated will accrue on a daily basis, based on a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days, starting from the first day (inclusive) until the date of the whole payment of the amounts accrued, due, demandable and not paid by the Borrower (or the Guarantors if applicable) under this Contract. The amount of the late interest calculated will be liquid, due and demandable to the Borrower (and the Guarantors if applicable) on a daily basis. 10. CAPITALIZATION According to the disposition in Article 317 of the Commercial Code, the parties convene in the day-to-day capitalization of the ordinary interest due and not satisfied, 38 which will accrue new interests of the Late Rate in conformity with Clause 9. In the same way, the late interest due and not satisfied will also be capitalized amongst each other, equally accruing interests on the appropriate Late Rate. Without prejudice to the above, the Borrower and the Guarantors will indemnify the Financial Institutions for any losses they may incur by not receiving the payments on the date on which they should have been made in accordance with this Contract, as long as the failure in receiving the payments is directly the fault of the Borrower (or, if applicable, of any Guarantor). (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 39 SECTION IV ORDINARY AMORTIZATION AND EXPECTED AMORTIZATION 11. ORDINARY AMORTIZATION OF PORTION A Of the first French Disposition of Portion A 11.1 The amount of the first French Disposition of Portion A shall be reimbursed by the Borrower as indicated in the following table:
DATE OF REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT % OF AMORTIZATION - --------------------- ------ ----------------- June 22, 2006 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2006 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2007 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2007 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2008 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2008 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2009 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2009 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2010 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2010 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2011 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2011 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% June 22, 2012 E2,142,857.14 7.14285% December 22, 2012 E2,142,857.18 7.14285% TOTAL E 30,000,000 100%
Of the second French Disposition of Portion A and of the sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A 11.2 The amount of the second French Disposition of Portion A and the amount of the sole Spanish Disposition of Portion A shall be reimbursed by the Borrower in fourteen (14) equal semester amortizations of capital (each one of them, a DATE OF REIMBURSEMENT), the first Date of Reimbursement taking place starting six (6) months after the set Date of Disposition. 40 Common Considerations for the amortization of Portion A 11.3 The Agent will deliver to the Financial Institutions on the appropriate Date of Reimbursement and with the same value date, the appropriate amount relating to their respective Shares in Portion A (except for those Financial Institutions that have been attributed the condition of subordinate creditors due to a creditor statement), by an installment on the account delivered to the Agent. If the Agent receives a repayment smaller than the one due, they will proceed to distribute the amount really perceived between the Financial Institutions proportional to their Shares in Portion A, without prejudice to the appropriate actions of each Financial Institution to recover the difference. Assuming the application of a decrease in the Amount of Portion A (due to Advanced Payment or another reason), such a reduction will proportionately decrease the amount amortized on each Date of Reimbursement. OF PORTION B 11.4 The Borrower will reimburse the Amount of Portion B on the Loan Maturity Date of Portion B (that is, on December 22, 2010). The Agent will deliver to the Financial Institutions on the appropriate Date of Reimbursement and with the same value date, the amortized amount ordinarily charged to Portion B (except for those Financial Institutions that have been attributed the condition of subordinate creditors due to a creditor statement), by an installment on the account delivered to the Agent. If the Agent receives a repayment smaller than the one due, they will proceed to distribute the amount really perceived between the Financial Institutions proportional to their Shares in Portion B, without prejudice to the appropriate actions of each Financial Institution to recover the difference. 11.5 Notwithstanding the establishment in the preceding Clause 11.4, the Borrower may reimburse any of the amounts they might have disposed of charged to Portion B, taking into consideration that said reimbursement: (a) Must be communicated to the Agent with at least, ten (10) business days prior to the Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest pertaining said Disposition, charged to Portion B; and (b) The Expected Amortization will not be considered as voluntary, and therefore, it will not decrease the Amount of Portion B and the Borrower may use again the funds reimbursed, charged to Portion B, in accordance with the establishments in Clause 6. 41 12. EXPECTED AMORTIZATION VOLUNTARY EXPECTED AMORTIZATION 12.1 Without prejudice to the provision in the preceding clause, the Borrower may amortize in advance the totality or part of the Principal under Portion A and may partially reduce (or totally cancel) the Amount of Portion B, without affecting the Amount of Portion A in any way, as long as it is done subject to the following: (a) There is a written notice delivered to the Agent a minimum of ten (10) business days in advance; (b) That the funds are used by the Borrower for the voluntary Expected Amortization or (i) have been generated by the own business of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) have directly or indirectly been contributed by the Parent Company (through the Borrower's capital expansions or through a Subordinate Debt) or (iii) from refinancing with Banco de Sabadell S.A.; (c) Be in the amount of a minimum of one million Euros (E1,000,000) or any amount higher, multiple of five hundred thousand Euros (E500,000) except in the case that (i) the Principal of Portion A or the live balance of Portion B (if applicable) is less than one million Euros (E1,000,000) or (ii) dealing with an Expected Amortization of the totality of the Principal of Portion A or of the live balance of Portion B (if applicable), in which case, the voluntary Expected Amortization must be made by the whole amount of that Principal pending or live balance (as appropriate); and that (d) The Date of Voluntary Expected Amortization coincides with a Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest. 12.2 The voluntary Expected Amortization (of any of the Portions) will not accrue any commission in favor of the Financial Institutions, as long as it is in accordance with the conditions established in the preceding Clause 12.1. Otherwise, the voluntary Expected Amortization will accrue a commission of one hundred basic points (1%) on the amortized amount. MANDATORY EXPECTED AMORTIZATION 12.3 The Borrower will be obligated to amortize the Principal pending in advance of Portion A: (a) By an amount equivalent to the net amount perceived from any separation operation or disposition of the assets (other than those that constitute the ordinary traffic of activity) of any partnership of the Borrower's Group that assumes a cashier's entry for any partnership (individually or jointly) of the Borrower's Group greater than five hundred thousand Euros (E500,000) in a same social exercise, except if said amounts are reinvested in business-related assets within a term of six (6) months since the date of separation or disposition; 42 (b) By an amount equivalent to the net amount from any separation operation or disposition of the assets (other than those which constitute the ordinary traffic of activity) of any partnership of the Borrower's Group that assumes a cashier's entry for any partnership (individually or jointly) of the Borrower's Group greater than five hundred thousand Euros (E500.000) in a same social exercise, except if said amounts are reinvested in business-related assets within a term of six (6) months since the date of separation or disposition; (c) By an amount equivalent to the surplus amount of the insurance indemnities collected by any partnership of the Borrower's Group, with regard to the assets of any partnership of the Borrower's Group that has not been reinvested when restituting the assets that generated said indemnities within a term of six (6) months from the date in which said indemnity was received (in accordance with the statement in Clauses 19.1(k)) and 19.3 (h); and (d) By an amount equivalent to the amount that the Borrower (as long as they are acquiring the Target Companies), any Target Company, any other partnership of the Group of the Borrower or the Parent company receives as an execution of guarantees and/or indemnities granted by the sellers of the Target Companies with regard to their acquisition by the Borrower. Notwithstanding the above, the amounts received because of that and that are not destined to cover the payments of contingencies which need to be made by any of the Target Companies in consideration of the guaranteed items will only be subject of Expected Amortization. 12.4 The Borrower's payment of the amounts for mandatory Expected Amortization will be made during the following Dates of Mandatory Expected Amortization: (a) With regard to the amounts mentioned in Clauses 12.3(a) and 12.3(b) above, within five (5) business days following the end of the period of six (6) months referenced in those clauses; (b) With regard to the amounts mentioned in Clause 12.3(c), within five (5) business days from the end of the term of six (6) months referenced said Clause; and (c) With regard to the amounts referenced in Clause 12.3(d), within the five (5) business days following the receipt of those amounts. The Borrower must notify the Agent with a minimum of five (5) business days in advance of the mandatory Expected Amortization, as well as that amount, in accordance with the disposition in Clause 12.3. If the Date of the Mandatory Expected Amortization is not a Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest, the establishment in Clause 16.1 will be applied. The Mandatory Expected Amortization will not accrue any commission in favor of the Financial Institutions. 43 EFFECTS OF EXPECTED AMORTIZATION 12.5 The Expected Amortization (voluntary or mandatory) of the Financing will be definite in nature, therefore, starting on the appropriate Date of Expected Amortization (voluntary or mandatory), the Borrower may not dispose of the amounts affected by any of them, consequently reducing the commitment of the Financial Institutions, when it comes to their Shares, or, if applicable, completely finalizing those Shares. In the case of Expected Amortizations (voluntary or mandatory), once the Expected Amortization is received by the Agent, it will be irrevocable and binding with the Borrower. If the Borrower defaults its amortization commitment (or reduces it, if it were the case) the appropriate amount for which it should have done it in accordance with the terms of this Contract, that circumstance will be considered an Assumed of Default and it will be acted upon as provided in Clause 21. Simultaneously, with any Expected Amortization, the Borrower must pay the Agent, in favor of the Financial Institutions, the interest accrued (if applicable), and all the other amounts due to the Financial Institutions because of the amount of the actual Expected Amortization in question (including any amount payable applying the indemnities contained in Clause 22). At the same time of reception in the Borrower's Account, the Agent will apply the amounts obtained by virtue of the Expected Amortization (mandatory or voluntary) in the priority order stated in the following Clause 15. From the expected amortized amounts (voluntary or mandatory), the Agent will deliver to the Financial Institutions on the appropriate Date of Mandatory (or Voluntary, as appropriate) Expected Amortization and with the same value date, the appropriate amount proportional to their respective Shares in the appropriate Portion (except for those Financial Institutions that have been attributed the condition of subordinate creditors due to a creditor statement), by an installment on the account delivered to the Agent. If the Agent receives a repayment smaller than the one due, they will proceed to distribute the amount really perceived between the Financial Institutions proportional to their Shares in the appropriate Portion, without prejudice to the appropriate actions of each Financial Institution to recover the difference. If as a consequence of the payment of an Expected Amortization, a total amortization of the Financing is produced, the Borrower must pay the Agent (besides the appropriate amount for Expected Amortization) the totality of the amounts owed for anything under this Contract. 44 (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 45 SECTION V PAYMENTS, COMPENSATION, DISTRIBUTION, IMPUTATION AND RECOVERY 13. PAYMENTS BY THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS 13.1 All the payments that need to be made by the Borrower (or, if applicable, by the Guarantors) in favor of any of the Financial Institutions will be made in Euros, no later than ten o'clock (10:00) on the date they are considered due by virtue of this Contract, valued on that same date, according to the rules of value applicable, without the need of a prior requirement (except if it is expressly determined otherwise in this Contract), through a charge that the Agent (for which the Borrower expressly and irrevocably authorizes them) will enter in the Borrower's Account on the date on which each payment is owed. Any payment that the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Guarantors) makes or is obligated to make as a consequence of this Contract will be rendered as perceived by the Financial Institutions when the actual payment of the amount is made to the Agent. The Agent must remit to each Financial Institution (in Euros and on the same date value as the date of the appropriate charge) the appropriate amount of the payment made according to their Shares in the appropriate Portion, remitting it to the account that the referenced Financial Institution has previously communicated to the Agent. BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 13.2 Except in the case of a pact stating otherwise, all the amounts the Financial Institutions need to give the Borrower in accordance with this Contract will be remitted in Euros no later than eleven o'clock (11:00) on the appropriate day, either to the Agent's OMF 0081 account at the Banco de Espana, through the EBA (European Banking Association) or through TARGET (Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer Systems) to the "swift" account of the Agent indicated in Clause 36.3. If the Agent made available to the Borrower any amount not placed unconditionally at the disposition of the Agent by any Financial Institution, the Borrower, immediately and after notifying the Agent, will reimburse that amount to the Agent, along with the interest accrued up to the reimbursement of the appropriate Ordinary Interest Rate in accordance with this Contract. If at any time and in any way (including the compensation of balances), any Financial Institution receives amounts from the Borrower (or, if applicable, from the Guarantors) - excluding the cases of individual judicial or extrajudicial claim provided in this Contract - because of a payment of an obligation derived from this Contract or received by the Agent, because of the Financing, amounts greater than those that are proportionally appropriate, they will be obligated to give the Agent the 46 excess of the funds received so that they can distribute them with the same date value of receipt among the other Financial Institutions in the appropriate proportion of the appropriate Share in the appropriate Portion, except to those Financial Institutions that because of creditor statement are attributed the condition of subordinate creditors. The possible rights of the Financial Institutions to obtain payments from the Borrower based on reasons or obligations other than those contained in this Contract will not be affected by the statement previously made. TAXES AND WITHHOLDINGS 13.3 All the payments that will be made by the Borrower (or, if applicable, by the Guarantors) according to this Contract, either for the Principal, interest, commissions, expenses or any other item, will be considered net and without a deduction or withholding (either due to compensation, rights, charges or any other title), unless the reduction or withholding is required by law. In this case, the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Guarantor) must: (a) Verify that the deduction or withholding does not exceed the minimum legally required amount; (b) Immediately pay the Agent, in favor of the Financial Institution(s) in question, the additional amount necessary to ensure that the net amount received by each Financial Institution is equal to the total amount they would have received if the deduction or withholding had not been produced; (c) Pay the tax authorities or other competent authorities within the term of payment allowed by the applicable laws, the whole amount of the deduction or withholding (including, without prejudice to what has been stated before, the total amount of any deduction or withholding of the additional amount necessary to pay to obtain the result pursued by this clause); and (d) Deliver to the Agent, in favor of the Financial Institution(s) in question, within the allowed term determined by the pertinent laws: (i) An official letter of payment issued by the competent tax authorities, regarding all the amounts deducted or withheld; or (ii) If the competent tax authorities did not issue letters of payment with regard to the payments made by the deducted or withheld amounts, an equivalent certificate or evidence of the destination and execution of the deduction or withholding in question. The Financial Institutions will do everything reasonably possible and particularly will comply with the formalities legally necessary (and as long as an additional cost to the Financial Institution is not assumed) for the purposes of lessening the tax effects of this operation for the Borrower. 47 DATE 13.4 Every payment obligation which, for any reason, is due on a day that is not a business day, will be due on the next immediate business day. If the next business day determined falls on the next month, it will be due on the immediately preceding business day. 14. COMPENSATION AND PROPORTIONAL DISTRIBUTION COMPENSATION 14.1 The Borrower and the Guarantors expressly and irrevocably enable the Financial Institutions to make the installments and charges necessary to apply them to the payment of any amounts (liquid, due and demandable) owed by the Borrower (and/or, if applicable, the Guarantors) by virtue of this Contract: (a) The balances in favor of the Borrower (or, if applicable, of the Guarantors) may exist in the possession of the Financial Institutions, either in checking accounts, savings accounts or any other type of account; (b) Any other amount or credits which, while belonging to the Borrower (or, if applicable, to the Guarantors) are in possession of the Financial Institutions, or that need to be satisfied; and (c) Any other deposit, including deposits of values, present or future, that the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Guarantors) may have established in the main headquarter or at any branch of any of the Financial Institutions (consequently including the faculty of anticipating the expiration of term deposits for the purposes of proceeding with the compensation established in this clause), consequently being able to make the installments and charges necessary when applying this paragraph. The obligations and the liquid credits, due, demandable and reciprocal derived from this Contract will be automatically extended and compensated in the concurrent amount. With regard to the values of all kinds (including the shares) referred in this clause, the Borrower and the Guarantors expressly and irrevocably authorize the Financial Institutions (as the irrevocable nature of the empowerment is necessary to comply with this Contract) so that the appropriate Financial Institution, as long as any amounts derived from this Contract were pending payment, proceed with the sale for the purposes of compensating, with the amount obtained, the obligations assumed by the Borrower (and, if applicable, by the Guarantors) by virtue of this Contract, which are liquid, due and demandable. PROPORTIONAL DISTRIBUTION 14.2 If a Financial Institution collects or recovers an amount (except from the Agent) with regard to the amounts owed by the Borrower (or, by the Guarantors executing their respective commitments) in accordance with this Contract (for 48 compensation or other), it must immediately inform the Agent of that amount and of their form of collection or recovery. After the receipt of a notice according to the preceding paragraph, the Agent, as soon as possible taking into consideration the circumstances, must consult with the Financial Institutions to establish the totals of the total amounts collected or recovered by the Financial Institutions and the payments that will be made between ones and the others, so that the total amount is divided between the Financial Institutions proportional to their respective Shares in the appropriate Portion (except for those Financial Institutions that because of a creditor statement are attributed the condition of subordinate creditors or by applying the provisions of Clause 14.3 below). To that effect, the Financial Institutions will proceed to make the payments as soon as possible, through the Agent and as the Agent requests them to do. When a Financial Institution makes one of those payments, each payment previously collected by that Financial Institution according to the description in the preceding paragraphs, (either the Borrower or the Guarantors) will be considered (i) made by the Borrower and collected by that Financial Institution as a representative of the Financial Institutions, (ii) that the payments described in this clause will be made, and (iii) that the responsibilities of the Borrower to each one of the Financial Institutions will be determined as if said payment or payments had been made in accordance with this clause. When a Financial Institution makes one of these payments, the disposition in the preceding paragraph will not be applicable if, as a result of it, the Borrower's debt (or that of the Guarantors, while executing their respective commitments under this Contract) to the Financial Institution, by ruling of the law or any other circumstance, must be reputed as extinguished, liquidated or satisfied by the amount collected or recovered (for example, because of compensation). In this case, it will be considered that this payment has been made on behalf of the Borrower (or the Guarantors, executing their respective commitments under this Contract) meeting the obligations derived by this Contract for the purposes of determining: (a) The responsibilities of the Borrower (or of the Guarantors, if that were the case) to the Financial Institutions (other than the responsibilities toward the Financial Institution that makes that payment or payments); and (b) The responsibilities amongst the Financial Institutions. As long as by virtue of that payment the Financing is liquidated, the Borrower (or if applicable, the Guarantors) will leave the Financial Institution totally indemnified for that payment or payments. Every amount that the Borrower (or the Guarantors, while executing their respective commitments under this Contract) must pay will be payable starting on the date that the Financial Institution makes the payment or payments derived from this clause, accruing interest starting on that date and, for those purposes and all other purposes of this Contract, will be treated in the same way as all the other amounts due when applying this Contract, as if they were with regard to the Shares of the Financial 49 Institution benefiting from the indemnity referenced in the preceding paragraph (even if the debt derived from said Share needed to be reputed as extinguished, liquidated or totally or partially satisfied). The parties will make the payments and adopt the measures that are fair and equal to readjust the position of the parties if a Financial Institution, once they have followed the procedures required above, were obligated to return any amount to the Borrower (or to the Guarantors, if that were the case). OMISSION OF PETITION FOR BANKRUPCY 14.3 Those Financial Entities that, having right to same and having been required to that effect by the Agent, did not want to petition for the bankrupcy of the Borrower, will not be permitted to participate in any of the proportionate distributions of said amounts that, in said case, were received by the Financial Entities who did petition for bankrupcy and that correspond to the priviledge established in Article 91.6 of the Bankruptcy Law. 15. IMPUTATION OF PAYMENTS 15.1 Every payment made by the Borrower (or by any Guarantor, if that were the case) to the Agent in accordance with this Contract will be applied to the payment of the following items and in the same order established below: (a) To the late interest; (b) To the ordinary interest accrued and due; (c) To rates and commissions; (d) To expenses and taxes owed; (e) To indemnities and increases in cost; (f) To procedural expenses and costs imputable to the Borrower's Group; and (g) To the amount of the Principal pending, starting with the amortization charge most remote in time. 15.2 The imputation of payments will begin with the farthest liquid and demandable debts, which in any case may not be understood that the one made for specific debits may mean the waiver of others even if they are older and derived from the same or other items, unless the Financial Institutions expressly state such a waiver in a written communication from the Agent. Assuming that within a same item among those listed in this clause, there are different debts due, which are identical in age, the imputation of payments with regard to such debts will be conducted proportional to the amount of each one of them. 50 15.3 The same imputation will be made assuming that the payment, notwithstanding the agreement in this Contract and due to the assurance of extraordinary circumstances, was made by the Borrower (or by the Guarantor, if that were the case) to any of the Financial Institutions, through the Agent, all without prejudice to the prorated distribution that will proceed in that case, in accordance with the establishment in this Contract. 16. RECOVERY LITIGATION 16.1 If a Financial Institution recovers an amount as a consequence of the compliance or execution of a court order dictated during a process they are a party in, Clause 14.2 will not be applicable in favor of any other Financial Institution that (having the right to do so) did not concur in the process with the Financial Institution in the recovery of that amount and did not give the Agent an advance notice so they can communicate it to the other Financial Institutions. EXPECTED PAYMENT 16.2 If any Financial Institution, or the Agent on their behalf and representation, receives the totality or any part of the Shares of that Financial Institution for the appropriate Portion, and it has been received prior to the Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest that should have been received, the Borrower, as requested by the Agent on behalf of the referenced Financial Institution, must make an installment in an amount equal to the payment of additional interest that the Borrower should have paid if the reimbursement was made on the appropriate Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest, plus the costs incurred by the Financial Institutions as a consequence of the break in the Interest Period. Each Financial Institution must calculate the above-referenced costs and notify the Agent, who in turn will notify the Borrower, and those amounts will be conclusive (unless there is an error). NOTIFICATION 16.3 Each Financial Institution must notify the Agent immediately regarding the collection or recovery that the Financial Institution has made of any amount owed and payable to that Financial Institution in accordance with this Contract, and those they may collect or recover other than through the Agent. Once any of the referenced notices is received, the Agent must forward it as soon as possible to all the other Financial Institutions. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 51 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 52 SECTION VI INTERVENING CIRCUMSTANCES 17. INTERVENING CIRCUMSTANCES UNLAWFULNESS 17.1 If the promulgation or modification of any law, or a change in the interpretation or application of a law, makes it unlawful or impossible (i) for any Financial Institution to maintain share acquisition, totally or partially; (ii) for said Financial Institution to be paid any sum owed to it; (iii) for any Financial Institution to fulfill all or part of its other obligations derived from this contract; or (iv) for said Financial Institution to charge or receive interest at applicable rates, after notifying the Agent: (a) the Agent shall communicate this fact to the Borrower as soon as the Agent becomes aware of the promulgation, modification or application of a change in the law's interpretation, and the Financial Institution's obligation to participate in the Financing shall be automatically suspended; likewise, the Financing itself shall be suspended; and (b) if any drawdown has been made, the Borrower shall (upon prior notice and without prejudice to any alternative measures agreed upon by the Borrower, the Agent and the Financial Institution in question) shall make an early payment to the Agent, in favor of the Financial Institution in question, for all of the shares covered by the Financing, by the date which the Financial Institution certifies is required to fulfill the applicable laws, and the Financing shall be partially repaid in regard to the shares of the Financial Institution in question. INCREASED COSTS 17.2 If, as a consequence of the new laws or rules, or a new interpretation - issued by a competent authority - of current provisions regulating bank activity, the Financial Institutions are faced with a cost increase or a reduction of income derived directly from this Contract, the Agent shall immediately notify the Borrower. The latter shall make payments compensating for said cost increase or income loss (duly justified by the Financial Institutions in a communication from the Agent to the Borrower), to reestablish equivalency with the loans made at the moment this Contract was signed. The Borrower shall carry out said compensation on each of the dates when payment is made under this contract, by remitting additional amounts based on the well- reasoned statement presented by the Financial Institutions. Among the causes of cost increases or income reductions covered in this Paragraph are, by way of example, the imposition of any obligatory bank rates that may affect the attainment of funds utilized for granting this Financing. 53 Said compensation in favor of the Financial Institutions shall be applied (upon the Financial Institutions' presentation of the corresponding statement) when the operative norm or the supervising authority's decision obliges the Financial Institutions to make such payments toward financing, especially in relation to corporative operations of any kind or the loss of solvency on the part of the Borrower (or any of the Guarantors). In the case that - as a result of new laws or rules, or a new interpretation, issued by a competent authority, of current legal provisions regulating banking activities - the Financial Institutions benefit from lowered costs or increased income derived directly from this Contract, said lowered costs or increased income shall be transferred to the Borrower. MARKET INCIDENTS 17.3 During any interest period, in the case that: (a) none or only one of the Reference Entities can provide notice of an interest rate applicable to the Financing, or in the case that the Agent (after consulting with the Financial Institutions) determines that - due to circumstances that generally influence the money market for deposits in euro - reasonable and suitable means to determine an interest rate applicable to the Financing neither exist nor will exist, in line with Clause 8; or (b) the Agent is informed by any of the Financial Institutions that there are no deposits in euro available on the money market's regular commercial traffic for deposit in euro for a period equal to that of the subsequent interest period, in sufficient quantities to finance its respective share in the Financing; or (c) the Agent is informed by the Financial Institutions whose joint share totals more than thirty percent (30%) of the Financing (hereinafter called the AFFECTED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS) that the arithmetic mean of the rates offered, to which Clause 8 refers, is not cost effective for them to finance their respective shares during the subsequent interest period, the Agent shall immediately inform the Borrower and each of the Financial Institutions, and (d) the Borrower shall make advance payments on the Financing to the Agent, in favor of the Financial Institutions [or in the case of Paragraph (c) above, in favor of the Affected Financial institutions] within ten (10) workdays starting at the close of the period of thirty (30) days following the above notification, with the exception that interest earned shall be paid to each Financial Institution or Affected Financial Institution at a rate equal to the margin plus the sum of the amounts, determined by the Financial Institution and reported through the Agent to the Borrower, representing said Financial Institution's cost of maintaining its share starting with the beginning of the period of thirty (30) days to which this paragraph refers. This procedure is overridden if, within a period of thirty (30) days following the above notification, the Borrower and the Agent [in consultation with the Majority Entities or, in the case of Paragraph (c) above, with the Affected Financial Institutions] reach, 54 through good-faith negotiations, an alternate basis acceptable to the Borrower and the Financial Institutions for continuing the Financing or the Affected Financial Institutions' shares in the Financing (any alternative basis shall be agreed upon in writing and be retroactive to the beginning of the pertinent interest period), and (e) as long as any accepted alternative basis is in effect, the Agent, after consulting with the Financial Institutions [or, in the case of Paragraph (c) above, with the Affected Financial Institutions], shall determine periodically (at least once a month) whether the circumstances that made the application of said basis necessary still exist. If the Financial Institutions determine that they no longer exist, they shall immediately communicate this determination, through the Agent, to the Borrower and each Affected Financial Institution, and the basis shall cease to be in effect on the date specified by the Agent, following consultation with the Financial Institutions or the Affected Financial Institutions (if applicable). 55 SECTION VII STATEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS 18. THE BORROWER'S AND GUARANTOR'S STATEMENTS THE BORROWER'S STATEMENT 18.1 The Borrower recognizes that each of the Financial Institutions has entered into this Contract and is participating in the Financing trusting fully in the statements formulated by the Borrower in the following terms, and the Borrower declares to each Financial Institution that: (a) LEGAL STATUS: the Borrower is a corporation that has been properly constituted and functioning in accordance with Spanish legislation; with the operational capacity to enjoy all the rights and duties derived from this Contract; whose corporate purpose permits the establishment of this legal business deal; and which has not filed any request for proceedings regarding bankruptcy, suspension of payments, insolvency or any similar situation, and has no knowledge of circumstances that could result in the need to request the filing of any of the aforementioned proceedings; (b) CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF THE BORROWER GROUP: on the date this Contract was signed, the Borrower Group possesses the structure indicated in Attachment 5, Chapter A and, following the acquisition of the target companies, will possess the structure indicated in Attachment 5, Chapter B; (c) STOCK STRUCTURE: the Borrower's current stock structure is the one indicated in Attachment 6; (d) POWERS AND AUTHORIZATIONS: the Borrower's bylaws include the enabling provisions, and in addition the Borrower has obtained all the necessary authorizations and has followed all the prescribed procedures for the Borrower to own shares, carry out operations as it currently does, and sign and fulfill the agreements contained in this Contract, which is the source of the Borrower's valid and associated obligations, which can be demanded in their own terms; (e) NONEXISTENCE OF INFRACTION: neither the signing of this Contract nor the fulfillment of any of the agreements contained herein violate or shall violate, constitute or shall constitute a default, exceed or shall exceed or fail to fulfill any limitation, obligation or prohibition on the part of the Borrower or the powers of its representatives, imposed or contained in (i) any law, administrative resolution or legal ruling by which the Borrower or any of its assets are linked or affected; (ii) any document or regulation that contains or establishes the Borrower's founding principles; or (iii) any agreement, contract or other instrument to which the Borrower is a party, or which constitutes and obstacle for any of its assets. Specifically, the Borrower declares that the signing of this contract, the 56 drawdown of Financing, or fulfillment of any agreement contained in this Contract or attachments contracts neither violate nor shall violate, neither constitute nor shall constitute default, nor do they exceed or fail to fulfill any aspect of the finance Contracts signed by the Parent Company and discussed in explanation (d) above (depending on the modifications made at any particular time); (f) FULFILLMENT OF OBLIGATIONS: the Borrower has followed all legislation and norms regulating its business activity, all the applicable tax and social security legislation, as well as the payment obligations discussed in Article 2.4.4 of the Bankruptcy Act. At the present time the Borrower has no administrative or judicial claims related to said legislation, and the Borrower has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that could result in the filing of any inspection procedures and/or claims stemming from potential default of applicable legislation; (g) CONSENT: except for anything related (i) to formalization of this Contract as a public document; (ii) in regard to mortgages (if applicable), to the establishment of the corresponding mortgage contract as a public deed and its inscription in the pertinent property registration; and (iii) to the establishment of the Securities agreement in a public document and its inscription in the register of Participating Companies or partners (whichever is the case), according to current applicable laws it is not necessary - in order to assure its validity, efficacy or the Borrower's level of responsibilities and obligations, or the rights of the Financial Institutions (or any one of them) derived from this Contract or any related contract - to have any authorization, approval, consent, license, exemption, registration, inscription, presentation or formalization, or any payment for rights or taxes, or action of any other type that has not been obtained or carried out; (h) TAXES: with the same exception as in the above Paragraph (g), in accordance with current applicable laws, none of the agreements contained in this Contract shall constitute a liability to be taxed by any authority; (i) NONEXISTENCE OF WITHHOLDING: according to current applicable laws, the Borrower shall not be obliged to make any deduction or withhold any payment related to this Contract; (j) GOVERNING LEGISLATION: the governing law applicable to this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of the same) to any other related document or contract (in particular, the mortgage, security and hedge contract) is valid and shall be recognized by the courts in the jurisdiction of the country of application; (k) IMMUNITY: the Borrower does not have or enjoy any jurisdictional privilege that could impede or hamper the application of the designation of the competent jurisdiction for this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of this Contract) for any other contract or document related to it 57 (in particular, the mortgage, security and hedge contract); (l) LINKED OBLIGATIONS: all the obligations assumed by the Borrower by virtue of this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of this Contract) any other contract or document related to it (in particular, the mortgage, security and hedge contract) are valid, linked and may be fulfilled under the terms that have been agreed upon; (m) NONEXISTENCE OF CROSSED DEFAULT: no circumstance has arisen that constitutes, or that through notification or the passage of time would constitute (i) a case of default of this Contract or another other agreement related to it, or (ii) a default or default of the tenor of an contract, agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any of its assets is linked, affected or hampered; (n) LITIGATION: except for the litigation listed in Attachment 8, no litigation has been undertaken or is pending, nor is there any pending before any judicial organ, or any arbitration, proceeding or administrative claim against the Borrower or any of its assets; (o) ECONOMIC INFORMATION: the Borrower's financial statements through December 31, 2004 (the Borrower has delivered a copy of these to the Agent, for its distribution among the Financial Institutions) properly present the Borrower's financial situation and equity up to said date, and have been prepared in accordance with the Spanish General Accounting Plan; (p) FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS: the financial projections communicated at the present time or in the future by the Borrower to the Agent respond or shall respond to reasonable and good-faith criteria and hypotheses, are based and shall be based on the Borrower Group's recent information, and are or shall be consistent with the General Spanish Accounting Plan; (q) DISCLOSURE: the Borrower has communicated to the Agent, in their totality and in writing, all the facts of which it is aware or of which it should reasonably be aware, and that should reasonably be communicated to the Financial Institutions (or any of them), in the context of this Contract (including facts that affect Affiliates and Participating Companies), and that information is truthful, correct and complete; (r) COPIES OF DOCUMENTS: the documents presented in their original form and/or copies, whether or not they are part of the Contract in its respective Attachments, are either the original documents signed by the various parties, or copies that correspond exactly to their respective originals; (s) ADVERSE CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE: since December 31, 2004, there have been no Adverse Changes of Circumstance related to the Borrower, and the Borrower has no knowledge of any circumstance related to the Borrower Group that could entail any Adverse Changes of Circumstance; (t) PARI PASSU: except for the real guarantees described in Attachment 7, Chapter 58 A, no real guarantees or privileges of any kind have been granted, and therefore, on the day this Contract is executed, (i) none of the Borrower's assets is hampered and (ii) none of the Borrower's creditors, nor those of the Parent Company, enjoy any credit preferences related to this Contract, and thus all of them have the status of common creditors (as defined by Spanish law), except for the privileges established by law; (u) VARIATIONS IN CAPITAL: since December 31, 2004, the Borrower's shareholders meeting has not adopted agreements tending toward a variation of the Borrower's capital stock, nor has the Borrower adopted any agreements tending toward a variation of the capital stock belonging to its Affiliates or Participating Companies (particularly capital reductions with the return of contributions); (v) NONEXISTENCE OF SPECIAL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO CAPITAL STOCK: on the date of this Contract, there is no agreement, pact or contract in effect (either oral or written): (i) by virtue of which the Borrower has offered, or is obliged to offer in the future, purchase options or any other rights over shares representative of capital stock; (ii) among the Borrower's current shareholders; nor (iii) among the Borrower and its current Participating Companies or persons linked to said Participating Companies; and (w) ENVIRONMENT: except, albeit only in the manner in which it has been disclosed previously in written form to the Financial Institutions and receipt has been acknowledged by the Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Contract: (i) according to its faithful knowledge and understanding, up until the Contract date the Borrower has fulfilled the applicable Spanish, European Union and international norms -including treaties, conventions and protocols - related to environmental pollution (ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION); (ii) the Borrower has obtained all the licenses, permits, authorizations, exemptions and other approvals required by Environmental Legislation; (iii) the Borrower has not received notification of any claim or requirement based on or stemming from default of any aspect of Environmental Legislation; (iv) there are no pending claims or requirements based on or stemming from Environmental Legislation; and 59 (v) there have been no emissions or spills of any kind that could result in any form of claim or requirement based on or stemming from Environmental Legislation. 