EX-10 3 ex1053.htm EXHIBIT 10.53 FIRST AMENDMENT
TO
CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") is made and entered into as of September 30, 2003 among ASTEC INDUSTRIES, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Astec Industries"), ASTEC, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("AI"), HEATEC, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Heatec"), CEI ENTERPRISES, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("CEI"), ASTEC SYSTEMS, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("ASI"), TELSMITH, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Telsmith"), KOLBERG - PIONEER, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Kolberg"), JOHNSON CRUSHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Crushers"), SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES OF MORRIS, INC., a Minnesota corporation ("Superior"), BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Breaker"), PRODUCTION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC., a Nevada corporation ("Production"), CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS, INC., a Washington corporation ("Carlson"), ROADTEC, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("Roadtec"), TRENCOR, INC., a Texas corporation ("Trencor"), AMERICAN AUGERS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Augers"), AI DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC., a Minnesota corporation ("AIDG"), AI ENTERPRISES, INC., a Minnesota corporation ("AIEI"), ASTEC HOLDINGS, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("AHI"), ASTEC INVESTMENTS, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("AII"), ASTEC TRANSPORTATION, INC., a Tennessee corporation ("ATI"), RI PROPERTIES, INC., a Minnesota corporation ("RIPI"), TI SERVICES, INC., a Minnesota corporation ("TISI") (Astec Industries, AI, Heatec, CEI, ASI, Telsmith, Kolberg, Crushers, Superior, Breaker, Production, Carlson, Roadtec, Trencor, Augers, AIDG, AIEI, AHI, AII, ATI, RIPI, and TISI are sometimes collectively referred to herein as "Borrowers" and individually as a "Borrower"); the other Credit Parties signatory hereto; GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (in its individual capacity, "GE Capital"), for itself, as Lender, and as agent for Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent").

WHEREAS, Borrowers, Credit Parties, Agent and Lenders are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 14, 2003 (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, Borrowers, Credit Parties, Lenders and Agent desire to amend the Credit Agreement to allow and provide for the foregoing and certain matters, all as hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Definitions

Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Amendment, to the extent not otherwise defined herein, shall have the same meaning as in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.

Amendments

Amendment to Recitals. Effective as of the date hereof, the first recital of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase "One Hundred Forty-Five Million Dollars ($145,000,000)" and substituting the phrase "One Hundred Twenty Million Dollars ($120,000,000)" in lieu thereof.

Amendment to Section 1.5(a). Effective as of the date hereof, Section 1.5(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

"(a) Interest and Applicable Margins.

Borrowers shall pay interest to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders in accordance with the various Loans being made by each Lender, in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date, at the following rates: (i) with respect to the Revolving Credit Advances, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Revolver Index Margin per annum or, at the election of Borrower Representative, the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin per annum, based on the aggregate Revolving Credit Advances outstanding from time to time; (ii) with respect to the Term Loan, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Term Loan Index Margin per annum or, at the election of Borrower Representative, the applicable LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Term Loan LIBOR Margin per annum; and (iii) with respect to the Swing Line Loan, the Index Rate plus the Applicable Revolver Index Margin per annum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Lender shall determine that (i) the agreement to make or the making or continuing to fund or maintain any LIBOR Loan is unlawful as determined in accordance with Section 1.16(c), or (ii) the LIBOR Rate is unavailable or is incapable of being determined, then Agent shall convert the Loans from LIBOR Loans to Index Rate Loans and such Index Rate Loans shall bear interest at the Index Rate plus the Applicable Margin per annum. The Applicable Margins are as follows:

Applicable Revolver Index Margin	1.50%
Applicable Revolver LIBOR Margin	3.50%
Applicable Term Loan Index Margin	1.50%
Applicable Term Loan LIBOR Margin	3.50%
Applicable L/C Margin (for Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Industrial Development Bonds)	2.50%
Applicable L/C Margin (for Letter of Credit Obligations other than those issued with respect to Industrial Development Bonds)	3.50%
Applicable Unused Line Fee Margin	0.50%"

