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Form 10-Q Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. For: Mar 31

May 5, 2015 4:43 PM EDT


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
 
 
x
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
 
OR
 
 
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____
  
Commission File No. 1-6651
 
      
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
    
Indiana
35-1160484
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
 
1069 State Route 46 East
Batesville, Indiana
47006-8835
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
     
(812) 934-7777
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
  Yes þ
No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

  Yes þ
No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
            Large accelerated filer R       Accelerated filer £       Non-accelerated filer £       Smaller reporting company £
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

  Yes o No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Common Stock, without par value – 56,660,230 shares as of April 27, 2015.
 


 
 

 
 
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
       
   
       
   
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
       
 
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In millions, except per share data)

 
 
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Net Revenue
                       
  Capital sales
  $ 375.7     $ 313.6     $ 749.1     $ 609.1  
  Rental revenue
    99.1       101.7       190.7       199.6  
Total revenue
    474.8       415.3       939.8       808.7  
                                 
Cost of Revenue
                               
  Cost of goods sold
    213.9       169.5       434.4       340.7  
  Rental expenses
    46.7       43.1       91.3       88.5  
Total cost of revenue
    260.6       212.6       525.7       429.2  
                                 
Gross Profit
    214.2       202.7       414.1       379.5  
                                 
Research and development expenses
    22.2       16.4       44.0       32.8  
Selling and administrative expenses
    149.9       130.1       305.0       268.1  
Special charges (Note 8)
    3.8       28.4       7.5       29.4  
                                 
Operating Profit
    38.3       27.8       57.6       49.2  
                                 
Interest expense
    (3.0 )     (2.3 )     (6.2 )     (4.3 )
Investment income and other, net
    1.3       (0.2 )     2.2       (0.2 )
                                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    36.6       25.3       53.6       44.7  
                                 
Income tax expense (Note 9)
    10.5       28.6       15.4       34.8  
                                 
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 26.1     $ (3.3 )   $ 38.2     $ 9.9  
                                 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share - Basic
  $ 0.46     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.67     $ 0.17  
                                 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share - Diluted
  $ 0.45     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.66     $ 0.17  
                                 
Dividends per Common Share
  $ 0.1600     $ 0.1525     $ 0.3125     $ 0.2900  
                                 
Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (thousands) (Note 10)
    56,544       57,303       56,841       57,781  
                                 
Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted (thousands) (Note 10)
    57,610       57,303       57,894       58,612  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In millions)
 
   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 26.1     $ (3.3 )   $ 38.2     $ 9.9  
                                 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax (Note 7):
                               
Available-for-sale securities and currency hedges
    (0.2 )     0.1       (0.6 )     0.2  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (48.0 )     (0.2 )     (70.6 )     5.6  
Change in pension and postretirement defined benefit plans
    0.9       0.5       1.8       1.1  
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax
    (47.3 )     0.4       (69.4 )     6.9  
                                 
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
  $ (21.2 )   $ (2.9 )   $ (31.2 )   $ 16.8  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In millions)

   
March 31, 2015
   
September 30, 2014
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 114.5     $ 99.3  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances (Note 2)
    368.0       411.0  
Inventories (Note 2)
    168.7       176.2  
Deferred income taxes (Notes 1 and 9)
    41.9       40.9  
Other current assets
    51.5       51.9  
Total current assets
    744.6       779.3  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 2)
    286.0       261.5  
Goodwill (Note 4)
    387.3       399.8  
Software and other intangible assets, net (Note 2)
    236.9       261.1  
Deferred income taxes (Notes 1 and 9)
    21.5       23.0  
Other assets
    29.9       27.4  
Total Assets
  $ 1,706.2     $ 1,752.1  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Current Liabilities
               
Trade accounts payable
  $ 87.7     $ 112.7  
Short-term borrowings (Note 5)
    128.7       126.9  
Accrued compensation
    76.1       89.2  
Accrued product warranties (Note 12)
    27.2       28.4  
Other current liabilities
    82.0       85.1  
Total current liabilities
    401.7       442.3  
                 
Long-term debt (Note 5)
    449.8       364.9  
Accrued pension and postretirement benefits (Note 6)
    74.4       76.9  
Deferred income taxes (Notes 1 and 9)
    27.8       31.0  
Other long-term liabilities
    30.2       30.5  
Total Liabilities
    983.9       945.6  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock (Note 2)
    4.4       4.4  
Additional paid-in-capital
    140.4       134.1  
Retained earnings
    1,520.2       1,499.8  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 7)
    (143.5 )     (74.1 )
Treasury stock, at cost (Note 2)
    (799.2 )     (757.7 )
Total Shareholders' Equity
    722.3       806.5  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
  $ 1,706.2     $ 1,752.1  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(In millions)

   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Operating Activities
           
Net income
  $ 38.2     $ 9.9  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
   operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    34.9       33.6  
Amortization
    5.5       7.0  
Acquisition-related intangible asset amortization
    15.7       13.8  
Provision for deferred income taxes
    (6.2 )     6.5  
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, equipment leased to others,
               
       intangible assets and impairments
    (0.2 )     7.8  
Stock compensation
    9.9       9.0  
Excess tax benefits from employee stock plans
    (1.4 )     0.6  
Change in working capital excluding cash, current debt,
               
acquisitions and dispositions:
               
Trade accounts receivable
    22.6       15.8  
Inventories
    (3.9 )     0.9  
Other current assets
    (2.8 )     (1.3 )
Trade accounts payable
    (16.6 )     (14.5 )
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (9.4 )     (14.6 )
Other, net
    0.8       3.4  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    87.1       77.9  
                 
Investing Activities
               
Capital expenditures and purchases of intangible assets
    (80.3 )     (31.4 )
Proceeds on sale of property and equipment leased to others
    0.9       1.3  
Payment for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (2.7 )     (14.3 )
Refund on acquisition of businesses
    -       4.6  
Other
    (4.8 )     -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (86.9 )     (39.8 )
                 
Financing Activities
               
Net change in short-term debt
    (0.7 )     (0.2 )
Borrowings on revolving credit facility
    95.0       41.0  
Proceeds from long-term debt
    -       0.6  
Payment of long-term debt
    (7.6 )     (5.0 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
    (1.3 )     (1.0 )
Payment of cash dividends
    (17.7 )     (16.7 )
Proceeds on exercise of stock options
    9.1       7.4  
Proceeds from stock issuance
    1.3       1.3  
Excess tax benefits from employee stock plans
    1.4       (0.6 )
Treasury stock acquired
    (57.1 )     (71.6 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    22.4       (44.8 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (7.4 )     (0.4 )
                 
Net Cash Flows
    15.2       (7.1 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
               
At beginning of period
    99.3       127.4  
At end of period
  $ 114.5     $ 120.3  

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in millions except per share data)

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Hill-Rom,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”) as filed with the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission.  The September 30, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  In the opinion of management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to state fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Hill-Rom and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Examples of such estimates include our income taxes (Notes 1 and 9), accounts receivable reserves (Note 2), accrued warranties (Note 12), and commitments and contingencies (Note 14), among others.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 
·
Level 1:  Financial instruments with unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities.

 
·
Level 2:  Financial instruments with observable inputs other than those included in Level 1 such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 
·
Level 3:  Financial instruments with unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).  Unobservable inputs shall be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include our own data.

We record cash and cash equivalents, as disclosed on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as Level 1 instruments and certain other insignificant derivatives and investments as either Level 2 or 3 instruments.  Refer to Note 5 for disclosure of our debt instrument fair values.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Units

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue producing transaction between us and our customers, including but not limited to sales taxes, use taxes and value added taxes, are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenue and costs) basis.
 

Income Taxes

We and our eligible domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. income tax return. Foreign operations file income tax returns in a number of jurisdictions.  Deferred income taxes are computed using an asset and liability approach to reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the corresponding income tax amounts. We have a variety of deferred tax assets in numerous tax jurisdictions. These deferred tax assets are subject to periodic assessment as to recoverability.  If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the benefits will not be realized, valuation allowances are recognized. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that we would recover these deferred tax assets, future taxable income, the reversal of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies are considered.

As of March 31, 2015, we had $23.2 million of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, on a tax-effected basis, primarily related to foreign operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes. The valuation allowance was decreased in the current period by $1.9 million to reflect the expected realization of certain deferred assets in Australia.  We believe that our estimates for the valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets are appropriate based on current facts and circumstances.

We account for uncertain income tax positions using a threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The difference between the tax benefit recognized in the financial statements for an uncertain income tax position and the tax benefit claimed in the tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit.

Employee Benefits Change

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we implemented a new paid time off policy as part of our employee benefits programs, replacing certain previously existing vacation and sick time policies. In conjunction with these changes in policies, the vesting provisions with respect to the accumulation of paid time off were delayed resulting in the recognition and utilization of paid time off in the same benefits year. As a result of this change, significant portions of our existing accrued vacation balance were no longer necessary and we reversed $12.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and an additional $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 to reflect the change in vesting provisions.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  At present time, this guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, ending December 31, 2017.  Early adoption is not permitted.  

In April 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Except as noted above, there have been no significant changes to our assessment of the impact of recently issued accounting standards included in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.
 

2.  Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

   
March 31, 2015
   
September 30, 2014
 
             
Allowance for possible losses and discounts on trade receivables
  $ 27.9     $ 31.4  
                 
Inventories:
               
Finished products
  $ 89.1     $ 93.5  
Raw materials and work in process
    79.6       82.7  
  Total inventory
  $ 168.7     $ 176.2  
                 
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment
  $ 592.6     $ 588.1  
                 
Accumulated amortization of software and other intangible assets
  $ 296.5     $ 283.3  
                 
Preferred stock, without par value:
               
Shares authorized
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Shares issued
 
None
   
None
 
                 
Common stock, without par value:
               
Shares authorized
    199,000,000       199,000,000  
Shares issued
    80,323,912       80,323,912  
Shares outstanding
    56,654,412       57,439,911  
                 
Treasury shares
    23,669,500       22,884,001  

3. Acquisitions

Trumpf Medical

On August 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Trumpf Medical (“Trumpf”) and funded the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  Trumpf provides a portfolio of well-established operating room (OR) infrastructure products such as surgical tables, surgical lighting, and supply units and expands our product offerings in the surgical suite. 

The purchase price was $232.9 million ($226.6 million net of cash acquired).  The results of Trumpf are included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition.

The following summarizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.  During the first and second quarters of 2015, we made certain adjustments to the opening balance sheet as of the acquisition date to reflect certain fair value adjustments and recorded a $3.0 million liability to reflect the settlement of certain purchase agreement provisions with the seller. These results are preliminary and subject to other fair value adjustments.
 

   
Amount
 
       
Trade receivables
  $ 65.6  
Inventory
    63.6  
Other current assets
    24.2  
Property, plant, and equipment
    42.1  
Goodwill
    62.8  
Trade name (5-year useful life)
    6.7  
Customer relationships (10-year weighted average useful life)
    15.8  
Developed technology (8-year weighted average useful life)
    17.8  
Other intangibles
    4.8  
Other noncurrent assets
    0.7  
Deferred tax asset
    15.2  
Current liabilities
    (72.3 )
Long term debt
    (6.0 )
Noncurrent liabilities
    (8.1 )
  Total purchase price
  $ 232.9  

Goodwill was allocated entirely to our Surgical and Respiratory Care segment.  The goodwill related to the acquired German operations will be tax deductible while the remaining goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

On an unaudited proforma basis, as if the Trumpf acquisition had been consummated prior to the earliest date of the financial results presented, our revenue would have been higher by approximately $63 million and $123 million for the quarter and year to date periods ended March 31, 2014.  As previously disclosed, the impact to net income on an unaudited proforma basis would not have been significant to our financial results for fiscal 2014.  The unaudited pro forma results are based on the Company’s historical financial statements and those of the Trumpf business and do not necessarily indicate the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the comparable period presented and are not indicative of the results of operations in future periods.

4.  Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The following summarizes goodwill activity by reportable segment:

   
North America
   
Surgical and
Respiratory Care
   
International
   
Total
 
Balances at September 30, 2014:
                       
Goodwill
  $ 390.6     $ 333.5     $ 148.5     $ 872.6  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (358.1 )     -       (114.7 )     (472.8 )
Goodwill, net at September 30, 2014
    32.5       333.5       33.8       399.8  
                                 
Changes in Goodwill during the period:
                               
Goodwill related to acquisitions
    -       5.5       -       5.5  
Currency translation effect
    -       (13.8 )     (4.2 )     (18.0 )
                                 
Balances at March 31, 2015:
                               
Goodwill
    390.6       325.2       144.3       860.1  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (358.1 )     -       (114.7 )     (472.8 )
Goodwill, net at March 31, 2015
  $ 32.5     $ 325.2     $ 29.6     $ 387.3  

As discussed in Note 3, we recorded adjustments to goodwill during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015 related to the Trumpf acquisition completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.  
 

5.  Financing Agreements

Total debt consists of the following:

   
March 31, 2015
   
September 30, 2014
 
Revolving credit facility
  $ 360.0     $ 265.0  
Term loan current portion
    18.7       16.2  
Term loan long-term portion
    150.0       160.0  
Unsecured 7.00% debentures due on February 15, 2024
    19.4       19.4  
Unsecured 6.75% debentures due on December 15, 2027
    29.8       29.8  
Other
    0.6       1.4  
Total debt
    578.5       491.8  
Less current portion of debt
    128.7       126.9  
Total long-term debt
  $ 449.8     $ 364.9  
 
 
Prior to May 1, 2015, we had a credit facility that provided for revolving loans of up to $500.0 million, plus a term loan in the aggregate amount of $200.0 million.  Borrowings under the credit facility and term loan bear interest at variable rates specified therein, that are currently less than 2.0 percent, and the availability of borrowings is subject to our ability at the time of borrowing to meet certain specified conditions, including compliance with covenants contained in the credit agreement governing the facility.  The credit facility contains covenants that, among other matters, require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 3.5:1.0 and a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 3.5:1.0.  As of March 31, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings of $360.0 million and undrawn letters of credit of $5.1 million under the revolving credit facility, leaving $134.9 million of borrowing capacity available.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2015.

On May 1, 2015, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Facility”) with the lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative agent, and each of Citizens Bank, N.A. Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, which amended and restated our prior credit facility, entered into August 24, 2012.  The New Credit Facility provides for revolving loans of up to $900.0 million at any time outstanding plus term loans in the current principal amount of $168.8 million. We currently have $360.0 million of outstanding borrowings and undrawn letters of credit of $5.1 million under the revolving loan portion of the New Credit Facility, leaving $534.9 million of available borrowing capacity.  The New Credit Facility is to be used for general corporate purposes, including financing permitted acquisitions. 
 
All revolving loans under the New Credit Facility mature May 1, 2020.  The term loans will continue to amortize so that $43.8 million of the remaining principal will be repaid through August 24, 2017, with the balance due at such date. 

Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest based on a margin (which varies dependent upon the Company’s credit rating) over certain pre-defined index rates, selected at the Company’s option.  The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by several fully owned subsidiaries of the Company.  The New Credit Facility contains terms and conditions, events of default, and customary covenants, including requiring that (1) the Company maintain a ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA of not more than 3.50:1.0; and (2) a ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 3.00:1.0.

Unsecured debentures outstanding at March 31, 2015 have fixed rates of interest.  We have deferred gains included in the amounts above from the termination of previous interest rate swap agreements, and those deferred gains amounted to less than $1.0 million at both March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.  The deferred gains are being amortized and recognized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining term of the related debt through 2024, and as a result, the effective interest rates on that debt have been and will continue to be lower than the stated interest rates.

We have trade finance credit lines and uncommitted letter of credit facilities.  These lines are associated with the normal course of business and we had $1.3 million and $42.4 million of outstanding standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  
 

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company sometimes manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of interest rate swaps (cash flow hedges).  As of March 31, 2015, we had one interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $118.8 million to hedge the variability of cash flows associated with a portion of the term loan variable interest rate payments for the period of January 2014 to August 2017.   The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge.  The interest rate swap fair value was a $0.5 million liability as of March 31, 2015 and an asset of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2014.  The fair value measurement for our interest rate swap is classified as Level 2, as described in Note 1.

The fair value of our debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities. The book values of our short-term debt instruments approximate fair value.  The estimated fair values of our long-term unsecured debentures were $58.2 million at March 31, 2015 and $55.5 million at September 30, 2014, and were based on observable inputs such as quoted prices in markets that are not active.  The estimated fair value of our term loan was $168.0 million and $175.2 million based on quoted prices for similar liabilities at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.  The fair value measurements for both our long-term unsecured debentures and our term loan were classified as Level 2, as described in Note 1.