18.2 It is understood that the Borrower's declarations in regard to the circumstances at each period shall be repeated and ratified on each of the liquidation and interest payment dates, up to and including the loan maturity date. GUARANTOR'S STATEMENTS 18.3 The Guarantor recognizes that each of the Financial Institutions has entered into this Contract and is participating in the Financing, trusting fully in the statements formulated by the Guarantor in the following terms, and the Guarantor declares to each Financial Institution that: (a) LEGAL STATUS: the Guarantor is a corporation that has been properly constituted and functioning in accordance with the legislation of its jurisdiction; with the operational capacity to enjoy all the rights and duties derived from this Contract; whose corporate purpose permits the establishment of this legal business deal; and which has not filed any request for proceedings regarding bankruptcy, suspension of payments, insolvency or any similar situation, and has no knowledge of circumstances that could result in the need to request the filing of any of the aforementioned proceedings; (b) POWERS AND AUTHORIZATIONS: the Guarantor's bylaws include the enabling provisions, and in addition the Guarantor has obtained all the necessary authorizations and has followed all the prescribed procedures for the Guarantor to own its shares, carry out operations as it currently does, and sign and fulfill the agreements contained in this Contract, which is the source of the Guarantor's valid and associated obligations, which can be demanded in their own terms; (c) NONEXISTENCE OF INFRACTION: neither the signing of this Contract nor the fulfillment of any of the agreements contained herein violate or shall violate, constitute or shall constitute a default, exceed or shall exceed or fail to fulfill any limitation, obligation or prohibition on the part of the Guarantor or the powers of its representatives, imposed or contained in (i) any law, administrative resolution or legal ruling by which the Guarantor or any of its assets are linked or affected; (ii) any document or regulation that contains or establishes the Guarantor's founding principles; or (iii) any agreement, contract or other instrument to which the Guarantor is a party, or which constitutes an obstacle for any of its assets. (d) FULFILLMENT OF OBLIGATIONS: on the date of this Contract, the Guarantor has followed all legislation and norms regulating its business activity, all applicable tax and social security legislation, without any administrative or judicial claims related to said legislation, and the Guarantor has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that could result in the filing of any inspection procedures and/or claims stemming from potential default of applicable 60 legislation; (e) CONSENT: except for anything related (i) to formalization of this Contract as a public document; (ii) in regard to the establishment of mortgages (if applicable), to the establishment of the corresponding mortgage contract as a public deed and its inscription in the pertinent property registration; and (iii) to the establishment of the Securities agreement as a public document and its inscription in the register of Participating Companies or partners, according to current applicable laws it is not necessary - in order to assure its validity, efficacy or the Guarantor's level of responsibilities and obligations, or the rights of the Financial Institutions (or any one of them) derived from this Contract or any related contract - to have any authorization, approval, consent, license, exemption, registration, inscription, presentation or formalization, or any payment for rights or taxes, or action of any other type that has not been obtained or carried out; (f) TAXES: with the same exception as in the above Paragraph (e), in accordance with current applicable laws, none of the agreements contained in this Contract shall constitute a liability to be taxed by any authority; (g) NONEXISTENCE OF WITHHOLDING: in accordance with current applicable laws, the Guarantor shall not be obliged to make any deduction or withhold any payment related to this Contract; (h) GOVERNING LEGISLATION: the governing law applicable to this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of this Contract) to any other related document or contract is valid and shall be recognized by the courts in the jurisdiction of the country of application; (i) IMMUNITY: the Guarantor does not have or enjoy any jurisdictional privilege that could impede or hamper the application of the designation of the competent jurisdiction for this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of this Contract) for any other contract or document related to it; (j) LINKED OBLIGATIONS: all the obligations assumed by the Guarantor by virtue of this Contract or (in the performance, fulfillment or development of this Contract) any other document or contract related to it are valid, linked and may be fulfilled under the terms that have been agreed upon; (k) NONEXISTENCE OF CROSSED DEFAULT: no circumstance has arisen that constitutes, or that through notification or the passage of time would constitute (i) a case of default of this Contract or another other agreement related to it, or (ii) a default or default of the tenor of a contract, agreement or instrument to which the Guarantor or any of its assets is linked, affected or hampered; (l) LITIGATION: except for the litigation listed in Attachment 8, no litigation has been undertaken or is pending, nor is there any pending before any judicial organ, or any arbitration, proceeding or administrative claim against the Guarantor or any of its assets; 61 (m) ECONOMIC INFORMATION: the Guarantor's financial statements through December 31, 2004 (the Guarantor has delivered a copy of these to the Agent, for its distribution among the Financial Institutions) properly present the Guarantor's financial situation and equity up to said date, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in the jurisdiction of its incorporation; (n) DISCLOSURE: the Guarantor has communicated to the Agent, in their totality and in writing, all the facts of which it is aware or of which it should reasonably be aware, and that should reasonably be communicated to the Financial Institutions (or any of them), in the context of this Contract (including facts that affect Affiliates), and that information is truthful, correct and complete; (o) COPIES OF DOCUMENTS: the documents presented in their original form and/or copies, whether or not they are part of the Contract in its respective Appendices, are either the original documents signed by the various parties, or copies that correspond exactly to their respective originals; (p) ADVERSE CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE: since December 31, 2004, there have been no Adverse Changes of Circumstance related to the Guarantor, and the Guarantor has no knowledge of any circumstance related to the Guarantor's Group that could entail any Adverse Change of Circumstance; (q) PARI PASSU: except for the real guarantees described in Attachment 7, Chapter B, no real guarantees or privileges of any kind have been granted, and therefore, on the day this Contract is executed, (i) none of the Guarantor's assets is hampered and (ii) none of the Guarantor's creditors enjoy any credit preferences related to this Contract, and thus all of them have the status of common creditors (as defined by Spanish law), except for the privileges established by law; (r) VARIATIONS IN CAPITAL: since December 31, 2004, the Guarantor's shareholders meeting has adopted agreements tending toward a variation of the Guarantor's capital (particularly reductions with the return of contributions); (s) NONEXISTENCE OF SPECIAL AGREEMENTS RELATED TO CAPITAL STOCK: on the date of this Contract, there is no agreement, pact or contract in effect (either oral or written): (i) by virtue of which the Guarantor has offered, or is obliged to offer in the future, purchase options or any other rights over shares representative of its capital stock; (ii) between the Guarantor's current Participating Companies and the Guarantor; nor (iii) between the Guarantor and its current Participating Companies or persons linked to said Participating Companies; and 62 (t) ENVIRONMENT: except, albeit only in the manner in which it has been disclosed previously in written form to the Financial Institutions and receipt has been acknowledged by the Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Contract: (i) according to its faithful knowledge and understanding, until the Contract date the Guarantor has fulfilled the applicable Environmental Legislation; (ii) the Guarantor has obtained all the licenses, permits, authorizations, exemptions and other approvals required by Environmental Legislation; (iii) the Guarantor has not received notification of any claim or requirement based on or stemming from non-fulfillment of any aspect of Environmental Legislation; (iv) there are no pending claims or requirements based on or stemming from Environmental Legislation; and (v) there have been no emissions or spills of any kind that could result in any form of claim or requirement based on or stemming from Environmental Legislation. 18.4 It is understood that the Guarantor's declarations in regard to the circumstances during each period shall be repeated and ratified on each of the liquidation and interest payment dates, up to and including the loan maturity date. 19. COMMITMENTS OF THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTOR THE BORROWER'S GENERAL COMMITMENTS 19.1 Starting with the execution date of this Contract and so long as it remains in effect and the obligations derived from this Contract have not been totally satisfied, the Borrower agrees: Information obligations (a) to deliver to the Agent (for distribution among the Financial Institutions): (i) within the first thirty (30) days of each fiscal year, the annual budget for the activities of the Borrower Group during the fiscal year in question; (ii) its Financial Statements as soon as they are available, and always within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the close of the fiscal year, properly audited by the Auditor; (iii) its Consolidated Financial Statements as soon as they are available, and always within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the close of the 63 fiscal year, properly audited by the Auditor. In addition, along with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the corresponding Auditor's report, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent: (A) the certificate issued by the Auditor regarding the verification of the Ratios and Equity, in accordance with the provisions of Clause 20.1(a); and (B) the certificate of the Borrower Group's share composition and structure, issued by the Borrower's chief certifying authority (established by the Mercantile Registration Regulations), in accordance with Clause 20.1 (c); (C) a certificate issued by the Auditor in regard to possible Affiliates that should be considered Material Affiliates for the purpose of this contract, in accordance with Clause 20.1 (d); (D) an annual report prepared by the Borrower and containing the following information related to the fiscal year discussed by the corresponding Consolidated Financial Statements: (I) comments on the Borrower Group's income and, if said income (individual or consolidated) is lower than foreseen, a reasoned explanation of the causes of said deviation; (II) a detail of the expenses incurred by the Borrower Group and, if said expenses (individual or consolidated) are higher than foreseen, a reasoned explanation of the causes of said deviation; and (III) a detail and comments on the deviations from the Business Plan and the annual budget [delivered to the Agent by virtue of Paragraph (i) above] and, if these are significantly higher than foreseen, a reasoned explanation of the causes; (iv) on a semestral basis, its individual and consolidated financial statements (containing the balance, profit and loss account and cash flow statement) along with the corresponding Ratios certification and other financial figures (according to Clause 20.1(b) as follows), as indicated below: (A) as soon as they are available, and always within ninety (90) calendar days after December 31 of each year, the referenced financial statements will be prepared according to the last twelve (12) months that end on said December 31; 64 (B) as soon as they are available, and always within ninety (90) days after June 30 of each year, the mentioned financial statements will be prepared based on the last six (6) previous months ending on said June 30 (notwithstanding that the calculation of set Ratios must be made on the basis of twelve (12) months ending on the mentioned June 30); and (v) within a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the Agent issues the written notice (when required by the Financial Institutions), all the additional information requested by the Agent, considering it relevant for the purposes of this Contract. Likewise, the Borrower agrees that the Financial Statements presented by the Borrower in accordance with this paragraph shall be prepared to conform to the General Spanish Accounting Plan; b) to state the intended use of the funds from drawdowns that have been carried out, if required by the Agent in accordance with this Contract; (c) to immediately notify the Agent of the existence of an Assumed Default, or circumstances that may result in an Assumed Default (including but not limited to any situation, notification, claim, communication, summons, or citation by any administrative, judicial or other agency regarding any lawsuit, hearing, claim or legal process that could affect the Borrower or any corporation belonging to the Borrower Group, that could adversely affect the Borrower or the Borrower Group), as soon as it becomes aware of said conditions, and to provide the Agent with complete details of the measures that the Borrower adopts, or considers adopting, to remedy or mitigate the effect of the Assumed Default in question, or of other related measures; (d) to deliver to the Agent, for its distribution among the Financial Entities: (i) no later than January 5, 2006, a new legal opinion issued by Blank Rome LLP (based on the signed version of this Contract), confirming that the signing of this Contract and the granting of the Financing does not suppose nor shall it suppose a supposed breach of the contracts mentioned in Exhibi (D) above, all in accordance with the Agent; (ii) no later than February 15, 2006, a new version of the Business Plan (complete and reviewed by a prestigious and recognized international firm), at the satisfaction of the Agent); and (iii) no later than February 28, 2006, a new valuation report of the Properties -except for property numbers 2,346, 2,226, 2,232 and 2,233 registered under the Sant Feliu de Llobregat Property Registry- (for a minimum global valuation amount of eighty six million one hundred thousand euros (E86,100,000)), without any safeguards, objections or conditions made by the adjuster (except those 65 referring to the lack of registration in the Property Registry -not represented- of instruments granted for the amendment of the mentioned safeguards, conditions and objections by the adjuster); Corporate prohibitions and limitations (e) not to accept (directly or through its Affiliates) the dissolution, liquidation or transformation of the Borrower, any Guarantor and/or any Affiliate or Participating Company (except for transformations of corporations into limited liability companies and vice versa), and to do everything possible to prevent the above, as well as not to accept the modification of its corporate purpose to include activities distinct from the current ones. Likewise, the Borrower agrees not to accept (and to do everything possible to prevent) the Borrower's merger with or spin-off from the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates or Participating companies, or the takeover of subsidiaries or any type of corporation, business or entity. Any of the aforementioned operations shall require the prior authorization of the Financial Institutions (written consent issued by the Agent). (f) not to accept (and to do everything legally possible to prevent such acceptance) the reduction of the capital stock belonging to the Borrower, the Guarantor and/or any Affiliate or Participating Company through the return of contributions, nor to distribute any amount to the Borrower's partners for any purpose except the distribution of dividends or financing reimbursements granted by the Parent Company [which shall be subject to the provisions of Clause 19.2(b)]; Fulfillment of obligations (g) to maintain control over the Guarantors and Affiliates at all times; (h) to fulfill, on their own terms, this Contract, its guarantee documents and Hedge Contract; to do everything possible so that the Guarantors and Affiliates make all the necessary agreements (or abstain from making agreements) to prevent any possible non-fulfillment of this Contract; not to impugn the Contract and its documents, or allow any Guarantor, Affiliate, administrator or representative (even a legally designated one) to impugn them before any authority or court; (i) to sign the Hedge Contract within a period no longer than two (2) months after the date of this Contract. It is expressly stated that the Hedge Contract must be signed with the Agent; (j) to assure that the rights of the Financial Institutions derived from this Contract and its additional guarantee documents are given preference, until the provisions of the Contract have been totally satisfied, over any other rights that other third parties may have with the Borrower and/or the Guarantors, except for: 66 (i) creditors privileged by law; and (ii) the beneficiaries of the guarantees included in Attachment 7, Chapter B (whose preferences and guarantees cannot be improved, increased or extended beyond the form and time period indicated in said Attachment); as long as the corresponding debt has not been totally repaid; (k) to establish and/or maintain (and do everything possible so that the Guarantors establish and maintain) policies insuring their assets with insurance companies whose solvency is well recognized, in accordance with the standard practices in their sector of activity (including civil liability), and to make timely payments on all the premiums for all the insurance policies, as well as providing the Agent with a copy of said policies (when the Agent requires it). The Borrower must also inform the Agent of any damage incurred that, according to said policies, entitles the Borrower to request any compensation for an amount larger than five hundred thousand euro (E500,000) from the insurance companies. The compensation paid by the insurance companies in amounts higher than five hundred thousand euro (E500,000) as a result of damages covered by policies insuring the Borrower's or the Guarantor's assets and business must be directed toward restitution of the damaged goods (either with new goods that are identical to the damaged ones, or with goods with similar characteristics and used for similar purposes as the damaged ones) within a period of six (6) months of the date on which the corresponding compensation is received. In the case that the Borrower or the corresponding Guarantor (1) has not directed the compensation funds received from the insurance companies to the restitution of the damaged goods, in the maximum time period indicated above; or (2) having directed the amount of the aforementioned compensation to the repair and restitution of the damaged goods within the required period of time, some funds corresponding to said compensation remains, the Borrower must direct the amount of money indicated to the continuation of the obligatory Early Payment, under the terms of Clause 12.3: (i) in regard to case (1) in the previous paragraph, the whole amount of the compensation received from the insurance companies; and (ii) in regard to case (2) in the previous paragraph, the amount of the compensation received from the insurance companies that has not been directed toward the repair and restitution of the damaged goods in both cases, within five (5) workdays following the end of the aforementioned reinvestment period; 67 (l) to obtain, maintain and renew, in the shortest time possible at the appropriate moment - and to deliver to the Agent (if the Agent so requires) as soon as possible - certified copies of any authorization, approval, consent, license, exemption, registration, inscription, presentation or formalization necessary or appropriate to guarantee (i) the correct and normal development of the Borrower's activities; and (ii) the validity, efficacy or level of the Borrower's responsibilities, or the rights of the Agent and the Financial Institutions (or any of them), in line with this Contract or any other related contract, as well as to fulfill their terms, with the Borrower covering all the expenses; (m) to satisfy all tax, labor and social security norms, and any other that is applicable (particularly Environmental Legislation); (n) specifically, the Borrower agrees that the registration description of the properties that make up the Real Estate Properties matches with the physical reality of same at all times, and for such purpose, agrees to accept agreements and grant documents (public and/or private) necessary to obtain said consistence (specifically, granting statements for new constructions and groups of properties that affect the Real Estate Properties, taking into account the conditions and comments included by the adjuster in the valuation report of the Real Estate Property submitted to the Agent prior to the signature of this Contract); Business prohibitions and limitations (o) except with the prior written authorization of the Agent (following instructions from the Financial Institutions), not to carry out (and to prevent the Affiliates from carrying out) the assignment, transmission, drawdown, sale or transfer of assets (be they material, immaterial, financial or any other kind of assets), except: (i) assets used in the course of normal business; and (ii) transferred assets (aside from the previous ones) whose contractual obligation is equal to or less than one million euro (E1,000,000) annually and which have been reinvested in new assets within a maximum period of six (6) months following the transfer date. Specifically, it is expressly stated that real estate may not be transferred or taxed in any way without the prior consent of the Financial Institutions (with the Agent's written notification); (p) not to grant loans, credits or any kind of financing or indebtedness, nor personal guarantees to third parties outside the Borrower Group, except if: (i) they have been authorized previously by the Majority Entities (with the Agent's written notification); or (ii) they consist of financing to be granted to General Cable Celcat Energia 68 e Teleomunicacoes S.A. or any Affiliate of the Borrower, in which case there shall be no additional restriction; or (iii) they consist of financing to be granted to the Parent Company (or any corporation belonging to the group headed by the Parent Company but not part of the Borrower Group), in which case the concession shall be conditioned on fulfillment of the requirements indicated in Clause 19.2(b)(ii); (q) not to grant to third parties new business or real guarantees covering any assets and/or rights, or privileges of any kind, except: (i) those previously authorized by the Financial Institutions (with the Agent's written notification); and (ii) those established by law; (r) not to pay any kind of royalties, consulting honoraria, service commissions, management fee or anything similar to the Parent Company or any corporation belonging to the group headed by the Parent Company; (s) not to carry out sales operations with the Parent Company, except when (i) they are carried out at market prices; and (ii) the Borrower provides the Agent (prior to the operation in question) with documentation of the terms of said operation and the need to carry it out. The Agent shall distribute said document to the rest of the Financial Institutions which, by agreement among the Majority Entities, may veto the proposed operation, on the basis that it could cause (i) a reduction in the capacity of the Borrower or any Guarantor to meet their obligations under this Contract or (ii) a reduction in the value of the guarantees granted to the Financial Institutions by virtue of this Contract; (t) not to carry out (and to prevent its Affiliates from carrying out) any acquisition of or investment in entities or businesses outside the Borrower Group, without the prior authorization of the Financial Institutions (with the Agent's written notification); and (u) not to resolve, cancel, terminate (except under the terms of this Contract), or render ineffective in any way, or modify or permit the modification or any alteration of this Contract or any contract or agreement executed as a result of this Contract (in particular the Hedge Contract). THE BORROWER'S FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 19.2 Without prejudice to the fulfillment of the general commitments assumed by the Borrower by virtue of Clause 19.1, the Borrower promises to the Financial Institutions, starting with the execution date of this Contract and so long as it remains in effect and the obligations derived from this Contract have not been totally satisfied: 69 (a) to fulfill the Ratios and the equity values in the following amounts:(12)
2008 AND RATIO OR FINANCIAL MAGNITUDE 2005 2006 2007 FOLLOWING ---------------------------- ----- ----- ----- --------- Net Financial Debt / Consolidated EBITDA -- 3.50 2.50 2.00 1.50 Net Financial Debt /Equity 1.00 1.00 0.75 0.50 Equity (in million Euros) 145.4 175.9 210.3 249.6
The fulfillment of Ratios and Equity shall be verified semiannually (on the final date of each semester - that is, every June 30 and December 31), in the following manner: (i) in regard to value on December 31 of each year, on the basis of the Consolidated Financial Statements delivered by the Borrower to the Agent, in line with Clause 19.1 (a)(iii), certified by the Auditor, in accordance with Clause 20.1(a); and (ii) in regard to value on June 30 of each year, on the basis of the semiannual Consolidated Financial Statements delivered by the Borrower to the Agent, in line with Clause 19.1 (a)(iv), certified by a duly authorized representative of the Borrower, in accordance with Clause 20.1(b). In regard to the fulfillment of the Ratios and magnitudes on June 30 of each year, the values assigned to said Ratios and magnitudes for the previous fiscal year shall be applied; (b) not to distribute (and to prevent any Guarantor from distributing) any funds to direct or indirect partners (including distributions of reserves, premiums and other funds), except for: (i) cash flow among corporations within the Borrower Group, directed only to the transfer of funds to the Borrower, to meet obligations stemming from this Contract; and (ii) distribution of dividends or interest payments, or reimbursement of principal for loans granted by the Parent Company, or any other corporation belonging to the group headed by the Parent Company but not included in the Borrower Group. (For the purposes of this clause, these are called INTRA-GROUP LOANS). Dividend distribution by the Borrower and the payment of any funds as Intra-Group Loans shall be subject to the following limitations. Dividends (resulting from profits earned in the previous fiscal year) 70 may only be distributed, and Intra-Group Loans for any amount may be paid only when: (A) the maximum aggregate amount from these two categories (dividends and Intra-Group Loan reimbursement) does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the after-tax consolidated profits of the fiscal year ending before the payment or distribution; (B) the ratio of the Net Financial Debt and the Consolidated EBITDA is less than two (2), before and after the payment. To verify the fulfillment of this condition, the Borrower must deliver to the Agent a certificate issued by the Auditor based on the most recent financial statements (annual or semiannual) delivered to the Agent in conformity with Clause 19.1(a); and (C) from the date when the decision is made to make the distribution or payment to the date when the distribution or payment are made, there has been no Assumption of Default; and (c) not to incur (and to prevent its Affiliates from incurring) any debt (on the consolidated level) that could constitute the default of any of the Ratios. THE GUARANTOR'S COMMITMENTS 19.3 Starting with the execution date of this Contract and so long as it remains in effect and the obligations derived from this Contract have not been totally satisfied, the Guarantor promises the Financial Institutions: Information obligations (a) to deliver to the Agent (for distribution among the Financial Institutions): (i) its Financial Statements as soon as they are available, and always within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the close of the fiscal year, properly audited by the Auditor (when this may be required legally, in accordance with legislation applicable in the founding jurisdiction), and prepared in conformity with the accounting standards applicable in the founding jurisdiction; (ii) its semiannual financial statements as soon as they are available, and always within forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of semester (and prepared in conformity with the accounting standards applicable in the founding jurisdiction); and (iii) within a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the Agent issues the written notice (when required by the Financial Institutions), all the additional information requested by the Agent, considering it relevant for the purposes of this Contract. 71 (b) to immediately notify the Agent of the existence of an Assumed Default, or circumstances that may result in an Assumed Default (including but not limited to any situation, notification, claim, communication, summons, or citation by any administrative, judicial or other agency regarding any lawsuit, hearing, claim or legal process that could affect any Guarantor or any corporation belonging to the Borrower Group that could adversely affect any Guarantor and Affiliate), as soon as it becomes aware of the circumstances, and to provide the Agent with complete details of the measures that the Guarantor adopts, or considers adopting, to remedy or mitigate the effect of the Assumed Default in question, or of other related measures; Corporate prohibitions and limitations (c) not to accept (directly or through its Affiliates) the dissolution, liquidation or transformation of any Guarantor and/or any Affiliate or Participating Company (except for transformations of corporations into limited liability companies and vice versa), and to do everything possible to prevent the above, as well as not to accept the modification of its corporate purpose to include activities distinct from the current ones. Likewise, the Guarantor agrees not to accept (and to do everything possible to prevent) the merger with or spin-off from any Guarantor and/or any of its Affiliates or Participating companies, or the takeover of subsidiaries or any type of corporation, business or entity. Any of the aforementioned operations shall require the prior authorization of the Financial Institutions (written consent issued by the Agent). (d) not to accept (and to do everything legally possible to prevent such acceptance) the reduction of the capital stock belonging to any Guarantor and/or any Affiliate or Participating Company through the return of contributions, nor to distribute any amount to the shareholders or partners for any purpose except reductions or distribution whose only purpose is to transfer funds to the Borrower, so the latter may reimburse any payment due under this Contract; Fulfillment of obligations (e) to maintain control at all times over the Affiliates belonging to the Borrower Group; (f) to fulfill, on their own terms, this Contract and the guarantees resulting from it; to do everything possible so that the remaining Guarantors and corporations belonging to the Borrower Group make all the necessary agreements (or abstain from making agreements) to prevent any possible non-fulfillment of this Contract; not to impugn the Contract and its documents, or allow any Guarantor, Affiliate, administrator or representative (even a legally designated one) to impugn them before any authority or court; (g) to assure that the rights of the Financial Institutions derived from this Contract and its additional guarantee documents are given preference, until the 72 provisions of the Contract have been totally satisfied, over any other rights that other third parties may have with the corresponding Guarantors, except for: (i) creditors privileged by law; and (ii) the beneficiaries of the guarantees included in Attachment 7, Chapter B (whose preferences and guarantees cannot be improved, increased or extended beyond the form and time period indicated in said Attachment); as long as the corresponding debt has not been totally repaid; (h) to establish and/or maintain policies insuring their assets with insurance companies whose solvency is well recognized, in accordance with the standard practices in their sector of activity (including civil liability), and to make timely payments on all the premiums for all the insurance policies, as well as providing the Agent with a copy of said policies (when the Agent requires it). The corresponding Guarantor must also inform the Agent of any damage incurred that, according to said policies, entitles the corresponding Guarantor to request any compensation for an amount higher than five hundred thousand euro (E500,000) from the insurance companies. The compensation paid by the insurance companies in amounts larger than five hundred thousand euro (E500,000) as a result of damages covered by policies insuring the assets and business of the Borrower or any Guarantor must be directed toward the restitution of the damaged goods (either with new goods that are identical to the damaged ones, or with goods that have similar characteristics and are used for similar purposes as the damaged ones) within a period of six (6) months from the date on which the corresponding compensation is received. In the case that the corresponding Guarantor (1) has not directed the compensation funds received from the insurance companies to the restitution of the damaged goods, in the maximum time period indicated above; or (2) having directed the amount of the aforementioned compensation to the repair and restitution of the damaged goods within the required period of time, some funds from said compensation remains, the corresponding Guarantor must direct the amount of money indicated to the continuation of the obligatory Early Payment, under the terms of Clause 12.3: (i) in regard to case (1) in the previous paragraph, the whole amount of the compensation received from the insurance companies; and (ii) in regard to case (2) in the previous paragraph, the amount of the compensation received from the insurance companies that has not been directed toward the repair and restitution of the damaged goods 73 in both cases, within five (5) workdays following the end of the aforementioned reinvestment period; (i) to obtain, maintain and renew, in the shortest time possible at the appropriate moment - and to deliver to the Agent (if the Agent so requires) as soon as possible - certified copies of any authorization, approval, consent, license, exemption, registration, inscription, presentation or formalization necessary or appropriate to guarantee (i) the correct and normal development of any Guarantor's activities; and (ii) the validity, efficacy or level of any Guarantor's responsibilities, or the rights of the Agent and the Financial Institutions (or any of them), in line with this Contract or any other related contract, as well as to fulfill their terms, with the corresponding Guarantor covering all the expenses; (j) to satisfy all tax, labor and social security norms, and any other that is applicable (particularly Environmental Legislation); Business prohibitions and limitations (k) except with the prior written authorization of the Agent (following instructions from the Majority Entities), not to carry out the assignment, transmission, drawdown, sale or transfer of assets (be they material, immaterial, financial or any other kind of assets), except: (i) assets used in the course of normal business; and (ii) transferred assets (aside from the previous ones) whose contractual obligation is equal to or less than one million euro (E1,000,000) annually, and which have been reinvested in new assets within a maximum period of six (6) months following the transfer date. Specifically, it is expressly stated that real estate may not be transferred or affected in any way without the prior consent of the Financial Institutions (with the Agent's written notification); (l) not to grant loans, credits or any kind of financing or indebtedness, nor personal guarantees to third parties outside the Borrower Group, except if: (i) they have been authorized previously by the Majority Entities (with the Agent's written notification); or (ii) they consist of financing to be granted to the Borrower for the transfer of funds so that the Borrower may meet its payment obligations in accordance with this Contract; or (iii) they consist of financing to be granted to the Parent Company (or any corporation belonging to the group headed by the Parent Company but not part of the Borrower Group), in which case the concession shall be 74 conditioned on fulfillment of the requirements indicated in Clause 19.2(b)(ii); (m) not to grant to third parties new business or real guarantees covering any assets and/or rights, or privileges of any kind, except: (i) those previously authorized by the Majority Entities (with the Agent's written notification); and (ii) those established by law; (n) not to carry out (and to prevent its Affiliates from carrying out) any acquisition of or investment in entities or businesses outside the Borrower Group, without the prior authorization of the Majority Entities (with the Agent's written notification); and (o) not to resolve, cancel, terminate (except under the terms of this Contract), or render ineffective in any way, or modify or permit the modification or any alteration of this Contract or any contract or agreement executed as a result of this Contract. 