Amendment to Annex A. Effective as of the date hereof, Annex A to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows: (a) the definition of "Commitments" contained in Annex A to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase "One Hundred Forty-Five Million Dollars ($145,000,000)" contained in subsection (b) thereof and substituting the phrase "One Hundred Twenty Million Dollars ($120,000,000)" in lieu thereof; and (b) the definition of "Revolving Loan Commitment" contained in Annex A to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase "One Hundred Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($107,500,000)" contained in subsection (b) thereof and substituting the phrase "Eighty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($82,500,000)" in lieu thereof.

Amendment to Annex J. Effective as of the date hereof, Annex J to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety by replacing it with Annex J attached hereto.

Conditions Precedent

Conditions. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent, unless specifically waived by Agent and Lenders:

Agent shall have received all of the following documents, each document (unless otherwise indicated) being dated the date hereof, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and Lenders:

this Amendment; and

such additional documents, instruments and information as Agent or Lenders or their legal counsel may request.

The representations and warranties contained herein, in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and/or in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct as of the date hereof as if made on the date hereof;

No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the making of the Loans contemplated hereby which constitutes a Default; and

All corporate proceedings taken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all documents, instruments and other legal matters incident thereto shall be satisfactory to Agent, Lenders and their legal counsel.

No Waiver

Except as specifically provided in this Amendment, nothing contained in this Amendment shall be construed as a waiver by Agent or any Lender of any covenant or provision of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Amendment, or of any other contract or instrument between Borrower and Agent and any Lender, and the failure of Agent or Lenders at any time or times hereafter to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision thereof shall not waive, affect or diminish any rights of Agent or Lenders to thereafter demand strict compliance therewith. Agent and Lenders hereby reserve all rights granted under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Amendment and any other contract or instrument between Borrower and Agent or any Lender.

Ratifications, Representations and Warranties

Ratifications. The terms and provisions set forth in this Amendment shall modify and supersede all inconsistent terms and provisions set forth in the Credit Agreement and except as expressly modified and superseded by this Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement are ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect.

Ratification of Guaranty. The other Credit Parties signatory hereto hereby ratifies and confirms its guaranty to Agent and Lenders (the "Guaranty"). Each Credit Party hereby represents and acknowledges that it has no claims, counterclaims, offsets, credits or defenses to the Loan Documents or the performance of its obligations thereunder. Furthermore, each Credit Party agrees that nothing contained in this Amendment shall adversely affect any right or remedy of Agent or Lenders under the Guaranty. Each Credit Party agrees that all references in such Guaranty to the "Obligations" shall include, without limitation, all of the obligations of Borrowers to Agent and Lenders under the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby. Finally, each Credit Party hereby represents and acknowledges that the execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents executed in connection herewith shall in no way change or modify its obligations as a guarantor, debtor, pledgor, assignor, obligor and/or grantor under the Guaranty and shall not constitute a waiver by Agent or Lenders of any of the their rights against the other Credit Parties signatory thereto.

Representations and Warranties. Each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and any and all other Loan Documents executed and/or delivered in connection herewith have been authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of such Borrower and will not violate the certificate/articles of incorporation of such Borrower or the bylaws or other charter or organizational documents of such Borrower, (ii) the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and any other Loan Document are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof except to the extent such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, (iii) except as disclosed to Agent and Lenders in writing prior to the date hereof, such Borrower is in full compliance with all covenants and agreements contained in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and (iv) such Borrower has not amended its certificate/articles of incorporation or bylaws since May 14, 2003.

Miscellaneous

Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in the Credit Agreement or any other document or documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, any Loan Document furnished in connection with this Amendment, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and no investigation by Agent or any Lender or any closing shall affect the representations and warranties or the right of Agent or Lenders to rely upon them.