6.  Retirement and Postretirement Plans

We sponsor five defined benefit retirement plans: a master defined benefit retirement plan, a nonqualified supplemental executive defined benefit retirement plan and three defined benefit retirement plans covering employees in Germany and France.  Benefits for such plans are based primarily on years of service and the employee’s level of compensation during specific periods of employment.  We contribute funds to trusts as necessary to provide for current service and for any unfunded projected future benefit obligation over a reasonable period of time for our funded plans.  All of our plans have an annual measurement date of September 30.  The following table includes the components of net pension expense for our defined benefit plans.

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Service cost
  $ 1.3     $ 1.3     $ 2.7     $ 2.5  
Interest cost
    3.7       3.6       7.4       7.2  
Expected return on plan assets
    (4.2 )     (4.2 )     (8.5 )     (8.4 )
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost, net
    0.2       0.1       0.3       0.3  
Amortization of net loss
    1.3       0.8       2.7       1.6  
Net pension expense
    2.3       1.6       4.6       3.2  
Special termination benefits
    -       2.4       -       2.4  
Net pension expense
  $ 2.3     $ 4.0     $ 4.6     $ 5.6  

We also sponsor a domestic postretirement health care plan that provides health care benefits to qualified retirees and dependents until eligible for Medicare.  Annual costs related to the domestic postretirement health care plan are not significant.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we initiated a domestic early retirement program, which offered certain special termination benefits relating to our pension and postretirement health care plans. This program and the related special termination benefits resulted in a non-cash charge of $4.5 million, $2.4 million of which related to our master defined benefit retirement plan and $2.1 million for our postretirement health care plan. During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014, we reversed a cumulative $1.3 million of the $2.1 million postretirement health care plan charge as certain participants elected alternative coverage separate from the postretirement health care plan. The employee elections were not known until the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014.  Refer to Note 8 for more details

We have defined contribution savings plans that cover substantially all U.S. employees and certain non-U.S. employees.  The general purpose of these plans is to provide additional financial security during retirement by providing employees with an incentive to make regular savings.  Company contributions to the plans are based on eligibility and employee contributions.  Expense under these plans was $3.8 million and $3.6 million in each of the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; and $8.0 million and $7.3 million in the year to date periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 

7.  Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables describe the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:
 
   
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
 
   
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
   
Prior to
reclassification
   
Reclassification
from
   
Pre-tax
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Beginning
balance
   
Net activity
   
Ending
balance
 
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges
  $ (0.4 )   $ -     $ (0.4 )   $ 0.2     $ (0.2 )   $ (0.4 )   $ (0.2 )   $ (0.6 )
Foreign currency translation
     adjustment
    (48.0 )     -       (48.0 )     -       (48.0 )     (56.8 )     (48.0 )     (104.8 )
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans
    -       1.4       1.4       (0.5 )     0.9       (39.0 )     0.9       (38.1 )
Total
  $ (48.4 )   $ 1.4     $ (47.0 )   $ (0.3 )   $ (47.3 )   $ (96.2 )   $ (47.3 )   $ (143.5 )
                                                                 
   
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
   
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
   
Prior to
reclassification
   
Reclassification
from
   
Pre-tax
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Beginning
balance
   
Net activity
   
Ending
balance
 
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges
  $ -     $ 0.1     $ 0.1     $ -     $ 0.1     $ (0.2 )   $ 0.1     $ (0.1 )
Foreign currency translation
     adjustment
    (0.2 )     -       (0.2 )     -       (0.2 )     1.2       (0.2 )     1.0  
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans
    -       0.9       0.9       (0.4 )     0.5       (30.2 )     0.5       (29.7 )
Total
  $ (0.2 )   $ 1.0     $ 0.8     $ (0.4 )   $ 0.4     $ (29.2 )   $ 0.4     $ (28.8 )
 
 
   
Year to Date Ended March 31, 2015
 
   
Other comprehensive income
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
   
Prior to
reclassification
   
Reclassification
from
   
Pre-tax
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Beginning
balance
   
Net activity
   
Ending
balance
 
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges
  $ (1.0 )   $ -     $ (1.0 )   $ 0.4     $ (0.6 )   $ -     $ (0.6 )   $ (0.6 )
Foreign currency translation
     adjustment
    (70.6 )     -       (70.6 )     -       (70.6 )     (34.2 )     (70.6 )     (104.8 )
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans
    0.1       2.7       2.8       (1.0 )     1.8       (39.9 )     1.8       (38.1 )
Total
  $ (71.5 )   $ 2.7     $ (68.8 )   $ (0.6 )   $ (69.4 )   $ (74.1 )   $ (69.4 )   $ (143.5 )
                                                                 
   
Year to Date Ended March 31, 2014
 
   
Other comprehensive income
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
   
Prior to
reclassification
   
Reclassification
from
   
Pre-tax
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Beginning
balance
   
Net activity
   
Ending
balance
 
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges
  $ 0.1     $ 0.1     $ 0.2     $ -     $ 0.2     $ (0.3 )   $ 0.2     $ (0.1 )
Foreign currency translation
     adjustment
    5.6       -       5.6       -       5.6       (4.6 )     5.6       1.0  
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans
    0.2       1.7       1.9       (0.8 )     1.1       (30.8 )     1.1       (29.7 )
Total
  $ 5.9     $ 1.8     $ 7.7     $ (0.8 )   $ 6.9     $ (35.7 )   $ 6.9     $ (28.8 )



The following table represents the items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the related tax effects:

   
Quarter Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
Amount reclassified
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Amount reclassified
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
 
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans (a)
  $ 1.4     $ (0.5 )   $ 0.9     $ 0.9     $ (0.4 )   $ 0.5  
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges (b)
    -       -       -       0.1       -       0.1  
 
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
Amount reclassified
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
   
Amount reclassified
   
Tax effect
   
Net of tax
 
Change in pension and postretirement
     defined benefit plans (a)
  $ 2.7     $ (1.0 )   $ 1.7     $ 1.7     $ (0.7 )   $ 1.0  
Available-for-sale securities
    and currency hedges (b)
    -       -       -       0.1       -       0.1  

(a) Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into cost of goods sold and selling and administrative expenses.  These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension expense.
(b) Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into other income (expense), net.

8.  Special Charges

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we announced a global restructuring program focused on improving our cost structure.  This action included early retirement and reduction in force programs that eliminated over 200 net positions primarily in the U.S., which was substantially completed in fiscal 2014 with cash expenditures continuing during fiscal 2015.  The program is also reducing our European manufacturing capacity and streamlining our global operations by, among other things, executing a back office process transformation program in Europe.

The restructuring in Europe is in process and has resulted in severance and benefit charges of $2.3 million and $4.6 million for the quarter and year to date ended March 31, 2015, as well as other costs of $2.0 and $3.4 million over the same periods related to legal and professional fees, temporary labor, project management, and other administrative functions.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we also reversed $0.5 million of previously recorded severance and benefit charges due to certain plan participants declining continuing healthcare coverage.

Since the inception of the global restructuring program through March 31, 2015, we have recognized aggregate special charges of $32.4 million, which are recorded in both fiscal 2014 and 2015.  Charges of $16.9 million were recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2014.  We expect to incur $10 million to $15 million of additional European restructuring costs through the completion of the program.

Also during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we initiated a plan to discontinue third-party payer rentals of therapy products occurring primarily in home care settings.  We intend to continue renting these products to facilities and customers who are billed directly for the product.  Special charges recorded for this action included a $7.7 million non-cash tangible asset impairment charge, a $2.0 million charge for severance and other benefits for approximately 70 eliminated positions, and $1.8 million in other related costs.  This action is substantially complete.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we initiated a plan to improve our cost structure and streamline our organization by offering an early retirement program to certain manufacturing employees in our Batesville, Indiana plant, meeting specific eligibility requirements, and other minor reduction in force actions.  These programs resulted in the elimination of approximately 35 positions and required recognition of a special charge of approximately $1 million for lump sum payments under the program and severance and other benefits provided to other affected employees.  This action was substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014.
 

For all accrued severance and other benefit charges described above, we record restructuring reserves within other current liabilities. The reserve activity for severance and other benefits during fiscal 2015 was as follows:

Balance at September 30, 2014
  $ 11.7  
Expenses
    4.6  
Cash Payments
    (7.2 )
Reversals
    (0.5 )
Balance at March 31, 2015
  $ 8.6  

9.  Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 28.7 percent for both the quarterly and year to date periods ended March 31, 2015 compared to 113.0 and 77.9 percent for the comparable prior year periods.

The effective rates for both the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 are lower than the comparable periods in fiscal 2014 due primarily to $19.6 million of tax expense realized in the prior year to establish a valuation allowance in France reflecting cumulative and expected future losses associated with the expenses of our global restructuring program.  The three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 are also favorably impacted by a $1.9 million tax benefit due to the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances in Australia.  Additionally, the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit favorably impacted the effective rate for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.

On December 19, 2014, the President signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (the Tax Act). The Tax Act retroactively extended the research and development tax credit for one year beginning January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.  This credit had previously expired effective December 31, 2013.

We expect the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit to favorably impact the effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 by nearly $2 million through a combination of a one-time catch-up adjustment from the reinstatement of the credit recorded in our first quarter of fiscal 2015 and the inclusion of the limited current year research credit into the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate.

10.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated based upon the weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the period, plus the effect of deferred vested shares.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated consistent with the basic earnings per share calculation plus the effect of dilutive unissued common shares related to stock-based employee compensation programs.  For all periods presented, anti-dilutive stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.  Cumulative treasury stock acquired, less cumulative shares reissued, have been excluded in determining the average number of shares outstanding.

Earnings per share are calculated as follows (share information in thousands):

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 26.1     $ (3.3 )   $ 38.2     $ 9.9  
                                 
Average shares outstanding - Basic
    56,544       57,303       56,841       57,781  
Add potential effect of exercise of stock options
                               
and other unvested equity awards
    1,066       -       1,053       831  
Average shares outstanding - Diluted
    57,610       57,303       57,894       58,612  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic
  $ 0.46     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.67     $ 0.17  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted
  $ 0.45     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.66     $ 0.17  
                                 
Shares with anti-dilutive effect excluded from the computation of  Diluted EPS
    541       1,812       516       504  
 
11.  Common Stock

The stock-based compensation cost that was charged against income, net of tax, for all plans was $3.4 million and $6.4 million for the quarterly and year to date periods ended March 31, 2015 and $3.4 million and $5.7 million for the comparable prior year periods.
 

12.  Guarantees

We routinely grant limited warranties on our products with respect to defects in material and workmanship.  The terms of these warranties are generally one year, however, certain components and products have substantially longer warranty periods.  We recognize a reserve with respect to these obligations at the time of product sale, with subsequent warranty claims recorded directly against the reserve.  The amount of the warranty reserve is determined based on historical trend experience for the covered products.  For more significant warranty-related matters which might require a broad-based correction, separate reserves are established when such events are identified and the cost of correction can be reasonably estimated.  The existing broad-based corrections do not limit the manufacture, sale or ongoing use of these products.

A reconciliation of changes in the warranty reserve for the periods covered in this report is as follows:

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
                         
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 28.0     $ 37.3     $ 28.4     $ 38.1  
Provision for warranties during the period
    3.6       2.6       6.5       7.2  
Warranty reserves acquired
    -       -       1.1       -  
Warranty claims during the period
    (4.4 )     (5.8 )     (8.8 )     (11.2 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 27.2     $ 34.1     $ 27.2     $ 34.1  
 
 
In the normal course of business we enter into various other guarantees and indemnities in our relationships with suppliers, service providers, customers, business partners and others.  Examples of these arrangements would include guarantees of product performance, indemnifications to service providers and indemnifications of our actions to business partners.  These guarantees and indemnifications have not historically had, nor do we expect them to have, a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations, although indemnifications associated with our actions generally have no dollar limitations.

In conjunction with our acquisition and divestiture activities, we have entered into select guarantees and indemnifications of performance with respect to the fulfillment of commitments under applicable purchase and sale agreements.  With respect to sale transactions, we also routinely enter into non-competition agreements for varying periods of time.  Guarantees and indemnifications with respect to acquisition and divestiture activities, if triggered, could have a materially adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

13.  Segment Reporting

We disclose segment information that is consistent with the way in which management operates and views the business.  Our operating structure contains the following reporting segments:

 
·
North America - sells and rents our patient support and near-patient technologies and services, as well as our clinical workflow solutions, in the U.S. and Canada.
 
 
·
Surgical and Respiratory Care - sells and rents our surgical and respiratory care products.
 
 
·
International - sells and rents similar products as our North America segment in regions outside of the U.S. and Canada.
 
Our performance under each reportable segment is measured on a divisional income basis before non-allocated operating and administrative costs, acquisition-related intangible asset amortization, impairments, litigation, and special charges.  Divisional income generally represents the division’s gross profit less its direct operating costs along with an allocation of manufacturing and distribution costs, research and development and certain corporate functional expenses.
 

Non-allocated operating and administrative costs include functional expenses that support the entire organization such as administration, finance, legal and human resources, expenses associated with strategic developments, acquisition-related intangible asset amortization, and other events that are not indicative of operating trends.  We exclude such amounts from divisional income to allow management to evaluate and understand divisional operating trends without the effects of such items.

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Revenue:
                       
North America
  $ 246.9     $ 224.5     $ 472.1     $ 430.0  
Surgical and Respiratory Care
    120.0       65.6       246.3       128.9  
International
    107.9       125.2       221.4       249.8  
     Total revenue
  $ 474.8     $ 415.3     $ 939.8     $ 808.7  
                                 
Divisional income:
                               
North America
  $ 52.3     $ 47.5     $ 90.8     $ 75.5  
Surgical and Respiratory Care
    18.3       15.7       37.7       30.3  
International
    4.4       5.2       7.2       10.7  
                                 
Other operating costs:
                               
Non-allocated operating and administrative costs
    32.9       12.2       70.6       37.9  
Special charges
    3.8       28.4       7.5       29.4  
     Operating profit
    38.3       27.8       57.6       49.2  
                                 
Interest expense
    (3.0 )     (2.3 )     (6.2 )     (4.3 )
Investment income and other, net
    1.3       (0.2 )     2.2       (0.2 )
  Income before income taxes
  $ 36.6     $ 25.3     $ 53.6     $ 44.7  


14.  Commitments and Contingencies

General

We are subject to various claims and contingencies arising out of the normal course of business, including those relating to governmental investigations and proceedings, commercial transactions, product liability, employee related matters, antitrust, safety, health, taxes, environmental and other matters.  Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance.  It is possible that some litigation matters for which reserves have not been established could be decided unfavorably to us, and that any such unfavorable decisions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are also involved in other possible claims, including product and general liability, workers’ compensation, auto liability and employment related matters. Such claims in the United States have deductibles and self-insured retentions ranging from $25 thousand to $1.0 million per occurrence or per claim, depending upon the type of coverage and policy period. International deductibles and self-insured retentions are lower.  We are also generally self-insured up to certain stop-loss limits for certain employee health benefits, including medical, drug and dental.  Our policy is to estimate reserves based upon a number of factors including known claims, estimated incurred but not reported claims and outside actuarial analysis, which are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Such estimated reserves are classified as Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Universal Hospital Services, Inc. Litigation

On January 13, 2015, Universal Hospital Services, Inc. filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.  The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that we engaged in certain customer contracting practices in violation of state and federal antitrust laws.  The plaintiff also has asserted claims for tortious interference with business relationships. The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief and money damages in an unspecified amount. On March 23, 2015, we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, however no ruling has been yet made on such motion, and we can make no assurances as to the outcome of such ruling.  We believe that the allegations are without merit and intend to defend this matter vigorously.
 

Stryker Litigation

On April 4, 2011, we filed two separate actions against Stryker Corporation alleging infringement of certain Hill-Rom patents covering proprietary communications networks, status information systems and powered wheels used in our beds or stretchers. Both suits sought monetary damages and injunctions against Stryker for selling or distributing any beds, stretchers or ancillary products that infringe on Hill-Rom’s patents. On August 14, 2012, we entered into a confidential favorable settlement agreement with Stryker Corporation to resolve our claims about our powered wheel patents, and on March 26, 2015, we entered into a confidential favorable settlement agreement with Stryker Corporation to resolve our claims about our status information systems.  No trial date for the remaining claims covering proprietary communications networks has been set, and accordingly we cannot, at this time, assess the likelihood of any potential outcome or damages or other relief.

