EX-10.30 5 b86786exv10w30.htm EX-10.30 exv10w30
Exhibit 10.30
GUARANTY
Dated as of April 26, 2011
From
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
and
THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS REFERRED TO HEREIN
as Guarantors
in favor of
THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN
THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN

 


 

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S
         
Section   Page
Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability
    1  
 
Section 2. Guaranty Absolute
    2  
 
Section 3. Waivers and Acknowledgments
    3  
 
Section 4. Subrogation
    3  
 
Section 5. Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc
    4  
 
Section 6. Representations and Warranties
    4  
 
Section 7. Covenants
    4  
 
Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc
    5  
 
Section 9. Notices, Etc
    5  
 
Section 10. No Waiver; Remedies
    5  
 
Section 11. Right of Set-off
    5  
 
Section 12. Indemnification
    6  
 
Section 13. Subordination
    6  
 
Section 14. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement
    7  
 
Section 15. Execution in Counterparts
    7  
 
Section 16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc
    7  
 
       
 
Exhibit A — Guaranty Supplement
       
 i 

 


 

GUARANTY
          GUARANTY, dated as of April 26, 2011, made by Nortek, Inc. (the “Borrower”), the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof and the Additional Guarantors (as defined in Section 8(b)) (such Persons so listed and the Additional Guarantors being, collectively, the “Guarantors” and, individually, each a “Guarantor”) in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).
          PRELIMINARY STATEMENT. The Borrower and the other Loan Parties party thereto are parties to a Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; the capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), with certain Lenders party thereto, and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for such Lenders. Each Guarantor may receive, directly or indirectly, a portion of the proceeds of the Loans under the Credit Agreement and will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement. It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans under the Credit Agreement, each Guarantor, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, hereby agrees as follows:
          Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability. (a) Each Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of each other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such Obligations being the “Guaranteed Obligations”), and agrees to pay any and all documented out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party to any Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Loan Party.
          (b) Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Debtor Relief Laws, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
          (c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty or any other guaranty, such Guarantor will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by law, such amounts to each other

 


 

Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.
          Section 2. Guaranty Absolute. Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any Law now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any Secured Party with respect thereto. The Obligations of each Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or whether the Borrower or any other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses (other than indefeasible payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations) it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:
     (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;
     (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise;
     (c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral or any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (d) any manner of application of Collateral or any other collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any Collateral or any other collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any other assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;
     (e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;
     (f) any failure of any Secured Party to disclose to any Loan Party any information relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party now or hereafter known to such Secured Party (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information);
     (g) the failure of any other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty, any Guaranty Supplement (as hereinafter defined) or any other guaranty or agreement or the release or reduction of liability of any Guarantor or other guarantor or surety with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; or
     (h) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by any Secured Party that might otherwise

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     constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other guarantor or surety.
This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Secured Party or any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
          Section 3. Waivers and Acknowledgments. (a) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance, default, acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any other Person or any Collateral.
          (b) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to revoke this Guaranty and acknowledges that this Guaranty is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.
          (c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any Secured Party that in any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification rights of such Guarantor or other rights of such Guarantor to proceed against any of the other Loan Parties, any other guarantor or any other Person or any Collateral and (ii) any defense based on any right of set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the Obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.
          (d) Each Guarantor acknowledges that the Administrative Agent may, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, without notice to or demand upon such Guarantor and without affecting the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty, foreclose under any mortgage by nonjudicial sale, and each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defense to the recovery by the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties against such Guarantor of any deficiency after such nonjudicial sale and any defense or benefits that may be afforded by applicable Law.
          (e) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any duty on the part of any Secured Party to disclose to such Guarantor any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter known by such Secured Party.
          (f) Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the waivers set forth in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
          Section 4. Subrogation. Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s Obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Secured Party against the Borrower, any