Reference to Credit Agreement; Obligations. Each of the Loan Documents, including the Credit Agreement and any and all other agreements, documents or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof or pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, are hereby amended so that any reference in such Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement shall mean a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that its obligations under this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute "Obligations" as defined in the Credit Agreement and as used in the Loan Documents.

Expenses. As provided in the Credit Agreement, Borrowers agree to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents executed pursuant hereto and any and all amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs and fees of Agent's legal counsel, and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, or any other Loan Document.

Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable. Furthermore, in lieu of each such invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as a part of this Amendment a valid and enforceable provision that comes closest to expressing the intention of such invalid unenforceable provision.

APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED, AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Successors and Assigns. This Amendment is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Agent, Lenders, Borrowers, the other Credit Parties signatory thereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Borrower may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders.

Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Effect of Waiver. No consent or waiver, express or implied, by Agent or any Lender to or for any breach of or deviation from any covenant or condition of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed a consent or waiver to or of any other breach of the same or any other covenant, condition or duty.

Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.

Release. EACH BORROWER AND THE OTHER CREDIT PARTIES SIGNATORY THERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS NO DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM, OFFSET, CROSS-COMPLAINT, CLAIM OR DEMAND OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER THAT CAN BE ASSERTED TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ALL OR ANY PART OF ITS LIABILITY TO REPAY THE "OBLIGATIONS" OR TO SEEK AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE FROM AGENT OR LENDERS. EACH BORROWER AND THE OTHER CREDIT PARTIES SIGNATORY THERETO HEREBY VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AGENT AND EACH LENDER, THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, FROM ALL POSSIBLE CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, AND LIABILITIES WHATSOEVER, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, ANTICIPATED OR UNANTICIPATED, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, FIXED, CONTINGENT, OR CONDITIONAL, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, ORIGINATING IN WHOLE OR IN PART ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THIS AMENDMENT IS EXECUTED, WHICH ANY BORROWER OR THE OTHER CREDIT PARTIES SIGNATORY THERETO MAY NOW HAVE AGAINST AGENT AND ANY LENDER, THEIR PREDECESSORS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, IF ANY, AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER ANY SUCH CLAIMS ARISE OUT OF CONTRACT, TORT, VIOLATION OF LAW OR REGULATIONS, OR OTHERWISE, AND ARISING FROM ANY LOANS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CONTRACTING FOR, CHARGING, TAKING, RESERVING, COLLECTING OR RECEIVING INTEREST IN EXCESS OF THE HIGHEST LAWFUL RATE APPLICABLE, THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND NEGOTIATION FOR AND EXECUTION OF THIS AMENDMENT.

NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS 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 AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed on the date first written above, to be effective upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein.

BORROWERS:

ASTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation,

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ASTEC, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

HEATEC, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

CEI ENTERPRISES, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ASTEC SYSTEMS, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

TELSMITH, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

KOLBERG - PIONEER, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

JOHNSON CRUSHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES OF MORRIS, INC.,

a Minnesota corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

PRODUCTION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC.,

a Nevada corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.,

a Washington corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ROADTEC, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

TRENCOR, INC.,

a Texas corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

AMERICAN AUGERS, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

AI DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC.,

a Minnesota corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

AI ENTERPRISES, INC.,

a Minnesota corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ASTEC HOLDINGS, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ASTEC INVESTMENTS, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

ASTEC TRANSPORTATION, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

RI PROPERTIES, INC.,

a Minnesota corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

TI SERVICES, INC.,

a Minnesota corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

CREDIT PARTY:

ASTEC FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ Albert E. Guth

Name: Albert E. Guth

Title: Secretary

AGENT:

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION

By: /s/ Mark Smith

Duly Authorized Signatory

LENDER:

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ Mark Smith

Duly Authorized Signatory

ANNEX J (from Annex A - Commitments definition)

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Lender(s)

Revolving Loan Commitment (including a Swing Line Commitment of $10,000,000)
$82,500,000	GE Capital
Term Loan Commitment:
$37,500,000	GE Capital