20. CERTIFICATIONS OF FULFILLMENT 20.1 The Borrower (and, if applicable, the corresponding Guarantors) must deliver the following documentation to the Agent: (a) for the purpose of verifying the Ratios and other financial commitments that must be calculated on the basis of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Borrower must deliver, along with said documents, a certification signed by the Auditor, establishing the value of the Ratios and the level of Equity; (b) for the purpose of verifying the Ratios and other financial commitments that must be calculated on the basis of the Borrower's semiannual financial statements, the Borrower must deliver, along with said documents, a certification establishing the value of the Ratios and the level of Equity, and signed by a duly authorized representative of the Borrower; (c) along with the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Borrower must deliver a certification signed by the secretary of the Borrower's board of directors (or the person with certification authority, in accordance with Article 109 of the current Mercantile Registration Regulations), attesting to: (i) the Borrower's direct or indirect involvement in each of its Affiliates and Participating Companies at the close of the previous fiscal year; (ii) the Borrower's shareholding structure at the close of the previous fiscal year; (iii) the many variations occurring during the aforementioned fiscal year, in 75 regard to the information discussed in the previous Paragraphs (i) and (ii); and (d) for the purpose of verifying the Material Affiliates' possible inventories, in accordance with Clause 19.1(a)(iii)(c), the Borrower must present, along with the Consolidated Financial Statements, an Auditor's certification establishing (for each of the Borrower's Affiliates) the value of each of the parameters that may classify them as Material Affiliates (in accordance with the parameters indicated in the definition of "Material Affiliate"). (e) The Agent may, in a reasonable manner, require the Borrower to issue and present the aforementioned certifications at times different from those previously indicated, and the Borrower shall be obliged to deliver them within the time period reasonably designated by the Agent. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 76 SECTION VIII DEFAULT AND INDEMNITY 21. DEFAULT ASSUMPTION OF DEFAULT 21.1 The following make up an assumed default of this Contract: (a) NON-PAYMENT: should the Borrower not pay any amount due which is subject of this Contract on the set date. Likewise, any non-payment by any of the Guarantors (if any), once it is required to pay in view of any payment obligation assumed by them in accordance with this Contract; (b) DEFAULT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THIS CONTRACT: if the Borrower (or any Guarantor, if applicable) does not meet any of the obligations which are subject of this Contract (including not meeting the Ratios or any other financial commitment indicated in Clause 19.2), or of any commitment or agreement signed in relation to this Contract (including the Guarantee, Securities and Mortgages) and which are not included in Section (a) of this Clause; (c) STATEMENTS: if there is any statement, demonstration or request formulated (or accredited as having been formulated) by the Borrower and/or any Guarantor, that appears in this Contract or in any other signed commitment or agreement signed according to this Contract (including the Guarantee, Securities and Mortgages), certification, note, legal report or notification produced in accordance or in connection with this Contract, that results as false, inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete to some substantial aspect, or if said falsification, inaccuracy or omission, to some substantial aspect, were produced after such statements or requests were repeated or ratified at any moment, according to facts and circumstances that may arise at that time; (d) LACK OF VALIDITY: if any Clause in this Contract were to be invalid or not enforceable, for any reason, and at the sole judgment of the Financial Institutions, same were to alter the economical and/or legal requirements that have been the basis of the consent given to this Contract; (e) DEFAULT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS (CROSS-DEFAULT): if (i) any debt owed by the Parent Company, Borrower and/or by any Guarantor and/or by any Affiliate derived from contracts signed with financial entities were to expire, be settled and due and payable according to applicable laws (or subject to be declared as expired, settled or due and payable) earlier than its specific expiry, as long as its annual -individual or added to other previous ones- exceeds (1) seven hundred fifty thousand Euros (E750.000) with regard to the Borrower and/or to any Guarantor and/or any Affiliate or (2) exceeds ten million US dollars (USD 10,000,000), as far as the Parent Company (in both case, unless the Borrower provides sufficient certified documentation -according to Majority 77 Shareholders- of the illegality of said claim); or if (ii) any guarantee formed by the Parent Company, Borrower and/or any Guarantor was not released upon its expiry or if its execution was formally requested; or if (iii) the Parent Company, Borrower and/or any of the Guarantors were to default on any obligation or if an infraction is committed within the framework of any document or agreement (including guarantee contracts as supplements to this Contract and the Hedge Contract) that could not be corrected, or if able to be corrected was not corrected under the terms mentioned in the terms established in the mentioned documents or agreements; (f) ADVERSE CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE: if an Adverse Change of Circumstance should occur; (g) INSURANCES: (i) should the Borrower and/or any of the Guarantors cease or allow that any of the current insurance policies they have subscribed to (or part of same) cease to be effective or should any of their clauses or conditions not be met (including the payment of the appropriate premiums); or (ii) should the Borrower (and/or any of the Guarantors, if applicable) not fulfil his/her obligation of sending the amount included in the indemnity received for a claim to the restitution of the goods claimed or with prepayment, in accordance with the provisions of Clause 12.3(c); (h) LEGAL ADMINISTRATOR: if there is any legal administrator assigned with regard to all or part of the business or of the assets of the Borrower and/or of any of the Guarantors, or if any way they are the object of any legal or administrative procedure, as long as they are not released within a period of fifteen (15) calendar days from the date in which the designation or execution was communicated; (i) DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION: if the Borrower and/or any of the Guarantors were the submit a petition or call a meeting to consider the adoption of a dissolution agreement or, however said dissolution is ordered (unless it involves a corporate restructure approved by the Financial Institutions in writing through the Agent and that, as a consequence, neither the Borrower nor the Guarantors become or are declared to be in default.); (j) EXPROPRIATION: if for any reason, a government or judicial authority threatens to expropriate or proceeds to effectively condemn any asset of the Borrower or of any Guarantor, the result of which becomes an Adverse Change of Circumstance; (k) SIMILAR PROCEDURES: if, in any jurisdiction other than Spain, a procedure occurs that is similar to those established in the Bankruptcy Law or in the provisions of sections (h), (i) and (j) previous that, according to the Financial Institutions, negatively affects the execution of this Contract or the capacity of the Borrower to carry out his/her payment obligations under this Contract; (l) INEFFICIENT GUARANTEES: if any guarantee included in this Contract (specifically, the Securities and Mortgages) or in any other contract related to 78 this one (i) is not formed in accordance with the terms agreed to in same or if is considered to be late; (ii) is modified without prior written consent from all of the Financial Institutions, received through the Agent (or from their counterparts in the corresponding contracts, if applicable); (iii) becomes inefficient, is declared null and void, is challenged by the Borrower or any Affiliate or by a third party according to the validity or execution of same; or (iv) results as incomplete under any of its terms, unless, within the period of ten (10) Calendar Days, said guarantee is substituted by an equivalent guarantee to that established in this Contract and considered satisfactory by the Financial Institutions. Specifically, not registering the corresponding Mortgages in the appropriate property registry shall be considered an Assumed Default after six (6) months from the date it is granted; (m) CHANGE OR CEASE OF ACTIVITY: should the Borrower or any Affiliate change or seeks to change the nature or area of its business substantially, suspend or intend to suspend a large portion of the commercial operations that they currently carry out directly or indirectly; (n) FINANCING DEVIATION: if, for any reason, the Borrower does not apply the Financing for the purpose described in Clause 3; (o) LEGAL INFRACTION: if the Borrower or any Guarantor violate, infringe upon, not fulfil or in any other way not follow (with actions or omissions) any legal or administrative resolution, or law (giving this term the broadest sense with which it appears in Clause 1.2) that would result applicable to the usual course of its business or to the property, holding, exploitation, use, sale, processing or trafficking, as long as from said default a relevant responsibility is derived which is not completely insured (an aspect that will have to be justified at the satisfaction of the Financial Institutions), or that said default substantially affects the execution of this Contract as considered by the Financial Institutions; (p) DOCUMENTATION DEFECTS: if any significant defect or omission is detected (from both a formal and material order) in this Contract (or in any other document related to same, specifically, the Securities and Mortgage) in the documentation related to same (or in which same is based) and after communicating this fact to the Borrower the defect or omission was not corrected within seven (7) calendar days after the Borrower receives the corresponding notification. Specifically, Supposed Breaches shall be considered as: (i) Failure to submit to the Agent the new legal opinion to be submitted by Blank Rome LLP according to the terms indicated in, or outside the period set for such purpose in Clause 19.1(d) above; 79 (ii) failure to submit to the Agent the new Business Plan (at the satisfaction of the Agent) according to the terms indicated in, or outside the set period set for such purpose, in Clause 19.1(d) above; (iii) failure to deliver to the Agent the new valuation report of the Real Estate Property (without safeguards or objections), at the satisfaction of the Agent, according to the terms indicated in or outside the period set for such purpose, in Clause 19.1(s) above, and (iv) failure to register any document in the Property Registry which were granted to correct safeguards or objections included in the valuation report of the Real Estate submitted to the Agent prior to the signing of this Contract (or failure to register the appropriate prevenion annotation) within sixty (60) Business Days from its first submission (notwithstanding the safeguards referring to the Properties located in Abrera); (q) CONTROL CHANGE: if at any moment during the validity of this Contract, there is a Change of Control relating to the Borrower or to any Affiliate, unless the Financial Institutions provide prior written authorization for the corresponding operation, as communicated through the Agent; and (r) NO OPINION BY THE AUDITOR: if according to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Borrower's Group, or to the Financial Statements of the Borrower or of any Guarantor (i) the Auditor's report shall include any type of condition that references circumstances that could suppose an Adverse Change of Circumstance, or include limitations to the scope; or (ii) should the Auditor not issue his/her report relating to said Financial Statements (individual or consolidated) for any reason. 21.2 Under all suppositions of Clause 21.1, immediately or at any later moment, the Financial Institutions may request the Agent to notify the Borrower that the Financing is immediately expired and due and payable, along with the interests accrued and any other amounts that would be due at this time in accordance with this Contract and that result from the certification(s) issued in accordance with Clause 34. NOTIFICATION 21.3 If the Agent is expressly notified that there is an Assumed Default according to this Contract, the Agent shall immediately notify one of the Financial Institutions. STATEMENT AND CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY TERMINATION 21.4 Declaring the early termination and early expiry of this Contract, whether due to the decision of the Financial Institutions, or at the request of one or more Financial Institutions, the procedure shall be as established in Clauses 21.5 to 21.8, below. 21.5 Any Financial Institution may notify the Agent of the existence of an Assumed Default and require the Agent to initiate the procedure established in this 80 Clause. The Agent may also initiate the procedure on its own, although it shall be obligated as such if the notification of an Assumed Default comes from the Borrower or from any Guarantor. Once the notification of Assumed Default is received, or with the sole decision of the Agent, it shall confirm receipt of the notification the other Financial Institutions as soon as possible, as well as notify them of the immediate initiation of this procedure, specifying which Assumed Default has occurred. Except for the Assumed Default based in Clause 21.1(a) -Non-payment - (for which there will be no Remedy Period -as set forth below-), the Borrower shall have a period of ten (10) Business Days from the date of receipt of the notification to the Borrower mentioned above (REMEDY PERIOD) to completely and satisfactorily solve the Assumed Default that motivated the start of this procedure, communicating to the Agent, in any case before finalizing the Remedy Period, the actions carried out to solve the mentioned Assumed Default. Once the Agent receives this notification, it shall send it immediately to the Financial Institutions. 21.6 If the Borrower has not solved the Assumed Default after the Remedy Period expires, the Agent shall obtain a decision from the Financial Institutions regarding whether the resolution and early termination will be declared for the Contract. For this purpose, the Agent shall communicate to the Financial Institutions the decision they have made to either resolve or declare the early termination or not, and must therefore communicate this in writing to the Agent within fifteen (15) calendar days (from the date of the communication of the Agent to the Financial Institution mentioned above). The lack of written communication by a Financial Institution to the Agent within the mentioned period of fifteen (15) days on whether it wishes to resolve this Contract shall decide on whether said Financial Institution shall decide to resolve same and declare this Contract terminated. Should the Financial Institutions decide to resolve and declare the early termination of the Contract, the Agent shall communicate same to the Financial Institutions and such decision shall bind the dissenting Financial Institutions. 21.7 Should the Financial Institutions decide on the resolution and early termination of this Contract, the Agent shall notify the Borrower of such decision within a period of two (2) Business Days from the final date of the fifteen (15) day deadline mentioned in the above clause and would be subject to the following consequences: (a) the Financing shall be cancelled automatically and closed on the same date in which the early termination is communicated to the Borrower; (b) within maximum period of three (3) Business Days after the Borrower receives the notification of resolution from the Agent, the Borrower shall be required to pay to the Financial Institutions the principal amount and other amounts due in view of this Contract, taking into account that any pending amount from the date of occurrence of an Assumed Default until the full reimbursement by the Borrower (or by the Guarantors, if applicable) shall 81 accrue interest in favour of the Financial Institutions calculated with late-payment interest, and (c) in the supposition that the Borrower (and the Guarantors, if applicable) does(do) not pay the amounts due in view of this Contract within the deadline indicated in paragraph (b) above, it shall give sufficient reason to execute any guarantees issued according to this Contract, according to the provisions of Clause 26.2 below. 21.8 If, while assessing an Assumed Default: (a) after the Agent is required by a Financial Institution to initiate the procedure, in accordance with Clause 21.5, and the Agent does not initiate said procedure within a period of five (5) Business Days from the date of the communication sent by said Financial Institution; or (b) no decision is made, in any sense by the Financial Institutions within the period established in Clause 21.6; or (c) the Financial Institutions decide not to declare the resolution and early termination of the Contract; or (d) after the Financial Institutions declare a resolution and early termination of the Contract and the corresponding legal actions have not been exercised within the period of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the Accredited notification, mentioned in clause 21.7. the Financial Institution(s) that would have decided that there is an Assumed Default sufficient enough to declare the resolution and early termination of this Contract, may require that an individual and direct payment be made to the Borrower (and to the Guarantors, if applicable) for the amounts due to said Financial Institutions by the Borrower at this time. Also, the corresponding legal or out of court actions shall be issued for the Financial Institutions, producing the late interest for the unpaid amounts established in this Contract from the date after its expiry. Likewise, in this supposition the amount of the Holding that corresponds to the Financial Institution(s) that would have declared the Contract as resolved shall be reduced automatically. The amounts reimbursed by the Borrower (or by the Guarantors, if applicable) in view of exercising the individual claim by a Financial Institution shall not be required to distribute proportionally among the other Financial Institutions. The Financial Institution that decides to file an individual claim based on the terms of this Contract may request that the intervening notary issue new copies of this Contract, with the acceptance from all parties that said new copies shall legalized according to Article 517 of the LEC. 82 22. INDEMNITY The Borrower (and the Guarantors, if applicable) shall completely compensate each and every Financial Institution for any expense (including legal fees) in accordance with Clause 29 and for any expense or damages (said amount shall be deemed conclusive with the certificate of the Agent issued according to Clause 34) which any of these Institutions may incur as a consequence (i) of an Assumed Default, (ii) of using the funds in ways and for purposes different than the Financing objective, (iii) of any prepayment in accordance with this Contract, or (iv) of any other fact or circumstance derived from the provisions established in this Contract. Notwithstanding its general nature, the above-mentioned indemnity shall include all interests, commissions, expenses and other amounts that may have been paid or due and payable in consideration of the funds borrowed to finance any unpaid amount, as well as any loss, premium, penalty or cost incurred for settling or using third-party deposits that were acquired to carry out, maintain or finance the Financing or any other amount due or set to expire according to this Contract. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 83 SECTION IX GUARANTEES 23. LIST OF GUARANTEES With no restriction as the full patrimonial, universal and unlimited responsibility of the Borrower, the obligations assumed by the Borrower in view of this Contract shall be guaranteed, on behalf of the Financial Institutions, by means of: (a) the Guarantee established in Clause 24 (to be assumed by the New Guarantors in view of the provisions of Clause 24.2); (b) the Mortgage Agreement, according to the terms of Clause 25; (c) the Spanish Share, to be formed on the same day as the acquisition of the Spanish Holdings (and as a single act with), under the terms included in Attachment 10 of Chapter B as follows; and (d) the French Share, to be formed today as (and as a single act with the acquisition of the French Holdings), under the terms included in Attachment 10, Chapter A below. 24. GUARANTEE CONTENT OF GUARANTEE 24.1 Notwithstanding the patrimonial and unlimited responsibility of the Borrower and subject to the terms or conditions of this Contract, each Guarantor with their irrevocable, unconditional and collective way, and as agreed to by the Agent, agrees to pay the Agent (to be distributed among the Financial Institutions) (as applicable) the amount requested in any Payment Request. The Guarantee is formed as a first request guarantee. Therefore, the obligations assumed by each of the Guarantors in view of the Guarantee are abstract and not incidental, meaning autonomous and independent of the remaining clauses of this Contract, in such a way that each of the Guarantors shall not be affected and will maintain their entire binding force, even in the supposition that the Guaranteed Obligations become null and void by origin or later cancelled. Consequently, each of the Guarantors agrees to fulfill their payment obligations in accordance with the provisions established in this Contract, at the first request from any Financial Institution (or from the Agent, on behalf and in representation of the Financial Institutions), without having any objection or allegation nor filing any type of defense that may correspond to the Borrower or any Guarantor which are the subject of this Contract or any other title. Specifically, the Guarantors may not oppose the execution of the Guarantee basing said opposition on the lack of a breach of the Guaranteed Obligations, being sufficient for said execution the mere non-fulfillment of the terms set forth in Attachment 3 below. 84 The Guarantee does not form a deposit and, therefore, is not subject to Articles 1.822 to 1.856 of the Civil Code nor to Articles 439 to 442 of the Commercial Code, solely governed by the Clauses in this Contract. Consequently, each of the Guarantors recognizes and agrees that the benefits of dividing, ordering and exempting do not apply to the Guarantee. However, in the extent that said benefits could be applied, for any reason, each of the Guarantors expressly waives same. If (i) the Borrower does not make any of the payments of the amounts due in view of this Contract on the dates established herein; or if (ii) the Financial Institutions decide on the resolution and early termination of this Contract according to the provisions established in Clauses 21.4 and subsequent; or if (iii) in the case of individual execution, once having fulfilled the provisions established in Clause 21.8,the Financial Institutions (jointly, or individually, if applicable) may communicate directly or through the Agent (by sending as may Payment Requirements they think fit) and without the need to execute any other guarantee granted in accordance with this Contract, nor the need to carry out any other prior act, against any individual Guarantor or against all of them simultaneously or alternatively, to achieve the objective, in their own terms, of any Guarantee Obligation. For the purposes of this Guarantee, the Guarantors shall severally and unlimitedly respond to the Financial Institutions with their entire assets. In order to determine the amount due to the Guarantors in view of this Guarantee the determining factor will be the amount indicated in the Demand for Payment. For the purposes of executing this Guarantee, the address of the Guarantors shall be understood as is indicated in Clause 36.3. The guarantee obligations assumed by the Guarantors in view of this clause are of a commercial nature and shall not be affected and shall maintain their entire binding force for the return of all of the amounts due to the Financial Institutions even under the supposition that (i) the obligations not fulfilled by the Borrower were originally invalid or were cancelled, or (ii) the Borrower were to request or declare its insolvency or (iii) any Guarantor were to oppose the execution of the Guarantee based on the reasons of validity, existence or legitimacy of the Financing. Lastly, these guarantee obligations can be combined with any other obligation directly assumed by the Guarantors in virtue of this Contract. The rights that correspond to each of the Financial Institutions of this Guarantee shall be proportionate to the Holdings that they each have at each moment of the Financing (or, if applicable, in the Principal pending reimbursement or cancellation amount). The Financial Institutions expressly accept the Guarantee provided by the Guarantors, under the terms and conditions established in this Clause. The terms of this Guarantee may not be modified unilaterally by any of the Guarantors, and will require consent from all of the Financial Institutions of same, formulated in writing through the Agent. Finally, for the purposes provided in Article 135 of the Bankruptcy Law, the parties expressly agree that, in the supposition that the Borrower or any Guarantor are 85 declared to be bankrupt, the responsibility of the Guarantors shall continue to be subject to the terms of this Guarantee, even in the case that the Financial Institutions were to vote in favor of the agreement relating to the bankrupt company. ADHERENCE BY NEW GUARANTORS 24.2 Should any company or entity become a Material Affiliate during the validity of the Contract, the Borrower agrees to notify same to the Agent within a period of ten (10) Business Days. Within a period of fifteen (15) Business Days from said notification date, the Material Affiliate in question (the NEW GUARANTOR) and the Borrower and existing Guarantors at said moment shall document the incorporation of the New Guarantor as part of this Contract by signing the Letter of Agreement, they will have to remit it immediately to the Agent so that the Financial Institutions may sign same. For these purposes: (a) each New Guarantor shall irrevocably represent the Borrower (its irrevocable nature being necessary to fulfil the provisions of this Contract) while the effects of this Contract continue to be in effect or subsist, so that on its behalf and representation and through its duly authorized representatives it may sign the document of incorporation of other New Guarantors referenced in this clause and expressly consents to same, maintaining current the obligations derived for the rest of the parties of this Contract; and (b) after the Agent receives the corresponding Letter of Agreement it shall immediately communicate same to the Financial Institutions, so that within a maximum period of fifteen (15) Business Days from the date in which the communication was received from the Agent, they appear before the public notary for the purpose of accepting said addition of the New Guarantor. 25. MORTGAGE AGREEMENT 25.1 With this Contract, the Borrower and assume the unconditional and irrevocable commitment of granting to the Financial Institutions a first range real right of mortgage over each of the Properties if at any time during the validity of this Contract the Agent (following the instructions of the Major Shareholders) shows any circumstance that grants the right to the Financial Entities to declare the early termination of this Contract (including the fulfilment of any Ratio or financial responsibility assumed by the Borrower under this Contract or if any Adverse Material Change occurs) with the Agent's mere statement being sufficient evidence to claim the establishment of the Mortgage(s). The Agent (following the instructions of the Majority Entities) shall immediately remit the corresponding requirement to the Borrower so that it may, within a maximum period of fifteen (15) days of receiving the requirement, grant the mortgage deeds on the Properties decided upon by the Majority Entities. 86 Granting the mortgage deeds on the Properties shall take the following aspects into account: (a) the obligations guaranteed by the Mortgages shall be the payment obligations of the Borrower which are the subject of this Contract; (b) as a result of said execution, the Financial Institutions shall enjoy a first priority on the Properties that were taxed; (c) the global appraisal value of the mortgaged Properties may not be, in any case, lower than eighty-six million one hundred thousand euros (E86,100,000), equivalent to approximately one hundred and fifteen percent (115%) of the Total Amount; (d) the mortgage deed(s) shall be issued similarly to the terms included in Attachment 10 Chapter C; and (e) the mortgage responsibility of all of the Properties shall be the result of applying the coefficient 1.40 to the total value of the most recent appraisal of the Properties (corresponding to one hundred percent (100%) of the guarantee for the return of the Principal amount, fifteen percent (15%) of the guarantee for the payment of regular interests, (15%) of the guarantee for the payment of late interest and ten percent (10%) of the guarantee for the payment of costs and expenses). The mortgage responsibility for each of the taxable Properties shall be the result of proportionally distributing the amount of the mortgage responsibility of all the properties (determined according to the provisions of the above paragraph) proportionate to the appraisal value for each of the Properties between the total appraisal value of all of the Properties. For the purposes of obtaining the appraisal value of the Properties, the Borrower expressly authorizes the Agent to request (chargeable to the Borrower) appraisals to be made for each Property by one appraisal company duly registered in the Bank of Spain. 25.2 For the purpose of guaranteeing that the Mortgages be granted on behalf of the Financial Institutions, the Borrower in this act irrevocably empowers so that it (acting through its duly authorized representatives), at any moment during the validity of this Contract, may grant (on behalf and in representation of the Borrower, and even when this could result in double representation) as many public or private documents deemed necessary to grant the appropriate mortgage deeds. 26. VALIDITY AND EXECUTION OF GUARANTEES VALIDITY 26.1 The guarantees mentioned in Clause 23 (and including the Mortgages that are considered to be executing the provisions of Clause 25) shall remain in effect until all 87 of the Guaranteed Obligations have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Financial Institutions. If the Contract expires under its normal end date, the guarantees mentioned in Clause 23 shall expire simultaneously with said termination, all regardless of whether the Financing is formally settled with the later issuing of a settlement certificate by the Agent, as long as the amount appearing in said certificate has been paid within the set deadline. In case of early termination, the mentioned guarantees shall expire on the appropriate date of prepayment, regardless of whether the Financing is formally settled with the later issuing of a certificate of settlement by the Agent (which shall certify the payment of all amounts due in view of this Contract, by the Borrower or by any of the Guarantors). EXECUTION 26.2 Executing any Mortgage or Share shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the corresponding guarantee constitution document, which will need prior approval by the Majority Shareholders. According to the execution of the Guarantee, it may be executed individually and proportionate to its Share by the Financial Institutions which, based on the provisions of this Contract, have the right to execute same individually. Notwithstanding the general nature referenced in Clause 29, it expressly status that the Guarantors assume the obligation of paying any expense and cost for the Financial Institutions as a result of executing the Guarantee. Likewise, in case of executing the Guarantee, the rights that correspond to the Guarantors with the Borrower or with any other Guarantor shall remain subordinate with any other right that was held in effect by the Financial Institutions with the Borrower (or any Guarantor) under this contract. 26.3 In any case, executing any of the mentioned guarantees, will not limit in any way (i) the universal patrimonial responsibility of the Borrower (nor of the Guarantors, if applicable); nor (ii) any other guarantees formed with the Financial Institutions in view of this Contract (or of any other related guarantee related to same). 88 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 89 SECTION X THE AGENT 27. THE AGENT APPOINTMENT 27.1 Each Financial Institution irrevocably appoints the Agent to act as its agent with regard to this Contract. The Agent shall have the functions derived from this Contract, as well as for business use, accepting such appointment without losing any of its corresponding rights as a Financial Institution. RELATIONSHIP 27.2 Without losing any part of the joint nature of the obligations assumed by the Financial Institutions in view of this Contract, it has been set forth that whenever referring to the development and operation of this Contract, the Agent acts, aside from acting for itself, acts as a special representative of the Financial Institutions, and as a consequence it must be understood that payments of any nature that arise from this Contract shall be made by the Borrower (and by the Guarantors, if applicable) to the Agent, at the place and in the method established in this Contract, entering into full effect for the Borrower as if being received in proportions that correspond to the other Financial Institutions. Also, and as long no one states otherwise, any notification made or received by the Agent, shall have the same effect as if it was formulated or received by all of the Financial Institutions. 27.3 Under no circumstance shall it be understood that the Agent has the power to represent the Financial Institution beyond what is specifically derived from the provisions of this Contract, as well as not acting as the trustee of the Financial Institutions, of the Borrower (or Guarantors, if applicable) or of any other person. According to these principles, but not limited to same: (a) The Agent shall not be responsible with the Financial Institutions for the signing, validity and enforceability of this Contract or for any supplementary document or truthfulness of the statements contained in same or in the communications it may receive, nor for the feasibility of charging the Financing; (b) the Agent shall not be obligated to make any determination nor to carry out an investigation on the fulfillment of this Contract. It shall only notify the other Financial Institutions when it has real knowledge, or if it receives notification from one of the Financial Institutions, from the Borrower (or from the Guarantors, if applicable) of any Assumed Default or that could provide reason to resolve same. 90 (c) the right to information by the Agent shall be understood to be limited to communications necessary for the normal fulfillment and development of the Contract, or to enforce same in case of default; (d) when exercising its authorities as a representative, the Agent shall not assume any responsibility if it follows the instructions received or, if in the absence of said instructions and in case of emergency, acts on its own judgment according to bank guidelines; (e) in fulfilling its remaining commitments and missions mentioned in this Contract, the Agent shall not have any other responsibility than what could arise from fraud or gross negligence; (f) employees and representatives of the Agent, whichever their category or condition, shall not incur in personal responsibility with other Financial Institutions as a consequence of its professional behavior with regard to this Contract; (g) the Agent shall not be responsible: (i) for consequences that result after basing itself on any communication or document it thinks to be authentic or correct, even though it has not been communicated or signed by the person it was indicated or communicated to or signed same; (ii) for consequences that result after basing itself on the counselling of professionals selected according to this Contract; (iii) for the granting, validity, binding nature or effectiveness provided by this Contract, or by any document originated in view or according to same; nor (iv) for any statement or formal demonstration formulated in this Contract, nor from any information given in relation to same. CREDIT APPROVAL 27.4 Each Financial Institution shall confirm to the Agent and according to this Contract: (a) that it has made queries under its own name and interest, and has acted with the required diligence, as if its Share had been a financing made directly by said Financial Institution to the Borrower, without the intervention of the Agent or any other Financial Institution, and that it does not consider the Agent to be responsible for the truthfulness or characterization of the information provided and that, therefore, it has not based itself exclusively (and not even mainly) on any information or consulting facilitated by the Agent, nor on any appraisal or investigation of the financial situation, matters, 91 legal status or nature of the Borrower or of the Subsidiaries that would have been made by the Agent under that capacity; (b) that, regardless of the provisions of Clause 27.8, the Agent is not nor shall be obligated, prior to or following the execution of this Contract, to provide the mentioned information or consultancy to the Financial Institution, nor to carry out the investigation or appraisal mentioned above. PAYMENTS 27.5 Any payments made by the Borrower (or by the Guarantors, if applicable) for Principal amounts, interests, commissions, or for any other concept which are the subject of this Contract, regardless of the reason for the reimbursement, the Financial Institution being used for this purpose, or the voluntary or forced method of execution of the payment obligation, including the payment for compensation, shall be distributed by the Agent among the Financial Institutions in such a way that they will all be paid in equivalent quantities for their Securities at all times, with the exception of those Financial Institutions who qualify as subordinate creditors according to the creditor statement. However, to receive its part of the reimbursement or payment, each Financial Institution shall contribute a proportionate amount to the expenses that were generated to obtain same. The Financial Institutions agree to reimburse the Agent's share immediately on a pro-rata basis, all amounts that, with the justification of the latter, and being the responsibility of the Borrower according to this document, were not reimbursed voluntarily by the Borrower and that represent a payment to the Agent for any concept it makes for the purposes of this Contract and for the common interest of the Financial Institutions, regardless of the favorable or adverse result of the situation or measure that originated the payment. Independently of this Contract, the Agent may accept deposits, lend money and, generally carry out all types of bank transactions with the Borrower or Subsidiaries, as the rest of the Financial Institutions. The possible rights of the Financial Institutions to obtain payment from the Borrower (or the Guarantors, if applicable) based on other causes and obligations not mentioned in this Contract shall not be affected by the above-mentioned provisions. DETERMINATION OF INTEREST RATES 27.6 At this time, the Financial Institutions accept the Agent to set the interest rates (including the basic interest rate and late-payment interest rate) according to the terms of this Contract, unless of obvious error or proven otherwise. NOTIFICATION OF LITIGATION 27.7 Each Financial Institution shall immediately notify the Agent regarding the initiation, for said Financial Institution, of any legal procedure relating to this Contract or connected to same, prior to its start (as long as the procedure set forth in 92 Clause 21.4 has been completed). Once the Agent receives this notification it shall communicate same as soon as possible to the remaining Financial Institutions. The Agent shall not be obligated to provide any information to the Financial Institutions that relates in any way to parts of this Contract, and that the Agent could have obtained through a different channel than what was indicated in this Contract, unless it refers to a possible Assumed Default. RESIGNATION 27.8 The Agent may resign its function in writing (explaining its reasons for the resignation) to the Borrower and Financial Institutions. In this supposition, the new agent shall be assigned by the Financial Institutions (with the exception of the Agent), as agreed by the Financial Institutions. In the case that within sixty (60) calendar days after the resignation notification, the Financial Institutions have not agreed to a replacement or if the Financial Institution did not accept same, the Agent shall have the right to name the new Agent on its own, among the Financial Institutions. The resignation of the above Agent and naming the new one shall become effective on the date of acceptance of the new Agent. The new Agent shall have the same obligations and rights as its predecessor, in accordance with these Contract terms. Likewise, in the supposition that the Agent were to merge, be absorbed or absorb another financial institution, the new resulting entity shall have all of the rights and obligations of the Agent. If, on the other hand, there is a division of the Agent, the Financial Institutions shall designate one of the resulting institutions as the Agent. INDEMNITY 27.9 Each of the Financial Institutions shall compensate the Agent, upon their request for all claims, procedures, expenses, losses, damages, and responsibilities of any kind, proportionate to the Share of each Financial Institution, unless incurred by fraud or negligence in that capacity, and that relate in some way or derive from the provisions of this Contract or in any related documents, or in any action carried out or omitted by the Agent to request or preserve, intent to request or presser any of the rights of the Financial Institutions in accordance with this Contract or related documents. If the Agent provides the Borrower with an amount, diligently and in good faith, that was not placed at the hands of the Agent by the Financial Institution. In such case the Financial Institution shall have to reimburse the Agent the amount that it had allowed for said Financial Institution with the same value date. Unless the Borrower notifies the Agent before the payment deadline that it has no intention of making said payment, the Agent may presuppose that the Borrower has made said payment on the deadline, therefore allowing the Agent to send a payment to the Financial Institution, on that payment date, for the amount equal to the 93 supposed payment. If the Borrower does not make the payment to the Agent, each Financial Institution shall reimburse the Agent, upon request, with the value to date of the payment to the Financial Institution, the amount provided to the Financial Institution. CONFLICT OF INTEREST 27.10 The Agent acknowledges that in this Contract it acts as a crediting financial institution and agent of other crediting financial institutions, and not under any other condition. 