EX-2.18 13 dex218.htm COLLATERAL AGREEMENT Filing Services Provided by RR Donnelley Financial -- Collateral Agreement

 

EXHIBIT 2.18

 


 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

 

made by

 

 

IFCO SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT GMBH

 

 

in favor of

 

 

BANK ONE, NA

as Administrative Agent

 

 

Dated as of January 22, 2003

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page


SECTION 1.  DEFINED TERMS

  

1

1.1      Definitions

  

1

1.2      Other Definitional Provisions

  

5

SECTION 2.  GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

  

6

SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

  

6

3.1      Representations in Credit Agreement

  

7

3.2      Title; No Other Liens

  

7

3.3      Liens

  

7

3.4      Jurisdiction

  

7

3.5      Intentionally Omitted.

  

7

3.6      Farm Products

  

7

3.7      Pledged Securities

  

7

3.8      Receivables

  

7

3.9      Intellectual Property

  

8

SECTION 4.  COVENANTS

  

8

4.1      Covenants in Credit Agreement

  

8

4.2      Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper

  

9

4.3      Maintenance of Insurance

  

9

4.4      Payment of Obligations

  

9

4.5      Further Documentation

  

9

4.6      Changes in Locations, Name, etc.

  

10

4.7      Notices

  

10

4.8      Investment Property

  

10

4.9      Receivables

  

12

4.10    Intellectual Property

  

12

4.11    Deposit Accounts

  

13

4.12    Letter of Credit Rights.

  

14

4.13    Commercial Tort Claims

  

14

SECTION 5.  REMEDIAL PROVISIONS

  

14

5.1      Certain Matters Relating to Receivables

  

14

5.2      Communications with Obligors; Grantor Remain Liable

  

15

5.3      Pledged Stock

  

15

5.4      Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent

  

16

5.5      Intentionally Omitted

  

16

5.6      Code and Other Remedies

  

16

5.7      Deficiency; No Subrogation

  

17

SECTION 6.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

  

18

 

 

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6.1      Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.

  

18

6.2      Duty of Administrative Agent

  

20

6.3      Authorization to File Financing Statements

  

20

6.4      Authority of Administrative Agent

  

20

SECTION 7.  MISCELLANEOUS

  

21

7.1      Amendments in Writing

  

21

7.2      Notices

  

21

7.3      No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies

  

21

7.4      Successors and Assigns

  

21

7.5      Set-Off.

  

21

7.6      Counterparts

  

22

7.7      Severability

  

22

7.8      Section Headings

  

22

7.9      Integration

  

22

7.10    GOVERNING LAW

  

22

7.11    Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

  

22

7.12    Acknowledgments

  

23

7.13    Releases

  

24

7.14    Intentionally Omitted

  

24

7.15    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

  

24

 

 

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COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of January 22, 2003, made by IFCO SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT GMBH (“Grantor”), in favor of BANK ONE, NA, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions (the “Lenders”) from time to time parties to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2002 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among IFCO SYSTEMS, N.V. (“Holdings”), IFCO SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement, and the Administrative Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have made, and may from time to time make, extensions of credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes Grantor;

 

WHEREAS, the proceeds of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement have been and may be used in part to enable Borrower to make valuable transfers to Grantor in connection with the operation of its business;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower and Grantor are engaged in related businesses, and Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, Grantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS

 

1.1 Definitions.

 

(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of Texas or the date hereof are used herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Equipment, Farm Products, Goods, Instruments, Inventory and Payment Intangibles.

 

(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

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Agreement”: this Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Collateral”: as defined in Section 3.

 

Commercial Tort Claims”: a claim arising in tort with respect to which the claimant is Grantor.

 

Copyrights”: (i) all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished (including, without limitation, those listed in Schedule 2), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Copyright Licenses”: any written agreement naming Grantor as licensor or licensee (including, without limitation, those listed in Schedule 2), granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Deposit Account”: as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and, in any event, including, without limitation, any demand, time, savings, passbook or like account maintained with a depositary institution.