15.  Subsequent Events

On April 22, 2015, we offered all terminated vested participants of our domestic master defined benefit retirement plan an option to receive a lump sum cash payout in lieu of their right to future periodic benefit payments under the plan upon their retirement.  The offer will extend for a period of several months with payments likely to occur in September 2015.  Based on the voluntary elections of participants we may incur a settlement charge in the second half of fiscal 2015 with respect to this action.  We cannot reasonably estimate the financial impact of any potential settlement charge at this time.
 
 

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements, within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the Company’s future plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, representations and projections.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statements. For a more in depth discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s previously filed most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”). The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Overview

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying interim financial statements and our 2014 Form 10-K.

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading global medical technology company with more than 7,000 employees worldwide.  We partner with health care providers in more than 100 countries by focusing on patient care solutions that improve clinical and economic outcomes in five core areas: Advancing Mobility, Wound Care and Prevention, Clinical Workflow, Surgical Safety and Efficiency, and Respiratory Health. Around the world, Hill-Rom's people, products, and programs work towards one mission: Enhancing outcomes for patients and their caregivers.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, including the related notes, are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).  We provide non-GAAP measures, including adjusted income before taxes, income tax expense and diluted earnings per share results, because we use these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the business.

In addition, we analyze net revenue on a constant currency basis to better measure the comparability of results between periods.  We believe that evaluating growth in net revenue on a constant currency basis provides an additional and meaningful assessment to both management and investors.

We use these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the business.  These measures should not, however, be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or as superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations

In this section, we provide a high-level overview of our consolidated results of operations.  Immediately following this section is a discussion of our results of operations by reportable segment.  We disclose segment information that is consistent with the way in which management operates and views the business.

Our performance under each reportable segment is measured on a divisional income basis before non-allocated operating and administrative costs, acquisition-related intangible asset amortization, impairments, litigation, and special charges.  Divisional income generally represents the division’s gross profit less its direct operating costs along with an allocation of manufacturing and distribution costs, research and development and certain corporate functional expenses.
 
 
Net Revenue
 
   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
   
 
   
 
         
Constant
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
As Reported
   
Currency
 
Revenue:
                       
  Capital sales
  $ 375.7     $ 313.6     19.8     28.3  
  Rental revenue
    99.1       101.7     (2.6)     (0.3)  
Total Revenue
  $ 474.8     $ 415.3     14.3     21.3  
                             
                             
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
                         
Constant
 
      2015       2014    
As Reported
   
Currency
 
Revenue:
                           
  Capital sales
  $ 749.1     $ 609.1     23.0     29.3  
  Rental revenue
    190.7       199.6     (4.5)     (2.8)  
Total Revenue
  $ 939.8     $ 808.7     16.2     21.4  
 
Capital sales increased for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 due to the Trumpf acquisition and higher patient support systems sales in our North America segment, partially offset by lower sales in our International segment.  Excluding Trumpf, organic sales increased 2.4 and 4.3 percent on a reported basis, or 7.9 and 8.4 percent on a constant currency basis, for the quarterly and year to date periods.  The three- and six-month organic growth is primarily driven by our North America segment.  Additionally, higher organic sales in our Surgical and Respiratory segment favorably impacted the six-month period.  Our International segment sales declined for the three- and six month periods primarily due to unfavorable exchange rate movements, in addition to lower sales in the Middle East and Latin America, partially offset by higher sales in Asia.

Rental revenue decreased for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 due to lower revenue in the North America and International segments, partially offset by an increase in the Surgical and Respiratory segment.  Excluding the effects of our discontinuance of third-party payer therapy product rentals, rental revenue increased 2.4 and 1.0 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  The North America decrease for both periods was driven by the discontinuance of third-party payer therapy product rentals and continued pricing pressure, but was partially offset by improving volumes due to recent contract wins.  International rental revenue decreased 14.0 percent on a reported basis for the three-month period, but increased 1.5 percent on a constant currency basis.  For the six-month period, International rental revenue declined 12.9 percent on a reported basis, or 2.2 percent on a constant currency basis, due to ongoing volume and pricing pressures.  In Surgical and Respiratory Care, revenue increased for both periods on higher respiratory care volumes and organic growth from recent product introductions.
 

Gross Profit
 
   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
   
2015
   
2014
       
Gross Profit
                 
  Capital
  $ 161.8     $ 144.1     12.3  
  Percent of Related Revenue
    43.1 %     46.0 %      
                       
  Rental
  $ 52.4     $ 58.6     (10.6)  
  Percent of Related Revenue
    52.9 %     57.6 %      
                       
Total Gross Profit
  $ 214.2     $ 202.7     5.7  
  Percent of Total Revenue
    45.1 %     48.8 %      
                       
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
      2015       2014        
Gross Profit
                     
  Capital
  $ 314.7     $ 268.4     17.3  
  Percent of Related Revenue
    42.0 %     44.1 %      
                       
  Rental
  $ 99.4     $ 111.1     (10.5)  
  Percent of Related Revenue
    52.1 %     55.7 %      
                       
Total Gross Profit
  $ 414.1     $ 379.5     9.1  
  Percent of Total Revenue
    44.1 %     46.9 %      
 
Capital gross profit increased 12.3 percent for the quarter and 17.3 percent the year, while gross margin decreased 290 basis points and 210 basis points for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  The margin rate decrease for the three- and six-month periods is primarily driven by the impact of dilutive Trumpf margins, incremental field corrective action charges of $3.1 million and $3.0 million for the three- and six-months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, and the prior year recognition of a $2.5 million benefit from a change in our employee benefits program.  The six-month period ended March 31, 2015 also includes recognition of $4.8 million of inventory step-up associated with purchase accounting for the Trumpf acquisition.  Excluding the aforementioned items, organic margins are essentially flat for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and increased by approximately 90 basis points due to portfolio mix for the six-months ended March 31, 2015.

Rental gross profit decreased 10.6 and 10.5 percent and gross margin decreased 470 basis points and 360 basis points for the three-and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  This margin decline is partially driven by the prior year recognition of a $2.6 million benefit from the employee benefit program change referenced earlier.  Additional margin decreases are due to continued pricing pressure, along with reduced leverage of our fleet and field service infrastructure as we have invested in additional capacity in anticipation of higher volumes in fiscal 2015 from recent contract wins.  Foreign currency rate changes did not meaningfully impact our margins as a percent of revenue for the three- or six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.
 

Other

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
                         
Research and development expenses
  $ 22.2     $ 16.4     $ 44.0     $ 32.8  
  Percent of Total Revenue
    4.7 %     3.9 %     4.7 %     4.1 %
                                 
Selling and administrative expenses
  $ 149.9     $ 130.1     $ 305.0     $ 268.1  
  Percent of Total Revenue
    31.6 %     31.3 %     32.5 %     33.2 %
                                 
Special charges
  $ 3.8     $ 28.4     $ 7.5     $ 29.4  
                                 
Interest expense
  $ (3.0 )   $ (2.3 )   $ (6.2 )   $ (4.3 )
Investment income and other, net
  $ 1.3     $ (0.2 )   $ 2.2     $ (0.2 )
 
Research and development expenses increased 35.4 and 34.1 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to the addition of Trumpf spending and additional investment in organic product development initiatives.  Excluding a benefit of $1.1 million associated with the prior year employee benefit program change referenced earlier, research and development expenses increased 26.9 and 29.8 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015, respectively.  As a percentage of total revenue, selling and administrative expenses increased by 30 basis points for the three-month period primarily due to higher acquisition and integration costs, and decreased by 70 basis points for the six-month period due to higher revenue and ongoing cost control initiatives.  The three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 include year over year increases of $3.2 million and $6.2 million, respectively, relating to acquisition and integration costs, acquisition-related intangible asset amortization, and FDA remediation costs, partially offset by a $0.9 litigation credit in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.  Excluding these incremental costs, the litigation credit, and a $6.0 million employee benefit change recorded in the prior year three- and six-month periods, selling and administrative expenses decreased 140 and 160 basis points as a percentage of revenue for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015, respectively. Foreign currency rate changes did not meaningfully impact our comparative selling and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue for the three- or six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we announced a global restructuring program focused on improving our cost structure.  This action included early retirement and reduction in force programs that eliminated over 200 net positions primarily in the U.S., which was substantially completed in fiscal 2014 with cash expenditures continuing during fiscal 2015.  The program is also reducing our European manufacturing capacity and streamlining our global operations by, among other things, executing a back office process transformation program in Europe.

The restructuring in Europe is in process and has resulted in severance and benefit charges of $2.3 million and $4.6 million for the quarter and year to date ended March 31, 2015, as well as other costs of $2.0 and $3.4 million over the same periods related to legal and professional fees, temporary labor, project management, and other administrative functions.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we also reversed $0.5 million of previously recorded severance and benefit charges due to certain plan participants declining continuing healthcare coverage.

Since the inception of the global restructuring program through March 31, 2015, we have recognized aggregate special charges of $32.4 million, which are recorded in both fiscal 2014 and 2015.  Charges of $16.9 million were recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2014.  We expect to incur $10 million to $15 million of additional European restructuring costs through the completion of the program.  All these actions are anticipated to yield annual cost savings of approximately $30 million, once all actions are fully implemented.

Also during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we initiated a plan to discontinue third-party payer rentals of therapy products occurring primarily in home care settings.  We intend to continue renting these products to facilities and customers who are billed directly for the product.  Special charges recorded for this action included a $7.7 million non-cash tangible asset impairment charge, a $2.0 million charge for severance and other benefits for approximately 70 eliminated positions, and $1.8 million in other related costs.  This action is substantially complete.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we initiated a plan to improve our cost structure and streamline our organization by offering an early retirement program to certain manufacturing employees in our Batesville, Indiana plant, meeting specific eligibility requirements, and other minor reduction in force actions.  These programs resulted in the elimination of approximately 35 positions and required recognition of a special charge of approximately $1 million for lump sum payments under the program and severance and other benefits provided to other affected employees.  This action was substantially complete by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014.


Reported and Adjusted Earnings

   
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
   
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014
 
   
Income Before
Income Taxes
   
Income Tax
Expense
   
Diluted EPS*
   
Income Before
Income Taxes
   
Income Tax
Expense
   
Diluted EPS*
 
                                     
GAAP Earnings
  $ 36.6     $ 10.5     $ 0.45     $ 25.3     $ 28.6     $ (0.06 )
Adjustments:
                                               
Acquisition and integration costs
    3.8       1.2       0.05       1.7       0.6       0.02  
Acquisition-related intangible asset amortization
    7.6       2.2       0.10       6.9       2.0       0.09  
Employee benefits change
    -       -       -       (12.2 )     (4.7 )     (0.13 )
FDA remediation expenses
    1.2       0.4       0.01       0.8       0.2       0.01  
Field corrective actions
    1.2       0.2       0.02       (1.9 )     (1.2 )     (0.01 )
Litigation credit
    (0.9 )     (0.3 )     (0.01 )     -       -       -  
Special charges
    3.8       0.1       0.06       28.4       9.9       0.32  
Foreign valuation allowance
    -       1.9       (0.03 )     -       (19.6 )     0.34  
Adjusted Earnings
  $ 53.3     $ 16.2     $ 0.64     $ 49.0     $ 15.8     $ 0.57  
                                                 
   
Year to Date Ended March 31, 2015
   
Year to Date Ended March 31, 2014
 
   
Income Before
Income Taxes
   
Income Tax
Expense
   
Diluted EPS*
   
Income Before
Income Taxes
   
Income Tax
Expense
   
Diluted EPS
 
                                                 
GAAP Earnings
  $ 53.6     $ 15.4     $ 0.66     $ 44.7     $ 34.8     $ 0.17  
Adjustments:
                                               
Acquisition and integration costs
    12.7       4.0       0.15       3.6       1.2       0.04  
Acquisition-related intangible asset amortization
    15.7       4.4       0.20       13.8       4.2       0.16  
Employee benefits change
    -       -       -       (12.2 )     (4.7 )     (0.13 )
FDA remediation expenses
    1.7       0.6       0.02       1.7       0.6       0.02  
Field corrective actions
    2.3       0.7       0.03       (0.7 )     (0.8 )     -  
Litigation credit
    (0.9 )     (0.3 )     (0.01 )     -       -       -  
Special charges
    7.5       0.3       0.12       29.4       10.3       0.33  
Foreign valuation allowance
    -       1.9       (0.03 )     -       (19.6 )     0.34  
Adjusted Earnings
  $ 92.6     $ 27.0     $ 1.13     $ 80.3     $ 26.0     $ 0.93  
                                                 
* Does not add due to rounding.
                                               

The effective tax rates for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 were 28.7 percent compared to 113.0 and 77.9 percent for the comparable periods in the prior year.

The effective rates for both the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 are lower than the comparable periods in fiscal 2014 due primarily to $19.6 million of tax expense realized in the prior year to establish a valuation allowance in France reflecting cumulative and expected future losses associated with the expenses of our global restructuring program.  The three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 are also favorably impacted by a $1.9 million tax benefit due to the reversal of previously recorded valuation allowances in Australia.  Additionally, the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit favorably impacted the effective rate for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.

On December 19, 2014, the President signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (the Tax Act). The Tax Act retroactively extended the research and development tax credit for one year beginning January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.  This credit had previously expired effective December 31, 2013.

We expect the reinstatement of the research and development tax credit to favorably impact the effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 by nearly $2 million through a combination of a one-time catch-up adjustment from the reinstatement of the credit recorded in our first quarter of fiscal 2015 and the inclusion of the limited current year research credit into the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate.

The adjusted effective tax rate for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 was 30.4 and 29.2 percent compared to 32.2 and 32.4 percent for the comparable period in the prior year.  The lower rate in fiscal 2015 is due primarily to the benefit of lower taxes on foreign earnings and the effect of the research and development tax credit as outlined earlier.

Net income was $26.1 million for the second quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to a net loss of $3.3 million in the prior year period.  On an adjusted basis, quarterly net income increased $3.9 million, or 11.7 percent.  Diluted earnings per share increased $0.51 per share from a prior year loss on a reported basis and 12.3 percent on an adjusted basis.  Net income for the year to date period was $38.2 million compared to $9.9 million in the prior year.  On an adjusted basis, year to date net income increased $11.3 million or 20.8 percent.  Diluted earnings per share increased 288.2 percent on a reported basis and 21.5 percent on an adjusted basis.
 

Business Segment Results of Operations

   
Quarter Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
   
 
   
 
         
Constant
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
As Reported
   
Currency
 
Revenue:
                       
   North America
  $ 246.9     $ 224.5     10.0     10.8  
   Surgical and Respiratory Care
    120.0       65.6     82.9     98.0  
   International
    107.9       125.2     (13.8)     (0.1)  
  Total revenue
  $ 474.8     $ 415.3     14.3     21.3  
                             
Divisional income:
                           
   North America
  $ 52.3     $ 47.5     10.1        
   Surgical and Respiratory Care
  $ 18.3     $ 15.7     16.6        
   International
  $ 4.4     $ 5.2     (15.4)        
                             
                             
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
   
Percentage Change
 
                         
Constant
 
      2015       2014    
As Reported
   
Currency
 
Revenue:
                           
   North America
  $ 472.1     $ 430.0     9.8     10.4  
   Surgical and Respiratory Care
    246.3       128.9     91.1     102.0  
   International
    221.4       249.8     (11.4)     (1.3)  
  Total revenue
  $ 939.8     $ 808.7     16.2     21.4  
                             
Divisional income:
                           
   North America
  $ 90.8     $ 75.5     20.3        
   Surgical and Respiratory Care
  $ 37.7     $ 30.3     24.4        
   Intenational
  $ 7.2     $ 10.7     (32.7)        
 
North America

North America revenue increased 10.0 and 9.8 percent on a reported basis, or 10.8 and 10.4 percent on a constant currency basis, for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  Capital sales were up 15.7 and 17.3 percent for the three- and six-month periods primarily due to higher patient support system sales.  Rental revenue declined by 1.8 and 5.2 percent for the three- and six month periods, which is primarily due to our discontinuance of third-party payer therapy product rentals in the second half of fiscal 2014 and continued pricing pressure, partially offset by improved volumes from recent contract wins.  Excluding the effects of our discontinuance of third-party payer therapy product rentals, rental revenue increased 5.2 and 2.4 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.