27.11 Likewise, the Agent shall not be obligated to provide the Financial Institutions with any information that it may have acquired from the Borrower while exercising a different capacity than its crediting financial institution. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 94 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 95 SECTION XI TAXES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES 28. COMMISSIONS INITIAL COMMISSION 28.1 The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (to be distributed among the Financial Institutions) an initial commission that it negotiated and assumed in a separate agreement. AGENT COMMISSION 28.2 The Borrower shall pay to the Agent the agent commission that was negotiated and assumed in a separate agreement. NON-DISPOSITION COMMISSION 28.3 The Borrower shall provide a non-disposition commission to the Agent (to be distributed among the Financial Institutions) since there is no Amount available in Section B in the following terms: (a) the amount of the commission shall be the one that results from applying twenty-five percent (25%) of the applicable Margin (according to Clause 8.4) over the average amount not available from the Amount of Section B during the corresponding settlement period (as indicated below); (b) said commission shall be paid on a daily basis, from the signing date of this Contract, and it shall be settled and paid on a quarterly basis, for periods expired, on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter from the date of this Contract, according to the number of calendar days that have effectively transpired in each settlement period and based on a year with three hundred and sixty (360) days. Notwithstanding the above, said commission shall not be paid if the average balance provided during the quarter in question is higher than half the Tax of Section B. 29. EXPENSES The Borrower (and the Guarantors, if applicable, according to the terms of its respective agreements) assumes the obligation to reimburse to the Financial Institutions (through the Agent), without any exclusions, any expense, tax (except for the tax on companies that must provide settlement for the Financial Institutions), local taxes, charge, fee and other current or future costs that are attributable to executing this Contract, after being required and in each case, on the basis of a complete compensation and universal coverage, as well as any damage, loss or ruin originating for the Agent or Financial Institutions as a direct consequence of this Contract and which are duly justified. The amounts to be reimbursed to the Agent shall include, but not be limited to: 96 (a) any expense (including expenses and legal fees, brokerage and notary fees, printing, advertising, minor expenses, as well as any VAT that was incurred, as long as they were previously approved by the Borrower) incurred with regard to the negotiation, preparation or formalization of this Contract, its modifications or notifications, requirements for acts or processes necessary for its fulfillment, and of all documents related to said activities and with the Syndicate agreement, except for those caused by transferring its Holdings by the Financial Institutions; (b) all of the expenses (including lawyer and solicitor fees, even if designating the latter, are not necessary) incurred with regard to: (i) assigning an expert, auditor, consultant, tax official, consultant, carried out in accordance with this Contract; (ii) the resolution of the agent relationship and the subsequent designation of a new Agent, except for a cause not attributable to the Borrower or to any company of the Borrower's Group; (iii) the modification, consent, approval, granting, report drafting, or opinion related to this Contract or with any other related document requested by the Agent or by the Financial Institutions; (iv) the preservation, request, or intent to preserve or request, any of its rights derived from this Contract or from any of the documents related to same; (v) other expenses derived from this Contract or from any of the documents related to same (and, specifically, from the legalization and registry of the Mortgage and of any other guarantees to be granted according to this Contract); and (c) any commissions chargeable in accordance with the uses and bank practices in the Spanish market as a consequence of operations relating to the Provisions, deliveries and payments necessary to execute this Contract. 30. VAT AND TAX ON PROPERTY TRANSFER AND DOCUMENTATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS VALUE ADDED TAX 30.1 The parties state that the provision of services included in this Contract, as they are understood to be completed in the Spanish territory for the purposes of the Value Added Tax, shall be exempt from same in accordance with Article 20, one, Number 18, Section c) of Law 37/1992, of December 28. The amounts indicated in this Contract to be paid by the Borrower exclude any amount that may be attributable to the payment of the Value Added Tax. 97 DOCUMENTATION OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 30.2 The Borrower shall pay all fees payable in applying the Tax on Documentation of Legal Proceedings and similar, to which this Contract or any other related document may be subject to or originate, having to completely indemnify the Agent and each and every Financial Institution in case of any loss or responsibility in which, any of these may incur due to the omission or delay attributable to the Borrower in paying said fees or taxes. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 98 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 99 SECTION XII SYNDICATION AND ASSIGNMENTS 31. SYNDICATION PROCESS SYNDICATION 31.1 Each of the parties of this Contract recognizes that it is the intent of Banco de Sabadell S.A. (as the sole Financial Institution at the date of this Contract) to develop the Syndication process. In the scope of the Syndication process, it is agreed that Banco de Sabadell S.A. may freely assign all or part of its contractual rights resulting from the present Contract and/or transfer to any other bank, financial institution or securitization fund authorized to operate in a member state of the European Union (for the purpose of this Clause 31, the NEW FINANCIAL INSTITUTION) its rights and obligations under this Contract together with its contractual position in the guarantee document which are accessories of the same, or any part of the same (with no harm to the rest of the terms of this present Contract), and for such purpose each of the parties of this Contract authorizes Banco de Sabadell S.A. to communicate to the potential New Financial Institutions however much information of a general nature about the Borrower, the Guarantor and/or the Subsidiaries which might have been made available to Banco de Sabadell S.A. (with no harm to that which is pursuant to the following Clause 31.6). SYNDICATION CONTRACT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SYNDICATION 31.2 In order to carry out the Syndication to which this Clause 31 refers, Banco de Sabadell S.A. (as the sole Financial Institution at the date of the signing of this Contract) should subscribe a sole syndication contract drawn up according to the model contained in following Attachment 4, Part A (the SYNDICATION CONTRACT). Said Syndication Contract endorsed by the Banco de Sabadell S.A. will be considered valid only if it is complimented in writing and signed by Banco de Sabadell S.A. (as the assigning entity) as well as by the New Financial Institution(s), and is inspected by a notary public. 31.3 The parties specifically agree that the Syndication will become effective beginning on the Date of Syndication, or rather, the Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest immediately following the date of signing of the Syndication Contract. In the same manner, each of the parties agrees that, following the subscription of the Syndication Contract, and with effect from the Syndication Date: (a) Each New Financial Institution will become part of this Contract, in the capacity of Financial Institution legitimate bearer of the corresponding rights (in proportion to its Shares); and (b) A new calculation of the Share percentages will take place. 100 NEW FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 31.4 Each New Financial Institution, by means of the execution of the Syndication contract, will accept that none of the other Financial Institutions, under any circumstances, will be considered responsible for (i) the exactness and/or integrity of any information supplied to the New Financial Institution relating to this Contract; (ii) the financial situation, credit rating, condition, matter, personality and nature of the Borrower, of the Manager and/or of the Subsidiaries or of the compliance of the aforementioned of any of their obligations resulting from this Contract, or of any document related to the same; and of (iii) the legality, validity, efficiency, suitability and binding power of this Contract or of any other document related to the same and, unless previously stated to the contrary, none of said parties will be, nor will be considered as being a representative, agent or fiduciary of said New Financial Institution relating to the present Contract. DEADLINE FOR SYNDICATION AND COMMUNICATION TO THE BORROWER 31.5 The Parties agree to do everything possible in order to complete the Syndication by no later than June 30, 2006, and for this purpose, Banco de Sabadell S.A. (being sole Financial Institution on the date of the signing of this Contract) commits itself to keep the Borrower informed of the state and of the result of the Syndication. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION 31.6 Banco de Sabadell S.A. (in as much as sole Financial Institution on the date of the signing of this Contract) will be able to communicate to a potential New Financial Institution whatever information regarding the Borrower, the Guarantor and/or the Subsidiaries may have been made available to Banco de Sabadell S.A. of a general nature (for example, the Business Plan, the document titled "Information Memorandum" or "Info Memo" that Banco de Sabadell S.A. might create with the help of the Borrower, as well as the review reports (due diligence) and valuation reports that have been delivered to the Agent in compliance to that which is pursuant to this Contract), as long as said potential New Financial Institution (through the signing of the corresponding confidentiality agreement) is obligated (through the signing of the corresponding confidentiality agreement) to respect the right or confidentiality in relation to said information. EXPENSES 31.7 Expenses deriving from the Syndication will be handled by the Borrower. 32. ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS BY THE BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS 32.1 The Borrower (and, if applicable, the Guarantors) will not have the right to assign, transfer or subrogate any of the contracted rights and obligations by virtue of this present Contract. 101 ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 32.2 The Borrower and each of the Guarantors recognizes and accepts that any Financial Institution (the ASSIGNOR) could freely assign its contractual rights derived from the present Contract or any part of the same and/or transfer to any other bank, financial institution or securitization fund (the ASSIGNEE) its rights and obligations under this Contract together with its contractual position in guarantee documents that are accessories of the same, or any part of the same (with no harm to the other terms of the present Contract), and (a) For these purposes, could communicate to an Assignee or potential benefactor information about the Borrower and/or about the Guarantors and/or about the Subsidiaries that might have been made available to the Financial Institutions of a general nature; and (b) The Borrower (and, if applicable, the Guarantors) will continue to deal exclusively with the Financial Institution relating to payment, notifications and other matters relative to the management and administration of this Contract. The formalization of the assignment pursuant to this clause should comply with the following conditions: (a) It should be carried out on a Date of Liquidation and Payment of Interest and for a minimum amount of five million Euros (E5,000,000) or, if less, supposing the assignment of the entirety of the Assignor's Shares. Notwithstanding the previous item, the Financial Institutions could carry out assignments pursuant to this clause without complying with any of the prior conditions, in which case the Financial Institution in question will be obligated to pay the Agent a commission in the amount of two thousand Euros (E2,000); and (b) A cost increment should not be supposed for the Borrower, taking into account the provisions of Clause 13.3 above. TRANSFER CONTRACTS 32.3 In order to carry out the assignment pursuant to Clause 32.2, the Assignor should deliver to the Agent an assignment contract drawn up in accordance with the model contained in attached Attachment 4 Part B (the TRANSFER CONTRACT). Each Transfer Contract delivered to the Agent will only be considered valid if it is accompanied in writing and signed by the Assignor as well as by the Assignee, and is inspected by a notary public. 32.4 Each of the parties agrees that, following the receipt by the Agent of an Transfer Contract between an Assignor and an Assignee, and in effect as of the date of the Transfer Contract: 102 (a) The Assignor will cease to be entitled to exercise the rights resulting from this present Contract, and will remain freed from the contractual obligations that are specified in the Transfer Contract; (b) The Assignee will become a contracting party, in the capacity of a legitimate Financial Institution bearer of the corresponding rights, and could be passively subject to obligations that might be different from those referenced in the previous section, whose extension would be determined by the scope of the transfer, and As a consequence, each of the contracting parties confirms that: (i) the delivery by an Assignor to an Assignee of an Transfer Contract signed by the Assignor comprises an irrevocable offer by each of the contracting parties to accept the Assignee as the Financial Institution part of this Contract, rightful to exercise the rights, and responsible for complying with the obligations that are mentioned in section (b) pre Assignor; (ii) said offer could be accepted by means of the signing of the Transfer Contract by the Assignee and its delivery to the Agent, and (iii) the clauses of this Contract will be applicable to the agreement between the contracting parties, derived from the acceptance of said offer. ASSIGNEES 32.5 Each Assignee, through the signing of the Transfer Contract, will accept that none of the other contracting parties, under any circumstances, will be responsible for (i) the exactness and/or integrity of any information provided to the Assignee relating to this Contract; (ii) the financial situation, credit rating, condition, matters, personality and nature of the Borrower and/or of the Subsidiaries or of the compliance of the aforementioned of any of their obligations deriving from this Contract, or of any document related to the same, and of (iii) the legality, validity, efficiency, suitability and binding power of this Contract or of any other document related to the same and, except for specific written notice to the contrary, none of said parties will be, nor will they be considered as being representative, agent or fiduciary of said Assignee regarding the present Contract. NOTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION OF ASSIGNMENT POSSIBILITY 32.6 Any Financial Institution that wishes to assign all or part of its Shares should communicate the same to the Agent at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the subscription date of the corresponding Transfer Contract. The Agent will immediately communicate the receipt of said notification to the Borrower. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION 32.7 Any Financial Institution may communicate to a potential Assignee any information of a general nature about the Borrower and/or the Subsidiaries that might have been made available to the Financial Institutions, as long as the potential Assignee (recipient of said information) is obligated (through the signing of the 103 corresponding confidentiality setter) to respect the confidentiality duty with regards to said information. EXPENSES 32.8 Expenses resulting from any assignment under this Contract will be paid for by the Assignee. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 104 (PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 105 SECTION XIII OTHER STIPULATIONS 33. DEBT CERTIFICATION BY THE AGENT 33.1 For the purpose of the present Contract, the Agent, acting in said capacity, will open and carry in its books a special account in the name of the Borrower, in which the Agent will deduct the amount from the Principal, common interest, commissions, honorary fees, costs, compensatory interest, additional costs and other sums owed by the Borrower in virtue of the Financing, and in which all of the sums received by the Agent will be paid by the Agent in payment of the amounts owed by the Borrower, such that the balance of the mentioned account reflects at each moment the amount owed by the Borrower by virtue of this present Contract. BY EACH FINANCIAL INSTITUTION 33.2 In addition to the account referenced in Clause 33.1, each one of the Financial Institutions will open and carry in its books a special account opened in the name of the Borrower, in which the Financial Institution in question will owe the amounts delivered to the Borrower through the Agent and the common interest, commission, honorary fees, costs, compensatory interest, additional costs and any other amounts that the Borrower might owe to said Financial Institution by virtue of this Contract (or to be paid by the same by means of the Agent), in order that the balance of the referenced account at all times reflects the sums owed by the Borrower to the Financial Institution in question by virtue of this present Contract. 34. EXECUTIVE ACTION 34.1 The present Contract will have executive power in accordance with that pursuant to numbers 4 and 5 of the second section of article 517 of the LEC and corresponding legislation. 34.2 For the purpose of articles 520 and 572 of the LEC and corresponding articles, it is specifically agreed upon that, for the purpose of legal complaints that might derive from the present Contract, and in accordance with the terms of the same, any amount owed to the Agent or to any of the Financial Institutions (and reflected in the accounts cited in Clauses 33.1 and 33.2) will be considered as a liquid, expired and demandable amount. In order to prove the liquid, expired and demandable amount, it will be sufficient for the Agent or any of the Financial Institutions to accompany the present Contract with the certification shown in section 5 of article 517 of the LEC, as well as a certificate issued by any of those in which the appealed sum is established, certified in that which the inspecting notary should prove and confirm that said sum coincides with the balance that appears in the previously mentioned special account, and that the liquidation has been carried out in the manner agreed upon by the parties in this Contract. Expenses will be the Borrower's responsibility (or, in execution of his/her 106 respective obligations, the Guarantors'), which might arise as a result of the inspection of said inspecting notary. The amount of the balance thus fixed will be indisputably notified to the Borrower at least five (5) Business Days prior to the execution of the corresponding action. 35. CUMULATIVE RIGHTS AND WAIVERS The respective rights of the Agent and of the Financial Institutions in accordance with the present Contract are cumulative, may be exercised as often as the Agent and the Financial Institutions consider being convenient and do not imply any type of relinquishment of the other rights that are granted by law. The respective rights of the Agent and of the Financial Institutions regarding the present Contract will not be susceptible to being relinquished or changed, except through specific written relinquishment or abandonment. Specifically, no omission or delay in exercising any of said rights may be considered as relinquishment or modification of this or of any other right; no partial or defective exercising of any of said rights will infringe upon any other exercise or the later exercise of said right or of any other, and no act, conduct, behavior or negotiation will impede exercising any right, nor will it constitute a suspension or modification of the same. 36. NOTIFICATIONS 36.1 All notifications or communication practiced in accordance with or in connection with the present Contract will be directed to or will be carried out by the Agent, in writing, and will be personally delivered or will be sent via letter, certified Spanish post office fax or fax (in this last case, whenever the corresponding correct transmission report is obtained -OK Transmission Report-). 36.2 All notifications or communications practiced in accordance with Clause 36.1 will be understood as having taken place: (a) If it is delivered personally, at the moment of the delivery; (b) If it is sent by setter, in the period of seven (7) calendar days from the date of its mailing; (c) If it is sent by letter with receipt acknowledgement or by certified Spanish post office fax, on the date indicated in the corresponding delivery acknowledgment; and (d) If it is sent by fax, on the issuance date, as long as it thus appears on the correct transmission report. However, when it were delivered in person or sent via certified Spanish post office fax or fax, and were to take place after 6:00 p.m. (time of the recipient of the notification or communication) of a Business Day or during a non-business day, the receipt will be understood as produced at 9:00 a.m. (time of the recipient of the notification or communication) of the immediately following Business Day. 107 36.3 The parties designate the following addresses, telephone and fax numbers, as well as the name of the person to whom the corresponding notification should be directed. NOTIFICATIONS TO THE BORROWER: GRUPO GENERAL CABLE SISTEMAS S.A. Calle Casanovas 150 08036 Barcelona ATTN: Mrs. Maria Jesus Muro FAX: +34 93 227 9721 NOTIFICATIONS TO THE GUARANTOR: GRUPO GENERAL CABLE CELCAT ENERGIA E TELECOMUNICACOES S.A. Avenida Marques de Pombal 36-38 Morelena, freguesia de Pero Pinheiro Concelho de Sintra (Portugal) Att. Carlos Carreira With a copy to the Borrower NOTIFICATIONS TO THE AGENT: BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. Plaza Catalonia 1 08201 Sabadell (Barcelona) ATTN: Dr. Anna Maria Domenech / Mr. David Laguna TEL: +34 93 728 9157 FAX: +34 93 745 1064 E-mail: domenecham@bancsabadell.com / lagunad@bancsabadell.com OMF Account: 0081 NOTIFICATIONS TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: BANCO DE SABADELL S.A. Plaza Catalonia 1 08201 Sabadell (Barcelona) ATT: Dr. Anna Maria Domenech / Dr. David Laguna TEL: +34 93 728 9157 FAX: +34 93 745 1064 E-mail: domenecham@bancsabadell.com / lagunad@bancsabadell.com 37. OFFICES Any Financial Institution may make effective its Shares and may receive any payment that might be owed it in accordance with this Contract, in any of its commercial offices. The Financial Institution in question should notify in writing a minimum of seven (7) calendar days prior notice to the Agent, of any change in the commercial office designated for the purpose of this Contract. 108 38. LANGUAGE All of the notices and notifications formulated in accordance with and relating to this Contract will be carried out in Spanish. 39. PRESERVATION OF THE CONTRACT If any of the stipulations of the present Contract are invalid, illicit or non-demandable in any aspect in accordance with any law, the validity, legality and power of the remaining stipulations will not be seen as affected or harmed in any sense. (REST OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY) 109 SECTION XIV LAW AND JURISDICTION 40. ELECTION OF LAW The present Contract (and the documents that make up the attachments, except for in those that the contrary is presented) will be governed and will be interpreted in accordance with Spanish common legislation. 41. JURISDICTION Each of the parties of the present Contract irrevocably submits itself, expressly renouncing the forum that, when necessary, might correspond to it, to the jurisdiction of the judges and courts of the city of Barcelona for the knowledge, resolution of any complaint or controversy that might result from the validity, compliance, interpretation and execution of the present Contract, with no harm to the territorial jurisdiction determined according to the LEC for execution summary procedures and for loan and mortgage procedures. (ATTACHMENTS FOLLOWING) 110 GRUPO GENERAL CABLE SISTEMAS S.A. GENERAL CABLE CELCAT ENERGIA E (as the Borrower) TELECOMUNICAOES S.A. (as the Underwriter) - ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- D. D. Domingo Goenaga Campmany D. D. Domingo Goenaga Campmany SABADELL BANK, INC. SABADELL BANK, INC. (in its role as Agent) (in its role as Financial Institution) - ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- D. Joan Jimenez Delgado and Joan Jimenez Delgado and D. [_____]Luis Preter Tresserras D. [_____]Luis Preter Tresserras NOTARY STATEMENT: I, Manuel Piquer Belloch, Notary of the Illustrious Notarial Association (Ilustre Colegio Notarial) of Cataluna, residing in Barcelona, having assured according to the proper rules the true identity of the parties hereto by means of inspecting identity documents, and that these parties are duly capable of executing the present contract, (except for the intervention of Domingo Goenaga Campmany in representation of General Cable Celcat Energia e Telecomunicacoes S.A., as guarantor, for which I was shown document number 55 of the shareholders meeting of said company, dated December 20, 2005, which is pending in the signature authentication by a competent notary and of the corresponding Apostille of La Haya 1961, of which I, Notary recognized by the appearing parties that for the purpose of this public document with regard to the bond efficiency, is exclusively subject to the existence of said Agreement or Document duly Apostilled or subject to its later ratification, in witness whereof I CERTIFY. This policy comprises, with the inclusion of its appendices, a total of ___folio, signed by the parties and with my seal, signature, stamp and notarial form, in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Order of May 28, 1998 and the Directive of September 29, 2000 of the General Registry Office, and of the Notary Office, and that this document is executed in five (5) identical originals, it being assumed that there is nothing within the document that contradicts anything expressed on this final page. This having been noted, and the usual reservations and legal warnings, especially regarding taxes, having been made, the parties have created the present document in the Spanish language as they have freely chosen IN MY PRESENCE. Of all this and of the content of this document I, the Notary, BEAR WITNESS. In Barcelona, on December 22, 2005. - -------------------------------- Mr. Manuel Piquer Belloch Notary 187
EX-10.73 4 l18783aexv10w73.txt EXHIBIT 10.73 EXHIBIT 10.73 (MULTICURRENCY - CROSS BORDER) ISDA(R) INTERNATIONAL SWAP DEALERS ASSOCIATION, INC. MASTER AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 2005 MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL SERVICES, INC. GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION ("PARTY A") ("PARTY B") have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a "Transaction") that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the "Schedule"), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a "Confirmation") exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions. Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:- 1. INTERPRETATION (a) DEFINITIONS. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement. (b) INCONSISTENCY. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction. (c) SINGLE AGREEMENT. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this "Agreement"), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions. 2. OBLIGATIONS (a) GENERAL CONDITIONS. (i) Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement. (ii) Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement. (iii) Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement. COPYRIGHT (C) 1992 BY INTERNATIONAL SWAP DEALERS ASSOCIATION, INC. value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document. MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL SERVICES, INC. GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION By: By: --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: Name: ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Title: Title: ------------------------------ --------------------------------- Date: Date: ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ISDA (R) 1992 2 SCHEDULE TO THE MASTER AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 2005 BETWEEN MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ("PARTY A") AND GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ("PARTY B") PART 1 TERMINATION PROVISIONS In this Agreement:- (a) "SPECIFIED ENTITY" means in relation to Party A for the purpose of:- Section 5(a)(v), Not Applicable Section 5(a)(vi), Not Applicable Section 5(a)(vii), Not Applicable Section 5(b)(iv), Not Applicable in relation to Party B for the purpose of:- Section 5(a)(v), Not Applicable Section 5(a)(vi), Not Applicable Section 5(a)(vii), Not Applicable Section 5(b)(iv), Not Applicable (b) "SPECIFIED TRANSACTION" will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement. (c) The "CROSS DEFAULT" provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and to Party B. If such provisions apply:- 3 "SPECIFIED INDEBTEDNESS" will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement, and, in addition, "Specified Indebtedness" as applied to Party B shall also include any payment obligation of Party B under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 22, 2004 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including, without limitation, the Limited Consent with Respect to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2005, as amended and restated by the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2005, collectively, the "Credit Agreement") among General Cable Industries, Inc., as Borrower, General Cable Corporation and the other Guarantors party thereto, as Guarantors, Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc., individually as a Lender, collateral agent and as security trustee for the Secured Parties, and as syndication agent, Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services INC. and UBS Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers, Fleet Capital Corporation, as a co-documentation agent, GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, as a co-documentation agent, General Electric Capital Corporation, as a co-documentation agent, UBS Loan Finance LLC, as a Lender and as swingline lender, UBS AG, Stamford Branch, in its individual capacity, as issuing bank, and as administrative agent for the Lenders and the financial institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders thereunder. "THRESHOLD AMOUNT" means, in respect of Party A, USD 100,000,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, and in respect of Party B, USD 100,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, provided that, in respect of Party B, the Threshold Amount applicable to an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement shall mean zero (0). (d) The "CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER" provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B. Section 5(b)(iv) of this Agreement shall be amended to read as follows: "Credit Event Upon Merger" means that a Designated Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to a party, any Credit Support Provider of such party, or any Specified Entity of such party and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but, in the reasonable opinion of the other party, the creditworthiness of the successor, surviving or transferee entity, taking into account any applicable Credit Support Document (except any applicable Credit Support Annex or other agreement providing for the pledge of collateral or any similar agreement) (in which case the party or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party) is materially weaker than that of its predecessor, immediately prior to the occurrence of the Designated Event. For purposes hereof, a Designated Event means that, after the Trade Date of any Transaction: (i) the party, any Credit Support Provider of the party or any Specified Entity of the party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets (or any substantial part of the assets comprising the business of that party) to, or reorganizes, incorporates, reincorporates, or reconstitutes into or as, another entity, or another entity consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, or reorganizes, incorporates, reincorporates, reconstitutes into or as, such party; or (ii) any person or entity acquires directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of equity securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors of the party, any Credit Support Provider of the party or any applicable Specified Entity of the party; or (iii) the party, any Credit Support Provider of the party, or any applicable Specified Entity of the party enters into any agreement providing for any of the foregoing. (e) The "AUTOMATIC EARLY TERMINATION" provision of Section 6(a) will not apply to either Party A or to Party B. 4 (f) PAYMENTS ON EARLY TERMINATION. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:- (i) Market Quotation will apply. (ii) The Second Method will apply. (g) "TERMINATION CURRENCY" means United States Dollars. (H) ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT will apply. (i) TERMINATION OF REVOLVING COMMITMENTS. If, upon the termination of all Revolving Commitments, the repayment of all outstanding Loans (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) and the release of all liens securing the same (collectively, "Release"), this Agreement is in effect, the Parties hereto, at Party A's option, and written notice thereof to Party B, shall, within five (5) business days of the Release, execute and deliver a Credit Support Annex in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "C" and post collateral to Party A pursuant to the terms of the Credit Support Annex. The Credit Support Annex shall not take effect unless and until there is a termination of all Revolving Commitments, the repayment of all outstanding Loans and the release of all liens securing the same. (ii) PARI PASSU OBLIGATIONS. If any obligation due and owing by Party B to Party A under this Agreement fails to rank at least pari passu with any obligation due and owing by Party B to any of its unsecured debt holders. Failure by Party B to comply with the terms of either Part 1(h)(i) or 1(h)(ii) shall constitute an Additional Termination Event pursuant to Section 5(b)(v), and Party B shall be the sole Affected Party in either case. 5 PART 2 TAX REPRESENTATIONS (a) PAYER REPRESENTATIONS. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, Party A will make the following representation and Party B will make the following representation:- It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position. (b) PAYEE REPRESENTATIONS. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party A and Party B make the representations specified below:- (i) The following representation applies to Party A:- Party A is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. (ii) The following representation applies to Party B:- Party B is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. 6 PART 3 AGREEMENT TO DELIVER DOCUMENTS For the purpose of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents as applicable:- (a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:-
PARTY REQUIRED TO DELIVER DOCUMENT FORM/DOCUMENT/CERTIFICATE DATE BY WHICH TO BE DELIVERED - ----------------- -------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Party A/Party B A correct, complete and executed (i) Before the first Payment Date U.S. Internal Revenue Service under this Agreement, (ii) promptly Form W-9 (or any successor upon reasonable demand by Party A, thereto), including appropriate and (iii) promptly upon learning that attachments, that eliminates any such form previously provided by U.S. federal backup withholding Party B has become obsolete or tax on payments under this incorrect. Agreement.