 

General Intangibles”: all “general intangibles” as such term is defined in Section 9.102(42) of the Texas UCC and, in any event, including without limitation, all Commercial Tort Claims, Payment Intangibles and all contracts, agreements, instruments and indentures in any form, and portions thereof, to which Grantor is a party or under which Grantor has any right, title or interest or to which Grantor or any property of Grantor is subject, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, including, without limitation, (i) all rights of Grantor to receive moneys due and to become due to it thereunder or in connection therewith, (ii) all rights of Grantor to damages arising thereunder and (iii) all rights of Grantor to perform and to exercise all remedies thereunder, in each case to the extent the grant by Grantor of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in its right, title and interest in such contract, agreement, instrument or indenture is not prohibited by such contract, agreement, instrument or indenture without the consent of any other party thereto, would not give any other party to such contract, agreement, instrument or indenture the right to terminate its obligations thereunder, or is permitted with consent if all necessary consents to such grant of a security interest have been obtained from the other parties thereto (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be deemed to obligate Grantor to obtain such consents); provided, that the foregoing limitation shall not affect, limit, restrict or impair the grant by Grantor of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in any Receivable or any money or other amounts due or to become due under any such contract, agreement, instrument or indenture.

 

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Guarantee”: the Guarantee of even date herewith executed by Grantor in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Guarantor Obligations”: all obligations and liabilities of Grantor which may arise under or in connection with the Guarantee, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which Grantor is a party, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by Grantor pursuant to the terms of the Guarantee, this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

Hedge Agreements”: as to any Person, all interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements entered into by such Person providing for protection against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intercompany Note”: any promissory note evidencing loans made by Grantor to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Investment Property”: the collective reference to (i) all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9.102(49) of the Texas UCC and (ii) whether or not constituting “investment property” as so defined, all Pledged Notes and all Pledged Stock.

 

Issuers”: the collective reference to each issuer of a Pledged Security.

 

Letter-of-Credit Rights”: all rights to payment or performance under a “letter of credit” (as defined in the Texas UCC) whether or not the beneficiary has demanded or is at the time entitled to demand payment or performance.

 

Patents”: (i) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof and all goodwill associated therewith, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 2, (ii) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including, without

 

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limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 2, and (iii) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent License”: all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to Grantor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5.

 

Pledged Notes”: all promissory notes listed on Schedule 1, all Intercompany Notes at any time issued to Grantor and all other promissory notes issued to or held by Grantor (other than promissory notes issued in connection with extensions of trade credit by Grantor in the ordinary course of business).

 

Pledged Securities”: the collective reference to the Pledged Notes and the Pledged Stock.

 

Pledged Stock”: the shares of Capital Stock listed on Schedule 1, together with any other shares, stock certificates, options or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Capital Stock of any Person that may be issued or granted to, or held by, Grantor while this Agreement is in effect.

 

Proceeds”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9.102(65) of the Texas UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Receivable”: any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance (including, without limitation, any Account).

 

Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Specified Hedge Agreement”: any Hedge Agreement (a) entered into by (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) any Lender or any affiliate thereof, as counterparty, and (b) which has been designated by such Lender and the Borrower, by notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 90 days after the execution and delivery by the Borrower or its Subsidiary thereof, as a Specified Hedge Agreement. The designation of any Hedge Agreement as a Specified Hedge Agreement shall not create in favor of the Lender or affiliate thereof that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral.

 

Texas UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of Texas.

 

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Trademarks”: (i) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 2, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof

 

Trademark License”: any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to Grantor of any right to use any Trademark, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 2.

 

Vehicles”: all cars, trucks, trailers, construction and earth moving equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title law of any state and all tires and other appurtenances to any of the foregoing; provided that the Administrative Agent does not intend to cause Grantor to notate the liens created by this Agreement on any certificate of title covering trailers.