North America divisional income increased 10.1 and 20.3 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 due primarily to increased revenue and the resulting increase in gross profit.  Capital margins decreased slightly for the three-month period due to unfavorable product mix and were flat for the six-month period.  Rental margins declined during the period as a result of continued pricing pressure, along with reduced leverage of our fleet and field service infrastructure as we have invested in additional capacity in anticipation of higher volumes in the second half of fiscal 2015 from recent contract wins.  Divisional income benefited from improved leverage of operational costs on higher revenue for both the quarterly and year to date periods.

Surgical and Respiratory Care

Surgical and Respiratory Care revenue increased 82.9 and 91.1 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  Excluding Trumpf, revenue for the three-month period decreased 0.3 percent on a reported basis and increased 0.6 percent on a constant currency basis.  Organic revenue for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015 increased 2.7 percent on a reported basis, or 3.3 percent on a constant currency basis, due to both higher respiratory and surgical sales.  Capital sales increased 105.5 and 116.0 percent for the three- and six-month periods primarily due to the Trumpf acquisition.  Rental revenue increased 4.1 percent for the three-month period and 7.1 percent for the six-month period on higher respiratory care volumes and growth from recent product introductions.
 

Surgical and Respiratory Care divisional income increased 16.6 and 24.4 percent for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 due to the incremental gross profit from the Trumpf acquisition.  Divisional income was also favorably impacted by improved leverage of operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

International

International revenue decreased 13.8 and 11.4 period on a reported basis, or 0.1 and 1.3 percent on a constant currency basis for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015.  Capital sales decreased 13.8 and 11.2 percent on a reported basis and 0.3 and 1.2 percent on a constant currency basis due to lower sales in the Middle East and Latin America primarily due to lower volumes, partially offset by higher sales in Asia.  International rental revenue decreased 14.0 percent on a reported basis for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, but increased 1.5 percent on a constant currency basis.  For the six-month period, International rental revenue declined 12.9 percent on a reported basis, or 2.2 percent on a constant currency basis, due to continued volume and pricing pressures.

International divisional income decreased for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2015 due primarily to lower revenue and the resulting decline in gross profit, partially offset by slightly lower operating costs, along with some unfavorable foreign currency impact for the three-month period.  Capital margins were essentially flat for both periods.  Rental margins increased for the three-month period primarily due to higher volume, but decreased for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015 due to reduced leverage of our fleet and field service infrastructure as revenue has declined quicker than our field service costs, along with continued pricing pressure.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
   
Year to Date Ended March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash Flows Provided By (Used In):
           
  Operating activities
  $ 87.1     $ 77.9  
  Investing activities
    (86.9 )     (39.8 )
  Financing activities
    22.4       (44.8 )
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (7.4 )     (0.4 )
Increase (Decrease)  in Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 15.2     $ (7.1 )
 
Operating Activities

We generated $87.1 million of cash from operating activities fiscal year to date.  Cash from operations was driven primarily by net income, adjusted for the non-cash effects of depreciation, amortization, and stock compensation expense, along with traditional collections of high year-end receivables.  These sources of cash were offset by the payout of our performance-based compensation related to our 2014 fiscal year, payment of traditionally higher year-end accounts payable, and other working capital movements. Cash provided by operating activities increased 11.8 percent compared to the prior year primarily on higher income, collection of year-end receivables, and non-cash effects of depreciation, amortization, and stock compensation expense, partially offset by changes in the provision for deferred income taxes.

Investing Activities

Cash used for investing activities was $86.9 million fiscal year to date.  The investing activities consist mainly of capital expenditures, which increased significantly from the prior year due to investments in our rental fleet to support expected future volume increases from recent contract wins, along with the additional capital expenditures from our Trumpf acquisition.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $22.4 million fiscal year to date and consisted mainly of borrowings on the revolving credit facility, partially offset by treasury stock acquired and dividend payments.  The financing proceeds support the higher rental fleet investment referenced earlier and treasury stock repurchases.  The increase in net cash in fiscal 2015 compares to a decrease in net cash in fiscal 2014 primarily driven by treasury stock acquisition, dividends, and debt pay down.
 
 
Other Liquidity Matters

Net cash flows from operating activities and selected borrowings have represented our primary sources of funds for growth of the business, including capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Prior to May 1, 2015, we had a credit facility that provided for revolving loans of up to $500.0 million, plus a term loan in the aggregate amount of $200.0 million.  Borrowings under the credit facility and term loan bear interest at variable rates specified therein, that are currently less than 2.0 percent, and the availability of borrowings is subject to our ability at the time of borrowing to meet certain specified conditions, including compliance with covenants contained in the credit agreement governing the facility.  The credit facility contains covenants that, among other matters, require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) of not more than 3.5:1.0 and a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 3.5:1.0.  As of March 31, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings of $360.0 million and undrawn letters of credit of $5.1 million under the revolving credit facility, leaving $134.9 million of borrowing capacity available.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of March 31, 2015.

On May 1, 2015, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Facility”) with the lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative agent, and each of Citizens Bank, N.A. Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, which amended and restated our prior credit facility, entered into August 24, 2012.  The New Credit Facility provides for revolving loans of up to $900.0 million at any time outstanding plus term loans in the current principal amount of $168.8 million. We currently have $360.0 million of outstanding borrowings and undrawn letters of credit of $5.1 million under the revolving loan portion of the New Credit Facility, leaving $534.9 million of available borrowing capacity.  The New Credit Facility is to be used for general corporate purposes, including financing permitted acquisitions. 
 
All revolving loans under the New Credit Facility mature May 1, 2020.  The term loans will continue to amortize so that $43.8 million of the remaining principal will be repaid through August 24, 2017, with the balance due at such date. 

Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest based on a margin (which varies dependent upon the Company’s credit rating) over certain pre-defined index rates, selected at the Company’s option.  The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by several fully owned subsidiaries of the Company.  The New Credit Facility contains terms and conditions, events of default, and customary covenants, including requiring that (1) the Company maintain a ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA of not more than 3.50:1.0; and (2) a ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 3.00:1.0.

We believe that cash on hand and generated from operations, along with amounts available under the New Credit Facility, will be sufficient to fund operations, working capital needs, capital expenditure requirements and financing obligations.  However, disruption and volatility in the credit markets could impede our access to capital.  As of May 1, 2015, our $900 million revolving credit facility is with a syndicate of banks.  The syndication group consists of 12 financial institutions, which we believe reduces our exposure to any one institution and would still leave us with significant borrowing capacity in the event that any one of the institutions within the group is unable to comply with the terms of our agreement

We have trade finance credit lines and uncommitted letter of credit facilities.  These lines are associated with the normal course of business and we had $1.3 million and $42.4 million of outstanding standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company sometimes manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of interest rate swaps (cash flow hedges).  As of March 31, 2015, we had one interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $118.8 million to hedge the variability of cash flows associated with a portion of the term loan variable interest rate payments for the period of January 2014 to August 2017.   The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge.  The interest rate swap fair value was a $0.5 million liability as of March 31, 2015 and an asset of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2014. 

 
We have $49.2 million of senior notes outstanding at various fixed interest rates as of March 31, 2015, classified as long-term in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Our primary pension plan invests in a variety of equity and debt securities.  At September 30, 2014, our latest measurement date, our pension plans were underfunded by approximately $67.7 million.  Given the current funded status, we currently do not anticipate any further contributions to our master pension plan in fiscal 2015.
    
We intend to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends comparable to those paid in the periods covered by these financial statements. However, the declaration and payment of dividends by us will be subject to the sole discretion of our Board and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, covenants associated with debt obligations, legal requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board.

We intend to continue to pursue selective acquisition candidates in certain areas of our business, but the timing, size or success of any acquisition effort and the related potential capital commitments cannot be predicted.  We expect to fund future acquisitions primarily with cash on hand, cash flow from operations and borrowings.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we purchased 1.2 million shares of our common stock for $54.8 million in the open market, leaving $64.7 million available for purchase.  The common stock was acquired under a $190 million share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in September 2013, which does not have an expiration date.  There are no plans to terminate this program in the future. Repurchases may be made on the open market or via private transactions, and are used for general business purposes.

As of March 31, 2015, $54.9 million of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held by our subsidiaries in foreign countries.  Portions of this may be subject to U.S. income taxation if repatriated to the U.S.  However, cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries are largely used for operating needs outside the U.S.  Therefore, we have no need to repatriate this cash for other uses.  We believe that cash on hand and generated from operations, along with amounts available under our credit facility, will be sufficient to fund operations, working capital needs, capital expenditure requirements and financing obligations.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

Other than the additional long-term borrowings on our revolving credit facility referenced in Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q, there have not been any significant changes since September 30, 2014 impacting our contractual obligations and contingent liabilities and commitments.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting policies require management to make significant estimates and assumptions using information available at the time the estimates are made.  Such estimates and assumptions significantly affect various reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses.  If future experience differs materially from these estimates and assumptions, our results of operations and financial condition could be affected.  A detailed description of our accounting policies is included in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Critical Accounting Policies Section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2014 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to such policies since September 30, 2014.

For a further summary of certain accounting policies and estimates and recently issued accounting pronouncements applicable to us, see Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.



We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, collection risk associated with our accounts and notes receivable portfolio and variability in currency exchange rates.  We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.

We are subject to variability in foreign currency exchange rates in our international operations.  Exposure to this variability is periodically managed primarily through the use of natural hedges, whereby funding obligations and assets are both managed in the local currency.  We, from time-to-time, enter into currency exchange agreements to manage our exposure arising from fluctuating exchange rates related to specific and forecasted transactions.  We operate this program pursuant to documented corporate risk management policies and do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes.  The sensitivity of earnings and cash flows to variability in exchange rates is assessed by applying an appropriate range of potential rate fluctuations to our assets, obligations and projected results of operations denominated in foreign currencies.

Our currency risk consists primarily of foreign currency denominated firm commitments and forecasted foreign currency denominated intercompany and third-party transactions.  At March 31, 2015, the notional amount of open foreign exchange contracts was $6.6 million.  The maximum length of time over which we hedge transaction exposures is 15 months.  Derivative gains/(losses), initially reported as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, are reclassified to earnings in the period when the transaction affects earnings.

We are exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company sometimes manages its exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of interest rate swaps (cash flow hedges).  As of March 31, 2015, we had one interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $118.8 million to hedge the variability of cash flows associated with a portion of the term loan variable interest rate payments for the period of January 2014 to August 2017.   The interest rate swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge.  The interest rate swap fair value was a $0.5 million liability as of March 31, 2015 and an asset of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2014. 

For additional information on market risks related to our pension plan assets, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our 2014 Form 10-K.


Our management, with the supervision and participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (the “Certifying Officers”), has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Certifying Officers and our Board of Directors, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon that evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.

We completed the acquisition of Trumpf during our fiscal year 2014.  Management considers this transaction to be material to our consolidated financial statements and believes that the internal controls and procedures of Trumpf have a material effect on our internal control over financial reporting.  We are currently in the process of incorporating the internal controls and procedures of Trumpf into our internal controls over financial reporting and extending our Section 404 compliance program under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the applicable rules and regulations under such Act to include Trumpf.  We will report on our assessment of the consolidated operations within the time period provided by the Act and the applicable SEC rules and regulations concerning business combinations.

Additionally, during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we transitioned certain Völker transaction processing functions to our primary enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system.  In connection with this transition, the affected Völker transactions are now subject to the internal controls applicable to our primary ERP system. We are in the process of migrating additional Völker transaction processes to our primary ERP system, which is expected to be completed in our third fiscal quarter.
 

Other than the changes noted above, there have been no other changes to our internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our most recent completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Refer to Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for further information on our legal proceedings.


For information regarding the risks we face, see the discussion under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in that report.


               
Total Number
   
Approximate
 
               
of Shares
   
Dollar Value
 
   
Total
         
Purchased as
   
of Shares That
 
   
Number
   
Average
   
Part of Publicly
   
May Yet Be
 
   
of Shares
   
Price Paid
   
Announced Plans or
   
Purchased Under
 
Period
 
Purchased (1)
   
per Share
   
Programs (2)
   
the Programs (2)
 
                     
 
 
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015
    4,566     $ 46.83       -     $ 64.7  
February 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015
    482     $ 47.16       -     $ 64.7  
March 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015
    304     $ 47.96       -     $ 64.7  
Total
    5,352     $ 46.92       -     $ 64.7  
 
(1)
Shares purchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 were in connection with the employee payroll tax withholding for restricted and deferred stock distributions.

(2)
In September 2013, the Board approved an expansion of its previously announced share repurchase authorization to a total of $190.0 million.  As of March 31, 2015, a cumulative total of $125.3 million has been used under this existing authorization.  The plan does not have an expiration date and currently there are no plans to terminate this program in the future.

 
 

On May 1, 2015, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Facility”) with the lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative agent, and each of Citizens Bank, N.A. Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, which amended and restated our prior credit facility, entered into August 24, 2012.  The New Credit Facility provides for revolving loans of up to $900.0 million at any time outstanding plus term loans in the current principal amount of $168.8 million. We currently have $360.0 million of outstanding borrowings and undrawn letters of credit of $5.1 million under the revolving loan portion of the New Credit Facility, leaving $534.9 million of available borrowing capacity.  The New Credit Facility is to be used for general corporate purposes, including financing permitted acquisitions. 
 
All revolving loans under the New Credit Facility mature May 1, 2020.  The term loans will continue to amortize so that $43.8 million of the remaining principal will be repaid through August 24, 2017, with the balance due at such date. 

Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest based on a margin (which varies dependent upon the Company’s credit rating) over certain pre-defined index rates, selected at the Company’s option.  The New Credit Facility is guaranteed by several fully owned subsidiaries of the Company.  The New Credit Facility contains terms and conditions, events of default, and customary covenants, including requiring that (1) the Company maintain a ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA of not more than 3.50:1.0; and (2) a ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of not less than 3.00:1.0.
 
 
 
A.
Exhibits
 
     
 
10.1
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 1, 2015 among Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., the lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Citizens Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents
     
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
   
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
   
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
 
101.LAB
XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase Document
     
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
   
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




       
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.
       
(Registrant)
         
         
DATE:  May 5, 2015
By:
   
/s/ Steven J. Strobel
 
Name:
   
Steven J. Strobel
 
Title:
   
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

 
32 

 
Exhibit 10.1
 
 
 
 
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
dated as of
 
May 1, 2015
 
 
among
 
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
The Lenders Party Hereto
 
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent
 
CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Syndication Agents
 
and
 
FIFTH THIRD BANK,
CITIBANK, N.A. and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Documentation Agents
 

 
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC, CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
MERRILL, LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
and PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC
as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Page
ARTICLE I Definitions
1
   
SECTION 1.01.
Defined Terms
1
SECTION 1.02.
Classification of Loans and Borrowings
23
SECTION 1.03.
Terms Generally
23
SECTION 1.04.
Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations
23
SECTION 1.05.
Status of Obligations
24
SECTION 1.06.
Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement
24
   
ARTICLE II The Credits
25
   
SECTION 2.01.
Commitments
25
SECTION 2.02.
Loans and Borrowings
25
SECTION 2.03.
Requests for Borrowings
26
SECTION 2.04.
Determination of Dollar Amounts
27
SECTION 2.05.
Swingline Loans
27
SECTION 2.06.
Letters of Credit
28
SECTION 2.07.
Funding of Borrowings
33
SECTION 2.08.
Interest Elections
33
SECTION 2.09.
Termination and Reduction of Commitments
35
SECTION 2.10.
Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt
35
SECTION 2.11.
Prepayment of Loans
36
SECTION 2.12.
Fees
37
SECTION 2.13.
Interest
38
SECTION 2.14.
Alternate Rate of Interest
39
SECTION 2.15.
Increased Costs
40
SECTION 2.16.
Break Funding Payments
41
SECTION 2.17.
Taxes
41
SECTION 2.18.
Payments Generally; Allocations of Proceeds; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
45
SECTION 2.19.
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
47
SECTION 2.20.
Expansion Option
47
SECTION 2.21.
Judgment Currency
48
SECTION 2.22.
Defaulting Lenders
49
   
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties
50
   
SECTION 3.01.
Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries
50
SECTION 3.02.
Authorization; No Conflicts
51
SECTION 3.03.
Governmental Approvals
51
SECTION 3.04.
Enforceability
51
SECTION 3.05.
Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
51
SECTION 3.06.
Litigation
51
SECTION 3.07.
Compliance with Agreements; No Default
52
SECTION 3.08.
Environmental Matters
52
SECTION 3.09.
Insurance
52
SECTION 3.10.
Taxes
52
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
(continued)