(b) Other Documents to be delivered are:-
PARTY REQUIRED COVERED BY TO DELIVER FORM/DOCUMENT/ DATE BY WHICH SECTION 3(D) DOCUMENT CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED REPRESENTATION -------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------- Party A/Party B. Annual audited financial statements (or, in Promptly after request. Yes. the case of Party A, of its Credit Support Provider) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the party (or, in the case of Party A, its Credit Support Provider) is organized. Party A/Party B. Quarterly unaudited financial statements (or, Promptly after request. Yes. in the case of Party A, of its Credit Support Provider) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the party (or, in the case of Party A, its Credit Support Provider) is organized. Party A/Party B. Credit Support Document, if any, specified in Concurrently with the No. Part 4 of the Schedule, such Credit Support execution of this Document being duly executed if required. Agreement. The collateralized Guarantee of General Cable Industries, Inc. shall be in a form acceptable to Party A.
7
PARTY REQUIRED COVERED BY TO DELIVER FORM/DOCUMENT/ DATE BY WHICH SECTION 3(D) DOCUMENT CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED REPRESENTATION - -------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------- Party A/Party B. Certified copies of the resolution(s) of its Concurrently with the Yes. board of directors or other documents execution of this authorizing the execution and delivery of Agreement. this Agreement. Party A/Party B. Incumbency certificate or other documents Concurrently with the Yes. evidencing the authority of the party execution of this entering into this Agreement or any other Agreement or of any document executed in connection with this other documents Agreement. executed in connection with this Agreement. Party A. An opinion of counsel with respect to Party A Concurrently with the No. in a form acceptable to Party B. execution of this Agreement. Party A. An opinion of counsel with respect to Party Concurrently with the No. A's Credit Support Provider in a form execution of this acceptable to Party B. Agreement. Party B. An opinion of counsel with respect to Party B Concurrently with the No. substantially in the form attached hereto as execution of this Exhibit B and otherwise in a form acceptable Agreement. to Party A. Party B. An opinion of counsel with respect to Party Concurrently with the No. B's Credit Support Provider in a form execution of this acceptable to Party A. Agreement.
8 PART 4 MISCELLANEOUS (a) ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES: For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:- Address for notices or communications to PARTY A:- Address: MERRILL LYNCH WORLD HEADQUARTERS 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, 18TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10080 Attention: SWAP GROUP Facsimile No.: 917-778-0836 Telephone No.: 212 449-2467 (For all purposes) Additionally, a copy of all notices pursuant to Sections 5, 6, and 7 as well as any changes to counterparty's address, telephone number or facsimile number should be sent to: GMI COUNSEL MERRILL LYNCH WORLD HEADQUARTERS 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, 12TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10080 ATTENTION: SWAPS LEGAL FACSIMILE NO.: 212 449-6993 Address for notices or communications to PARTY B:- Address: General Cable Corporation 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Facsimile No.: (859) 572-8440 Telephone No.: (859) 572-8000 (For all purposes) (b) PROCESS AGENT. For the purpose of Section 13(c):- Party A appoints as its Process Agent: Not Applicable. Party B appoints as its Process Agent: Not Applicable. (c) OFFICES. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement. (d) MULTIBRANCH PARTY. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement: Party A is not a Multibranch Party. Party B is not a Multibranch Party. 9 (e) CALCULATION AGENT. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless either Party A is in default hereunder, in which event Party B shall select the Calculation Agent with the consent of Party A (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), or a different Calculation Agent is otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to the relevant Transaction. (f) CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT. Details of any Credit Support Document:- Party A: Guarantee of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Party B: The Continuing Unconditional Guarantee of General Cable Industries, Inc., the Credit Agreement (as defined in Part 1 hereof) and the Security Agreement (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and the Credit Support Annex which supplements, forms part of, and is subject to this Agreement. (g) CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER. Credit Support Provider means in relation to Party A, ML & Co. Credit Support Provider means in relation to Party B, General Cable Industries, Inc. (h) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to choice of law doctrine. (i) NETTING OF PAYMENTS. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement will not apply. (j) "AFFILIATE" will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement. 10 PART 5 OTHER PROVISIONS (1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word "respect" and before the period: "or, in the case of financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party". (2) ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS. For purposes of Section 3, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereto: (g) It is an "eligible contract participant" within the meaning of the United States Commodity Exchange Act. (h) It has entered into this Agreement (including each Transaction evidenced hereby) in conjunction with its line of business (including financial intermediation services) or the financing of its business, and, with respect to Party B, for the purpose of hedging its interest rate exposure. (i) It is entering into this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction and any other documentation relating to this Agreement or any Transaction as principal (and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise). In addition, the parties each represent (which representations will be deemed to be repeated on each date on which a Transaction is entered into) that: (j) NON-RELIANCE. Each party represents to the other party (which representation will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into or amended, extended or otherwise modified) that it is acting for its own account, and has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and any Transaction hereunder and as to whether this Agreement and any Transaction hereunder is appropriate or proper for it based on its own judgment and upon advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into this Agreement or any Transaction hereunder, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any Transaction hereunder shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Agreement or any Transaction hereunder. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of any Transaction hereunder. (3) TRANSFER. To the extent the following does not violate the terms of the Credit Agreement, and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7, Party A may assign its rights and delegate its obligations under any Transaction, in whole or in part, to any Affiliate (an "Assignee") of ML & Co., effective (the "Effective Date") upon delivery to Party B of both (a) an executed acceptance and assumption by the Assignee of the transferred obligations of Party A under the Transaction(s) (the "Transferred Obligations"); and (b) an executed guarantee of ML & Co., of the Transferred Obligations, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. On the Effective Date, (a) Party A shall be released from all obligations and liabilities arising under the Transferred Obligations; and (b) the Transferred Obligations shall cease to be Transaction(s) under this Agreement and shall be deemed to be Transaction(s) under the master agreement between Assignee and Party B, provided that, if at such time Assignee and Party B have not 11 entered into a master agreement, Assignee and Party B shall be deemed to have entered into an ISDA form of Master Agreement (Multicurrency-Cross Border) without any Schedule attached thereto. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7, Party A hereby agrees to not unreasonably withhold the right of Party B to assign it's rights and delegate it's obligations under any Transaction, in whole or in part to a banking counterparty which Party A has sufficient credit availability for such transaction. (4) METHOD OF NOTICE. Section 12(a)(ii) of the Master Agreement is deleted in its entirety. (5) JURISDICTION. Party B hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment. Party A and Party B agree that a final judgment is 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. (6) SET-OFF. (a) Without affecting the provisions of this Agreement requiring the calculation of certain net payment amounts, and to the extent the following does not violate the terms of the Credit Agreement, all payments under this Agreement will be made without setoff or counterclaim; provided, however, that in addition to any rights of setoff a party may have as a matter of law or otherwise, upon the designation or deemed designation of an Early Termination Date, the non-Defaulting Party or non-Affected party (in either case, "X") may without prior notice set off any sum or obligation (whether or not arising under this Agreement, whether or not matured, whether or not contingent and regardless of the currency, place of payment or booking office of the obligation) owed or due by the Defaulting Party or Affected Party (in either case, "Y") to X against any sum or obligation (whether or not arising under this Agreement, whether or not matured, whether or not contingent and regardless of the currency, place of payment or booking office of the obligation) owed or due by X or any Affiliate of X to Y. X will promptly provide a detailed accounting of such Set-off amounts and calculations. (b) For the purposes of cross-currency set-off, X may convert into the currency in which the other is denominated at the rate of exchange at which such party would be able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith, to purchase the relevant amount of such currency. (c) If an obligation is unascertained, X may in good faith estimate that obligation and set off in respect of the estimate, subject to the relevant party accounting to the other when the obligation is ascertained. (7) ESCROW. If by reason of the time difference between the cities in which payments are to be made, it is not possible for simultaneous payments to be made on any date on which both parties are required to make payments hereunder, either party may, at its option and in its sole discretion, notify the other party that payments on that date are to be made in escrow. In this case, deposit of the payment due earlier on that date shall be made by 2:00 p.m. (local time at the place for the earlier payment) on that date with an escrow agent selected by the notifying party, accompanied by irrevocable payment instruction (i) to release the deposited payment to the intended recipient upon receipt by the escrow agent of the required deposit of the corresponding payment from the other party on the same date accompanied by irrevocable payment instructions to the same effect or (ii) if the required deposit of the corresponding payment is not made on that same date, to return the payment deposited to the party that paid it in escrow. The party that 12 elects to have payments made in escrow shall pay the costs of the escrow arrangements and shall cause those arrangements to provide that the intended recipient of the payment due to be deposited first shall be entitled to interest on that deposited payment for each day in the period of its deposit at the rate offered by the escrow agent for that day for overnight deposits in the relevant currency in the office where it holds that deposited payment (at 11:00 a.m. local time on that day) if that payment is not released by 5:00 p.m. local time on the date it is deposited for any reason, other than the intended recipient's failure to make the escrow deposit it is required to make hereunder in a timely fashion. (8) CONSENT TO RECORDING. The parties agree that each may electronically record all telephonic conversations between marketing and trading personnel in connection with this Agreement. (9) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury with respect to any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Transaction contemplated hereunder. (10) SINGLE TRANSACTION. Party A and Party B each agree and acknowledge that the only Transaction that is or will be governed by this Agreement is the Transaction evidenced by the Confirmation dated October 13, 2005. (11) REPRESENTATION OF PARTY A. Party A hereby represents that on the date of this Agreement it is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement). 13 EXHIBIT A GUARANTEE OF MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware ("ML & CO."), hereby unconditionally guarantees to General Cable Corporation (the "Company"), the due and punctual payment of any and all amounts payable by Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("MLCS"), its successors and permitted assigns, to the extent such successors or permitted assigns are direct or indirect subsidiaries of ML & Co., under the terms of the Master Agreement between the Company and MLCS, dated as of October 13, 2005 (the "Agreement"), including, in case of default, interest on any amount due, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on the scheduled payment dates, at maturity, upon declaration of termination or otherwise, according to the terms thereof. In case of the failure of MLCS punctually to make any such payment, ML & Co. hereby agrees to make such payment, or cause such payment to be made, promptly upon demand made by the Company to ML & Co.; provided, however that delay by the Company in giving such demand shall in no event affect ML & Co.'s obligations under this Guarantee. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect or shall be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time any payment guaranteed hereunder, in whole or in part, is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Company upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of MLCS or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. ML & Co. hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Agreement; the absence of any action to enforce the same; any waiver or consent by the Company concerning any provisions thereof; the rendering of any judgment against MLCS or any action to enforce the same; or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or a defense of a guarantor. ML & Co. covenants that this guarantee will not be discharged except by complete payment of the amounts payable under the Agreement. This Guarantee shall continue to be effective if MLCS merges or consolidates with or into another entity, loses its separate legal identity or ceases to exist. ML & Co. hereby waives diligence; presentment; protest; notice of protest, acceleration, and dishonor; filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of MLCS; all demands whatsoever, except as noted in the first paragraph hereof; and any right to require a proceeding first against MLCS. ML & Co. hereby certifies and warrants that this Guarantee constitutes the valid obligation of ML & Co. and complies with all applicable laws. This Guarantee shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. This Guarantee may be terminated at any time by notice by ML & Co. to the Company given in accordance with the notice provisions of the Agreement, effective upon receipt of such notice by the Company or such later date as may be specified in such notice; provided, however, that this Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any obligation of MLCS under the Agreement entered into prior to the effectiveness of such notice of termination. This Guarantee becomes effective concurrent with the effectiveness of the Agreement, according to its terms. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ML & Co. has caused this Guarantee to be executed in its corporate name by its duly authorized representative. MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- 14 (BILATERAL FORM) (ISDA AGREEMENTS SUBJECT TO NEW YORK LAW ONLY) EXHIBIT C ISDA(R) INTERNATIONAL SWAPS AND DERIVATIVES ASSOCIATION, INC. CREDIT SUPPORT ANNEX TO THE SCHEDULE TO THE ISDA MASTER AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 2005 BETWEEN MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL AND GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION SERVICES, INC. ("PARTY B") ("PARTY A") This Annex supplements, forms part of, and is subject to, the above-referenced Agreement, is part of its Schedule and is a Credit Support Document under this Agreement with respect to each party. Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:-- PARAGRAPH 1. INTERPRETATION (a) DEFINITIONS AND INCONSISTENCY. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein or elsewhere in this Agreement have the meanings specified pursuant to Paragraph 12, and all references in this Annex to Paragraphs are to Paragraphs of this Annex. In the event of any inconsistency between this Annex and the other provisions of this Schedule, this Annex will prevail, and in the event of any inconsistency between Paragraph 13 and the other provisions of this Annex, Paragraph 13 will prevail. (b) SECURED PARTY AND PLEDGOR. All references in this Annex to the "Secured Party" will be to either party when acting in that capacity and all corresponding references to the "Pledgor" will be to the other party when acting in that capacity; provided, however, that if Other Posted Support is held by a party to this Annex, all references herein to that party as the Secured Party with respect to that Other Posted Support will be to that party as the beneficiary thereof and will not subject that support or that party as the beneficiary thereof to provisions of law generally relating to security interests and secured parties. PARAGRAPH 2. SECURITY INTEREST Each party, as the Pledgor, hereby pledges to the other party, as the Secured Party, as security for its Obligations, and grants to the Secured Party a first priority continuing security interest in, lien on and right of Set-off against all Posted Collateral Transferred to or received by the Secured Party hereunder. Upon the Transfer by the Secured Party to the Pledgor of Posted Collateral, the security interest and lien granted hereunder on that Posted Collateral will be released immediately and, to the extent possible, without any further action by either party. COPYRIGHT (C) 1994 BY INTERNATIONAL SWAPS AND DERIVATIVES ASSOCIATION, INC. 15 PARAGRAPH 13. ELECTIONS AND VARIABLES (a) SECURITY INTEREST FOR "OBLIGATIONS". The term "OBLIGATIONS" as used in this Annex includes the following additional obligations: Not Applicable. (b) CREDIT SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS. (i) DELIVERY AMOUNT, RETURN AMOUNT AND CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT. (A) "DELIVERY AMOUNT" has the meaning specified in Paragraph 3(a). (B) "RETURN AMOUNT" has the meaning specified in Paragraph 3(b). (C) "CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT" means, for any Valuation Date (i) the Secured Party's Exposure for that Valuation Date plus (ii) the aggregate of all Independent Amounts applicable to the Pledgor, if any, minus (iii) the Pledgor's Threshold; provided, however, that (x) in the case where the sum of the Independent Amounts applicable to the Pledgor exceeds zero, the Credit Support Amount will not be less than the sum of all Independent Amounts applicable to the Pledgor and (y) in all other cases, the Credit Support Amount will be deemed to be zero whenever the calculation of Credit Support Amount yields an amount less than zero. (ii) ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL. The following items will qualify as "ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL":
VALUATION PERCENTAGE ---------- (A) Cash 100%
(iii) OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT. There shall be no "OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT" for either Party A or Party B. (iv) THRESHOLDS. (A) "INDEPENDENT AMOUNT" means, for Party B, with respect to each Transaction, zero (unless a different amount is specified in the Confirmation of that Transaction as that party's Independent Amount). (B) "THRESHOLD" means, with respect to Party B, Infinity, provided, that if an Event of Default or Specified Condition has occurred and is continuing with respect to Party B, the Threshold with respect to Party B shall be zero. (C) "MINIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNT" means, with respect to a party, USD 100,000; provided, that if an Event of Default or Specified Condition has occurred and is continuing with respect to Party B, the Minimum Transfer Amount with respect to Party B shall be zero. 16 (D) "ROUNDING". The Delivery Amount and the Return Amount will be rounded up or down respectively to the nearest integral multiple of USD 10,000. (c) VALUATION AND TIMING. (i) "VALUATION AGENT" means, for purposes of Paragraph 3 and 5, the party making the demand under Paragraph 3; for the purpose of Paragraph 4(d)(ii), the Secured Party receiving the Substitute Credit Support; and for purposes of Paragraph 6(d), the Secured Party receiving or deemed to receive the Distributions or the Interest Amount, as applicable. (ii) "VALUATION DATE" means each Local Business Day. (iii) "VALUATION TIME" means the close of business in the city of the Valuation Agent on the Local Business Day preceding the Valuation Date or date of calculation, as applicable; provided that the calculations of Value and Exposure will be made as of approximately the same time on the same date. (iv) "NOTIFICATION TIME" means 10:00 a.m., New York time, on a Local Business Day. (d) CONDITIONS PRECEDENT AND SECURED PARTY'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. For purposes of Paragraph 8(a), each Termination Event will constitute a Specified Condition with respect to Pledgor, if the Pledgor fails to pay when due any amount payable by it in connection with an Early Termination Date designated in connection with that Termination Event. For all other purposes of this Annex, each Termination Event specified below with respect to a party will be a "SPECIFIED CONDITION" for that party. Credit Event Upon Merger (with respect to General Cable Corporation) [X] Additional Termination Events (if any) [X] (e) SUBSTITUTION. (i) "SUBSTITUTION DATE" has the meaning specified in Paragraph 4(d)(ii). (ii) "CONSENT." The Pledgor may not substitute Eligible Credit Support pursuant to Paragraph 4(d) without consent from the Secured Party. (f) DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (i) "RESOLUTION TIME" means 1:00 p.m., New York time, on the first Local Business Day following the date on which notice of a dispute is given under Paragraph 5. (ii) "VALUE." For the purpose of Paragraph 5(i)(C) and 5(ii), the Value of Eligible Collateral other than Cash will be calculated as follows: Not Applicable. (iii) "ALTERNATIVE." Not Applicable. 17 (g) HOLDING AND USING POSTED COLLATERAL. (i) "ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD POSTED COLLATERAL; CUSTODIANS." As long as the conditions set forth in clause (A) below are satisfied, Party A shall be entitled to hold Posted Collateral pursuant to Paragraph 6(b). As long as the condition set forth in clause (B) below are satisfied, any Custodian for Party A shall be entitled to hold Posted Collateral pursuant to Paragraph 6(b). (A) Party A: (a) The long-term, unsecured, unsubordinated debt ratings of ML & Co. are at least BBB+ (in the case of S&P) and Baa1 (in the case of Moody's) and (b) Party A is not a Defaulting Party. (B) The Custodian: The Custodian is either: (a) a wholly owned, direct or indirect, Affiliate of ML & Co. or (b) a bank or trust company located in the State of New York having total assets of at least USD 10,000,000,000. Initially, the CUSTODIAN for Party A is: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (ii) "USE OF POSTED COLLATERAL." The provisions of Paragraph 6(c) will apply. (h) DISTRIBUTIONS AND INTEREST AMOUNT. (i) "INTEREST RATE." The Interest Rate will be the rate per annum equal to the overnight Federal Funds Rate (the "Fed Funds Rate") for each day cash is held by the Secured Party as reported in Federal Reserve Publication H.15-519. (ii) "TRANSFER OF INTEREST AMOUNT." The Transfer of the Interest Amount will be made on the last Local Business Day of each calendar month and on any Local Business Day that Posted Collateral in the form of Cash is Transferred to the Pledgor pursuant to Paragraph 3(b). (iii) "ALTERNATIVE TO INTEREST AMOUNT." Not Applicable. (i) ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATION(S). Not Applicable. (j) "OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT AND OTHER POSTED SUPPORT." (i) "VALUE" with respect to Other Eligible Support and Other Posted Support means: Not Applicable. (ii) "TRANSFER" with respect to Other Eligible Support and Other Posted Support means: Not Applicable. 18 (k) DEMANDS AND NOTICES. All demands, specifications and notices made by a party to this Annex will be made as follows: Party A: Merrill Lynch World Headquarters 4 World Financial Center, 18th Floor New York, New York 10080 Attention: Swap Group Facsimile No.: (917) 778-0836 Telephone No.: (212) 449-2467 Party B: General Cable Corporation 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Facsimile No.: (859) 572-8440 Telephone No.: (859) 572-8000 (l) ADDRESSES FOR TRANSFERS. Not Applicable. (m) OTHER PROVISIONS. (i) AGREEMENT AS TO SINGLE SECURED PARTY AND PLEDGOR. Party A and Party B agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the recital to this Annex, Paragraph 1(b) or Paragraph 2 or the definitions in Paragraph 12, (a) the term "Secured Party" as used in this Annex means only Party A, (b) the term "Pledgor" as used in this Annex means only Party B, (c) only Party B makes the pledge and grant in Paragraph 2, the acknowledgment in the final sentence of Paragraph 8(a) and the representations in Paragraph 9 and (d) only Party B will be required to make Transfers of Eligible Credit Support hereunder. Party A and Party B further agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the recital to this Annex or Paragraph 7, this Annex will constitute a Credit Support Document only with respect to Party B, and the Events of Default in Paragraph 7 will only apply to Party B. (ii) ADDITIONS TO PARAGRAPH 3. The following subparagraph (c) is hereby added to Paragraph 3 of this Annex: (c) NO OFFSET. On any Valuation Date, if either (i) each party is required to make a Transfer under Paragraph 3(a) or (ii) each party is required to make a Transfer under Paragraph 3(b), then the amounts of those obligations will not offset each other. (iii) POSTED COLLATERAL. The definition of Posted Collateral shall also include any and all accounts in which Cash Collateral is held. 19 CONTINUING UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY THIS CONTINUING UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY (this "GUARANTY") is made as of January 25, 2006 and is effective as of October 13, 2005 by GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("GUARANTOR"), to and for the benefit of MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("COUNTERPARTY"). WHEREAS, GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION ("PRIMARY OBLIGOR") and Counterparty have entered into that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 13, 2005 between Primary Obligor and Counterparty; that certain Schedule to such ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 13, 2005; a Confirmation with a trade date of October 13, 2005 (such ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule, Confirmation, and a Credit Support Annex (as defined in and subject to the provisions of the Schedule) together, as any of them may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, the "SWAP AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which Primary Obligor and Counterparty have entered into a certain foreign currency swap transaction, all more completely described in and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Swap Agreement and all of the other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates, reports and financing statements heretofore or hereafter executed or delivered in connection therewith (specifically including without limitation any Credit Support Annex), as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time (all of such agreements, etc., together with the Swap Agreement, collectively referred to herein as the "SWAP DOCUMENTS"); WHEREAS, Guarantor is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Primary Obligor and, pursuant to Counterparty's request, as an incident to the obligation of Counterparty to enter into the Swap Agreement with Primary Obligor, is required, and has agreed, to execute and deliver this Agreement of even date herewith; WHEREAS, Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that, as wholly-owned subsidiary of Primary Obligor, (a) it will benefit from the foreign currency swap transactions entered into by Primary Obligor and Counterparty pursuant to the Swap Agreement, (b) the undertakings and obligations of Counterparty in favor of Primary Obligor under the Swap Agreement constitute valuable consideration to Guarantor, (c) it was agreed by Primary Obligor and Counterparty at the time the Swap Agreement was entered into that, as an inducement to Counterparty to enter into the foreign currency swap transactions provided for therein, that Primary Obligor would cause Guarantor to provide a guaranty of the obligations and undertakings of Primary Obligor in favor of Counterparty under the Swap Agreement, and (d) Counterparty relied on such agreement entering into the Swap Agreement and the foreign currency swap transactions provided for thereunder. NOW, THEREFORE, for value received and in consideration of the entry by Counterparty into and of the undertakings and obligations of Counterparty in favor of Primary Obligor under the Swap Agreement the undersigned Guarantor unconditionally guaranties and agrees to stand surety for (i) the full and prompt payment when due, whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of early termination, acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of all 20 of the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of every kind and nature of Primary Obligor to Counterparty under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, joint or several, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, and howsoever owned, held or acquired by Counterparty (including without limitation any interest, fees or expenses accruing following the commencement of any insolvency, receivership, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding relating to Primary Obligor, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest, fees or expenses is allowed in such case or proceeding), and (ii) the prompt, full and faithful discharge by Primary Obligor of each and every term, condition, agreement, representation and warranty now or hereafter made by Primary Obligor to Counterparty under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents (all such indebtedness, liabilities and obligations being hereinafter referred to as the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR'S LIABILITIES"). Guarantor further agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' fees paid or incurred by Counterparty in endeavoring to collect all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities from, or in prosecuting any action against, Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities. All amounts payable by Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be payable upon demand by Counterparty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document and shall be made in lawful money of the United States, in immediately available funds. Notwithstanding any provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, it is intended that this Guaranty, and any liens and security interests granted by Guarantor to secure this Guaranty, not constitute a "Fraudulent Conveyance" (as defined below). Consequently, Guarantor agrees that if the Guaranty, or any liens or security interests securing this Guaranty, would, but for the application of this sentence, constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, this Guaranty and each such lien and security interest shall be valid and enforceable only to the maximum extent that would not cause this Guaranty or such lien or security interest to constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, and this Guaranty shall automatically be deemed to have been amended accordingly at all relevant times. For purposes hereof, "FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE" means a fraudulent conveyance under Section 548 of the "Bankruptcy Code" (as hereinafter defined) or a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under the provisions of any applicable fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer law or similar law of any state, nation or other governmental unit, as in effect from time to time. Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations under this Guaranty shall be unconditional, irrespective of (i) the validity or enforceability of Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof, or of any Swap Document, promissory note or other document evidencing all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, (ii) the absence of any attempt to collect Primary Obligor's Liabilities from Primary Obligor or any other guarantor or other action to enforce the same, (iii) the waiver or consent by Counterparty with respect to any provision of any instrument evidencing Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or any part thereof, or any other agreement heretofore, now or hereafter executed by Primary Obligor and delivered to Counterparty, (iv) the institution of any proceeding under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), as amended (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), or any similar proceeding, by or against Primary Obligor, or Counterparty's election in any such proceeding of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, (v) any borrowing or grant of a security interest by Primary Obligor as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, (vi) the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of Counterparty's 21 claim(s) for repayment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or (vii) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of receivership or bankruptcy of Primary Obligor, protest or notice with respect to Primary Obligor's Liabilities and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guaranty will not be discharged, except by complete performance of the obligations and liabilities contained herein. Upon any default by Primary Obligor as provided in the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document, Counterparty may, at its sole election, proceed directly and at once, without notice, against Guarantor to collect and recover the full amount or any portion of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, without first proceeding against Primary Obligor, or any other person, firm, or corporation, or against any security or collateral for Primary Obligor's Liabilities. Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection. Counterparty is hereby authorized, without notice or demand and without affecting the liability of Guarantor hereunder, to at any time and from time to time (i) renew, extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment of, or other terms relating to, Primary Obligor's Liabilities or otherwise modify, amend or change the terms of the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document now or hereafter executed by Primary Obligor and delivered to Counterparty; (ii) accept partial payments on Primary Obligor's Liabilities; (iii) take and hold security or collateral for the payment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities guaranteed hereby, or for the payment of this Guaranty, or for the payment of any other guaranties of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, and exchange, waive and release any such security or collateral; (iv) apply such security or collateral and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as in its sole discretion it may determine; and (v) settle, release, compromise, collect or otherwise liquidate Primary Obligor's Liabilities and any security or collateral therefor in any manner, without affecting or impairing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder. Counterparty shall have the exclusive right to determine the time and manner of application of any payments or credits, whether received from Primary Obligor or any other source, and such determination shall be binding on Guarantor. All such payments and credits may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to any of Primary Obligor's Liabilities as Counterparty shall determine in its sole discretion without affecting the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty. Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of Primary Obligor, and any and all endorsers and/or other guarantor of any instrument or document evidencing all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof that diligent inquiry would reveal and Guarantor hereby agrees that Counterparty shall have no duty to advise Guarantor of information known to Counterparty regarding such condition or any such circumstances or to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine. If Counterparty, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to Guarantor, Counterparty shall be under no obligation to update any such information or to provide any such information to Guarantor on any subsequent occasion. Guarantor consents and agrees that Counterparty shall be under no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of Guarantor or against or in payment of any or all of Primary 22 Obligor's Liabilities. Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent that Primary Obligor makes a payment or payments to Counterparty, or Counterparty receives any proceeds of collateral, which payment or payments or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to Primary Obligor, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other party, including, without limitation, Guarantor under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable theory, then to the extent of such payment or repayment, Primary Obligor's Liabilities or the part thereof which has been paid, reduced or satisfied by such amount, and Guarantor's obligations hereunder with respect to such portion of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, shall be reinstated and continued in full force and effect as of the date such initial payment, reduction or satisfaction occurred. Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of Guarantor against Primary Obligor, any endorser or any other guarantor of all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or against any of Primary Obligor's properties, whether arising by reason of any payment by Guarantor to Counterparty pursuant to the provisions hereof, or otherwise, shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment, in full, of all of Primary Obligor's Liabilities. Counterparty may, without notice to anyone, sell or assign Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof, or grant participations therein, and in any such event each and every immediate or remote assignee or holder of, or participant in, all or any of Primary Obligor's Liabilities shall have the right to enforce this Guaranty, by suit or otherwise for the benefit of such assignee, holder, or participant, as fully as if herein by name specifically given such right, but Counterparty shall have an unimpaired right, prior and superior to that of any such assignee, holder or participant, to enforce this Guaranty for the benefit of Counterparty, as to any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities retained by Counterparty. This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and upon the successors (including without limitation, any receiver, trustee or debtor in possession of or for Guarantor) of Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of Counterparty and its successors and assigns; provided, however, that Guarantor's obligations hereunder may not be delegated or assigned without Counterparty's prior written consent. If there is more than one signatory hereto, all references to Guarantor herein shall include each and every Guarantor and each and every obligation of Guarantor hereunder shall be the joint and several obligation of each Guarantor. Guarantor (and each of them, if there be more than one) represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery hereof) to Counterparty that: (A) It has the legal capacity and corporate authority to execute, deliver and perform this Guaranty, and the transactions contemplated hereby; (B) No consent of any person (including, without limitation, creditors of Guarantor), and no consent, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby; 23 (C) This Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally; and (D) The execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty will not violate the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Guarantor or any requirement of law applicable to or material contractual obligation of Guarantor. This Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect until such time as all of Primary Obligor's Liabilities have been paid in full and discharged, and the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents have been terminated. Wherever possible each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty. THIS GUARANTY AND ALL MATTERS RELATING HERETO AND ARISING HEREFROM (WHETHER ARISING UNDER CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREOF, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO COUNTERPARTY'S ELECTION, ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, UNLESS NONE OF SUCH COURTS HAS LAWFUL JURISDICTION OVER SUCH PROCEEDINGS. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH OF THE GUARANTOR AND THE COUNTERPARTY IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR THE OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR HEREUNDER. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER AND METHODS SET FORTH BELOW FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES UNDER THIS GUARANTY. 24 EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THE WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS GUARANTY AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE WAIVER IN THEIR RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Any notices to be given by one party to the other under this Guaranty shall be given by the notifying party by hand delivery or nationally recognized overnight courier delivered to the notice address for the party to whom notice is being given set forth on the signature page hereto (or such other notice address as such party to whom notice is being given may have given notice of to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph after the date hereof). Any such notice shall be effective and deemed to have been given when delivered to such address of the party to whom notice is being given. This Guaranty represents the entire understanding and agreement between Guarantor, on the one hand, and Counterparty, on the other hand, with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and there are no other existing agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between or among such parties as to such subject matter. All rights and remedies hereunder and under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents are cumulative and not alternative, and Counterparty may proceed in any order from time to time against Primary Obligor, the Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Primary Obligor's Liabilities and/or the obligations or liabilities of any of them under any Swap Document and their respective assets. Counterparty shall not have any obligation to proceed at any time or in any manner against, or exhaust any or all of Counterparty's rights against, Primary Obligor, or the Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Primary Obligor's Liabilities prior to proceeding against Guarantor hereunder. No failure or delay on the part of Counterparty in the exercise of any power, right or privilege shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty, or consent to any departure by Guarantor therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Counterparty and Guarantor. Each amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank] 25 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed by the undersigned Guarantor as of this 25 day of January, 2006, and is effective as of October 13, 2005. GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC. By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: Address for Notices: 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, KY 41076 Accepted: MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL SERVICES, INC. By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: Address for Notices: Merrill Lynch World Headquarters 4 World Financial Center, 18th Floor New York, NY 10080 Attention: Swap Group Fax No.: 646-805-0218 Tel. No.: 212-449-7403 [Signature Page to Guaranty Re October 2005 Foreign Currency Swap with General Cable Corporation] 26
EX-10.74 5 l18783aexv10w74.txt EXHIBIT 10.74 EXHIBIT 10.74 (MULTICURRENCY--CROSS BORDER) ISDA(R) International Swap Dealers Association. Inc. MASTER AGREEMENT dated as of OCTOBER 13, 2005 BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a "Transaction") that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the "Schedule"), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a "Confirmation") exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions. Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:-- 1. INTERPRETATION (a) DEFINITIONS. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement. (b) INCONSISTENCY. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction. (c) SINGLE AGREEMENT. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this "Agreement"), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions. 2. OBLIGATIONS (a) GENERAL CONDITIONS. (i) Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement. (ii) Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement. (iii) Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement. Copyright (C)1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. (b) CHANGE OF ACCOUNT. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change. (c) NETTING. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:-- (i) in the same currency; and (ii) in respect of the same Transaction, by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party's obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount. The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries. (d) DEDUCTION OR WITHHOLDING FOR TAX. (i) GROSS-UP. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party ("X") will:-- (1) promptly notify the other party ("Y") of such requirement; (2) pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y; (3) promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and (4) if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:-- (A) the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or (B) the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law. ISDA (R) 1992 2 (ii) LIABILITY. If:-- (1) X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4); (2) X does not so deduct or withhold; and (3) a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X, then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)). (e) DEFAULT INTEREST; OTHER AMOUNTS. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement. 3. REPRESENTATIONS Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:-- (a) BASIC REPRESENTATIONS. (i) STATUS. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing; (ii) POWERS. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance; (iii) NO VIOLATION OR CONFLICT. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets; (iv) CONSENTS. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and (v) OBLIGATIONS BINDING. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)). ISDA (R) 1992 3 (b) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party. (c) ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document. (d) ACCURACY OF SPECIFIED INFORMATION. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect. (e) PAYER TAX REPRESENTATION. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true. (f) PAYEE TAX REPRESENTATIONS. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true. 4. AGREEMENTS Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:-- (a) FURNISH SPECIFIED INFORMATION. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:-- (i) any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; (ii) any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and (iii) upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification, in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable. (b) MAINTAIN AUTHORISATIONS. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future. (c) COMPLY WITH LAWS. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party. (d) TAX AGREEMENT. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure. (e) PAYMENT OF STAMP TAX. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, ISDA (R) 1992 4 organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located ("Stamp Tax Jurisdiction") and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party's execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party. 5. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND TERMINATION EVENTS (a) EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an "Event of Default") with respect to such party:-- (i) FAILURE TO PAY OR DELIVER. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party; (ii) BREACH OF AGREEMENT. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party; (iii) CREDIT SUPPORT DEFAULT. (1) Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed; (2) the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or (3) the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document; (iv) MISREPRESENTATION. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated; (V) DEFAULT UNDER SPECIFIED TRANSACTION. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf); (vi) CROSS DEFAULT. If "Cross Default" is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however ISDA (R) 1992 5 described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period); (vii) BANKRUPTCY. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:-- (1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors' rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or (viii) MERGER WITHOUT ASSUMPTION. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:-- (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or (2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement. (b) TERMINATION EVENTS. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event ISDA (R) 1992 6 Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:-- (i) ILLEGALITY. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):-- (1) to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or (2) to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction; (ii) TAX EVENT. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)); (iii) TAX EVENT UPON MERGER. The party (the "Burdened Party") on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii); (iv) CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER. If "Credit Event Upon Merger" is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party ("X"), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or (v) ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT. If any "Additional Termination Event" is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation). (c) EVENT OF DEFAULT AND ILLEGALITY. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default. ISDA (R) 1992 7 6. EARLY TERMINATION (a) RIGHT TO TERMINATE FOLLOWING EVENT OF DEFAULT. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the "Defaulting Party") has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the "Non-defaulting Party") may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, "Automatic Early Termination" is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(l), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8). (b) RIGHT TO TERMINATE FOLLOWING TERMINATION EVENT. (i) NOTICE. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require. (ii) TRANSFER TO AVOID TERMINATION EVENT. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(l) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist. If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after notice is given under Section 6(b)(i). Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party's policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed. (iii) TWO AFFECTED PARTIES. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event. (iv) RIGHT TO TERMINATE. If:-- (1) a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or (2) an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party, either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then ISDA (R) 1992 8 continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions. (c) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION. (i) If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing. (ii) Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e). (d) CALCULATIONS. (i) STATEMENT. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation. (ii) PAYMENT DATE. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. (e) PAYMENTS ON EARLY TERMINATION. If an Early Termination Date occurs. the following provisions shall apply based on the parties' election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either "Market Quotation" or "Loss", and a payment method, either the "First Method" or the "Second Method". If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that "Market Quotation" or the "Second Method", as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off. (i) EVENTS OF DEFAULT. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:-- (1) First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. (2) First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party's Loss in respect of this Agreement. (3) Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the ISDA (R) 1992 9 Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party. (4) Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party's Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party. (ii) TERMINATION EVENTS. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:-- (1) One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions. (2) Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:-- (A) if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount ("X") and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount ("Y") and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and (B) if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss ("X") and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss ("Y"). If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y. (iii) ADJUSTMENT FOR BANKRUPTCY. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because "Automatic Early Termination" applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii). (iv) PRE-ESTIMATE. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses. ISDA (R) 1992 10 7. TRANSFER Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:-- (a) a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and (b) a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e). Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void. 8. CONTRACTUAL CURRENCY (a) PAYMENT IN THE CONTRACTUAL CURRENCY. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the "Contractual Currency"). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into this Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess. (b) JUDGMENTS. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term "rate of exchange" includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency. (c) SEPARATE INDEMNITIES. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement. (d) EVIDENCE OF LOSS. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made. ISDA (R) 1992 11 9. MISCELLANEOUS (a) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto. (b) AMENDMENTS. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system. (c) SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction. (d) REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law. (e) COUNTERPARTS AND CONFIRMATIONS. (i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original. (ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation. (f) NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. (g) HEADINGS. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement. 10. OFFICES; MULTIBRANCH PARTIES (a) If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into. (b) Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party. (c) If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation. 11. EXPENSES A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document ISDA (R) 1992 12 to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection. 12. NOTICES (a) EFFECTIVENESS. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:-- (i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered; (ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient's answerback is received; (iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender's facsimile machine); (iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or (v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received, unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day. (b) CHANGE OF ADDRESSES. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it. 13. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION (a) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule. (b) JURISDICTION. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement ("Proceedings"), each party irrevocably:-- (i) submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and (ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party. Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction. (c) SERVICE OF PROCESS. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any ISDA (R) 1992 13 reason any party's Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. (d) WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings. 14. DEFINITIONS As used in this Agreement:-- "ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "AFFECTED PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "AFFECTED TRANSACTIONS" means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions. "AFFILIATE" means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, "control" of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person. "APPLICABLE RATE" means:-- (a) in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate; (b) in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate; (c) in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and (d) in all other cases, the Termination Rate. "BURDENED PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "CHANGE IN TAX LAW" means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into. "CONSENT" includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent. "CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT" means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement. "CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER" has the meaning specified in the Schedule. "DEFAULT RATE" means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum. ISDA (R) 1992 14 "DEFAULTING PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a). "EARLY TERMINATION DATE" means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv). "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule. "ILLEGALITY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "INDEMNIFIABLE TAX" means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document). "LAW" includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and "LAWFUL" and "UNLAWFUL" will be construed accordingly. "LOCAL BUSINESS DAY" means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction. "LOSS" means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party's legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets. "MARKET QUOTATION" means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the "Replacement Transaction") that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have ISDA (R) 1992 15 been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined. "NON-DEFAULT RATE" means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount. "NON-DEFAULTING PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a). "OFFICE" means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party's head or home office. "POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT" means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default. "REFERENCE MARKET-MAKERS" means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city. "RELEVANT JURISDICTION" means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made. "SCHEDULED PAYMENT DATE" means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction. "SET-OFF" means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer. "SETTLEMENT AMOUNT" means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:-- (a) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and (b) such party's Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result. "SPECIFIED ENTITY" has the meaning specified in the Schedule. ISDA (R) 1992 16 "SPECIFIED INDEBTEDNESS" means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money. "SPECIFIED TRANSACTION" means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation. "STAMP TAX" means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax. "TAX" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax. "TAX EVENT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "TAX EVENT UPON MERGER" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). "TERMINATED TRANSACTIONS" means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if "Automatic Early Termination" applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date). "TERMINATION CURRENCY" has the meaning specified in the Schedule. "TERMINATION CURRENCY EQUIVALENT" means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the "Other Currency"), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties. "TERMINATION EVENT" means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event. "TERMINATION RATE" means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts. "UNPAID AMOUNTS" owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market ISDA (R) 1992 17 value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document. GENERAL CABLE BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. CORPORATION - ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- (Name of Party) (Name of Party) By: /s/ Timothy P. Munn By: /s/ Robert J. Siverd --------------------------------- ------------------------------ Name: Timothy P. Munn Name: Robert J. Siverd Title: Vice President Title: Exec. V.P., General Counsel and Secretary Date: February 2, 2006 Date: February 2, 2006 ISDA (R) 1992 18 (MULTICURRENCY--CROSS BORDER) ISDA(R) International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. SCHEDULE TO THE MASTER AGREEMENT dated as of October 13, 2005 between BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ("Party A") and GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION ("Party B") PART 1: TERMINATION PROVISIONS (a) "SPECIFIED ENTITY" means in relation to Party A for the purpose of Sections 5(a)(v), 5(a)(vi), 5(a)(vii) and 5(b)(iv): None; "SPECIFIED ENTITY" means in relation to Party B for the purpose of Sections 5(a)(v), 5(a)(vi), 5(a)(vii) and 5(b)(iv): None. (b) "SPECIFIED TRANSACTION" will have the meaning specified in Section 14. (c) The "CROSS-DEFAULT" provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) (as amended in Part 5(i)) will apply to Party A and will apply to Party B. In connection therewith, "SPECIFIED INDEBTEDNESS" will not have the meaning specified in Section 14, and such definition shall be replaced by the following: "any obligation in respect of the payment of moneys (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise), except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party's banking business." ISDA (R) 1992 19 56 "THRESHOLD AMOUNT" means with respect to Party A an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the Shareholders' Equity of Bank of America Corporation and with respect to Party B, $100,000. With respect to Party B, any default (howsoever defined) under the Credit Agreement shall be an Event of Default under this Agreement. "CREDIT AGREEMENT" means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 22, 2004 among General Cable Industries, Inc., as Borrower; General Cable Corporation and the other Guarantors party thereto; as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto; Merrill Lynch Capital, as Collateral Agent and Syndication Agent; Fleet Capital Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation and GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents; Merrill Lynch Capital, and UBS Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers; UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Issuing Bank and Administrative Agent and UBS Loan Finance LLC, as Swingline Lender (as amended, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time including without limitation, the Limited Consent with respect to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 12, 2005 among General Cable Industries Inc., Party B and the other parties named therein ("Limited Consent") and as further amended and restated by the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 23, 2005 among General Cable Industries, Inc., General Cable Corporation and the other parties named therein ("2005 Agreement"). "SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY" means with respect to an entity, at any time, the sum (as shown in the most recent annual audited financial statements of such entity) of (i) its capital stock (including preferred stock) outstanding, taken at par value, (ii) its capital surplus and (iii) its retained earnings, minus (iv) treasury stock, each to be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (d) The "CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER" provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A will apply to Party B. (e) The "AUTOMATIC EARLY TERMINATION" provision of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A will not apply to Party B. (f) PAYMENTS ON EARLY TERMINATION. For the purpose of Section 6(e):- (i) Market Quotation will apply. (ii) The Second Method will apply. (g) "TERMINATION CURRENCY" means United States Dollars. (h) ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT will apply. It shall be an Additional Termination Event hereunder, with respect to which Party B shall be the sole Affected Party, if, upon the termination of all Revolving Commitments the repayment of all outstanding Loans (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) and the release of all lines securing the same (collectively, "Release"), this Agreement is in effect, the Parties hereto, at Party A's option and written notice thereof to Party B, fails, within five (5) business days of the Release, to execute and deliver a Credit Support Annex in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and post collateral to Part A pursuant to the terms of the Credit Support Annex. ISDA (R) 1992 20 PART 2: TAX REPRESENTATIONS (a) PAYER TAX REPRESENTATIONS. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, Party A and Party B will make the following representation:- It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (x) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (y) the satisfaction of the agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (z) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (y) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position. (b) PAYEE TAX REPRESENTATIONS. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party A and Party B will make the following representations specified below, if any:- (i) The following representations will apply to Party A: Party A is a national banking association created or organized under the laws of the United States of America and the federal taxpayer identification number is 94-1687665. (ii) The following representations will apply to Party B: Party B is a corporation created or organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and the federal taxpayer identification number is 06-1398235. PART 3: AGREEMENT TO DELIVER DOCUMENTS For the purpose of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents: ISDA (R) 1992 21
PARTY REQUIRED TO DATE BY COVERED BY SECTION DELIVER DOCUMENT FORM/DOCUMENT/CERTIFICATE WHICH TO BE DELIVERED 3(d) REPRESENTATION - ----------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- ------------------- Party A Annual Report of Bank of America Corporation To be made available on Yes containing audited, consolidated financial www.bankofamerica.com/investor/ as soon statements certified by independent certified as available and in any event within 90 public accountants and prepared in accordance days after the end of each fiscal year with generally accepted accounting principles of Party A in the country in which such party is organized Party B Annual Report of Party B and of any Credit Upon request Yes Support Provider thereof containing audited, consolidated financial statements certified by independent certified public accountants and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which such party and such Credit Support Provider is organized Party A Quarterly Financial Statements of Bank of To be made available on Yes America Corporation containing unaudited, www.bankofamerica.com/investor/ consolidated financial statements of such as soon as available and in any event party's fiscal quarter prepared in accordance within 30 days after the end of each with generally accepted accounting principles in fiscal quarter of Party A the country in which such party is organized Party B Quarterly Financial Statements of Party B and Upon request Yes any Credit Support Provider thereof containing unaudited, consolidated financial statements of such party's fiscal quarter prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which such party and such Credit Support Provider is organized
ISDA (R) 1992 22
PARTY REQUIRED TO DATE BY COVERED BY SECTION DELIVER DOCUMENT FORM/DOCUMENT/CERTIFICATE WHICH TO BE DELIVERED 3(D) REPRESENTATION - ----------------- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- ------------------- Party A and Certified copies of all corporate or partnership Upon execution and delivery of this Yes Party B authorizations, as the case may be, and any Agreement other documents with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and any Credit Support Document Party A and Certificate of authority and specimen signatures Upon execution and delivery of this Yes Party B of individuals executing this Agreement and any Agreement and thereafter upon request of Credit Support Document the other party
PART 4: MISCELLANEOUS (a) ADDRESS FOR NOTICES. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:- Address for notice or communications to Party A: Bank of America, N.A. Sears Tower 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2800 Chicago, IL 60606 Attention: Swap Operations Telephone No.: 312-234-2732 Facsimile No.: 312-234-3603 with a copy to: Bank of America, N.A. 100 Federal Street, MA5-100-12-04 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Attention: Capital Markets Documentation Facsimile No.: 617-434-3085 Address for notice or communications to Party B: General Cable Industries, Inc. 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076 Attention: Chris Virgulak, CFO Telephone No.: 958-572-8877 Facsimile No.:859-572-8440 (b) PROCESS AGENT. For the purpose of Section 13(c): ISDA (R) 1992 23 Party A appoints as its Process Agent: Not applicable. Party B appoints as its Process Agent: Not applicable. (b) OFFICES. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement. (d) MULTIBRANCH PARTY. For the purpose of Section 10 of this Agreement:- Party A is a Multibranch Party and may act through its Charlotte, North Carolina, Chicago, Illinois, San Francisco, California, New York, New York, Boston, Massachusetts or London, England Office, or such other Office as may be agreed to by the parties in connection with a Transaction. Party B is not a Multibranch Party. (e) CALCULATION AGENT. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless Party A is in default hereunder, in which event Party B shall select the calculation Agent with the consent of Party A (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). (f) CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT. Details of any Credit Support Document:- Each of the following, as amended, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, is a "Credit Support Document": (i) In relation to Party A: Not applicable. (ii) In relation to Party B: (1) The Credit Agreement as defined in Part 1 of this Schedule, (2) the Security Agreement as defined in the Credit Agreement and (3) The Continuing Unconditional Guaranty, dated as of February 2, 2006 by and between General Cable Industries, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A. Party B agrees that the security interests in collateral granted to Party A under the foregoing Credit Support Documents shall secure the obligations of Party B to Party A under this Agreement to the extent set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement. (g) CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER. Credit Support Provider means in relation to Party A: Not applicable. Credit Support Provider means in relation to Party B: General Cable Industries, Inc. (h) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without reference to its conflict of laws doctrine. (i) NETTING OF PAYMENTS. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) shall not apply to any Transactions; provided, however, if the parties otherwise so agree, then subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) shall apply. (j) "AFFILIATE" will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement. ISDA (R) 1992 24 PART 5: OTHER PROVISIONS (a) SET-OFF. Any amount (the "Early Termination Amount") payable to one party (the Payee) by the other party (the Payer) under Section 6(e), in circumstances where there is a Defaulting Party or one Affected Party in the case where a Termination Event under Section 5(b)(iv) or (v) has occurred, will, at the option of the party ("X") other than the Defaulting Party or the Affected Party (and without prior notice to the Defaulting Party or the Affected Party), be reduced by its set-off against any amount(s) (the "Other Agreement Amount") payable (whether at such time or in the future or upon the occurrence of a contingency) by the Payee to the Payer (irrespective of the currency, place of payment or booking office of the obligation) under any other agreement(s) between the Payee and the Payer or instrument(s) or undertaking(s) issued or executed by one party to, or in favor of, the other party (and the Other Agreement Amount will be discharged promptly and in all respects to the extent it is so set-off). X will give notice to the other party of any set-off effected under this Part 5(a). For this purpose, either the Early Termination Amount or the Other Agreement Amount (or the relevant portion of such amounts) may be converted by X into the currency in which the other is denominated at the rate of exchange at which such party would be able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith, to purchase the relevant amount of such currency. If an obligation is unascertained, X may in good faith estimate that obligation and set-off in respect of the estimate, subject to the relevant party accounting to the other when the obligation is ascertained. Nothing in this Part 5(a) shall be effective to create a charge or other security interest. This Part 5(a) shall be without prejudice and in addition to any right of set-off, combination of accounts, lien or other right to which any party is at any time otherwise entitled (whether by operation of law, contract or otherwise). (b) DELIVERY OF CONFIRMATIONS. For each Transaction entered into hereunder, Party A shall promptly send to Party B a Confirmation via facsimile transmission. Party B agrees to respond to such Confirmation within two (2) Local Business Days, either confirming agreement thereto or requesting a correction of any error(s) contained therein. Failure by Party A to send a Confirmation or of Party B to respond within such period shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such Transaction. Absent manifest error, there shall be a presumption that the terms contained in such Confirmation are the terms of the Transaction. (c) RECORDING OF CONVERSATIONS. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees to the tape recording of conversations between trading and marketing personnel of the parties to this Agreement whether by one or other or both of the parties or their agents, and that any such tape recordings may be submitted in evidence in any proceedings relating to the Agreement. (d) FURNISHING SPECIFIED INFORMATION. Section 4(a)(iii) is hereby amended by inserting "promptly upon the earlier of (i)" in lieu of the word "upon" at the beginning thereof and inserting "or (ii) such party learning that the form or document is required" before the word "any" on the first line thereof. (e) NOTICE BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION. Section 12(a) is hereby amended by deleting the parenthetical "(except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system)". ISDA (R) 1992 25 (f) Section 3(a) of this Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (iv); (ii) deleting the period at the end of clause (v) and inserting therein "; and " ; and (iii) by inserting the following additional representation: "(vi) ELIGIBLE CONTRACT PARTICIPANT. Each party represents to the other party (which representation will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into) that it is an "eligible contract participant" as defined in Section 1a(12) of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 1a(12)." (g) Section 3 is revised so as to add the following Section (g) at the end thereof: "(g) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTIES. Each party represents to the other party and will be deemed to represent to the other party on the date on which it enters into a Transaction that (absent a written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for that Transaction):- (i) NON-RELIANCE. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into that Transaction and as to whether that Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into that Transaction; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of a Transaction shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into that Transaction. Further, such party has not received from the other party any assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of that Transaction. (ii) EVALUATION AND UNDERSTANDING. It is capable of evaluating and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of that Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the financial and other risks of that Transaction. (iii) STATUS OF PARTIES. The other party is not acting as an agent, fiduciary or advisor for it in respect of that Transaction." (h) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. (i) CROSS DEFAULT. Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement is hereby amended adding the following after the semicolon at the end thereof: "provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to any provision to the contrary contained in any such agreement or instrument), an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above if the default, event of default or other similar condition or event referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is caused not (even in part) by the unavailability of funds but is caused solely due to a technical or administrative error which has been remedied within three Local Business Days after notice of such failure is given to the party." (j) USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE. Party A hereby notifies Party B that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies ISDA (R) 1992 26 Party B, which information includes the name and address of Party B and other information that will allow Party A to identify Party B in accordance with the Act. (k) TERMINATION OF PRIOR ISDA AGREEMENT. The parties agree that upon the execution of this Agreement, the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of December 4, 2001 between the parties hereto shall be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect. (l) REPRESENTATIONS OF PARTY A. (i) Party A hereby represents that at the time this Agreement was entered into and on the date hereof, it (or any predecessor by merger, including Fleet Capital Corporation) was and is now a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement; and (ii) Party A further represents that it has accepted the executed and delivered the Continuing Unconditional Guaranty, dated February 2, 2006. PART 6: ADDITIONAL TERMS FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPTION TRANSACTIONS (a) INCORPORATION OF DEFINITIONS. The 1998 FX and Currency Option Definitions (the "Definitions"), published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., the Emerging Markets Traders Association and the Foreign Exchange Committee, are hereby incorporated by reference with respect to FX Transactions (as defined in the Definitions) and Currency Option Transactions (as defined in the Definitions). Terms defined in the Definitions shall have the same meanings in this Part 6. (b) SCOPE. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, each FX Transaction and Currency Option Transaction entered into between the parties before, on or after the date of this Agreement shall be a Transaction under this Agreement and shall be part of, subject to and governed by this Agreement. FX Transactions and Currency Option Transactions shall be part of, subject to and governed by this Agreement even if the Confirmation in respect thereof does not state that such FX Transaction or Currency Option Transaction is subject to or governed by this Agreement or does not otherwise reference this Agreement. (c) PREMIUM NETTING. If, on any date, and unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, Premiums would otherwise be payable hereunder in the same Currency between the same respective offices of the parties, then, on such date, each party's obligation to make payment of such Premiums will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate Premiums that would otherwise have been payable by such office of one party exceeds the aggregate Premiums that would otherwise have been payable by such office of the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate Premiums would have been payable to pay the other party the excess of the larger aggregate Premiums over the smaller aggregate Premiums, and if the aggregate Premiums are equal, no payment shall be made. (d) PAYMENT NETTING OF FX TRANSACTIONS AND CURRENCY OPTION TRANSACTIONS. The provisions of Section 2(c) of the Agreement shall not apply to FX Transactions or Currency Option Transactions. Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, if on any date more than one delivery of a particular Currency is to be made between a pair of offices with respect to settlement of FX Transactions or Currency Option Transactions (but excluding payments with respect to option premiums and cash settled options), then each party shall aggregate the amounts of such Currency deliverable by it and only the difference between these aggregate amounts shall be delivered by the party owing the larger aggregate amount to the other party, and, if the aggregate amounts are equal, no delivery of the Currency shall be made. ISDA (R) 1992 27 (e) PAYMENTS ON EARLY TERMINATION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, for purposes of Section 6(d) and 6(e) of the Agreement, Second Method and Loss shall apply to FX Transactions and Currency Option Transactions. ACCEPTED AND AGREED: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION _________________________ _________________________ Name: Timothy P. Munn Name: Title: Vice President Title: ISDA (R) 1992 28 (Bilateral Form) (ISDA Agreements Subject to New York Law Only) ISDA (R) International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. CREDIT SUPPORT ANNEX TO THE SCHEDULE TO THE Master Agreement DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 2005 BETWEEN BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AND GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION ("PARTY A") ("PARTY B") THIS ANNEX SUPPLEMENTS, FORMS PART OF, AND IS SUBJECT TO, THE ABOVE-REFERENCED AGREEMENT, IS PART OF ITS SCHEDULE AND IS A CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO EACH PARTY. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS: Paragraph 1. Interpretation (a) Definitions and Inconsistency. CAPITALIZED TERMS NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN OR ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE THE MEANINGS SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 12, AND ALL REFERENCES IN THIS ANNEX TO PARAGRAPHS ARE TO PARAGRAPHS OF THIS ANNEX. IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THIS ANNEX AND THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS SCHEDULE, THIS ANNEX WILL PREVAIL, AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN PARAGRAPH 13 AND THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ANNEX, PARAGRAPH 13 WILL PREVAIL. (b) Secured Party and Pledgor. ALL REFERENCES IN THIS ANNEX TO THE "SECURED PARTY" WILL BE TO EITHER PARTY WHEN ACTING IN THAT CAPACITY AND ALL CORRESPONDING REFERENCES TO THE "PLEDGOR" WILL BE TO THE OTHER PARTY WHEN ACTING IN THAT CAPACITY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF OTHER POSTED SUPPORT IS HELD BY A PARTY TO THIS ANNEX, ALL REFERENCES HEREIN TO THAT PARTY AS THE SECURED PARTY WITH RESPECT TO THAT OTHER POSTED SUPPORT WILL BE TO THAT PARTY AS THE BENEFICIARY THEREOF AND WILL NOT SUBJECT THAT SUPPORT OR THAT PARTY AS THE BENEFICIARY THEREOF TO PROVISIONS OF LAW GENERALLY RELATING TO SECURITY INTERESTS AND SECURED PARTIES. Paragraph 2. Security Interest EACH PARTY, AS THE PLEDGOR, HEREBY PLEDGES TO THE OTHER PARTY, AS THE SECURED PARTY, AS SECURITY FOR ITS OBLIGATIONS, AND GRANTS TO THE SECURED PARTY A FIRST PRIORITY CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST IN, LIEN ON AND RIGHT OF SET-OFF AGAINST ALL POSTED COLLATERAL TRANSFERRED TO OR RECEIVED BY THE SECURED PARTY HEREUNDER. UPON THE TRANSFER BY THE SECURED PARTY TO THE PLEDGOR OF POSTED COLLATERAL, THE SECURITY INTEREST AND LIEN GRANTED HEREUNDER ON THAT POSTED COLLATERAL WILL BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY AND, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ACTION BY EITHER PARTY. ISDA (R) 1992 29 Paragraph 3. Credit Support Obligations (a) Delivery Amount. SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS 4 AND 5, UPON A DEMAND MADE BY THE SECURED PARTY ON OR PROMPTLY FOLLOWING A VALUATION DATE, IF THE DELIVERY AMOUNT FOR THAT VALUATION DATE EQUALS OR EXCEEDS THE PLEDGOR'S MINIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNT, THEN THE PLEDGOR WILL TRANSFER TO THE SECURED PARTY ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT HAVING A VALUE AS OF THE DATE OF TRANSFER AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE APPLICABLE DELIVERY AMOUNT (ROUNDED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 13). UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, THE "Delivery Amount" APPLICABLE TO THE PLEDGOR FOR ANY VALUATION DATE WILL EQUAL THE AMOUNT BY WHICH: (i) THE CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT EXCEEDS (ii) THE VALUE AS OF THAT VALUATION DATE OF ALL POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY. (b) Return Amount. SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS 4 AND 5, UPON A DEMAND MADE BY THE PLEDGOR ON OR PROMPTLY FOLLOWING A VALUATION DATE, IF THE RETURN AMOUNT FOR THAT VALUATION DATE EQUALS OR EXCEEDS THE SECURED PARTY'S MINIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNT, THEN THE SECURED PARTY WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT SPECIFIED BY THE PLEDGOR IN THAT DEMAND HAVING A VALUE AS OF THE DATE OF TRANSFER AS CLOSE AS PRACTICABLE TO THE APPLICABLE RETURN AMOUNT (ROUNDED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 13). UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, THE "Return Amount" APPLICABLE TO THE SECURED PARTY FOR ANY VALUATION DATE WILL EQUAL THE AMOUNT BY WHICH: (i) THE VALUE AS OF THAT VALUATION DATE OF ALL POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY EXCEEDS (ii) THE CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT. "Credit Support Amount" MEANS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, FOR ANY VALUATION DATE (i) THE SECURED PARTY'S EXPOSURE FOR THAT VALUATION DATE PLUS (ii) THE AGGREGATE OF ALL INDEPENDENT AMOUNTS APPLICABLE TO THE PLEDGOR, IF ANY, MINUS (iii) ALL INDEPENDENT AMOUNTS APPLICABLE TO THE SECURED PARTY, IF ANY, MINUS (iv) THE PLEDGOR'S THRESHOLD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT WILL BE DEEMED TO BE ZERO WHENEVER THE CALCULATION OF CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT YIELDS A NUMBER LESS THAN ZERO. Paragraph 4. Conditions Precedent, Transfer Timing, Calculations and Substitutions (a) Conditions Precedent. EACH TRANSFER OBLIGATION OF THE PLEDGOR UNDER PARAGRAPHS 3(a) AND 5 AND OF THE SECURED PARTY UNDER PARAGRAPHS 3(b), 4(d)(ii), 5 AND 6(d) IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS PRECEDENT THAT: (i) NO EVENT OF DEFAULT, POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER PARTY; AND (ii) NO EARLY TERMINATION DATE FOR WHICH ANY UNSATISFIED PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS EXIST HAS OCCURRED OR BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE RESULT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER PARTY. (b) Transfer Timing. SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS 4(a) AND 5 AND UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, IF A DEMAND FOR THE TRANSFER OF ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT OR POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT IS MADE BY THE NOTIFICATION TIME, THEN THE RELEVANT TRANSFER WILL BE MADE NOT LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE NEXT LOCAL BUSINESS DAY; IF A DEMAND IS MADE AFTER THE NOTIFICATION TIME, THEN THE RELEVANT TRANSFER WILL BE MADE NOT LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE SECOND LOCAL BUSINESS DAY THEREAFTER. (c) Calculations. ALL CALCULATIONS OF VALUE AND EXPOSURE FOR PURPOSES OF PARAGRAPHS 3 AND 6(d) WILL BE MADE BY THE VALUATION AGENT AS OF THE VALUATION TIME. THE VALUATION AGENT WILL NOTIFY EACH PARTY (OR THE OTHER PARTY, IF THE VALUATION AGENT IS A PARTY) OF ITS CALCULATIONS NOT LATER THAN THE NOTIFICATION TIME ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE APPLICABLE VALUATION DATE (OR IN THE CASE OF PARAGRAPH 6(d), FOLLOWING THE DATE OF CALCULATION). ISDA (R) 1992 30 (d) Substitutions. (i) UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, UPON NOTICE TO THE SECURED PARTY SPECIFYING THE ITEMS OF POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT TO BE EXCHANGED, THE PLEDGOR MAY, ON ANY LOCAL BUSINESS DAY, TRANSFER TO THE SECURED PARTY SUBSTITUTE ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT (THE "SUBSTITUTE CREDIT SUPPORT"); AND (ii) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 4(a), THE SECURED PARTY WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR THE ITEMS OF POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT SPECIFIED BY THE PLEDGOR IN ITS NOTICE NOT LATER THAN THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE ON WHICH THE SECURED PARTY RECEIVES THE SUBSTITUTE CREDIT SUPPORT, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 (THE "SUBSTITUTION DATE"); PROVIDED THAT THE SECURED PARTY ONLY WILL BE OBLIGATED TO TRANSFER POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT WITH A VALUE AS OF THE DATE OF TRANSFER OF THAT POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT EQUAL TO THE VALUE AS OF THAT DATE OF THE SUBSTITUTE CREDIT SUPPORT. Paragraph 5. Dispute Resolution IF A PARTY (A "DISPUTING PARTY") DISPUTES (I) THE VALUATION AGENT'S CALCULATION OF A DELIVERY AMOUNT OR A RETURN AMOUNT OR (II) THE VALUE OF ANY TRANSFER OF ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT OR POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT, THEN (1) THE DISPUTING PARTY WILL NOTIFY THE VALUATION AGENT (IF THE VALUATION AGENT IS NOT THE DISPUTING PARTY) AND THE OTHER PARTY (IF THE VALUATION AGENT IS NOT THAT OTHER PARTY) NOT LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING (X) THE DATE THAT THE DEMAND IS MADE UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 IN THE CASE OF (I) ABOVE OR (Y) THE DATE OF TRANSFER IN THE CASE OF (II) ABOVE, (2) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 4(a), THE APPROPRIATE PARTY WILL TRANSFER THE UNDISPUTED AMOUNT TO THE OTHER PARTY NOT LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING (X) THE DATE THAT THE DEMAND IS MADE UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 IN THE CASE OF (I) ABOVE OR (Y) THE DATE OF TRANSFER IN THE CASE OF (II) ABOVE, (3) THE PARTIES WILL CONSULT WITH EACH OTHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE AND (4) IF THEY FAIL TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE BY THE RESOLUTION TIME, THEN: (i) IN THE CASE OF A DISPUTE INVOLVING A DELIVERY AMOUNT OR RETURN AMOUNT, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, THE VALUATION AGENT WILL RECALCULATE THE EXPOSURE AND THE VALUE AS OF THE RECALCULATION DATE BY: (A) UTILIZING ANY CALCULATIONS OF EXPOSURE FOR THE TRANSACTIONS (OR SWAP TRANSACTIONS) THAT THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED ARE NOT IN DISPUTE; (B) CALCULATING THE EXPOSURE FOR THE TRANSACTIONS (OR SWAP TRANSACTIONS) IN DISPUTE BY SEEKING FOUR ACTUAL QUOTATIONS AT MID-MARKET FROM REFERENCE MARKET-MAKERS FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING MARKET QUOTATION, AND TAKING THE ARITHMETIC AVERAGE OF THOSE OBTAINED; PROVIDED THAT IF FOUR QUOTATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR A PARTICULAR TRANSACTION (OR SWAP TRANSACTION), THEN FEWER THAN FOUR QUOTATIONS MAY BE USED FOR THAT TRANSACTION (OR SWAP TRANSACTION); AND IF NO QUOTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A PARTICULAR TRANSACTION (OR SWAP TRANSACTION), THEN THE VALUATION AGENT'S ORIGINAL CALCULATIONS WILL BE USED FOR THAT TRANSACTION (OR SWAP TRANSACTION); AND (C) UTILIZING THE PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 FOR CALCULATING THE VALUE, IF DISPUTED, OF POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT. (ii) IN THE CASE OF A DISPUTE INVOLVING THE VALUE OF ANY TRANSFER OF ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT OR POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT, THE VALUATION AGENT WILL RECALCULATE THE VALUE AS OF THE DATE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 13. FOLLOWING A RECALCULATION PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH, THE VALUATION AGENT WILL NOTIFY EACH PARTY (OR THE OTHER PARTY, IF THE VALUATION AGENT IS A PARTY) NOT LATER THAN THE NOTIFICATION TIME ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE RESOLUTION TIME. THE APPROPRIATE PARTY WILL, UPON DEMAND FOLLOWING THAT NOTICE BY THE VALUATION AGENT OR A RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO (3) ABOVE AND SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS 4(a) AND 4(b), MAKE THE APPROPRIATE TRANSFER. Paragraph 6. Holding and Using Posted Collateral ISDA (R) 1992 31 (a) Care of Posted Collateral. WITHOUT LIMITING THE SECURED PARTY'S RIGHTS UNDER PARAGRAPH 6(c), THE SECURED PARTY WILL EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE TO ASSURE THE SAFE CUSTODY OF ALL POSTED COLLATERAL TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND IN ANY EVENT THE SECURED PARTY WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE EXERCISED REASONABLE CARE IF IT EXERCISES AT LEAST THE SAME DEGREE OF CARE AS IT WOULD EXERCISE WITH RESPECT TO ITS OWN PROPERTY. EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, THE SECURED PARTY WILL HAVE NO DUTY WITH RESPECT TO POSTED COLLATERAL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DUTY TO COLLECT ANY DISTRIBUTIONS, OR ENFORCE OR PRESERVE ANY RIGHTS PERTAINING THERETO. (b) Eligibility to Hold Posted Collateral; Custodians. (i) General. SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTION OF ANY CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 FOR HOLDING POSTED COLLATERAL, THE SECURED PARTY WILL BE ENTITLED TO HOLD POSTED COLLATERAL OR TO APPOINT AN AGENT (A "CUSTODIAN") TO HOLD POSTED COLLATERAL FOR THE SECURED PARTY. UPON NOTICE BY THE SECURED PARTY TO THE PLEDGOR OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A CUSTODIAN, THE PLEDGOR'S OBLIGATIONS TO MAKE ANY TRANSFER WILL BE DISCHARGED BY MAKING THE TRANSFER TO THAT CUSTODIAN. THE HOLDING OF POSTED COLLATERAL BY A CUSTODIAN WILL BE DEEMED TO BE THE HOLDING OF THAT POSTED COLLATERAL BY THE SECURED PARTY FOR WHICH THE CUSTODIAN IS ACTING. (ii) Failure to Satisfy Conditions. IF THE SECURED PARTY OR ITS CUSTODIAN FAILS TO SATISFY ANY CONDITIONS FOR HOLDING POSTED COLLATERAL, THEN UPON A DEMAND MADE BY THE PLEDGOR, THE SECURED PARTY WILL, NOT LATER THAN FIVE LOCAL BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE DEMAND, TRANSFER OR CAUSE ITS CUSTODIAN TO TRANSFER ALL POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY IT TO A CUSTODIAN THAT SATISFIES THOSE CONDITIONS OR TO THE SECURED PARTY IF IT SATISFIES THOSE CONDITIONS. (iii) Liability. THE SECURED PARTY WILL BE LIABLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ITS CUSTODIAN TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT THE SECURED PARTY WOULD BE LIABLE HEREUNDER FOR ITS OWN ACTS OR OMISSIONS. (c) Use of Posted Collateral. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER PARAGRAPHS 3, 4(d)(ii), 5, 6(d) AND 8, IF THE SECURED PARTY IS NOT A DEFAULTING PARTY OR AN AFFECTED PARTY WITH RESPECT TO A SPECIFIED CONDITION AND NO EARLY TERMINATION DATE HAS OCCURRED OR BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE RESULT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURED PARTY, THEN THE SECURED PARTY WILL, NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 9-207 OF THE NEW YORK UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, HAVE THE RIGHT TO: (i) SELL, PLEDGE, REHYPOTHECATE, ASSIGN, INVEST, USE, COMMINGLE OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF, OR OTHERWISE USE IN ITS BUSINESS ANY POSTED COLLATERAL IT HOLDS, FREE FROM ANY CLAIM OR RIGHT OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER OF THE PLEDGOR, INCLUDING ANY EQUITY OR RIGHT OF REDEMPTION BY THE PLEDGOR; AND (ii) REGISTER ANY POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE NAME OF THE SECURED PARTY, ITS CUSTODIAN OR A NOMINEE FOR EITHER. FOR PURPOSES OF THE OBLIGATION TO TRANSFER ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT OR POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPHS 3 AND 5 AND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE SECURED PARTY WILL BE DEEMED TO CONTINUE TO HOLD ALL POSTED COLLATERAL AND TO RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE THEREON, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SECURED PARTY HAS EXERCISED ANY RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY POSTED COLLATERAL PURSUANT TO (i) OR (ii) ABOVE. (d) Distributions and Interest Amount. (i) Distributions. SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 4(a), IF THE SECURED PARTY RECEIVES OR IS DEEMED TO RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS ON A LOCAL BUSINESS DAY, IT WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR NOT LATER THAN THE FOLLOWING LOCAL BUSINESS DAY ANY DISTRIBUTIONS IT RECEIVES OR IS DEEMED TO RECEIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT A DELIVERY AMOUNT WOULD NOT BE CREATED OR INCREASED BY THAT TRANSFER, AS CALCULATED BY THE VALUATION AGENT (AND THE DATE OF CALCULATION WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A VALUATION DATE FOR THIS PURPOSE). (ii) Interest Amount. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 AND SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 4(a), IN LIEU OF ANY INTEREST, DIVIDENDS OR OTHER AMOUNTS PAID OR DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PAID WITH RESPECT TO POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH (ALL OF WHICH MAY BE RETAINED BY THE SECURED PARTY), THE SECURED ISDA (R) 1992 32 PARTY WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR AT THE TIMES SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 THE INTEREST AMOUNT TO THE EXTENT THAT A DELIVERY AMOUNT WOULD NOT BE CREATED OR INCREASED BY THAT TRANSFER, AS CALCULATED BY THE VALUATION AGENT (AND THE DATE OF CALCULATION WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A VALUATION DATE FOR THIS PURPOSE). THE INTEREST AMOUNT OR PORTION THEREOF NOT TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL CONSTITUTE POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED UNDER PARAGRAPH 2. Paragraph 7. Events of Default FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 5(a)(iii)(1) OF THIS AGREEMENT, AN EVENT OF DEFAULT WILL EXIST WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY IF: (i) THAT PARTY FAILS (OR FAILS TO CAUSE ITS CUSTODIAN) TO MAKE, WHEN DUE, ANY TRANSFER OF ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL, POSTED COLLATERAL OR THE INTEREST AMOUNT, AS APPLICABLE, REQUIRED TO BE MADE BY IT AND THAT FAILURE CONTINUES FOR TWO LOCAL BUSINESS DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF THAT FAILURE IS GIVEN TO THAT PARTY; (ii) THAT PARTY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH ANY RESTRICTION OR PROHIBITION SPECIFIED IN THIS ANNEX WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE RIGHTS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 6(c) AND THAT FAILURE CONTINUES FOR FIVE LOCAL BUSINESS DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF THAT FAILURE IS GIVEN TO THAT PARTY; OR (iii) THAT PARTY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH OR PERFORM ANY AGREEMENT OR OBLIGATION OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 7(i) AND 7(ii) AND THAT FAILURE CONTINUES FOR 30 DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF THAT FAILURE IS GIVEN TO THAT PARTY. Paragraph 8. Certain Rights and Remedies (a) Secured Party's Rights and Remedies. IF AT ANY TIME (1) AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGOR HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING OR (2) AN EARLY TERMINATION DATE HAS OCCURRED OR BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE RESULT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGOR, THEN, UNLESS THE PLEDGOR HAS PAID IN FULL ALL OF ITS OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE THEN DUE, THE SECURED PARTY MAY EXERCISE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS AND REMEDIES: (i) ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO A SECURED PARTY UNDER APPLICABLE LAW WITH RESPECT TO POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY; (ii) ANY OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO THE SECURED PARTY UNDER THE TERMS OF OTHER POSTED SUPPORT, IF ANY; (iii) THE RIGHT TO SET-OFF ANY AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS AGAINST ANY POSTED COLLATERAL OR THE CASH EQUIVALENT OF ANY POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY (OR ANY OBLIGATION OF THE SECURED PARTY TO TRANSFER THAT POSTED COLLATERAL); AND (iv) THE RIGHT TO LIQUIDATE ANY POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY THROUGH ONE OR MORE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SALES OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS WITH SUCH NOTICE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FREE FROM ANY CLAIM OR RIGHT OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER OF THE PLEDGOR, INCLUDING ANY EQUITY OR RIGHT OF REDEMPTION BY THE PLEDGOR (WITH THE SECURED PARTY HAVING THE RIGHT TO PURCHASE ANY OR ALL OF THE POSTED COLLATERAL TO BE SOLD) AND TO APPLY THE PROCEEDS (OR THE CASH EQUIVALENT THEREOF) FROM THE LIQUIDATION OF THE POSTED COLLATERAL TO ANY AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS IN THAT ORDER AS THE SECURED PARTY MAY ELECT. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF SECURITIES MAY DECLINE SPEEDILY IN VALUE AND IS OF A TYPE CUSTOMARILY SOLD ON A RECOGNIZED MARKET, AND, ACCORDINGLY, THE PLEDGOR IS NOT ENTITLED TO PRIOR NOTICE OF ANY SALE OF THAT POSTED COLLATERAL BY THE SECURED PARTY, EXCEPT ANY NOTICE THAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW AND CANNOT BE WAIVED. (b) Pledgor's Rights and Remedies. IF AT ANY TIME AN EARLY TERMINATION DATE HAS OCCURRED OR BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE RESULT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURED PARTY, THEN (EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AN EARLY TERMINATION DATE RELATING TO LESS THAN ALL TRANSACTIONS (OR SWAP TRANSACTIONS) WHERE THE SECURED PARTY HAS PAID IN FULL ALL OF ITS OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE THEN DUE UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THIS AGREEMENT): ISDA (R) 1992 33 (i) THE PLEDGOR MAY EXERCISE ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO A PLEDGOR UNDER APPLICABLE LAW WITH RESPECT TO POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY; (ii) THE PLEDGOR MAY EXERCISE ANY OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO THE PLEDGOR UNDER THE TERMS OF OTHER POSTED SUPPORT, IF ANY; (iii) THE SECURED PARTY WILL BE OBLIGATED IMMEDIATELY TO TRANSFER ALL POSTED COLLATERAL AND THE INTEREST AMOUNT TO THE PLEDGOR; AND (iv) TO THE EXTENT THAT POSTED COLLATERAL OR THE INTEREST AMOUNT IS NOT SO TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO (III) ABOVE, THE PLEDGOR MAY: (A) SET-OFF ANY AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS AGAINST ANY POSTED COLLATERAL OR THE CASH EQUIVALENT OF ANY POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY (OR ANY OBLIGATION OF THE SECURED PARTY TO TRANSFER THAT POSTED COLLATERAL); AND (B) TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PLEDGOR DOES NOT SET-OFF UNDER (IV)(A) ABOVE, WITHHOLD PAYMENT OF ANY REMAINING AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS, UP TO THE VALUE OF ANY REMAINING POSTED COLLATERAL HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY, UNTIL THAT POSTED COLLATERAL IS TRANSFERRED TO THE PLEDGOR. (c) Deficiencies and Excess Proceeds. THE SECURED PARTY WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR ANY PROCEEDS AND POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT REMAINING AFTER LIQUIDATION, SET-OFF AND/OR APPLICATION UNDER PARAGRAPHS 8(a) AND 8(b) AFTER SATISFACTION IN FULL OF ALL AMOUNTS PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS; THE PLEDGOR IN ALL EVENTS WILL REMAIN LIABLE FOR ANY AMOUNTS REMAINING UNPAID AFTER ANY LIQUIDATION, SET-OFF AND/OR APPLICATION UNDER PARAGRAPHS 8(a) AND 8(b). (d) Final Returns. WHEN NO AMOUNTS ARE OR THEREAFTER MAY BECOME PAYABLE BY THE PLEDGOR WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATIONS (EXCEPT FOR ANY POTENTIAL LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 2(d) OF THIS AGREEMENT), THE SECURED PARTY WILL TRANSFER TO THE PLEDGOR ALL POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT AND THE INTEREST AMOUNT, IF ANY. Paragraph 9. Representations EACH PARTY REPRESENTS TO THE OTHER PARTY (WHICH REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE DEEMED TO BE REPEATED AS OF EACH DATE ON WHICH IT, AS THE PLEDGOR, TRANSFERS ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL) THAT: (i) IT HAS THE POWER TO GRANT A SECURITY INTEREST IN AND LIEN ON ANY ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL IT TRANSFERS AS THE PLEDGOR AND HAS TAKEN ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO AUTHORIZE THE GRANTING OF THAT SECURITY INTEREST AND LIEN; (ii) IT IS THE SOLE OWNER OF OR OTHERWISE HAS THE RIGHT TO TRANSFER ALL ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL TRANSFERRED TO THE SECURED PARTY HEREUNDER, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, LIEN, ENCUMBRANCE OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS OTHER THAN THE SECURITY INTEREST AND LIEN GRANTED UNDER PARAGRAPH 2; (iii) UPON THE TRANSFER OF ANY ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL TO THE SECURED PARTY UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS ANNEX, THE SECURED PARTY WILL HAVE A VALID AND PERFECTED FIRST PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST THEREIN (ASSUMING THAT ANY CENTRAL CLEARING CORPORATION OR ANY THIRD-PARTY FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY OR OTHER ENTITY NOT WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE PLEDGOR INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER OF THAT ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL GIVES THE NOTICES AND TAKES THE ACTION REQUIRED OF IT UNDER RELEVANT LAW FOR PERFECTION OF THAT INTEREST); AND (iv) THE PERFORMANCE BY IT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS ANNEX WILL NOT RESULT IN THE CREATION OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, LIEN OR OTHER ENCUMBRANCE ON ANY POSTED COLLATERAL OTHER THAN THE SECURITY INTEREST AND LIEN GRANTED UNDER PARAGRAPH 2. Paragraph 10. Expenses ISDA (R) 1992 34 (a) General. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPHS 10(b) AND 10(c), EACH PARTY WILL PAY ITS OWN COSTS AND EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH PERFORMING ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS ANNEX AND NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE OTHER PARTY IN CONNECTION HEREWITH. (b) Posted Credit Support. THE PLEDGOR WILL PROMPTLY PAY WHEN DUE ALL TAXES, ASSESSMENTS OR CHARGES OF ANY NATURE THAT ARE IMPOSED WITH RESPECT TO POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY UPON BECOMING AWARE OF THE SAME, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY PORTION OF THAT POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT IS SUBSEQUENTLY DISPOSED OF UNDER PARAGRAPH 6(c), EXCEPT FOR THOSE TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND CHARGES THAT RESULT FROM THE EXERCISE OF THE SECURED PARTY'S RIGHTS UNDER PARAGRAPH 6(c). (c) Liquidation/Application of Posted Credit Support. ALL REASONABLE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE SECURED PARTY OR THE PLEDGOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIQUIDATION AND/OR APPLICATION OF ANY POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH 8 WILL BE PAYABLE, ON DEMAND AND PURSUANT TO THE EXPENSES SECTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, BY THE DEFAULTING PARTY OR, IF THERE IS NO DEFAULTING PARTY, EQUALLY BY THE PARTIES. Paragraph 11. Miscellaneous (a) Default Interest. A SECURED PARTY THAT FAILS TO MAKE, WHEN DUE, ANY TRANSFER OF POSTED COLLATERAL OR THE INTEREST AMOUNT WILL BE OBLIGATED TO PAY THE PLEDGOR (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW) AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO INTEREST AT THE DEFAULT RATE MULTIPLIED BY THE VALUE OF THE ITEMS OF PROPERTY THAT WERE REQUIRED TO BE TRANSFERRED, FROM (AND INCLUDING) THE DATE THAT POSTED COLLATERAL OR INTEREST AMOUNT WAS REQUIRED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO (BUT EXCLUDING) THE DATE OF TRANSFER OF THAT POSTED COLLATERAL OR INTEREST AMOUNT. THIS INTEREST WILL BE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF DAILY COMPOUNDING AND THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF DAYS ELAPSED. (b) Further Assurances. PROMPTLY FOLLOWING A DEMAND MADE BY A PARTY, THE OTHER PARTY WILL EXECUTE, DELIVER, FILE AND RECORD ANY FINANCING STATEMENT, SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT AND TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION THAT MAY BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE AND REASONABLY REQUESTED BY THAT PARTY TO CREATE, PRESERVE, PERFECT OR VALIDATE ANY SECURITY INTEREST OR LIEN GRANTED UNDER PARAGRAPH 2, TO ENABLE THAT PARTY TO EXERCISE OR ENFORCE ITS RIGHTS UNDER THIS ANNEX WITH RESPECT TO POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT OR AN INTEREST AMOUNT OR TO EFFECT OR DOCUMENT A RELEASE OF A SECURITY INTEREST ON POSTED COLLATERAL OR AN INTEREST AMOUNT. (c) Further Protection. THE PLEDGOR PROMPTLY WILL GIVE NOTICE TO THE SECURED PARTY OF, AND DEFEND AGAINST, ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR LIEN THAT INVOLVES POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT TRANSFERRED BY THE PLEDGOR OR THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SECURITY INTEREST AND LIEN GRANTED BY IT UNDER PARAGRAPH 2, UNLESS THAT SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING OR LIEN RESULTS FROM THE EXERCISE OF THE SECURED PARTY'S RIGHTS UNDER PARAGRAPH 6(c). (d) Good Faith and Commercially Reasonable Manner. PERFORMANCE OF ALL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS ANNEX INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ALL CALCULATIONS, VALUATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS MADE BY EITHER PARTY, WILL BE MADE IN GOOD FAITH AND IN A COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE MANNER. (e) Demands and Notices. ALL DEMANDS AND NOTICES MADE BY A PARTY UNDER THIS ANNEX WILL BE MADE AS SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICES SECTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 13. (f) Specifications of Certain Matters. ANYTHING REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNEX AS BEING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13 ALSO MAY BE SPECIFIED IN ONE OR MORE CONFIRMATIONS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS AND THIS ANNEX WILL BE CONSTRUED ACCORDINGLY. Paragraph 12. Definitions AS USED IN THIS ANNEX:-- "Cash" MEANS THE LAWFUL CURRENCY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. "Credit Support Amount" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 3. "Custodian" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 6(b)(i) AND 13. "Delivery Amount" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 3(a). ISDA (R) 1992 35 "Disputing Party" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 5. "Distributions" MEANS WITH RESPECT TO POSTED COLLATERAL OTHER THAN CASH, ALL PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND OTHER PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF CASH OR OTHER PROPERTY WITH RESPECT THERETO, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SECURED PARTY HAS DISPOSED OF THAT POSTED COLLATERAL UNDER PARAGRAPH 6(c). DISTRIBUTIONS WILL NOT INCLUDE ANY ITEM OF PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY THE SECURED PARTY UPON ANY DISPOSITION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSTED COLLATERAL OR, WITH RESPECT TO ANY POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH, ANY DISTRIBUTIONS ON THAT COLLATERAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED HEREIN. "Eligible Collateral" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, THE ITEMS, IF ANY, SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Eligible Credit Support" MEANS ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL AND OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT. "Exposure" MEANS FOR ANY VALUATION DATE OR OTHER DATE FOR WHICH EXPOSURE IS CALCULATED AND SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 5 IN THE CASE OF A DISPUTE, THE AMOUNT, IF ANY, THAT WOULD BE PAYABLE TO A PARTY THAT IS THE SECURED PARTY BY THE OTHER PARTY (EXPRESSED AS A POSITIVE NUMBER) OR BY A PARTY THAT IS THE SECURED PARTY TO THE OTHER PARTY (EXPRESSED AS A NEGATIVE NUMBER) PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) OF THIS AGREEMENT AS IF ALL TRANSACTIONS (OR SWAP TRANSACTIONS) WERE BEING TERMINATED AS OF THE RELEVANT VALUATION TIME; PROVIDED THAT MARKET QUOTATION WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE VALUATION AGENT USING ITS ESTIMATES AT MID-MARKET OF THE AMOUNTS THAT WOULD BE PAID FOR REPLACEMENT TRANSACTIONS (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE DEFINITION OF "MARKET QUOTATION"). "Independent Amount" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13; IF NO AMOUNT IS SPECIFIED, ZERO. "Interest Amount" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO AN INTEREST PERIOD, THE AGGREGATE SUM OF THE AMOUNTS OF INTEREST CALCULATED FOR EACH DAY IN THAT INTEREST PERIOD ON THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH HELD BY THE SECURED PARTY ON THAT DAY, DETERMINED BY THE SECURED PARTY FOR EACH SUCH DAY AS FOLLOWS: (x) THE AMOUNT OF THAT CASH ON THAT DAY; MULTIPLIED BY (y) THE INTEREST RATE IN EFFECT FOR THAT DAY; DIVIDED BY (z) 360. "Interest Period" MEANS THE PERIOD FROM (AND INCLUDING) THE LAST LOCAL BUSINESS DAY ON WHICH AN INTEREST AMOUNT WAS TRANSFERRED (OR, IF NO INTEREST AMOUNT HAS YET BEEN TRANSFERRED, THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY ON WHICH POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH WAS TRANSFERRED TO OR RECEIVED BY THE SECURED PARTY) TO (BUT EXCLUDING) THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY ON WHICH THE CURRENT INTEREST AMOUNT IS TO BE TRANSFERRED. "Interest Rate" MEANS THE RATE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Local Business