 

1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(a) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

 

Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders (and any affiliates of any Lender to which Hedge Agreement Obligations are owing), a continuing security interest in, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by Grantor or in which Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “Collateral”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Guarantor Obligations:

 

(a) all Accounts;

 

(b) all Chattel Paper;

 

(c) all Deposit Accounts;

 

(d) all Documents;

 

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(e) all Equipment, including without limitation, all parts thereof, all accessions thereto, and all replacements therefor;

 

(f) all General Intangibles;

 

(g) all Instruments;

 

(h) all Intellectual Property;

 

(i) all Inventory, including without limitation, all accessions thereto;

 

(j) all Investment Property;

 

(k) all monies and property of any kind of Debtor in the possession or under the control of Secured Party;

 

(l) all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

 

(m) all Vehicles;

 

(n) all Goods and other property not otherwise described above;

 

(o) all books and records (including, without limitation, customer lists, marketing information, credit files, price lists, operating records, vendor and supplier price lists, sales literature, computer software, computer hardware, computer disks and tapes and other storage media, printouts and other materials and records) pertaining to the Collateral; and

 

(p) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower thereunder, Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 

3.1 Representations in Credit Agreement. The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement as they relate to Grantor or to the Loan Documents to which Grantor is a party, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, are true and correct in all material respects, and the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be entitled to rely on each of them as if they were fully set forth herein, provided that each reference in each such representation and warranty to the Borrower’s or Holding’s knowledge shall, for the purposes of this Section 3.1, be deemed to be a reference to Grantor’s knowledge.

 

 

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3.2 Title; No Other Liens. Except for the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral by the Credit Agreement, Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

3.3 Liens. The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) constitute valid security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as collateral security for the Guarantor Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral from Grantor (other than purchasers in the ordinary course of business) and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof except for Liens permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

3.4 Jurisdiction. On the date hereof, Grantor is organized under the laws of Germany.

 

3.5 Intentionally Omitted.

 

3.6 Farm Products. None of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, Farm Products.

 

3.7 Pledged Securities.

 

(a) The shares of Pledged Stock pledged by Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer owned by Grantor.

 

(b) All the shares of the Pledged Stock have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(c) Each of the Pledged Notes constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor with respect thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(d) Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Investment Property pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the security interest created by this Agreement, and as permitted under the Credit Agreement.

 

3.8 Receivables.

 

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(a) No amount payable to Grantor under or in connection with any Receivable is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b) The amounts represented by Grantor to the Lenders from time to time as owing to Grantor in respect of the Receivables will at such times be accurate in all material respects.

 

3.9 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Schedule 2 lists all Intellectual Property owned by Grantor in its own name on the date hereof.

 

(b) On the date hereof, all material Intellectual Property of Grantor described on Schedule 2 is valid, subsisting, unexpired and enforceable, has not been abandoned and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other Person.

 

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 2, on the date hereof, none of the Intellectual Property is the subject of any licensing or franchise agreement pursuant to which Grantor is the licensor or franchisor.

 

(d) No holding, decision or judgment has been rendered by any Governmental Authority which would limit, cancel or question the validity of, or Grantor’s rights in, any Intellectual Property in any respect that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) No action or proceeding is pending, or, to the knowledge of Grantor, threatened, on the date hereof (i) seeking to limit, cancel or question the validity of any Intellectual Property or Grantor’s ownership interest therein, or (ii) which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the value of any Intellectual Property.

 

SECTION 4. COVENANTS

 

Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Guarantor Obligations shall have been paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have terminated:

 

4.1 Covenants in Credit Agreement. In the case of Grantor, Grantor shall take, or shall refrain from taking, as the case may be, each action that is necessary to be taken or not taken, as the case may be, so that no Default or Event of Default is caused by the failure to take such action or to refrain from taking such action by Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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4.2 Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper, such Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4.3 Maintenance of Insurance.