   
Page
SECTION 3.11.
ERISA
52
SECTION 3.12.
Federal Reserve Regulations; Investment Company Status
53
SECTION 3.13.
Disclosure
53
SECTION 3.14.
Compliance with Laws
53
SECTION 3.15.
Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions
54
   
ARTICLE IV Conditions
54
   
SECTION 4.01.
Effective Date
54
SECTION 4.02.
Each Credit Event
55
   
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants
55
   
SECTION 5.01.
Financial Statements
55
SECTION 5.02.
Certificates; Other Information
56
SECTION 5.03.
Notices
57
SECTION 5.04.
Payment of Obligations
57
SECTION 5.05.
Preservation of Existence, Etc
57
SECTION 5.06.
Maintenance of Insurance
57
SECTION 5.07.
Compliance with Laws
58
SECTION 5.08.
Books and Records
58
SECTION 5.09.
Inspection Rights
58
SECTION 5.10.
Use of Proceeds
58
SECTION 5.11.
Covenant to Guarantee Obligations
58
   
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants
59
   
SECTION 6.01.
Liens
59
SECTION 6.02.
Acquisitions
60
SECTION 6.03.
Indebtedness
60
SECTION 6.04.
Fundamental Changes
61
SECTION 6.05.
Restricted Payments
62
SECTION 6.06.
Change in Nature of Business
62
SECTION 6.07.
Transactions with Affiliates
62
SECTION 6.08.
Burdensome Agreements
63
SECTION 6.09.
Use of Proceeds
63
SECTION 6.10.
Financial Covenants
63
   
ARTICLE VII Events of Default
64
   
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent
66
   
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous
68
   
SECTION 9.01.
Notices
68
SECTION 9.02.
Waivers; Amendments
69
SECTION 9.03.
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
71
SECTION 9.04.
Successors and Assigns
72
SECTION 9.05.
Survival
76
SECTION 9.06.
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution
76
 
 
ii

 
 
Table of Contents
(continued)

   
Page
SECTION 9.07.
Severability
76
SECTION 9.08.
Right of Setoff
76
SECTION 9.09.
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
77
SECTION 9.10.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
77
SECTION 9.11.
Headings
77
SECTION 9.12.
Confidentiality
78
SECTION 9.13.
USA PATRIOT Act
78
SECTION 9.14.
Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors
79
SECTION 9.15.
Interest Rate Limitation
79
SECTION 9.16.
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility
80

 
iii

 
 
Table of Contents
(continued)

 
Page
SCHEDULES:
 
   
Schedule 2.01 – Commitments
 
Schedule 2.06 – Existing Letters of Credit
 
Schedule 3.06 – Disclosed Litigation
 
Schedule 6.01 – Existing Liens
 
Schedule 6.03 – Existing Indebtedness
 
   
EXHIBITS:
 
Exhibit A – Form of Assignment and Assumption
 
Exhibit B – Form of Opinion of Loan Parties’ Counsel
 
Exhibit C – Form of Increasing Lender Supplement
 
Exhibit D – Form of Augmenting Lender Supplement
 
Exhibit E – List of Closing Documents
 
Exhibit F-1 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships)
 
Exhibit F-2 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships)
 
Exhibit F-3 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships)
 
Exhibit F-4 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships)
 
Exhibit G – Form of Compliance Certificate
 
Exhibit H-1 – Form of Borrowing Request
 
Exhibit H-2 – Form of Interest Election Request
 
Exhibit I-1 – Form of Revolving Loan Note
 
Exhibit I-2 – Form of Term Loan Note
 
Exhibit J – Form of Subsidiary Guaranty
 

 
iv

 
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of May 1, 2015 among HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC., the LENDERS from time to time party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, CITIZENS BANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Co-Syndication Agents and FIFTH THIRD BANK, CITIBANK, N.A. and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Co-Documentation Agents.
 
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent thereunder, are currently party to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).
 
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into this Agreement in order to (i) amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety; (ii) extend the maturity date in respect of the existing revolving credit facility under the Existing Credit Agreement; (iii) re-evidence the “Obligations” under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement, which shall be repayable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and (iv) set forth the terms and conditions under which the Lenders will, from time to time, make loans and extend other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of the Borrower.
 
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities of the parties under the Existing Credit Agreement or be deemed to evidence or constitute full repayment of such obligations and liabilities, but that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and re-evidence the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower outstanding thereunder, which shall be payable in accordance with the terms hereof.
 
WHEREAS, it is also the intent of the Borrower to confirm that all obligations under the applicable “Loan Documents” (as referred to and defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall continue in full force and effect as modified or restated by the Loan Documents (as referred to and defined herein) and that, from and after the Effective Date, all references to the “Credit Agreement” contained in any such existing “Loan Documents” shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree that the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
 
ARTICLE I
 
Definitions
 
SECTION 1.01.    Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
 
ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to a Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
 
Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
 
 
 

 
 
Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (including its branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
 
Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
 
Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
 
Agent Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).
 
Agreed Currencies” means (i) Dollars, (ii) euro, (iii) Pounds Sterling and (iv) any other currency (x) that is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (y) for which a LIBOR Screen Rate is available in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable determination and (z) that is agreed to by the Administrative Agent and each of the Revolving Lenders.
 
Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period in Dollars on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.
 
Alternative Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a).
 
Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption including, without limitation, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
 
Applicable LC Sublimit” means (i) with respect to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as an Issuing Bank under this Agreement, $12,500,000, (ii) with respect to Citizens Bank, N.A. in its capacity as an Issuing Bank under this Agreement, $12,500,000, (iii) with respect to Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as an Issuing Bank under this Agreement, $12,500,000, (iv) with respect to PNC Bank, National Association in its capacity as an Issuing Bank under this Agreement, $12,500,000 and (v) with respect to any other Person that becomes an Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, such amount as agreed to in writing by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Person at the time such Person becomes an Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, as each of the foregoing amounts may be decreased or increased from time to time with the written consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks (provided that any increase in the Applicable LC Sublimit with respect to any Issuing Bank shall only require the consent of the Borrower and such Issuing Bank).
 
 
2

 
 
Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure or Swingline Loans, the percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders (if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments); provided that in the case of Section 2.22 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculation and (b) with respect to the Term Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans and the denominator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans of all Term Lenders; provided that in the case of Section 2.22 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, any such Defaulting Lender’s Term Loan Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculation.
 
Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurocurrency Revolving Loan, any Eurocurrency Term Loans, any ABR Revolving Loan, any ABR Term Loan or with respect to the facility fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurocurrency Spread for Revolving Loans”, “Eurocurrency Spread for Term Loans”, “ABR Spread for Revolving Loans”, “ABR Spread for Term Loans” or “Facility Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by Moody’s and S&P, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt:
 
 
Index Debt
Ratings
(Moody’s/S&P):
Eurocurrency
Spread for
Revolving
Loans
Eurocurrency
Spread for
Term Loans
ABR
Spread for
Revolving
Loans
ABR
Spread for
Term Loans
Facility Fee
Rate
Category 1:
A3/A- or higher
0.775%
1.00%
0%
0%
0.10%
Category 2:
Baa1/BBB+
0.875%
1.125%
0%
0.125%
0.125%
Category 3:
Baa2/BBB
0.975%
1.25%
0%
0.25%
0.15%
Category 4:
Baa3/BBB-
1.075%
1.50%
0.075%
0.50%
0.175%
Category 5:
Ba1/BB+
1.25%
1.75%
0.25%
0.75%
0.25%
Category 6:
Ba2/BB or lower
1.45%
2.00%
0.45%
1.00%
0.30%

For purposes of the foregoing, (i) if only one of Moody’s and S&P shall have in effect a rating for the Index Debt, then the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the available rating, (ii) if neither Moody’s nor S&P shall have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this definition), Category 6 shall be applicable; (iii) if the ratings established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the higher of the two ratings unless one of the two ratings is two or more Categories lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the Category next above that of the lower of the two ratings; and (iv) if the ratings established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody’s or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.03 or otherwise.  Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.  If the rating system of Moody’s or S&P shall change, or if either such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.
 
 
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Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
 
Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
 
Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.
 
Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as filed in the 10-K filing with the SEC for the year ended September 30, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
 
Augmenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
 
Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.
 
Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Borrower or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates:  (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).
 
Banking Services Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with Banking Services.
 
Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
 
Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
 
 
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Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
 
Borrower” means Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., an Indiana corporation.
 
Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Term Loan of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (c) a Swingline Loan.
 
Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H-1.
 
Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in the relevant Agreed Currency in the London interbank market or the principal financial center of such Agreed Currency (and, if the Borrowings or LC Disbursements which are the subject of a borrowing, drawing, payment, reimbursement or rate selection are denominated in euro, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which the TARGET2 payment system is not open for the settlement of payments in euro).
 
Change of Control” means, with respect to any Person, an event or series of events by which:
 
(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any such Person and its subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan of such Person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than any member or members of the Hillenbrand Family Group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the equity securities of such Person entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or
 
(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of such Person cease (other than by reason of death or disability) to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body.
 
 
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Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following:  (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
 
Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Term Loans or Swingline Loans.
 
Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
Co-Documentation Agent” means each of Fifth Third Bank, Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in its capacity as co-documentation agent for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.
 
Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and Term Loan Commitment.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.
 
Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
 
Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).
 
Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
 
Computation Date” is defined in Section 2.04.
 
Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
 
Consolidated” refers to the consolidation of accounts in accordance with GAAP.
 
Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period; provided that there shall be excluded any income (or loss) of any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary, but any such income so excluded may be included in such period or any later period to the extent of any cash dividends or distributions actually paid in the relevant period to the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
 
 
6

 
 
Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination thereof, Consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries minus the Intangible Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such date.
 
Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
 
Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  The terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
 
Co-Syndication Agent” means each of Citizens Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association in its capacity as co-syndication agent for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.
 
Credit Event” means a Borrowing, the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, an LC Disbursement or any of the foregoing.
 
Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of its Term Loans outstanding at such time.
 
Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.
 
Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
 
Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event.
 
 
7

 
 
Disclosed Litigation” means the actions, suits, investigations, litigation or proceedings affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or threatened before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator described on Schedule 3.06 hereto.
 
Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
 
Dollar Amount” of any currency at any date shall mean (i) the amount of such currency if such currency is Dollars or (ii) the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars if such currency is a Foreign Currency, calculated on the basis of the Exchange Rate for such currency, on or as of the most recent Computation Date provided for in Section 2.04.
 
Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
 
Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America (other than Puerto Rico).
 
EBITDA” means Consolidated Net Income plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) interest expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) all non-cash expenses, charges or losses, (vi) extraordinary expenses, charges or losses minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (1) interest income, (2) income tax credits and refunds (to the extent not netted from tax expense), (3) any cash payments made during such period in respect of items described in clause (v) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash expense, charge or loss were incurred and (4) extraordinary, income or gains, all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis.  For the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each such period, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.  As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes (i) assets comprising all or substantially all or any significant portion of a business or operating unit of a business, or (ii) all or substantially all of the capital stock or other equity interests of a Person, and (b) involves the payment of consideration by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any sale, transfer or disposition of property or series of related sales, transfers, or dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000.
 
ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.
 
Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
 
 
8

 
 
Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
 
Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and any Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
 
Environmental Law” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
 
Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
 
Equivalent Amount” of any currency with respect to any amount of Dollars at any date shall mean the equivalent in such currency of such amount of Dollars, calculated on the basis of the Exchange Rate for such other currency at 11:00 a.m., London time, on the date on or as of which such amount is to be determined.
 
ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
 
ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
 
ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal (as defined in ERISA Section 4203 and 4205, respectively) by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) the existence of an Unfunded Pension Liability or (g) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan.
 
euro” and/or “EUR” means the single currency of the Participating Member States.
 
 
9

 
 
Eurocurrency”, when used in reference to a currency means an Agreed Currency and when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, means that such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
 
Eurocurrency Payment Office” of the Administrative Agent shall mean, for each Foreign Currency, the office, branch, affiliate or correspondent bank of the Administrative Agent for such currency as specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and each Lender.
 
Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.
 
Exchange Rate” means, on any day, with respect to any Foreign Currency, the rate at which such Foreign Currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date on the Reuters World Currency Page for such Foreign Currency.  In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate with respect to such Foreign Currency shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the event no such service is selected, such Exchange Rate shall instead be calculated on the basis of the arithmetical mean of the buy and sell spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent for such Foreign Currency on the London market at 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date for the purchase of Dollars with such Foreign Currency, for delivery two Business Days later; provided, that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent, after consultation with the Borrower, may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation.  If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.
 
Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
 
 
10

 
 
Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
 
Existing Letters of Credit” is defined in Section 2.06(a).
 
Farm Agreement” means that certain Tenants in Common Agreement dated on or about March 21, 2008 between Hill-Rom Company, Inc., an Indiana corporation, and BCC JAWACDAH Holdings, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company.
 
FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.
 
Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided, that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
 
Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
 
Foreign Currencies” means Agreed Currencies other than Dollars.
 
Foreign Currency LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Amount of the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of all outstanding Foreign Currency Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of Foreign Currency Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed at such time.
 
Foreign Currency Letter of Credit” means a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency.
 
Foreign Currency Sublimit” means $200,000,000.
 
Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
 
GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
 
Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including, without limitation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
 
 
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Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person.  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
 
Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
 
Hillenbrand Family Group” means the descendants of John A. Hillenbrand and members of such descendants’ families and trusts for the benefit of such Persons.
 
Hill-Rom” means Hill-Rom, Inc., an Indiana corporation.
 
Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
 
Increase Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
 
Increasing Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
 
Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
 
Incremental Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
 
Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, but only to the extent included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
 
(a)           all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
 
(b)           all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under unreimbursed payments made under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances and bank guaranties;
 
 
12

 
 
(c)           net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract pertaining to interest rates;
 
(d)           all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business);
 
(e)           indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
 
(f)           capital leases; and
 
(g)           all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
 
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation, limited liability company or other limited liability entity) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  The amount of any capital lease as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.
 
Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
 
Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other person or entity or subject to any other credit enhancement.
 
Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
 
Intangible Assets” means the aggregate amount, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, of all assets classified as intangible assets under GAAP, including, without limitation, customer lists, acquired technology, goodwill, computer software, trademarks, patents, copyrights, organization expenses, franchises, licenses, trade names, brand names, mailing lists, catalogs, unamortized debt discount and capitalized research and development costs.
 
Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H-2.
 
Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December and the applicable Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the applicable Maturity Date and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
 
 
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Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months or, if acceptable to each Lender, twelve months or a period of less than one month thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
 
Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBOR Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBOR Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBOR Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBOR Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.  When determining the rate for a period which is less than the shortest period for which the LIBOR Screen Rate is available, the LIBOR Screen Rate for purposes of paragraph (a) above shall be deemed to be the overnight screen rate where “overnight screen rate” means the overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent from such service as the Administrative Agent may select.
 
IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
 
Issuing Bank” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and each other Lender designated by the Borrower as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder that has agreed to such designation (and is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), each in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i).  Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
 
Joint Lead Arrangers” means each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citizens Bank, N.A., Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and PNC Bank National Association in its capacity as joint bookrunner and joint lead arranger for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.
 
Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
 
LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).
 
LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
 
 
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LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Dollar Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
 
Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 (including the Persons that are “Lenders” under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the Effective Date) and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.20 or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.
 
Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.
 
LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in any Agreed Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for such Agreed Currency for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen or, in the event such rate does not appear on either of such Reuters pages, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion (in each case the “LIBOR Screen Rate”) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such Agreed Currency and Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that if a LIBOR Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (the “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate for such Agreed Currency and such Interest Period shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided, that, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.  It is understood and agreed that all of the terms and conditions of this definition of “LIBO Rate” shall be subject to Section 2.14.
 
LIBOR Screen Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
 
Lien” means any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement, including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor.
 
Loan Documents” means this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to Section 2.10(e), any Letter of Credit applications, the Subsidiary Guaranty, and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lenders and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.  Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.
 
Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
 
 
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Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
 
Local Time” means (i) New York City time in the case of a Loan, Borrowing or LC Disbursement denominated in Dollars and (ii) local time in the case of a Loan, Borrowing or LC Disbursement denominated in a Foreign Currency (it being understood that such local time shall mean London, England time unless otherwise notified by the Administrative Agent).
 
Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the operations, business or financial condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (c) the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.
 
Material Domestic Subsidiary” means each directly or indirectly owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower either (a) having (together with its Subsidiaries) assets that constitute 5% or more of the Consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (b) having (together with its Subsidiaries) revenues that constitute 5% or more of the Consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case during any of the three most recently completed fiscal years of the Borrower.
 
Maturity Date” means the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the Term Loan Maturity Date, as applicable.
 
Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
 
Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
 
Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period; provided that there shall be excluded any income (or loss) of any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary, but any such income so excluded may be included in such period or any later period to the extent of any cash dividends or distributions actually paid in the relevant period to the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
 
Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Original Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Swap Contract or any Banking Services Agreement or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof; provided that the definition of “Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.
 
 
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OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
 
Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
 
Original Effective Date” means August 24, 2012.
 
Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
 
Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).
 
Overnight Foreign Currency Rate” means, for any amount payable in a Foreign Currency, the rate of interest per annum as determined by the Administrative Agent at which overnight or weekend deposits in the relevant currency (or if such amount due remains unpaid for more than three (3) Business Days, then for such other period of time as the Administrative Agent may elect) for delivery in immediately available and freely transferable funds would be offered by the Administrative Agent to major banks in the interbank market upon request of such major banks for the relevant currency as determined above and in an amount comparable to the unpaid principal amount of the related Credit Event, plus any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed upon, or charged to, the Administrative Agent by any relevant correspondent bank in respect of such amount in such relevant currency.
 
Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
 
Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
 
Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
 
Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to economic and monetary union.
 
 
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PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
 
Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.
 
Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
 
Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by the Borrower or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.
 
Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.
 
Pounds Sterling” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
 
Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
 
Quotation Day” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, (i) if the currency is Pounds Sterling, the first day of such Interest Period, (ii) if the currency is euro, the day that is two (2) TARGET2 Days before the first day of such Interest Period, and (iii) for any other currency, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (unless, in each case, market practice differs in the relevant market where the LIBO Rate for such currency is to be determined, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in such market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, then the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)).
 
Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.
 
Reference Bank Rate” means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) supplied to the Administrative Agent at its request by the Reference Banks (as the case may be) as of the applicable time on the Quotation Day for Loans in the applicable currency and the applicable Interest Period as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the London (or other applicable) interbank market in the relevant currency and for the relevant period, were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period.
 
 
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Reference Banks” means the principal London (or other applicable) offices of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and such other banks as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower.  No Lender shall be obligated to be a Reference Bank without its consent.
 
Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
 
Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
 
Reportable Event” means any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA, other than an event for which the 30-day notice period has been waived.
 
Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.
 
Responsible Officer” means the chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or any authorized Senior Vice President or Vice President of the Borrower.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.
 
Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other equity interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other equity interest or of any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such capital stock or other equity interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).
 
Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.20 and (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender's Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the applicable documentation pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment pursuant to the terms hereof, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $900,000,000.
 
Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.
 
Revolving Credit Maturity Date” means May 1, 2020.
 
Revolving Lender” means, as of any date of determination, each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Credit Exposure.
 
Revolving Loan” means a Loan by a Revolving Lender made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).
 
 
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S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.
 
Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
 
Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).
 
Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.
 
SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Specified Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar requirements (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves or other requirements) established by any central bank, monetary authority, the Board, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the European Central Bank or other Governmental Authority for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in the applicable currency, expressed in the case of each such requirement as a decimal.  Such reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar requirements shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board.  Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset, fee or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under any applicable law, rule or regulation, including Regulation D of the Board.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve, liquid asset or similar requirement.
 
Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.
 
subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
 
 
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Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Borrower.
 
Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary that is a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty.
 
Subsidiary Guaranty” means that certain Amended and Restated Guaranty dated as of the Effective Date in the form of Exhibit J (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
 
Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
 
Swap Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Contracts permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any such Swap Contract transaction.
 
Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in subsection (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
 
Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.
 
Swingline Lender” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.
 
Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.
 
TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) for the settlement of payments in euro.
 
 
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TARGET2 Day” means a day that TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in euro.
 
Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
 
Term Lender” means, as of any date of determination, each Lender having a Term Loan Commitment or that holds Term Loans.
 
Term Loan Commitment” means (a) as to any Term Lender, the aggregate commitment of such Term Lender to make Term Loans as set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the most recent Assignment Agreement or other documentation contemplated hereby executed by such Term Lender and (b) as to all Term Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Term Lenders to make Term Loans, which aggregate commitment was $200,000,000 on the Original Effective Date.  After advancing the Term Loan, each reference to a Term Lender’s Term Loan Commitment shall refer to that Term Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Term Loans.
 
Term Loan Maturity Date” means August 24, 2017.
 
Term Loans” means the term loans made by the Term Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.
 
Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.
 
Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
 
UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.
 
Unaudited Financial Statements” means the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as filed in the 10-Q filing with the SEC for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
 
Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.
 
U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
 
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).
 
 
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Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
 
SECTION 1.02.    Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).
 
SECTION 1.03.    Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
 
SECTION 1.04.    Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations.  (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision  amended in accordance herewith.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (x) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (y) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof and (ii) any obligations relating to a lease that was accounted for by such Person as an operating lease as of the Effective Date and any similar lease entered into after the Effective Date by such Person shall be accounted for as obligations relating to an operating lease and not as obligations relating to a capital lease; provided however, that the Borrower may elect, with notice to the Administrative Agent to treat operating leases as capital leases in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time and, upon such election, and upon any subsequent change to GAAP therefor, the parties will enter into negotiations in good faith in an effort to preserve the original intent of the financial covenants set forth herein (it being understood and agreed that the treatment of operating leases be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date until such election shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith).
 
 
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(b)           All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder to determine whether such acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other such transaction consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation) as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.05), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of (but without giving effect to any synergies or cost savings) and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Contract applicable to such Indebtedness).
 
SECTION 1.05.    Status of Obligations.  In the event that the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, the Borrower shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.
 
SECTION 1.06.    Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement.  The parties to this Agreement agree that, upon (i) the execution and delivery by each of the parties hereto of this Agreement and (ii) satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be and hereby are amended, superseded and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  This Agreement is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation.  All Loans made and Obligations incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement which are outstanding on the Effective Date shall continue as Loans and Obligations under (and shall be governed by the terms of) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the foregoing, upon the effectiveness hereof: (a) all references in the “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) to the “Administrative Agent”, the “Credit Agreement” and the “Loan Documents” shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent, this Agreement and the Loan Documents, (b) the Existing Letters of Credit which remain outstanding on the Effective Date shall continue as Letters of Credit under (and shall be governed by the terms of) this Agreement, (c) all obligations constituting “Obligations” with any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender which are outstanding on the Effective Date shall continue as Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (d) the Administrative Agent shall make such reallocations, sales, assignments or other relevant actions in respect of each Lender’s credit exposure under the Existing Credit Agreement as are necessary in order that each such Lender’s Credit Exposures and outstanding Loans hereunder reflects such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding aggregate Credit Exposures on the Effective Date and (e) the Borrower hereby agrees to compensate each Lender for any and all losses, costs and expenses incurred by such Lender in connection with the sale and assignment of any Eurocurrency Loans (including the “Eurocurrency Loans” under the Existing Credit Agreement) and such reallocation described above, in each case on the terms and in the manner set forth in Section 2.16 hereof.
 
 
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ARTICLE II
 
The Credits
 
SECTION 2.01.    Commitments.  Prior to the Effective Date, certain loans were made to the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement which remain outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (such outstanding loans being hereinafter referred to as the “Existing Loans”).  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower and each of the Lenders agree that on the Effective Date, but subject to the reallocation and other transactions described in Section 1.06, the Existing Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be reevidenced as Loans of the applicable Class under this Agreement and the terms of the Existing Loans shall be restated in their entirety and shall be evidenced by this Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (a) each Revolving Lender (severally and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in Agreed Currencies from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (ii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the sum of the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (iii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure, in each case denominated in Foreign Currencies, exceeding the Foreign Currency Sublimit, and (b) each Term Lender with a Term Loan Commitment agreed to make a Term Loan to the Borrower in Dollars on the Original Effective Date, in an amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment by making immediately available funds available to the Administrative Agent’s designated account, not later than the time specified by the Administrative Agent.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.  Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.  The aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans as of the Effective Date is $168,750,000.  Each Term Lender’s respective portion of the outstanding Term Loans on the Effective Date is set forth on Schedule 2.01.
 
SECTION 2.02.    Loans and Borrowings.  (a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.  Any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05.  The Term Loans shall amortize as set forth in Section 2.10.
 
 
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(b)           Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that, unless the Borrower has delivered a funding indemnity letter (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings but may be converted into Eurocurrency Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08 and each ABR Loan shall only be made in Dollars.  Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan.  Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
 
(c)           At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in a Foreign Currency, 1,000,000 units of such currency) and not less than $5,000,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in a Foreign Currency 5,000,000 units of such currency).  At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e).  Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000.  Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of six (6) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.
 
(d)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the applicable Maturity Date.
 
SECTION 2.03.    Requests for Borrowings.  To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (a) by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower, promptly followed by telephonic confirmation of such request) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars) or by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower) not later than four (4) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency), in each case before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) by telephone in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower.  Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
 
(i)            the aggregate principal amount of the requested Borrowing;
 
 
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(ii)           the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
 
(iii)          whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing and whether such Borrowing is a Revolving Borrowing or a Term Loan Borrowing;
 
(iv)           in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Agreed Currency and initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
 
(v)           the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.
 
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
 
SECTION 2.04.    Determination of Dollar Amounts.  The Administrative Agent will determine the Dollar Amount of:
 
(a)           each Eurocurrency Borrowing as of the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date of such Borrowing or, if applicable, the date of conversion/continuation of any Borrowing as a Eurocurrency Borrowing,
 
(b)           the LC Exposure as of the date of each request for the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, and
 
(c)           all outstanding Credit Events on and as of the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and, during the continuation of an Event of Default, on any other Business Day elected by the Administrative Agent in its discretion or upon instruction by the Required Lenders.
 
Each day upon or as of which the Administrative Agent determines Dollar Amounts as described in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c) is herein described as a “Computation Date” with respect to each Credit Event for which a Dollar Amount is determined on or as of such day.
 
SECTION 2.05.    Swingline Loans.   (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may in its sole discretion make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $100,000,000 or (ii) the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
 
(b)           To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan.  The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower.  The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
 
 
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(c)           The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding.  Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each  Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender.  Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
 
SECTION 2.06.    Letters of Credit.  (a) General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Agreed Currencies for its own account, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the letters of credit identified on Schedule 2.06 (the “Existing Letters of Credit”) shall be deemed to be “Letters of Credit” issued on the Effective Date for all purposes of the Loan Documents.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the relevant Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Issuing Bank shall have any obligation hereunder to issue, and no Issuing Bank shall issue, any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement.  The Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any Subsidiary’s obligations, the Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (the Borrower hereby irrevocably waiving any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such a Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit).
 
 
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(b)           Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the relevant Issuing Bank) to an Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the Agreed Currency applicable thereto, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by an Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the sum of the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments, (iii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure, in each case denominated in Foreign Currencies, shall not exceed the Foreign Currency Sublimit and (iv) subject to Section 2.04, the Dollar Amount of the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit issued and then outstanding by any Issuing Bank shall not exceed such Issuing Bank’s Applicable LC Sublimit.
 
(c)           Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination by notice from the applicable Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; provided that a Letter of Credit may expire up to one year beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date so long as the applicable Borrower cash collateralizes 103% of the face amount of such Letter of Credit in the manner described in Section 2.06(j) no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the relevant Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent.
 
(d)           Participations.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of any Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, each Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from each Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
 
 
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(e)           Reimbursement.  If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent in Dollars the Dollar Amount equal to such LC Disbursement, calculated as of the date such Issuing Bank made such LC Disbursement (or if an Issuing Bank shall so elect in its sole discretion by notice to the Borrower, in such other Agreed Currency which was paid by such Issuing Bank pursuant to such LC Disbursement in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement) not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than the Dollar Amount of $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with (i) to the extent such LC Disbursement was made in Dollars, an ABR Revolving Borrowing, Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in Dollars in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement or (ii) to the extent that such LC Disbursement was made in a Foreign Currency, a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing in such Foreign Currency in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement and, in each case, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing, Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan, as applicable.  If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the relevant Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the relevant Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.  If the Borrower’s reimbursement of, or obligation to reimburse, any amounts in any Foreign Currency would subject the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to any stamp duty, ad valorem charge or similar tax that would not be payable if such reimbursement were made or required to be made in Dollars, the Borrower shall, at its option, either (x) pay the amount of any such tax requested by the Administrative Agent, the relevant Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender or (y) reimburse each LC Disbursement made in such Foreign Currency in Dollars, in an amount equal to the Equivalent Amount, calculated using the applicable Exchange Rates, on the date such LC Disbursement is made, of such LC Disbursement.
 
 
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(f)           Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the relevant Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
 
(g)           Disbursement Procedures.  Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
 
(h)           Interim Interest.  If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans (or in the case such LC Disbursement is denominated in a Foreign Currency, at the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate for such Agreed Currency plus the then effective Applicable Rate with respect to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans); provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
 
 
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(i)           Replacement of an Issuing Bank.  Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
 
(j)           Cash Collateralization.  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 103% of the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that (i) the portions of such amount attributable to undrawn Foreign Currency Letters of Credit or LC Disbursements in a Foreign Currency that the Borrower is not late in reimbursing shall be deposited in the applicable Foreign Currencies in the actual amounts of such undrawn Letters of Credit and LC Disbursements and (ii) the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (e) of Article VII.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the Foreign Currency LC Exposure shall be calculated using the applicable Exchange Rate on the date notice demanding cash collateralization is delivered to the Borrower.  The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Sections 2.11(b) and 2.06(c).  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Obligations.  The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure  representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Obligations.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
 
 
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(k)           Issuing Bank Agreements.  Each Issuing Bank agrees that, unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank shall report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) on the first Business Day of each week, to the extent that there was any activity in respect of Letters of Credit during the immediately preceding week, such daily activity (set forth by day), including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancellations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) on or prior to each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension occurred (and whether the amount thereof changed), it being understood that such Issuing Bank shall not permit any issuance, renewal, extension or amendment resulting in an increase in the amount of any Letter of Credit to occur without first obtaining written confirmation from the Administrative Agent that it is then permitted under this Agreement, (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date of such LC Disbursement and the amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount and currency of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.
 
SECTION 2.07.    Funding of Borrowings.  (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds (i) in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders and (ii) in the case of each Loan denominated in a Foreign Currency, by 12:00 noon, Local Time, in the city of the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency and at such Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to (x) an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City or Chicago and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars and (y) an account of the Borrower in the relevant jurisdiction and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the relevant Issuing Bank.
 
(b)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency) or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
 
SECTION 2.08.    Interest Elections.  (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
 
 
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(b)           To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election (by telephone or irrevocable written notice in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars or by irrevocable written notice (via an Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit the Borrower to (i) change the currency of any Borrowing, (ii) elect an Interest Period for Eurocurrency Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d) or (iii) convert any Borrowing to a Borrowing of a Type not available under the Class of Commitments pursuant to which such Borrowing was made.
 
(c)           Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
 
(i)            the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
 
(ii)           the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
 
(iii)          whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and
 
(iv)          if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period and Agreed Currency to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
 
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
 
(d)           Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
 
(e)           If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period (i) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency in respect of which the Borrower shall have failed to deliver an Interest Election Request prior to the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the end of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall automatically continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the same Agreed Currency with an Interest Period of one month unless such Eurocurrency Borrowing is or was repaid in accordance with Section 2.11.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing denominated in Dollars may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing, (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency shall automatically be continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month.
 
 
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SECTION 2.09.    Termination and Reduction of Commitments.  (a) Unless previously terminated, (i) the Term Loan Commitments shall terminate at 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Original Effective Date and (ii) all other Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
 
(b)           The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Dollar Amount of the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.
 
(c)           The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
 
SECTION 2.10.    Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt.  (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date in the currency of such Loan and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two (2) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.  The Borrower shall repay Term Loans on each date set forth below in  the aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such date (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.11(a)):
 
Date
Amount
   
March 31, 2015
$3,750,000
June 30, 2015
$3,750,000
September 30, 2015
$5,000,000
December 31, 2015
$5,000,000
 
 
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March 31, 2016
$5,000,000
June 30, 2016
$5,000,000
September 30, 2016
$5,000,000
December 31, 2016
$5,000,000
March 31, 2017
$5,000,000
June 30, 2017
$5,000,000

To the extent not previously repaid, all unpaid Term Loans shall be paid in full in Dollars by the Borrower on the Term Loan Maturity Date.
 
(b)           Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
 
(c)           The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class, Agreed Currency and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
 
(d)           The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
 
(e)           Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I-1 or I-2, as applicable.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
 
SECTION 2.11.    Prepayment of Loans.
 