Day", UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13, HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN THE DEFINITIONS SECTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT THAT REFERENCES TO A PAYMENT IN CLAUSE (b) THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO INCLUDE A TRANSFER UNDER THIS ANNEX. "Minimum Transfer Amount" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13; IF NO AMOUNT IS SPECIFIED, ZERO. "Notification Time" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Obligations" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE OBLIGATIONS OF THAT PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS SPECIFIED FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Other Eligible Support" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, THE ITEMS, IF ANY, SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13. ISDA (R) 1992 36 "Other Posted Support" MEANS ALL OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT TRANSFERRED TO THE SECURED PARTY THAT REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THAT SECURED PARTY. "Pledgor" MEANS EITHER PARTY, WHEN THAT PARTY (i) RECEIVES A DEMAND FOR OR IS REQUIRED TO TRANSFER ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(a) OR (ii) HAS TRANSFERRED ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(a). "Posted Collateral" MEANS ALL ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL, OTHER PROPERTY, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND ALL PROCEEDS THEREOF THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO OR RECEIVED BY THE SECURED PARTY UNDER THIS ANNEX AND NOT TRANSFERRED TO THE PLEDGOR PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 3(b), 4(d)(ii) OR 6(d)(i) OR RELEASED BY THE SECURED PARTY UNDER PARAGRAPH 8. ANY INTEREST AMOUNT OR PORTION THEREOF NOT TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 6(d)(ii) WILL CONSTITUTE POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH. "Posted Credit Support" MEANS POSTED COLLATERAL AND OTHER POSTED SUPPORT. "Recalculation Date" MEANS THE VALUATION DATE THAT GIVES RISE TO THE DISPUTE UNDER PARAGRAPH 5; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF A SUBSEQUENT VALUATION DATE OCCURS UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 PRIOR TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE, THEN THE "RECALCULATION DATE" MEANS THE MOST RECENT VALUATION DATE UNDER PARAGRAPH 3. "Resolution Time" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Return Amount" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 3(b). "Secured Party" MEANS EITHER PARTY, WHEN THAT PARTY (i) MAKES A DEMAND FOR OR IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(a) OR (ii) HOLDS OR IS DEEMED TO HOLD POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT. "Specified Condition" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, ANY EVENT SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Substitute Credit Support" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 4(d)(i). "Substitution Date" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 4(d)(ii). "Threshold" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED AS SUCH FOR THAT PARTY IN PARAGRAPH 13; IF NO AMOUNT IS SPECIFIED, ZERO. "Transfer" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO ANY ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT, POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT OR INTEREST AMOUNT, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECURED PARTY, PLEDGOR OR CUSTODIAN, AS APPLICABLE: (i) IN THE CASE OF CASH, PAYMENT OR DELIVERY BY WIRE TRANSFER INTO ONE OR MORE BANK ACCOUNTS SPECIFIED BY THE RECIPIENT; (ii) IN THE CASE OF CERTIFICATED SECURITIES THAT CANNOT BE PAID OR DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY, PAYMENT OR DELIVERY IN APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL FORM TO THE RECIPIENT OR ITS ACCOUNT ACCOMPANIED BY ANY DULY EXECUTED INSTRUMENTS OF TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENTS IN BLANK, TRANSFER TAX STAMPS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A LEGALLY VALID TRANSFER TO THE RECIPIENT; (iii) IN THE CASE OF SECURITIES THAT CAN BE PAID OR DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY, THE GIVING OF WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RELEVANT DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION OR OTHER ENTITY SPECIFIED BY THE RECIPIENT, TOGETHER WITH A WRITTEN COPY THEREOF TO THE RECIPIENT, SUFFICIENT IF COMPLIED WITH TO RESULT IN A LEGALLY EFFECTIVE TRANSFER OF THE RELEVANT INTEREST TO THE RECIPIENT; AND (iv) IN THE CASE OF OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT OR OTHER POSTED SUPPORT, AS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Valuation Agent" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Valuation Date" MEANS EACH DATE SPECIFIED IN OR OTHERWISE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 13. ISDA (R) 1992 37 "Valuation Percentage" MEANS, FOR ANY ITEM OF ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL, THE PERCENTAGE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Valuation Time" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. "Value" MEANS FOR ANY VALUATION DATE OR OTHER DATE FOR WHICH VALUE IS CALCULATED AND SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH 5 IN THE CASE OF A DISPUTE, WITH RESPECT TO: (i) ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL OR POSTED COLLATERAL THAT IS: (A) CASH, THE AMOUNT THEREOF; AND (B) A SECURITY, THE BID PRICE OBTAINED BY THE VALUATION AGENT MULTIPLIED BY THE APPLICABLE VALUATION PERCENTAGE, IF ANY; (ii) POSTED COLLATERAL THAT CONSISTS OF ITEMS THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIED AS ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL, ZERO; AND (iii) OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT AND OTHER POSTED SUPPORT, AS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 13. ISDA (R) 1992 38 EXHIBIT "A" CREDIT SUPPORT ANNEX TO THE SCHEDULE TO THE MASTER AGREEMENT (DATED AS OF OCTOBER 13, 2005) BETWEEN BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AND GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION, ("PARTY A") A DELAWARE CORPORATION ("PARTY B") PARAGRAPH 13. ELECTIONS AND VARIABLES Security Interest for "Obligations". THE TERM "Obligations" AS USED IN THIS ANNEX DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO PARTY A AND PARTY B. Credit Support Obligations. Delivery Amount, Return Amount and Credit Support Amount. "Delivery Amount" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 3(a). "Return Amount" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 3(b). "Credit Support Amount" MEANS, FOR ANY VALUATION DATE (i) THE SECURED PARTY'S EXPOSURE FOR THAT VALUATION DATE PLUS (ii) THE AGGREGATE OF ALL INDEPENDENT AMOUNTS APPLICABLE TO THE PLEDGOR, IF ANY, MINUS (iii) THE PLEDGOR'S THRESHOLD; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT (x) IN THE CASE WHERE THE SUM OF THE INDEPENDENT AMOUNTS APPLICABLE TO THE PLEDGOR EXCEEDS ZERO, THE CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT WILL NOT BE LESS THAN THE SUM OF ALL INDEPENDENT AMOUNTS APPLICABLE TO THE PLEDGOR AND (y) IN ALL OTHER CASES, THE CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT WILL BE DEEMED TO BE ZERO WHENEVER THE CALCULATION OF CREDIT SUPPORT AMOUNT YIELDS AN AMOUNT LESS THAN ZERO. ISDA (R) 1992 39 "Eligible Collateral" THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL QUALIFY AS Eligible Collateral FOR THE PARTY SPECIFIED:
VALUATION PERCENTAGE (A) Cash 100%
Other Eligible Support. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL QUALIFY AS "OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT" FOR THE PARTY A AND PARTY B: NONE. Thresholds. "Independent Amount" MEANS WITH RESPECT TO PARTY A AND PARTY B: ZERO DOLLARS (USD $0.00) UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE CONFIRMATION. "Threshold" MEANS, WITH RESPECT TO PARTY B, INFINITY, PROVIDED THAT IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION HAS OCCURRED OR IS CONTINUING WITH RESPECT PARTY B, THE THRESHOLD WITH RESPECT TO PARTY B SHALL BE ZERO. "Minimum Transfer Amount" MEANS WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY, USD 100,000; PROVIDED, THAT IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT OR SPECIFIED CONDITION HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING WITH RESPECT TO PARTY B, THE MINIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNT WITH RESPECT TO PARTY B IS ZERO. Rounding. THE DELIVERY AMOUNT AND RETURN AMOUNT WILL BE ROUNDED UP AND DOWN, RESPECTIVELY, TO THE NEAREST INTEGRAL MULTIPLE OF USD 10,000. Valuation and Timing. "Valuation Agent" MEANS PARTY A. "Valuation Date" MEANS EACH LOCAL BUSINESS DAY. "Valuation Time" MEANS THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF THE VALUATION AGENT ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY BEFORE THE VALUATION DATE OR DATE OF CALCULATION, AS APPLICABLE; PROVIDED THAT THE CALCULATIONS OF VALUE AND EXPOSURE ISDA (R) 1992 40 WILL BE MADE AS OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME DATE. "Notification Time" MEANS NO LATER THAN 1:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON A LOCAL BUSINESS DAY. Conditions Precedent and Secured Party's Rights and Remedies. FOR THE PURPOSES OF PARAGRAPH 8(a), EACH TERMINATION EVENT WILL CONSTITUTE A SPECIFIED CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGOR IF THE PLEDGOR FAILS TO PAY WHEN DUE ANY AMOUNT PAYABLE BY IT IN CONNECTION WITH AN EARLY TERMINATION DATE DESIGNATED IN CONNECTION WITH THAT TERMINATION EVENT. FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES OF THIS ANNEX, EACH TERMINATION EVENT SPECIFIED BELOW WITH RESPECT TO A PARTY SHALL BE A "SPECIFIED CONDITION" FOR THAT PARTY: Additional Termination Events (if any) (x) Substitution. "Substitution Date" HAS THE MEANING SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH 4(d)(ii). Consent. THE PLEDGOR MAY NOT SUBSTITUTE ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 4(d) WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE SECURED PARTY. Dispute Resolution. "Resolution Time" MEANS 1:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE ON WHICH THE NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT GIVES RISE TO A DISPUTE UNDER PARAGRAPH 5. "Value". FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARAGRAPH 5(i)(c) AND 5(ii), THE VALUE OF THE POSTED CREDIT SUPPORT WILL BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: (1) FOR CASH, THE U.S. DOLLAR VALUE THEREOF; (2) ELIGIBLE COLLATERAL OTHER THAN CASH: NOT APPLICABLE. "Alternative". NOT APPLICABLE. ISDA (R) 1992 41 Holding and Using Posted Collateral. Eligibility to Hold Posted Collateral; Custodians. AS LONG AS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) BELOW ARE SATISFIED, PARTY A SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HOLD POSTED COLLATERAL PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 6(b). AS LONG AS THE CONDITION SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (B) BELOW ARE SATISFIED, ANY CUSTODIAN FOR PARTY A SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HOLD POSTED COLLATERAL PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 6(b). PARTY A: (a) THE LONG-TERM, UNSECURED, UNSUBORDINATED DEBT RATINGS OF BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ARE AT LEAST BBB+ (IN THE CASE OF S&P) AND BAA1 (IN THE CASE OF MOODY'S). THE CUSTODIAN: THE CUSTODIAN IS EITHER: (a) A WHOLLY OWNED, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, AFFILIATE OF BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. OR (b) A BANK OR TRUST COMPANY LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES HAVING TOTAL ASSETS OF AT LEAST USD 10,000,000,000. Initially, the Custodian for Party A is: Not Applicable . Use of Posted Collateral. THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH 6(c) WILL APPLY. Distributions and Interest Amount. Interest Rate. THE "INTEREST RATE" WILL BE THE RATE PER ANNUM EQUAL TO THE OVERNIGHT FEDERAL FUNDS RATE PUBLISHED IN N.Y. FEDERAL RESERVE STATISTICAL RELEASE H.15(519) FOR EACH DAY CASH IS HELD BY SECURED PARTY. Transfer of Interest Amount. THE TRANSFER OF THE INTEREST AMOUNT WILL BE MADE WITHIN 3 LOCAL BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE LAST LOCAL BUSINESS DAY OF EACH CALENDAR MONTH AND ON ANY LOCAL BUSINESS DAY THAT POSTED COLLATERAL IN THE FORM OF CASH IS TRANSFERRED TO THE PLEDGOR PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 3(b). Alternative to Interest Amount. NOT APPLICABLE. Additional Representations. NOT APPLICABLE. Other Eligible Support and Other Posted Support. ISDA (R) 1992 42 "Value" WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT AND OTHER POSTED SUPPORT MEANS: NOT APPLICABLE. "Transfer" WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ELIGIBLE SUPPORT AND OTHER POSTED SUPPORT MEANS: NOT APPLICABLE. Demands and Notices. All demands, specifications and notices under this Annex will be made pursuant to the Notices Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified here: With respect to Party A: Bank of America, N.A. Sears Tower 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2800 Chicago, Illinois 60606-6306 Tel: (312) 234-3030 Fax: (312) 234-2731 ISDA (R) 1992 43 With respect to Party B: General Cable Industries, Inc. 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, KY 41076 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Tel: (859) 572-8000 Fax: (859) 572-8440 and General Cable Corporation 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, KY 41076 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Tel: (859) 572-8000 Fax: (859) 572-8440 With a copy to: Blank Rome LLP One Logan Square Philadelphia, PA 19103 Attention: Matthew Siembieda, Esquire Harvey Forman, Esquire Tel: (215) 569-5500 Fax: (215) 569-5555 Addresses for Transfers. Cash/Interest Payments: (USD Only) Bank of America, New York ABA 026009593 Account #6550-619389 F/O Bank of America, Charlotte-Collateral Other Provisions: Agreement as to Single Secured Party and Pledgor. PARTY A AND PARTY B AGREE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE RECITAL TO THIS ANNEX, PARAGRAPH 1(b) OR PARAGRAPH 2 OR THE DEFINITIONS IN PARAGRAPH 12, (a) THE TERM "SECURED PARTY" AS USED IN THIS ANNEX MEANS ONLY PARTY A; (b) THE TERM "PLEDGOR" AS USED IN THIS ANNEX MEANS ONLY PARTY B; (c) ONLY PARTY B MAKES THE PLEDGE AND GRANT IN PARAGRAPH 2, THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN THE FINAL SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 8(a) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS IN PARAGRAPH 9; AND (d) ONLY PARTY B ISDA (R) 1992 44 WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE TRANSFERS OF ELIGIBLE CREDIT SUPPORT HEREUNDER. PARTY A AND PARTY B FURTHER AGREE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE RECITAL TO THIS ANNEX OR PARAGRAPH 7, THIS ANNEX WILL CONSTITUTE A CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT ONLY WITH RESPECT TO PARTY B. Additions to Paragraph 3. THE FOLLOWING SUBPARAGRAPH (c) IS HEREBY ADDED TO PARAGRAPH 3 OF THIS ANNEX: (C) NO OFFSET. On any Valuation Date, if either (i) each party is required to make a Transfer under Paragraph 3(a) or (ii) each party is required to make a Transfer under Paragraph 3(b), then the amounts of those obligations will not offset each other. Posted Collateral. THE DEFINITION OF POSTED COLLATERAL SHALL ALSO INCLUDE ANY AND ALL ACCOUNTS IN WHICH CASH COLLATERAL IS HELD. THIS CREDIT SUPPORT ANNEX IS A SECURITY AGREEMENT UNDER THE NEW YORK UCC. PARAGRAPH 12 IS HEREBY AMENDED BY ADDING, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, THE FOLLOWING: "Moody's" means Moody's Investor Services, Inc., or any successor to the rating business of such entity. "S&P" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating business of such entity. ISDA (R) 1992 45 IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Annex as of the date specified on the first page hereof. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION (Party B) (Party A) By: ___________________________ By: ___________________________ Name: Name: Title: Title: Date: Date: ISDA (R) 1992 46 CONTINUING UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY THIS CONTINUING UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY (this "GUARANTY") is made as of February 2, 2006 and is effective as of October 13, 2005 by GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("GUARANTOR"), to and for the benefit of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ("COUNTERPARTY"). WHEREAS, GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("PRIMARY OBLIGOR") and Counterparty have entered into that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 13, 2005 between Primary Obligor and Counterparty; that certain Schedule to such ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 13, 2005; a Confirmation with a trade date of October 13, 2005 (such ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule, Confirmation, and Credit Support Annex (hereinafter defined) together, as any of them may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, the "SWAP AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which Primary Obligor and Counterparty have entered into a certain foreign currency swap transaction, all more completely described in and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Swap Agreement and all of the other agreements, documents, instruments, certificates, reports and financing statements heretofore or hereafter executed or delivered in connection therewith (specifically including without limitation any Credit Support Annex), as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time (all of such agreements, etc., together with the Swap Agreement, collectively referred to herein as the "SWAP DOCUMENTS"); WHEREAS, Guarantor is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Primary Obligor and, pursuant to Counterparty's request, as an incident to the obligation of Counterparty to enter into the Swap Agreement with Primary Obligor, is required, and has agreed, to execute and deliver this Agreement of even date herewith; WHEREAS, Guarantor acknowledges and confirms that, as wholly-owned subsidiary of Primary Obligor, (a) it will benefit from the foreign currency swap transactions entered into by Primary Obligor and Counterparty pursuant to the Swap Agreement, (b) the undertakings and obligations of Counterparty in favor of Primary Obligor under the Swap Agreement constitute valuable consideration to Guarantor, (c) it was agreed by Primary Obligor and Counterparty at the time the Swap Agreement was entered into that, as an inducement to Counterparty to enter into the foreign currency swap transactions provided for therein, that Primary Obligor would cause Guarantor to provide a guaranty of the obligations and undertakings of Primary Obligor in favor of Counterparty under the Swap Agreement, and (d) Counterparty relied on such agreement entering into the Swap Agreement and the foreign currency swap transactions provided for thereunder. NOW, THEREFORE, for value received and in consideration of the entry by Counterparty into and of the undertakings and obligations of Counterparty in favor of Primary Obligor under the Swap Agreement the undersigned Guarantor unconditionally guaranties and agrees to stand surety for (i) the full and prompt payment when due, whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of early termination, acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of all of the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of every kind and nature of Primary Obligor to Counterparty under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents, howsoever created, 47 arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, joint or several, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, and howsoever owned, held or acquired by Counterparty (including without limitation any interest, fees or expenses accruing following the commencement of any insolvency, receivership, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding relating to Primary Obligor, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest, fees or expenses is allowed in such case or proceeding), and (ii) the prompt, full and faithful discharge by Primary Obligor of each and every term, condition, agreement, representation and warranty now or hereafter made by Primary Obligor to Counterparty under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents (all such indebtedness, liabilities and obligations being hereinafter referred to as the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR'S LIABILITIES"). Guarantor further agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' fees paid or incurred by Counterparty in endeavoring to collect all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities from, or in prosecuting any action against, Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities. All amounts payable by Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be payable upon demand by Counterparty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document and shall be made in lawful money of the United States, in immediately available funds. Notwithstanding any provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, it is intended that this Guaranty, and any liens and security interests granted by Guarantor to secure this Guaranty, not constitute a "Fraudulent Conveyance" (as defined below). Consequently, Guarantor agrees that if the Guaranty, or any liens or security interests securing this Guaranty, would, but for the application of this sentence, constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, this Guaranty and each such lien and security interest shall be valid and enforceable only to the maximum extent that would not cause this Guaranty or such lien or security interest to constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, and this Guaranty shall automatically be deemed to have been amended accordingly at all relevant times. For purposes hereof, "FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE" means a fraudulent conveyance under Section 548 of the "Bankruptcy Code" (as hereinafter defined) or a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under the provisions of any applicable fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer law or similar law of any state, nation or other governmental unit, as in effect from time to time. Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations under this Guaranty shall be unconditional, irrespective of (i) the validity or enforceability of Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof, or of any Swap Document, promissory note or other document evidencing all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, (ii) the absence of any attempt to collect Primary Obligor's Liabilities from Primary Obligor or any other guarantor or other action to enforce the same, (iii) the waiver or consent by Counterparty with respect to any provision of any instrument evidencing Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or any part thereof, or any other agreement heretofore, now or hereafter executed by Primary Obligor and delivered to Counterparty, (iv) the institution of any proceeding under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), as amended (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"), or any similar proceeding, by or against Primary Obligor, or Counterparty's election in any such proceeding of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, (v) any borrowing or grant of a security interest by Primary Obligor as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, (vi) the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of Counterparty's 48 claim(s) for repayment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or (vii) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of receivership or bankruptcy of Primary Obligor, protest or notice with respect to Primary Obligor's Liabilities and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guaranty will not be discharged, except by complete performance of the obligations and liabilities contained herein. Upon any default by Primary Obligor as provided in the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document, Counterparty may, at its sole election, proceed directly and at once, without notice, against Guarantor to collect and recover the full amount or any portion of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, without first proceeding against Primary Obligor, or any other person, firm, or corporation, or against any security or collateral for Primary Obligor's Liabilities. Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection. Counterparty is hereby authorized, without notice or demand and without affecting the liability of Guarantor hereunder, to at any time and from time to time (i) renew, extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment of, or other terms relating to, Primary Obligor's Liabilities or otherwise modify, amend or change the terms of the Swap Agreement or any other Swap Document now or hereafter executed by Primary Obligor and delivered to Counterparty; (ii) accept partial payments on Primary Obligor's Liabilities; (iii) take and hold security or collateral for the payment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities guaranteed hereby, or for the payment of this Guaranty, or for the payment of any other guaranties of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, and exchange, waive and release any such security or collateral; (iv) apply such security or collateral and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as in its sole discretion it may determine; and (v) settle, release, compromise, collect or otherwise liquidate Primary Obligor's Liabilities and any security or collateral therefor in any manner, without affecting or impairing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder. Counterparty shall have the exclusive right to determine the time and manner of application of any payments or credits, whether received from Primary Obligor or any other source, and such determination shall be binding on Guarantor. All such payments and credits may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to any of Primary Obligor's Liabilities as Counterparty shall determine in its sole discretion without affecting the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty. Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of Primary Obligor, and any and all endorsers and/or other guarantor of any instrument or document evidencing all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof that diligent inquiry would reveal and Guarantor hereby agrees that Counterparty shall have no duty to advise Guarantor of information known to Counterparty regarding such condition or any such circumstances or to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine. If Counterparty, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to Guarantor, Counterparty shall be under no obligation to update any such information or to provide any such information to Guarantor on any subsequent occasion. Guarantor consents and agrees that Counterparty shall be under no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of Guarantor or against or in payment of any or all of Primary 49 Obligor's Liabilities. Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent that Primary Obligor makes a payment or payments to Counterparty, or Counterparty receives any proceeds of collateral, which payment or payments or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to Primary Obligor, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other party, including, without limitation, Guarantor under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable theory, then to the extent of such payment or repayment, Primary Obligor's Liabilities or the part thereof which has been paid, reduced or satisfied by such amount, and Guarantor's obligations hereunder with respect to such portion of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, shall be reinstated and continued in full force and effect as of the date such initial payment, reduction or satisfaction occurred. Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of Guarantor against Primary Obligor, any endorser or any other guarantor of all or any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities, or against any of Primary Obligor's properties, whether arising by reason of any payment by Guarantor to Counterparty pursuant to the provisions hereof, or otherwise, shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment, in full, of all of Primary Obligor's Liabilities. Counterparty may, without notice to anyone, sell or assign Primary Obligor's Liabilities or any part thereof, or grant participations therein, and in any such event each and every immediate or remote assignee or holder of, or participant in, all or any of Primary Obligor's Liabilities shall have the right to enforce this Guaranty, by suit or otherwise for the benefit of such assignee, holder, or participant, as fully as if herein by name specifically given such right, but Counterparty shall have an unimpaired right, prior and superior to that of any such assignee, holder or participant, to enforce this Guaranty for the benefit of Counterparty, as to any part of Primary Obligor's Liabilities retained by Counterparty. This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and upon the successors (including without limitation, any receiver, trustee or debtor in possession of or for Guarantor) of Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of Counterparty and its successors and assigns; provided, however, that Guarantor's obligations hereunder may not be delegated or assigned without Counterparty's prior written consent. If there is more than one signatory hereto, all references to Guarantor herein shall include each and every Guarantor and each and every obligation of Guarantor hereunder shall be the joint and several obligation of each Guarantor. Guarantor (and each of them, if there be more than one) represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery hereof) to Counterparty that: (A) It has the legal capacity and corporate authority to execute, deliver and perform this Guaranty, and the transactions contemplated hereby; (B) No consent of any person (including, without limitation, creditors of Guarantor), and no consent, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby; 50 (C) This Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally; and (D) The execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty will not violate the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Guarantor or any requirement of law applicable to or material contractual obligation of Guarantor. This Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect until such time as all of Primary Obligor's Liabilities have been paid in full and discharged, and the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents have been terminated. Wherever possible each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty. THIS GUARANTY AND ALL MATTERS RELATING HERETO AND ARISING HEREFROM (WHETHER ARISING UNDER CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT THEREOF, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO COUNTERPARTY'S ELECTION, ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, UNLESS NONE OF SUCH COURTS HAS LAWFUL JURISDICTION OVER SUCH PROCEEDINGS. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH OF THE GUARANTOR AND THE COUNTERPARTY IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR THE OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR HEREUNDER. THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER AND METHODS SET FORTH BELOW FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES UNDER THIS GUARANTY. 51 EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THE WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS GUARANTY AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE WAIVER IN THEIR RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR AND COUNTERPARTY FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Any notices to be given by one party to the other under this Guaranty shall be given by the notifying party by hand delivery or nationally recognized overnight courier delivered to the notice address for the party to whom notice is being given set forth on the signature page hereto (or such other notice address as such party to whom notice is being given may have given notice of to the other party in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph after the date hereof). Any such notice shall be effective and deemed to have been given when delivered to such address of the party to whom notice is being given. This Guaranty represents the entire understanding and agreement between Guarantor, on the one hand, and Counterparty, on the other hand, with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and there are no other existing agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between or among such parties as to such subject matter. All rights and remedies hereunder and under the Swap Agreement and the other Swap Documents are cumulative and not alternative, and Counterparty may proceed in any order from time to time against Primary Obligor, the Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Primary Obligor's Liabilities and/or the obligations or liabilities of any of them under any Swap Document and their respective assets. Counterparty shall not have any obligation to proceed at any time or in any manner against, or exhaust any or all of Counterparty's rights against, Primary Obligor, or the Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Primary Obligor's Liabilities prior to proceeding against Guarantor hereunder. No failure or delay on the part of Counterparty in the exercise of any power, right or privilege shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty, or consent to any departure by Guarantor therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Counterparty and Guarantor. Each amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank] 52 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed by the undersigned Guarantor as of this 2nd day of February, 2006, and is effective as of October 13, 2005. GENERAL CABLE INDUSTRIES, INC. By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: Address for Notices: 4 Tesseneer Drive Highland Heights, KY 41076 [Signature Page to Guaranty Re October 2005 Foreign Currency Swap with General Cable Corporation] 53
EX-12.1 6 l18783aexv12w1.txt EXHIBIT 12.1 EXHIBIT 12.1 GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN MILLIONS)
Years ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- EARNINGS AS DEFINED Earnings (loss) from operations before income taxes and before adjustments for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries and after eliminating undistributed earnings of equity method investees $ 61.5 $ 18.5 $ (1.2) $ (27.6) $ 58.1 $ (28.9) Preferred stock dividend (pre-tax equivalent) (33.8) (9.2) (0.9) - - - Fixed charges 76.7 49.4 53.6 47.5 51.5 67.8 -------- -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- TOTAL EARNINGS, AS DEFINED $ 104.4 $ 58.7 $ 51.5 $ 19.9 $ 109.6 $ 38.9 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== FIXED CHARGES, AS DEFINED Interest expense $ 36.5 $ 35.0 $ 45.3 $ 41.3 $ 43.2 $ 61.4 Amortization of capitalized expenses related to debt 3.4 2.7 4.5 3.7 4.4 4.2 Preferred stock dividend (pre-tax equivalent) 33.8 9.2 0.9 - - - Interest component of rent expense 3.0 2.5 2.9 2.5 3.9 2.2 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- TOTAL FIXED CHARGES, AS DEFINED $ 76.7 $ 49.4 $ 53.6 $ 47.5 $ 51.5 $ 67.8 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 1.4 1.2 - - 2.1 -
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2000, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $2.1 million $27.6 million and $28.9 million, respectively.
EX-21.1 7 l18783aexv21w1.txt EXHIBIT 21.1 . . . EXHIBIT 21.1 GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
NAME JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION ---- ----------------------------- Dominion Wire and Cables Ltd. Fiji General Cable Automotriz, S.A. de C.V. Mexico General Cable Canada, Ltd. Ontario General Cable Celcat Energia e Telecommunicaciones SA Portugal General Cable Company Nova Scotia General Cable Corporation Delaware General Cable de Latinoamerica, S.A. de C.V. Mexico General Cable de Mexico del Norte, S.A. de C.V. Mexico General Cable Holdings (Spain) SRL Spain General Cable Holdings de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Mexico General Cable Holdings New Zealand New Zealand General Cable Industries, Inc. Delaware General Cable Industries, LLC Delaware General Cable Investments, SGPS SA. Madeira General Cable New Zealand Limited New Zealand General Cable Overseas Holdings, Inc. Delaware General Cable Technologies Corporation Delaware GK Technologies, Inc. New Jersey Grupo General Cable Sistemas, SA. Spain Marathon Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Delaware SILEC Cable, S.A.S. France Telmag Internacional, S.A. de C.V. Mexico
EX-23.1 8 l18783aexv23w1.txt EXHIBIT 23.1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-28965, 333-31865, 333-31867, 333-31869, 333-31871, 333-89629, 333-51812, 333-51818, 333-51822, 333-58792 and 333-125190 on Form S-8 and Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-59125 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 15, 2006, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of General Cable Corporation and management's report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2005. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 2006 EX-31.1 9 l18783aexv31w1.txt EXHIBIT 31.1 EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER I, Gregory B. Kenny, certify that: 1) I have reviewed this Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation; 2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4) The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and; (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5) The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 15, 2006 /s/ GREGORY B. KENNY - -------------------- Gregory B. Kenny President and Chief Executive Officer EX-31.2 10 l18783aexv31w2.txt EXHIBIT 31.2 EXHIBIT 31.2 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER I, Christopher F. Virgulak, certify that: 1) I have reviewed this Form 10-K of General Cable Corporation; 2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4) The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and; (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5) The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 15, 2006 /s/ CHRISTOPHER F. VIRGULAK - --------------------------- Christopher F. Virgulak Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer EX-32.1 11 l18783aexv32w1.txt EXHIBIT 32.1 EXHIBIT 32.1 GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED UNDER SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of General Cable Corporation (the "Company") does hereby certify with respect to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (the "Report") that: 1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: March 15, 2006 /s/ GREGORY B. KENNY -------------------- Gregory B. Kenny Chief Executive Officer Date: March 15, 2006 /s/ CHRISTOPHER F. VIRGULAK --------------------------- Christopher F. Virgulak Chief Financial Officer The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
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