 

(a) Grantor will maintain, with financially sound and reputable companies, insurance policies (i) insuring the Inventory, Equipment and Vehicles against loss by fire, explosion, theft and such other casualties as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) insuring Grantor and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, against liability for personal injury and property damage relating to such Inventory, Equipment and Vehicles, such policies to be in such form and amounts and having such coverage as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

(b) All such insurance shall (i) provide that no cancellation, material reduction in amount or material change in coverage thereof shall be effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice thereof, (ii) name the Administrative Agent as insured party or loss payee, (iii) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, include a breach of warranty clause and (iv) be reasonably satisfactory in all other respects to the Administrative Agent.

 

(c) The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a report of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such insurance substantially concurrently with the delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of its audited financial statements for each fiscal year and such supplemental reports with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

4.4 Payment of Obligations. Grantor will pay and discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon the Collateral or in respect of income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims of any kind (including, without limitation, claims for labor, materials and supplies) against or with respect to the Collateral, except that no such charge need be paid if the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of Grantor and such proceedings could not reasonably be expected to result in the sale, forfeiture or loss of any material portion of the Collateral or any interest therein.

 

4.5 Further Documentation.

 

(a) Grantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the assets and

 

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property of Grantor and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

 

(b) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of Grantor, Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, (i) the filing of any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby and (ii) in the case of Investment Property, Deposit Accounts and any other relevant Collateral, taking any actions necessary to enable the Administrative Agent to obtain “control” (within the meaning of the applicable Uniform Commercial Code) with respect thereto.

 

4.6 Changes in Locations, Name, etc. Grantor will not, except upon 20 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and delivery to the Administrative Agent of all additional executed financing statements and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein:

 

(i) change its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office or sole place of business from that referred to in Section 4.4; or

 

(ii) change its name, identity or corporate structure to such an extent that any financing statement filed by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement would become misleading.

 

4.7 Notices. Grantor will advise the Administrative Agent and the Lenders promptly, in reasonable detail, of:

 

(a) any Lien (other than security interests created hereby or Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement) on any of the Collateral which would adversely affect the ability of the Administrative Agent to exercise any of its remedies hereunder; and

 

(b) of the occurrence of any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of the Collateral or on the security interests created hereby.

 

4.8 Investment Property.

 

(a) If Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights (if in deliverable form) in respect of the Capital Stock of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in

 

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substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by Grantor and with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Guarantor Obligations. Except as provided in the Credit Agreement, any sums paid upon or in respect of the Investment Property upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the Guarantor Obligations, and in case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in respect of the Investment Property or any property shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Investment Property pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall, unless otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, be delivered to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the Guarantor Obligations. Except as provided in the Credit Agreement, if any sums of money or property so paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities shall be received by Grantor, Grantor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Lenders, segregated from other funds of Grantor, as additional collateral security for the Guarantor Obligations.

 

(b) Except as provided in the Credit Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, Grantor will not (i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any stock or other equity securities of any nature or to issue any other securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any stock or other equity securities of any nature of any Issuer, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof except pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement), (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein, except for the security interests created by this Agreement or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of Grantor or the Administrative Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof.

 

(c) Grantor agrees that if it is or becomes an Issuer (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Pledged Securities issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it, (ii) it will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 4.8(a) with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it and (iii) the terms of Sections 5.3(c) and 5.7 shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis, with respect to all

 

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actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 5.3(c) or 5.7 with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it.

 

4.9 Receivables.

 

(a) Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice, Grantor will not (i) grant any extension of the time of payment of any Receivable, (ii) compromise or settle any Receivable for less than the full amount thereof, (iii) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment of any Receivable, (iv) allow any creditor discount whatsoever on any Receivable or (v) amend, supplement or modify any Receivable in any manner that could adversely affect the value thereof.

 

(b) Grantor will deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each material demand, notice or document received by it that questions or calls into doubt the validity or enforceability of more than 5% of the aggregate amount of the then outstanding Receivables.