(a)           The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.11(a).  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars) or four (4) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency), in each case before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02.  Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Revolving Borrowing and each voluntary prepayment of a Term Loan Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Term Loans included in the prepaid Term Loan Borrowing in such order of application as directed by the Borrower.  Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.
 
 
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(b)           If at any time, (i) other than as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (A) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the Revolving Credit Exposures (calculated, with respect to those Credit Events denominated in Foreign Currencies, as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to each such Credit Event) exceeds the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (B) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the outstanding Revolving Credit Exposures denominated in Foreign Currencies (the “Foreign Currency Exposure”) (so calculated), as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to each such Credit Event, exceeds the Foreign Currency Sublimit or (ii) solely as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (A) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the  Revolving Credit Exposures (so calculated) exceeds 105% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (B) the Foreign Currency Exposure, as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to each such Credit Event, exceeds 105% of the Foreign Currency Sublimit, the Borrower shall in each case immediately repay Revolving Borrowings or cash collateralize LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to cause (x) the aggregate Dollar Amount of all Revolving Credit Exposures (so calculated) to be less than or equal to the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (y) the Foreign Currency Exposure to be less than or equal to the Foreign Currency Sublimit, as applicable.
 
SECTION 2.12.    Fees.  (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a facility fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender (whether used or unused) during the period from and including the Original Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Revolving Commitment terminates; provided that, if such Lender continues to have any Revolving Credit Exposure after its Revolving Commitment terminates, then such facility fee shall continue to accrue on the daily amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure from and including the date on which its Revolving Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Revolving Credit Exposure.  Accrued facility fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Original Effective Date; provided that any facility fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  All facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
 
 
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(b)           The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the average daily Dollar Amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure and (ii) to the relevant Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Unless otherwise specified above, participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third (3rd) Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  Participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars shall be paid in Dollars, and participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be paid in such Foreign Currency.
 
(c)           The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
 
(d)           All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.12) and immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the relevant Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of facility fees and participation fees, to the applicable Lenders.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
 
SECTION 2.13.    Interest.  (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.
 
(b)           The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
 
(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
 
(d)           Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
 
 
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(e)           All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest (i) computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and (ii) for Borrowings denominated in Pounds Sterling shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days, and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
SECTION 2.14.    Alternate Rate of Interest.  (a) If at the time that the Administrative Agent shall seek to determine the LIBOR Screen Rate on the Quotation Day for any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the LIBOR Screen Rate shall not be available for such Interest Period and/or for the applicable currency with respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing for any reason, and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine that it is not possible to determine the Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error), then the Reference Bank Rate shall be the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Borrowing; provided that if the Reference Bank Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement;  provided, further, however, that if less than two (2) Reference Banks shall supply a rate to the Administrative Agent for purposes of determining the LIBO Rate for such Eurocurrency Borrowing, (i) if such Borrowing shall be requested in Dollars, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing at the Alternate Base Rate and (ii) if such Borrowing shall be requested in any Foreign Currency, the LIBO Rate shall be equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion after consultation with the Borrower and consented to in writing by the Required Lenders (the “Alternative Rate”); provided, however, that until such time as the Alternative Rate shall be determined and so consented to by the Required Lenders, Borrowings shall not be available in such Foreign Currency.
 
(b)           If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:
 
(i)           the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period; or
 
(ii)           the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
 
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be ineffective, (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing and (iii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, then the LIBO Rate for such Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing shall be the Alternative Rate; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
 
 
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SECTION 2.15.    Increased Costs.  (a) If any Change in Law shall:
 
(i)            impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan, requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank;
 
(ii)           impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or
 
(iii)          subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
 
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise, then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
 
(b)           If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
 
(c)           A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
 
 
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(d)           Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
 
SECTION 2.16.    Break Funding Payments.  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(a) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market.  A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
 
SECTION 2.17.    Taxes.  (a) Payments Free of Taxes.  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law.  If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
 
(b)           Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
 
(c)           Evidence of Payments.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
 
 
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(d)           Indemnification by the Loan Parties.  The Loan Parties shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
 
(e)           Indemnification by the Lenders.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
 
(f)           Status of Lenders.  (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
 
(ii)           Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person:
 
(A)           any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;
 
 
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(B)           any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
 
(1)  in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2)  executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
 
(C)           any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
 
 
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(D)           if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
 
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
 
(g)           Treatment of Certain Refunds.  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
 
(h)           Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
 
(i)           Issuing Bank.  For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes each Issuing Bank.
 
(j)           FATCA Matters.  For purposes of determining withholding taxes imposed under the FATCA, from and after the Effective Date, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) the Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).
 
 
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SECTION 2.18.    Payments Generally; Allocations of Proceeds; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
 
(a)           The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to (i) in the case of payments denominated in Dollars, 12:00 noon, New York City time and (ii) in the case of payments denominated in a Foreign Currency, 12:00 noon, Local Time, in the city of the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency, in each case on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made (i) in the same currency in which the applicable Credit Event was made (or where such currency has been converted to euro, in euro) and (ii) to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 or, in the case of a Credit Event denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments denominated in the same currency received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if, after the making of any Credit Event in any Foreign Currency, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the Credit Event was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by the Borrower hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of repayment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrower takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations.
 
(b)           If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
 
(c)           At the election of the Administrative Agent, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder whether made following a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section or may be deducted from any deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Sections 2.03 or 2.05, as applicable and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.
 
 
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(d)           If, except as expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered,  such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
 
(e)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Lenders or the relevant Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the relevant Lenders or the relevant Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the relevant Lenders or the relevant Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency).
 
(f)           If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(e) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Banks to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section; in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.
 
 
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SECTION 2.19.    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.  (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
 
(b)           If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under the Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such  assignment and delegation cease to apply.
 
SECTION 2.20.    Expansion Option.  The Borrower may from time to time elect to increase the Revolving Commitments or enter into one or more tranches of term loans (each an “Incremental Term Loan”), in each case in minimum increments of $10,000,000 so long as, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of such increases and all such Incremental Term Loans does not exceed $400,000,000.  The Borrower may arrange for any such increase or tranche to be provided by one or more Lenders (each Lender so agreeing to an increase in its Revolving Commitment, or to participate in such Incremental Term Loans, an “Increasing Lender”), or by one or more new banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such new bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting Lender”; provided that no Ineligible Institution may be an Augmenting Lender), which agree to increase their existing Revolving Commitments, or to participate in such Incremental Term Loans, or extend Revolving Commitments, as the case may be; provided that (i) each Augmenting Lender, shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (ii) (x) in the case of an Increasing Lender, the Borrower and such Increasing Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, and (y) in the case of an Augmenting Lender, the Borrower and such Augmenting Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.  No consent of any Lender (other than the Lenders participating in the increase or any Incremental Term Loan) shall be required for any increase in Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.20.  Increases and new Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans created pursuant to this Section 2.20 shall become effective on the date (any such date, an “Increase Date”) agreed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Increasing Lenders or Augmenting Lenders, and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the Revolving Commitments (or in the Revolving Commitment of any Lender) or tranche of Incremental Term Loans shall become effective under this paragraph unless, (i) on the proposed date of the
 
 
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effectiveness of such increase or Incremental Term Loans, (A) the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall be satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and (B) the Borrower shall be in compliance (on a pro forma basis) with the covenants contained in Section 6.10 and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date as to the corporate power and authority of the Borrower to borrow hereunder after giving effect to such increase.  On the effective date of any increase in the Revolving Commitments or any Incremental Term Loans being made, (i) each relevant Increasing Lender and Augmenting Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and (ii) except in the case of any Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03).  The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Eurocurrency Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods.  The Incremental Term Loans (a) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Revolving Loans and the initial Term Loans, (b) shall not mature earlier than the latest Maturity Date at such time (but may have amortization prior to such date) and (c) shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Revolving Loans and the initial Term Loans; provided that (i) the terms and conditions applicable to any tranche of Incremental Term Loans maturing after the latest Maturity Date may provide for material additional or different financial or other covenants or prepayment requirements applicable only during periods after the latest Maturity Date and (ii) the Incremental Term Loans may be priced differently than the Revolving Loans and the initial Term Loans.  Incremental Term Loans may be made hereunder pursuant to an amendment or restatement (an “Incremental Term Loan Amendment”) of this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, each Increasing Lender participating in such tranche, each Augmenting Lender participating in such tranche, if any, and the Administrative Agent.  The Incremental Term Loan Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.20.  Nothing contained in this Section 2.20 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment hereunder, or provide Incremental Term Loans, at any time.
 
SECTION 2.21.    Judgment Currency.  If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from the Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given.  The obligations of the Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency.  If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency, the Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Lender under Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to the Borrower.
 
 
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SECTION 2.22.    Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
 
(a)           fees shall cease to accrue on the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);
 
(b)           the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;
 
(c)           if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
 
(i)            all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages  but only to the extent (x) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments;
 
(ii)           if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize for the benefit of the relevant Issuing Banks only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;
 
(iii)           if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;
 
(iv)           if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and
 
 
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(v)           if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all facility fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the relevant Issuing Banks until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and
 
(d)           so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.22(c), and participating interests in any such newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.22(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
 
If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.
 
In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
 
ARTICLE III
 
Representations and Warranties
 
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 3.01.    Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries.  Each Loan Party (i) is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (A) own its assets and carry on its business and (B) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) is duly qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (iv) is in compliance with all Laws; except in each case referred to in subsection (ii)(A), (iii) or (iv), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
 
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SECTION 3.02.    Authorization; No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (ii) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, (A) any Contractual Obligation to which the Borrower is a party or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which the Borrower or its property is subject, except, in each case to the extent that such breach, contravention or creation of any such Lien could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (iii) violate any material Law.  No Subsidiary of the Borrower is in violation of any Law or in breach of any Contractual Obligation, the violation of which could be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.03.    Governmental Approvals.  No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party.
 
SECTION 3.04.    Enforceability.  This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject in the case of enforceability to the effects of bankruptcy and general principles of equity.
 
SECTION 3.05.    Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.  (a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower as of the date thereof and its consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof to the extent required by GAAP, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness to the extent required by GAAP.
 
(b)           The Unaudited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, (ii) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower as of the date thereof and its consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby, except as expressly noted therein, and subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to year-end audit adjustments, and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof to the extent required by GAAP, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness to the extent required by GAAP.
 
(c)           Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.06.    Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (i) except for the Disclosed Litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no material adverse development in any Disclosed Litigation or (ii) purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
 
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SECTION 3.07.    Compliance with Agreements; No Default.  Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to any Indebtedness or Guarantee that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
 
SECTION 3.08.    Environmental Matters.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.09.    Insurance.  The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with insurance companies or with a captive insurance company that is an Affiliate of the Borrower as to which the Administrative Agent may request reasonable evidence of financial responsibility, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies with similar financial capacity and engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
 
SECTION 3.10.    Taxes.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP and except for those tax returns, reports, taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges, which in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower is not aware of any proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 3.11.    ERISA.  (a) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws.  Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.
 
(b)           There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA Section 406 or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules under ERISA Section 404 with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(c)           Except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii)  neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.
 
 
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SECTION 3.12.    Federal Reserve Regulations; Investment Company Status.  (a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock and no proceeds of any Loans or drawings under any Letter of Credit will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation U or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock in violation of Regulation U.
 
(b)           Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
(c)           Neither the making of the Loans, nor the issuance of the Letters of Credit or the application of the proceeds or repayment thereof by the Borrower, nor the consummation of other transactions contemplated hereunder, will violate any provision of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any rule, regulation or order of the SEC.
 
SECTION 3.13.    Disclosure.  At the initial Borrowing and any Increase Date, the Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No report, financial statement, certificate or other information (other than projections, estimates, forecasts and other forward-looking information and information of a general economic or industry-specific nature) furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to forecasts or projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time prepared (it being understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that any such projections are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, that no assurances can be given that such projections will be realized and that actual results may differ materially from such projections).
 
SECTION 3.14.    Compliance with Laws.  Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
 
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SECTION 3.15.    Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.  The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and to the knowledge of the Borrower its directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.  None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or other Transactions will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.
 
ARTICLE IV
 
Conditions
 
SECTION 4.01.    Effective Date.  The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
 
(a)           The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) duly executed copies of the Loan Documents and such other legal opinions, certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list of closing documents attached as Exhibit E.
 
(b)           The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Schiff Hardin LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, and covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.  The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
 
(c)           The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the initial Loan Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to such Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list of closing documents attached as Exhibit E.
 
(d)           The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, certifying (i) that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects if the applicable representation and warranty is qualified by Material Adverse Effect or any other materiality qualifier) as of such date and (ii) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of such date.
 
(e)           The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
 
 
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The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.
 
SECTION 4.02.    Each Credit Event.  The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Banks to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
 
(a)           The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects if the applicable representation and warranty is qualified by Material Adverse Effect or any other materiality qualifier) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable.
 
(b)           At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
 
ARTICLE V
 
Affirmative Covenants
 
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 5.01.    Financial Statements.  The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender):
 
(a)           as soon as available, but in any event within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or within five days of such other time required by the SEC), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, and audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or another independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit), which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; and
 
(b)           as soon as available, but in any event within 55 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or within five days of such other time required by the SEC), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
 
 
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As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 5.02, the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
 
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (A) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the following website address: www.hill-rom.com; or (B) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on Intralinks or a substantially similar electronic system (the “Platform”); provided that the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
 
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”).  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as either publicly available information or not material information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws; (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”
 
SECTION 5.02.    Certificates; Other Information.  The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender):
 
(a)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.01, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;
 
(b)           promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other material report or communication sent generally to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; and
 
 
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(c)           promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
 
SECTION 5.03.    Notices.  The Borrower will promptly, within five (5) Business Days after knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
 
(a)           of the occurrence of any Default;
 
(b)           of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (A) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (B) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (c) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws; and
 
(c)           of any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change in the Index Debt Rating.
 
SECTION 5.04.    Payment of Obligations.  The Borrower will pay and discharge, and cause each Subsidiary to pay and discharge, as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (i) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (ii) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (iii) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to discharge such obligations and liabilities, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 5.05.    Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) The Borrower will preserve, renew and maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to preserve, renew and maintain, in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 6.04 and except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) the Borrower will take, and cause each Subsidiary to take, all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) the Borrower will preserve or renew, and cause each Subsidiary to preserve or renew, all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, except in a transaction permitted by Section 6.04 and except to the extent that the nonpreservation or non-renewal of such patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 5.06.    Maintenance of Insurance.  The Borrower will maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, with insurance companies or through reasonably adequate self-insurance or with a captive insurance company that is an Affiliate of the Borrower as to which the Administrative Agent may request reasonable evidence of financial responsibility, insurance with respect to its properties in such amounts with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies with similar financial capacity and engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or applicable Subsidiaries operates.
 
 
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SECTION 5.07.    Compliance with Laws.  The Borrower will comply, and cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
 
SECTION 5.08.    Books and Records.  The Borrower will maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, proper books of record and account, in which entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
 
SECTION 5.09.    Inspection Rights.  The Borrower will permit, and cause each Subsidiary to permit, representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours (but not more frequently than one such inspection within a twelve month period) and upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.
 
SECTION 5.10.    Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit (a) to provide for working capital to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (b) to pay fees and expenses related to this Agreement, (c) for other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document and (d) to finance acquisitions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Term Loans (a) to finance acquisitions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (b) for other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.  The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of  any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
 
SECTION 5.11.    Covenant to Guarantee Obligations.  Upon the formation or acquisition of any new direct or indirect Material Domestic Subsidiary or upon any Domestic Subsidiary becoming a Material Domestic Subsidiary, then the Borrower will, at the Borrower’s expense:
 
(a)           within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after such formation or acquisition, cause each such Subsidiary, and cause each direct and indirect parent (other than the Borrower) of such Subsidiary (if it has not already done so), to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty (in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof, such Subsidiary Guaranty; and
 
 
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(b)           upon the request of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, deliver to the Administrative Agent within twenty (20) days after such request, a signed copy of a favorable opinion of counsel for the Loan Parties acceptable to the Administrative Agent (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) as to (i) the matters contained in clause (a) above, (ii) such guaranties and guaranty supplements, being legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party party thereto enforceable in accordance with their terms and (iii) such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
Negative Covenants
 
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees  payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
 
SECTION 6.01.    Liens.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign any right to receive income other than:
 
(a)           Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
 
(b)           Liens existing on the date hereof (i) that do not exceed $1,000,000 or (ii) are listed on Schedule 6.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the property covered thereby is not increased and any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 6.03(b);
 
(c)           Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings in the circumstances, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
 
(d)           carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings in the circumstances, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person to the extent required in accordance with GAAP;
 
(e)           pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) and deposits securing liability insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
 
(f)           deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
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(g)           easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property existing or incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
 
(h)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.03(d); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;
 
(i)             Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.03(j);
 
(j)             statutory rights of set-off arising in the ordinary course of business;
 
(k)            Liens existing on property at the time of acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and not created in contemplation thereof;
 
(l)             Liens existing on property of a Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary is merged or consolidated with or into, or acquired by, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or becomes a Subsidiary and not created in contemplation thereof;
 
(m)           Liens in favor of banks which arise under Article 4 of the UCC on items in collection and documents relating thereto and the proceeds thereof; and
 
(n)           other Liens securing liabilities or assignments of rights to receive income in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii) 15% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (calculated as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter for which the Borrower’s financial statements were most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b)) at any time outstanding.
 