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other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) Hedging Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Hedge Bank have been made). If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to payment in full of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) Hedging Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Hedge Bank have been made), such amount shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of such Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) any Guarantor shall make payment to any Secured Party of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (ii) all Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) Hedging Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Hedge Bank have been made), the Secured Parties will, at such Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.
          Section 5. Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc. Any and all payments made by any Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall be made in accordance with Sections 2.12, 3.01 and 3.04(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, and such Guarantor shall make such payments free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes and shall pay or indemnify each Secured Party for Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes, in each case on the same terms and to the same extent as if such Guarantor were a borrower under the Credit Agreement.
          Section 6. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor hereby makes each representation and warranty made in the Loan Documents by the Borrower with respect to such Guarantor and each Guarantor hereby further represents and warrants as follows:
     (a) There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have not been satisfied or waived.
     (b) Each Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon any Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which it is or is to be a party, and such Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from each other Loan Party on a continuing basis information pertaining to, and is now and on a continuing basis will be reasonably familiar with, the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of such other Loan Party.
          Section 7. Covenants. Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that, until (i) all Obligations shall have been paid in full (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted and (B) Hedging Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable

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Hedge Bank have been made), such Guarantor will perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe, all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its or their part to be performed or observed or that the Borrower has agreed to cause such Guarantor or such Subsidiaries to perform or observe.
          Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing executed in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
          (b) Upon the execution and delivery by any Person of a guaranty supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Guaranty Supplement”), (i) such Person shall be referred to as an “Additional Guarantor” and shall become and be a Guarantor hereunder, and each reference in this Guaranty to a “Guarantor” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “Guarantor” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and (ii) each reference herein to “this Guaranty”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, and each reference in any other Loan Document to the “Guaranty”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, shall mean and be a reference to this Guaranty as supplemented by such Guaranty Supplement.
          Section 9. Notices, Etc. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, tele-copied, telexed or delivered to the appropriate recipient, if to any Guarantor, addressed to it in care of the Borrower at the Borrower’s address specified in Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at its address specified in Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other communications shall, when mailed, telegraphed, telecopied or telexed, be effective when deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company, transmitted by telecopier or confirmed by telex answerback, respectively. Delivery by telecopier, or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail of an executed counterpart of a signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or of any Guaranty Supplement to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
          Section 10. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
          Section 11. Right of Set-off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender, or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any and all of the Obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether such Lender, or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify such Guarantor after any such set-off and application; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each

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Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Agent, such Lender and their respective Affiliates may have.
          Section 12. Indemnification. (a) Without limitation on any other Obligations of any Guarantor or remedies of the Secured Parties under this Guaranty, each Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each Secured Party and their respective Related Parties (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and reasonably related expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) that may be incurred by or asserted against any Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any Guaranteed Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of any Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their terms; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnified Party, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party or (y) result from a claim brought by such Guarantor against an Indemnified Party for the material breach of such Indemnified Party’s obligations hereunder or under any Loan Document, if such Guarantor has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
          (b) Each Guarantor hereby also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Guarantors or any of their respective Related Parties, and each Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, in each case arising out of or otherwise relating to the Credit Agreement, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
          (c) Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of any Guarantor under this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of each Guarantor contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses), the last sentence of Section 2, Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.
          Section 13. Subordination. Each Guarantor hereby subordinates any and all debts, liabilities and other Obligations owed to such Guarantor by each other Loan Party (the “Subordinated Obligations”) to the Guaranteed Obligations to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Section 13:
     (a) Prohibited Payments, Etc. Except during the continuance of an Event of Default under Sections 8.01(a), (f) and (g) of the Credit Agreement, each Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled payments from any other Loan Party on account of the Subordinated Obligations. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under Sections 8.01(a), (f) and (g) of the Credit Agreement, however, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees, no Guarantor shall demand, accept or take any action to collect any payment on account of the Subordinated Obligations.
     (b) Prior Payment of Guaranteed Obligations. In any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any other Loan Party, each Guarantor agrees that the Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of all Guaranteed Obligations (including all interest

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and expenses accruing after the commencement of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, whether or not constituting an allowed claim in such proceeding (“Post Petition Interest”)) before such Guarantor receives payment of any Subordinated Obligations.
     (c) Turn-Over. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Guarantor shall, if the Administrative Agent so requests, collect, enforce and receive payments on account of the Subordinated Obligations as trustee for the Secured Parties and deliver such payments to the Administrative Agent on account of the Guaranteed Obligations (including all Post Petition Interest), together with any necessary endorsements or other instruments of transfer, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty.
     (d) Administrative Agent Authorization. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent is authorized and empowered (but without any obligation to so do), in its discretion, (i) in the name of each Guarantor, to collect and enforce, and to submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and to apply any amounts received thereon to the Guaranteed Obligations (including any and all Post Petition Interest), and (ii) to require each Guarantor (A) to collect and enforce, and to submit claims in respect of, Subordinated Obligations and (B) to pay any amounts received on such obligations to the Administrative Agent for application to the Guaranteed Obligations (including any and all Post Petition Interest).
          Section 14. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of all Obligations, (b) be binding upon the Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of the Loans owing to it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Secured Party herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 11.05 of the Credit Agreement. No Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.
          Section 15. Execution in Counterparts. This Guaranty and each amendment, waiver and consent with respect hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties thereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty.
          Section 16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. (a) This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
          (b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS 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