 

4.10 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will (i) continue to use each material Trademark on each and every trademark class of goods applicable to its current line as reflected in its current catalogs, brochures and price lists in order to maintain such Trademark in full force free from any claim of abandonment for non-use, (ii) maintain as in the past the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) use such Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration and all other notices and legends required by applicable Requirements of Law, (iv) not adopt or use any mark which is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of such Trademark unless the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, shall obtain a security interest in such mark pursuant to this Agreement and take reasonable steps to perfect such security interest promptly, and (v) not (and not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby such Trademark may become invalidated or impaired in any way, except to the extent that Grantor reasonably determines that any Trademark is of no further value.

 

(b) Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any material Patent may become forfeited, abandoned or dedicated to the public.

 

(c) Grantor (either itself or through licensees) (i) will employ each material Copyright and (ii) will not (and will not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any material portion of the Copyrights may become invalidated or otherwise impaired. Grantor will not (either itself or through licensees) do any act whereby any material portion of the Copyrights may fall into the public domain.

 

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(d) Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not do any act that knowingly uses any material Intellectual Property to infringe the intellectual property rights of any other Person.

 

(e) Grantor will notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders immediately if it knows, or has reason to know, that any application or registration relating to any material Intellectual Property may become forfeited, abandoned or dedicated to the public, or of any adverse determination or development (including, without limitation, the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any court or tribunal in any country) regarding Grantor’s ownership of, or the validity of, any material Intellectual Property or Grantor’s right to register the same or to own and maintain the same.

 

(f) Whenever Grantor, either by itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall file an application for the registration of any Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, Grantor shall report such filing to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after the last day of the fiscal quarter in which such filing occurs. Upon request of the Administrative Agent, Grantor shall execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents, and papers as the Administrative Agent may request to evidence the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interest in any Copyright, Patent or Trademark and the goodwill and general intangibles of Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby.

 

(g) Grantor will take all reasonable and necessary steps, including, without limitation, in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) and to maintain each registration of the material Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use and affidavits of incontestability.

 

(h) In the event that any material Intellectual Property is infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, Grantor shall (i) take such actions as Grantor shall reasonably deem appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Intellectual Property and (ii) if such Intellectual Property is of material economic value, promptly notify the Administrative Agent after it learns thereof.

 

4.11 Deposit Accounts. For each Deposit Account that Grantor at any time opens and maintains, Grantor shall, at Administrative Agent’s request and option, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, either (i) cause the depository bank which maintains such Deposit Account to agree to comply at any time with instructions from Administrative Agent to such depository bank directing the disposition of funds from time to time credited to such Deposit Account, without further consent of Grantor, or (ii) arrange for

 

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Administrative Agent to become the customer of such depository bank with respect to the Deposit Account, with Grantor being permitted, only with the consent of Administrative Agent to exercise rights to withdraw funds from such Deposit Account. Administrative Agent agrees with Grantor that Administrative Agent shall not give any such instructions or withhold any withdrawal rights from Grantor unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The provisions of this Section 4.11 shall not apply to (a) any Deposit Account for which Grantor, the applicable depository bank, and Administrative Agents have entered into a cash collateral agreement specially negotiated among Grantor, such depositary bank, and Administrative Agent for the specific purpose set forth therein, (b) Deposit Accounts for which Administrative Agent are the depositary bank, and (c) Deposit Accounts specially and exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes, and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Grantor’s salaried employees.

 

4.12 Letter of Credit Rights. If Grantor is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit now or hereafter issued in favor of Grantor, Grantor shall promptly notify Administrative Agent thereof and, at the request and option of Administrative Agent, Grantor shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, either (i) arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to Administrative Agent of the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit or (ii) arrange for Administrative Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of such letter of credit.

 

4.13 Commercial Tort Claims. If Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim, Grantor shall immediately notify Administrative Agent in writing of the details thereof and grant to Administrative Agent in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, provided it does not adversely affect such Commercial Tort Claim.