SECTION 6.02.    Acquisitions.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any agreement, contract, binding commitment or other arrangement providing for the acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of all of the capital stock or equity interests or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, unless (a) immediately before and after giving effect thereto, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (b) if the aggregate amount invested (including assumed debt) is greater than $400,000,000, pro forma consolidated historical financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarters most recently ended giving effect to the acquisition of the company or business pursuant to this Section 6.02 are delivered to the Administrative Agent not less than five Business Days prior to the consummation of any such acquisition or series of acquisitions, together with a Compliance Certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Lenders demonstrating pro forma compliance with Section 6.10 after giving effect to such acquisition or series of acquisitions.
 
SECTION 6.03.    Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Indebtedness, except:
 
(a)            Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;
 
 
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(b)           Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof that (i) is less than $2,000,000 individually or $15,000,000 in the aggregate or (ii) is listed on Schedule 6.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder;
 
(c)           obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower existing or arising under any Swap Contract; provided that such obligations are (or were) entered into in the ordinary course of business, and not for purposes of speculation;
 
(d)           Indebtedness in respect of capital leases and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets; provided that the only property subject to such capital leases and purchase money obligations is the property so acquired;
 
(e)            Indebtedness that may be deemed to exist pursuant to surety bonds, appeal bonds, supersedeas bonds or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
(f)            so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom at the time of incurrence, unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that such Indebtedness is not senior in right of payment to the payment of the Indebtedness arising under this Agreement and the Loan Documents;
 
(g)           Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s other Subsidiaries or Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with loans or advances; provided that each item of intercompany debt shall be unsecured and such Indebtedness shall only be permitted under this clause (g) to the extent it will be eliminated for purposes of the Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP;
 
(h)           Indebtedness arising as a result of the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments in the course of collection;
 
(i)             Indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of all or a portion of Hill-Rom Company, Inc.’s interest in the real and personal property described in the Farm Agreement; and
 
(j)             other Indebtedness (exclusive of Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) through (i) above) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Borrower that may be Guaranteed by the Borrower’s Subsidiaries shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time.
 
SECTION 6.04.    Fundamental Changes.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate or amalgamate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:
 
(a)           any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any wholly-owned Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
 
 
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(b)           any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary;
 
(c)            the Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge with any Person in a transaction that would be an acquisition that is permitted under this Agreement; provided that (i) if the Borrower is a party to such merger, it shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) if any Subsidiary is a party to such merger, such Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person; and
 
(d)           any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets.
 
SECTION 6.05.    Restricted Payments.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
 
(a)            each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to other Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Restricted Payment may be made to each other owner of capital stock or other equity interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests);
 
(b)            the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common equity interests of such Person;
 
(c)            the Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock or other common equity interests or warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common equity interests; and
 
(d)           the Borrower may declare and pay cash dividends to its stockholders and purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or warrants, rights or options to acquire any such shares for cash; provided that immediately before and after giving effect to such proposed action, no Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.01(a), Section 7.01(c) (arising due to a failure to comply with the covenants set forth in Section 6.10) or 7.01(e) exists or would exist.
 
SECTION 6.06.    Change in Nature of Business.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any business, if after giving effect thereto, the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would be substantially different from the business in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is presently engaged.
 
SECTION 6.07.    Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that this Section 6.07 shall not prohibit any transaction permitted by Section 6.03(g); provided, further, that this Section 6.07 shall not apply to reasonable compensation (including amounts paid pursuant to Plans) and indemnification paid or made available to an officer, director or employee of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for services rendered in that Person’s capacity as an officer, director or employee or the making of any Restricted Payment otherwise permitted by this Agreement, in each case to the extent any such payments are made in accordance with applicable Laws.  For purposes of this Section 6.07, Affiliate shall not include the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
 
 
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SECTION 6.08.    Burdensome Agreements.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement and any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower; provided, however, that this clause (i) shall not prohibit (x) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any leases of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or provisions in agreements restricting the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder or (y) any temporary encumbrance or restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary under an agreement that has been entered into for the disposition of all or substantially all of the equity interests or assets of such Subsidiary, provided that such disposition is otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower or (iii) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge (x) granted in connection with the property or interest described in the Farm Agreement or (y) incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.03(d) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness and shall not prohibit the grant of Liens otherwise permitted under Section 6.01; or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person; provided that this subsection (b) shall not prohibit the grant of Liens otherwise permitted under Section 6.01. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is acknowledged and agreed that subsection (a) of the preceding sentence shall not prohibit Contractual Obligations limiting Restricted Payments, Guarantees or Liens to the extent such limitations are no more restrictive or onerous than the provisions of Sections 6.05, 6.03 or 6.01, respectively.
 
SECTION 6.09.    Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, use the proceeds of any Loans or Letters of Credit, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, in each case, in violation of Regulation U of the Board.
 
SECTION 6.10.    Financial Covenants.
 
(a)           Debt to EBITDA Ratio.  The Borrower will maintain a ratio (the “Leverage Ratio”) of Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of not greater than 3.50:1.0; provided that (i) the Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders, elect to increase the maximum Leverage Ratio to 3.75 to 1.00 for a period of three (3) consecutive fiscal quarters in connection with an acquisition that involves the payment of consideration by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of $150,000,000 occurring during the first of such three fiscal quarters (each such period, an “Adjusted Covenant Period”) and (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing clause (i), the Borrower may not elect an Adjusted Covenant Period for at least two (2) full fiscal quarters following the end of an Adjusted Covenant Period before a new Adjusted Covenant Period is available again pursuant to the preceding clause (i) for a new period of three (3) consecutive fiscal quarters.
 
For purposes of calculations under this Section 6.10(a), Consolidated Indebtedness shall not include 75% of the principal amount of any mandatorily convertible unsecured bonds, debentures, preferred stock or similar instruments in a principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement which are payable in no more than three years (whether by redemption, call option or otherwise) solely in common stock or other common equity interests.
 
 
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(b)           Interest Coverage Ratio.  The Borrower will maintain a ratio of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to interest payable on, and amortization of debt discount in respect of, all Indebtedness during such period by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of not less than 3.00:1.0.
 
ARTICLE VII
 
Events of Default
 
If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
 
(a)           The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or make any other payment of fees or other amounts payable under this Agreement or any promissory note within five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
 
(b)           any representation or warranty made by the Borrower herein or by the Borrower (or any of its officers) in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or
 
(c)           (i) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.03, 5.05, 5.09 or 5.10 or Article VI, or (ii) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on its part to be performed or observed if such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
 
(d)           The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on (i) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness with respect to Swap Contracts) that is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $100,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Indebtedness outstanding hereunder) or (ii) any Indebtedness with respect to Swap Contracts with a Swap Termination Value of at least $100,000,000 in the aggregate, of the Borrower or such Subsidiary (as the case may be), when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased, or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
 
(e)           the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this clause (e); or
 
 
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(f)           judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of $100,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and remain undischarged and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; provided, however, that any such judgment or order shall not be an Event of Default under this clause (f) if and for so long as (i) the amount of such judgment or order is covered by a valid and binding policy of insurance between the defendant and the insurer covering payment thereof and (ii) such insurer, which shall be a creditworthy insurer not affiliated with the Borrower, has been notified of, and has not disputed the claim made for payment of, the amount of such judgment or order; or
 
(g)           a Change of Control with respect to the Borrower shall occur; or
 
(h)           an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan and the failure to make such payment has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
 
(i)           any provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable in accordance with its terms, or the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall so state in writing;
 
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (e) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (e) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity.
 
 
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ARTICLE VIII
 
The Administrative Agent
 
Each of the Lenders and each of the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including  execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
 
The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
 
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
 
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
 
 
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The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
 
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
 
Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities.  Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a Lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.
 
None of the Lenders, if any, identified in this Agreement as a Co-Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such.  Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender.  Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders in their respective capacities as Co-Syndication Agents or Co-Documentation Agents, as applicable, as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.
 
The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Administrative Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Lenders to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Loan after the date such principal or interest has become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
 
 
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ARTICLE IX
 
Miscellaneous
 
SECTION 9.01.    Notices.  (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
 
(i)             if to the Borrower, to it at Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., 1609 State Route 46 East, Batesville, Indiana 47006, Attention of Mike Macek, Vice President and Treasurer (Telecopy No. (812) 934-1963; Telephone No. (812) 934-7809), with a copy (in the case of a notice of Default) to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Two Prudential Plaza, Suite 4100, 180 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Attention of General Counsel (Telecopy No. (312) 819-7219; Telephone No. (312) 819-7200);
 
(ii)            if to the Administrative Agent, (A) in the case of Borrowings denominated in Dollars, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Teresita Siao (Telecopy No. (888) 292-9533) and (B) in the case of Borrowings denominated in Foreign Currencies, to J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP, Attention of The Manager, Loan & Agency Services (Telecopy No. 44 207 777 2360), and in each case with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603 Attention of Erik Barragan (Telecopy No. (877) 221-4010);
 
(iii)           if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as an Issuing Bank, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Anand CR (Telecopy No. (855) 609-9959), or in the case of any other Issuing Bank, to it at the address and telecopy number specified from time to time by such Issuing Bank to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent;
 
(iv)           if to the Swingline Lender, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Teresita Siao (Telecopy No. (888) 292-9533); and
 
(v)            if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
 
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).  Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
 
 
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(b)           Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
 
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
 
(c)           Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
 
(d)           Electronic Systems.
 
(i)            The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.
 
(ii)           Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.”  The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications.  No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System.  “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.
 
SECTION 9.02.    Waivers; Amendments.  (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
 
 
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(b)           Except as provided in Section 2.20 with respect to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (d) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (it being understood that, solely with the consent of the parties prescribed by Section 2.20 to be parties to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment, Incremental Term Loans may be included in the determination of Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Commitments and the Revolving Loans are included on the Effective Date) or (vi) release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any change to Section 2.22 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.
 
(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (x) to add one or more credit facilities (in addition to the Incremental Term Loans pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment) to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Loans, the initial Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.
 
 
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(d)           If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent  requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender directly affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but not obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrower may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) the outstanding principal amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.
 
(e)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.
 
SECTION 9.03.    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.  (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel, and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, for the Administrative Agent, and one additional counsel for the Issuing Banks and all the Lenders other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and additional counsel in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims or defenses), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during  any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
 
(b)           The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel, and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, for the Administrative Agent, and one additional counsel for the Issuing Banks and all the Lenders other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and additional counsel in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims or defenses) for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.  This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
 
 
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(c)           To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, and each Revolving Lender severally agrees to pay to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that the Borrower’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.
 
(d)           To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.
 
(e)           All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than fifteen (15) days after written demand therefor.
 
SECTION 9.04.    Successors and Assigns.  (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the relevant Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the relevant Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit),  Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
 
 
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(b)           (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
 
(A)           the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof); provided, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and
 
(B)           the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.
 
(ii)           Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
 
(A)           except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
 
(B)           each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
 
(C)           the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, such fee to be paid by either the assigning Lender or the assignee Lender or shared between such Lenders; and
 
(D)           the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
 
 
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For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:
 
Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
 
Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates, or (d) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof.
 
(iii)          Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
 
(iv)           The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
 
(v)           Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(e) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
 
 
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(c)           Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(d) as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
 
(d)           Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
 
 
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SECTION 9.05.    Survival.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.
 
SECTION 9.06.    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any  document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
 
SECTION 9.07.    Severability.  Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
 
SECTION 9.08.    Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its 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 and in whatever currency denominated) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor against any of and all of the Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
 
 
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SECTION 9.09.    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.  (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
 
(b)           Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
 
(c)           Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
 
(d)           Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
 
SECTION 9.10.    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY 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 PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
 
SECTION 9.11.    Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
 
 
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SECTION 9.12.    Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to any rating agency in connection with the rating of the Borrower or its obligations, (i) to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization or (j) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.  For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
 
EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
 
ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES.  ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
 
SECTION 9.13.    USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Act.
 
 
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SECTION 9.14.    Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors.
 
(a)           A Subsidiary Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise.  In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.  Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
 
(b)           Further, the Administrative Agent may (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of the Borrower, release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty if such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Material Domestic Subsidiary.
 
(c)           At such time as the principal and interest on the Loans, all LC Disbursements, the fees, expenses and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents and the other Obligations (other than Banking Services Obligations, Swap Obligations, and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) shall have been paid in full in cash, the Commitments shall have been terminated and no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding, the Subsidiary Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Subsidiary Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.
 
SECTION 9.15.    Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
 
 
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SECTION 9.16.    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Lenders and their Affiliates is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except, in the case of a Lender, those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) each of the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against each of the Lenders and their Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
 
[Signature Pages Follow]
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
 
 
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.,
 
as the Borrower
     
     
 
By
/s/ Steven J. Strobel
   
Name:  Steven J. Strobel
   
Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
   
Officer
     
     
     
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually as
 
a Lender, as the Swingline Lender, as an Issuing
 
Bank and as Administrative Agent
     
     
 
By
/s/ Erik Barragan
   
Name:  Erik Barragan
   
Title:  Associate
     
     
     
 
CITIZENS BANK, National Association,
 
individually as a Lender, and as a Co-Syndication Agent
     
 
By
/s/ Darran Wee
   
Name:  Darran Wee
   
Title:  Senior Vice President
     
     
     
 
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually as a Lender,
and as a Co-Syndication Agent
     
 
By
/s/ James P. Harbeson
   
Name:  James P. Harbeson
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
     
     
 
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
individually as a Lender, and as a Co-Syndication Agent
     
 
By
/s/ Tracy J. Venable
   
Name:  Tracy J. Venable
   
Title:  Senior Vice President
     
 
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
 

 

 
FIFTH THIRD BANK, individually as a Lender, and as a
Co-Documentation Agent
     
 
By
/s/ Mike Gifford
   
Name:  Mike Gifford
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
     
 
CITIBANK, N.A., individually as a Lender, and as a Co-
Documentation Agent
     
 
By
/s/ Patricia Guerra Heh
   
Name:  Patricia Guerra Heh
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
 
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
individually as a Lender, and as a Co-Documentation
Agent
     
 
By
/s/ Monique Gasque
   
Name:  Monique Gasque
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
     
 
BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A., as a Lender
     
 
By
/s/ Betsy Phillips
   
Name:  Betsy Phillips
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
     
 
HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a
Lender
   
 
By
/s/ Graeme Robertson
   
Name:  Graeme Robertson
   
Title:  Senior Vice President
 
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
 

 

 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
     
 
By
/s/ John M. Langenderfer
   
Name:  John M. Langenderfer
   
Title:  Senior Vice President
     
     
     
 
SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN AB (PUBL) NEW
YORK BRANCH, as a Lender
     
 
By
/s/ Jonas Almhojd
   
Name:  Jonas Almhojd
   
Title:  Senior Vice President
     
     
 
By
/s/ Nancy D’Albert
   
Name:  Nancy D’Albert
   
Title:  Vice President
     
     
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender
     
 
By
/s/ Nicole Ferry-Lacchia
   
Name:  Nicole Ferry-Lacchia
   
Title:  Authorized Signatory
     
     
     
 
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender
     
 
By
/s/ Steven Ryan
   
Name:  Steven Ryan
   
Title:  Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking
   
Group

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
 
 

EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, John J. Greisch, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the periods covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:  May 5, 2015
 
/s/ John J. Greisch  
John J. Greisch
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Steven J. Strobel, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the periods covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:  May 5, 2015
 
/s/  Steven J. Strobel  
Steven J. Strobel
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John J. Greisch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

 
 
/s/ John J. Greisch
John J. Greisch
President and Chief Executive Officer

May 5, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steven J. Strobel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.


/s/ Steven J. Strobel
Steven J. Strobel
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 5, 2015





 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
 
 



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