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GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WILL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST EACH GUARANTOR OR THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. 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.
          (c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
          (d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
          (e) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower and each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
         
  NORTEK, INC., as the Borrower
 
 
  By:   /s/ Almon C. Hall    
    Name:   Almon C. Hall   
    Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 
[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 


 

         
  GUARANTORS:

AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.
BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.
BROAN-NUTONE LLC
BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP
CES GROUP, LLC
CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CLPK, LLC
ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
ERGOTRON, INC.
GATES THAT OPEN, LLC
GEFEN, LLC
GOVERNAIR LLC
HUNTAIR, INC.
HUNTAIR MIDDLE EAST HOLDINGS, INC.
LINEAR LLC
LITE TOUCH, INC.
MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.
MAMMOTH, INC.
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION
NORDYNE LLC
NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NUTONE LLC
OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.
PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.
PANAMAX LLC
RANGAIRE GP, INC.
RANGAIRE LP, INC.
SECURE WIRELESS, INC.
SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC
TEMTROL, LLC
THE AVC GROUP, LLC
XANTECH LLC
ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ Edward J. Cooney    
    Name:   Edward J. Cooney   
    Title:  
Vice President and Treasurer
(of entity listed or as an officer of the
managing member, sole member or general
partner) 
 
 
[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 


 

         
  ACKNOWLEDGED:

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH,
as Administrative Agent
 
 
  By:   /s/ Irja R. Otsa    
    Name:   Irja R. Otsa   
    Title:   Associate Director
Banking Products Services, US 
 
 
     
  By:   /s/ Mary E. Evans    
    Name:   Mary E. Evans   
    Title:   Associate Director
Banking Products Services, US 
 
 
[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 


 

Exhibit A
To The
Guaranty
FORM OF GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT
                         ,      
UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Administrative Agent
[Address of Administrative Agent]
Attention:                     
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2011, among
Nortek, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the other
Loan Parties thereto, the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement,
UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
          Reference is made to the above-captioned Credit Agreement and to the Guaranty referred to therein (such Guaranty, as in effect on the date hereof and as it may hereafter be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with this Guaranty Supplement, being the “Guaranty”). The capitalized terms defined in the Guaranty or in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.
          Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability. (a) The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of each other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premium, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such Obligations being the “Guaranteed Obligations”), and agrees to pay any and all documented out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty, any Hedging Obligations or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the undersigned’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party to any Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Loan Party.
          (b) The undersigned, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty Supplement, the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and there-under not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Debtor Relief Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the undersigned hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum

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amount as will result in the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
          (c) The undersigned hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty or any other guaranty, the undersigned will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.
          Section 2. Obligations Under the Guaranty. The undersigned hereby agrees, as of the date first above written, to be bound as a Guarantor by all of the terms and conditions of the Guaranty to the same extent as each of the other Guarantors thereunder. The undersigned further agrees, as of the date first above written, that each reference in the Guaranty to an “Additional Guarantor” or a “Guarantor” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “Guarantor” or a “Loan Party” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned.
          Section 3. Representations and Warranties. The undersigned hereby makes each representation and warranty set forth in Section 6 of the Guaranty to the same extent as each other Guarantor.
          Section 4. Delivery by Telecopier. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty Supplement by telecopier or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty Supplement.
          Section 5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc
          (a) This Guaranty Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
          (b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS 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 GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND THE UNDERSIGNED HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WILL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY SUPPLEMNENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE UNDERSIGNED OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THE UNDERSIGNED 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.
          (c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

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APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
          (d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. THE UNDERSIGNED AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT EACH IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
          (e) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE UNDERSIGNED AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). THE UNDERSIGNED CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER.
             
    Very truly yours,    
    [NAME OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]    
 
           
 
  By        
 
  Title:  
 
   

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ACKNOWLEDGED:
UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
as Administrative Agent
By:                                     
Name:
Title:

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