 

SECTION 5. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS

 

5.1 Certain Matters Relating to Receivables.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have the right to make test verifications of the Receivables in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and Grantor shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such test verifications. At any time during the existence and continuance of an Event of Default, upon the Administrative Agent’s request and at the Grantor’s expense, Grantor shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to furnish to the Administrative Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Receivables.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent hereby authorizes Grantor to collect Grantor’s Receivables, subject to the Administrative Agent’s direction and control, and the Administrative Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the

 

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occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default. Any payments of Receivables, when collected by Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith deposited by Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by Grantor to the Administrative Agent if required, in the Lockbox Account, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.

 

(c) At the Administrative Agent’s request, Grantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Receivables, including, without limitation, all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

5.2 Communications with Obligors; Grantor Remains Liable.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time communicate with obligors under the Receivables to verify with them to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Receivables provided that in the absence of an Event of Default, such communication may be had only with the Borrower’s prior approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(b) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Receivables to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

5.3 Pledged Stock.

 

(a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice to Grantor of the Administrative Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 5.3(b), Grantor shall be permitted to exercise all voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Securities; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or corporate right exercised or other action taken which, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, would impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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(b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to Grantor, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Pledged Securities and make application thereof to the Guarantor Obligations in accordance with the Credit Agreement, and (ii) any or all of the Pledged Securities shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Pledged Securities at any meeting of shareholders of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Pledged Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by Grantor or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Pledged Securities, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Securities with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c) Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Pledged Securities pledged by Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that is in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from Grantor, and Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Pledged Securities directly to the Administrative Agent.

 

5.4 Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent. In addition to the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders specified in Section 6.1 with respect to payments of Receivables, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items shall be held by Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by Grantor, be deposited into the Lockbox Account.

 

5.5 Intentionally Omitted.

 

5.6 Code and Other Remedies. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Guarantor Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Texas UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality

 

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of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Grantor further agrees, at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative Agent shall reasonably select, whether at Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.6, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Guarantor Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9.615 of the Texas UCC, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

5.7 Deficiency; No Subrogation. Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay the Guarantor Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by Grantor hereunder, or any set-off or application of funds of Grantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, Grantor shall not be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower or against any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Guarantor Obligations, nor shall Grantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower in respect of payments made by Grantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower on account of the Guarantor Obligations are paid in full and the Revolving Credit Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to Grantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all

 

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of the Guarantor Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by Grantor be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by Grantor (duly indorsed by Grantor to the Administrative Agent if required), to be applied against the Guarantor Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may determine.

 

SECTION 6. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

6.1 Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc. (a) Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grantor hereby gives the Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of Grantor, without notice to or assent by Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

 

(i) in the name of Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

(ii) in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Administrative Agent may request to evidence the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and general intangibles of Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(iii) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

(iv) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 6.6 or 6.7, any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(v) (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent

 

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shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any Copyright, Patent or Trademark (along with the goodwill of the business to which any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark pertains), throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the Administrative Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; and (8) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Administrative Agent’s option and Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as Grantor might do.

 

Anything in this Section 6.1

 

(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 6.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(c) If Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(d) The expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 6.1, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate, from the date of payment by the Administrative Agent to the date reimbursed by Grantor, shall be payable by Grantor to the Administrative Agent on demand.

 

(e) Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this

 

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Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

6.2 Duty of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9.207 of the Texas UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar property for its own account. Neither the Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

6.3 Authorization to File Financing Statements. Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time to file, without the signature of Grantor, in any jurisdiction any amendments to existing financing statements and any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that (a) indicate the Collateral (i) as “all assets of Debtor and all proceeds thereof, and all rights and privileges with respect thereto” or words of similar effect, regardless of whether any particular asset comprised in the Collateral falls within the scope of Article 9 of the Texas UCC, or (ii) as being of an equal or lesser scope or with greater detail; (b) contain any other information required by subchapter E of Article 9 of the UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including whether Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organization identification number issued to Grantor; and (c) are necessary to properly effectuate the transactions described in the Credit Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent in its discretion. Grantor agrees to furnish any such information to Administrative Agent promptly upon request. Grantor further agrees that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any financing statement describing any Collateral is sufficient as a financing statement and may be filed in any jurisdiction by Administrative Agent.

 

6.4 Authority of Administrative Agent. Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and Grantor, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for

 

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the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and Grantor shall not be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1 Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

7.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

7.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 7.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, maybe exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

7.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that Grantor may not assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

7.5 Set-Off. Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and each Lender during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default, without notice to Grantor, any such notice being expressly waived by Grantor, to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of Grantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of Grantor to the Administrative Agent or such Lender hereunder and claims of every nature and description of the Administrative Agent or such Lender against Grantor, in any currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may elect, whether or

 

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not the Administrative Agent or any Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify Grantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender of the proceeds thereof, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

 

7.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.7 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

7.8 Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

7.9 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of Grantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

 

7.10 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT PERFECTION OR NON-PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTERESTS CREATED HEREBY, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL, ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

 

7.11 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of Texas, the courts of the United States of America for the Northern District of Texas, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

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(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to Grantor at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

 

(e) appoints CT Corporation System (the “Texas Process Agent”), as its agent to receive on behalf of itself and its property, service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding in any such Texas State or Federal court and agrees promptly to appoint a successor Texas Process Agent in Texas (which successor Texas Process Agent shall accept such appointment in writing prior to the termination, for any reason, of the appointment of the initial Texas Process Agent) and promptly to provide written notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the appointment of such successor Texas Process Agent. In any such action or proceeding in such Texas State or Federal court sitting in Texas, such service may be made on Grantor by delivering a copy of such process to in care of the appropriate Texas Process Agent at such Texas Process Agent’s address. Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally authorizes and directs such Texas Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf.

 

(f) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

7.12 Acknowledgments. Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Grantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

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(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among Grantor and the Lenders.

 

7.13 Releases.

 

(a) At such time as the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and the other Guarantor Obligations (other than Borrower Hedge Agreement Obligations) shall have been paid in full, the Revolving Credit Commitments have been terminated and no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding or the principal amount thereof shall be cash collateralized, the Collateral other than cash securing outstanding Letters of Credit shall be released from the Liens created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and Grantor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor. At the request and sole expense of Grantor following any such termination, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to Grantor any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

(b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by Grantor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of Grantor, shall execute and deliver to Grantor all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on such Collateral.

 

7.14 Intentionally Omitted.

 

7.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. GRANTOR AND, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE BENEFITS HEREOF, EACH AGENT AND EACH LENDER, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

[Remainder of Page Left Blank Intentionally]

 

-24-


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

IFCO SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT GMBH

By:

 

/s/    KARL POHLER        


   

Karl Pohler

Attorney-in-Fact

By:

 

/s/    MICHAEL NIMTSCH        


   

Michael Nimtsch

Attorney-in-Fact

Address:

 

            Zugspifzstrasse 7

            82049 München - Pullach

            Germany


Schedule 1

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PLEDGED SECURITIES

 

Pledged Stock:

 

Issuer


  

Class of Stock


    

Stock Certificate No.


    

No. of Shares


 

 

Pledged Notes:

 

Issuer


  

Payee


  

Principal Amount



Schedule 2

 

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

I.   Copyrights and Copyright Licenses:

 

II.   Patents and Patent Licenses:

 

III.   Trademarks and Trademark Licenses:


Annex II

to

Collateral Agreement

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Collateral Agreement dated as of January 22, 2003 (the “Agreement”), made by IFCO Systems Management GmbH for the benefit of Bank One, NA, as Administrative Agent. The undersigned agrees for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows:

 

  1.   The undersigned will be bound by the terms of the Agreement and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to the undersigned.

 

  2.   The undersigned will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 4.8(a) of the Agreement.

 

  3.   The terms of Section 5.3(a) of the Agreement shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis, with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 6.3(a) of the Agreement.

 

[NAME OF ISSUER]

By:

 
   

Name:

Title: