S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2012

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   52-1604305

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

160 S. Industrial Blvd.

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

(706) 629-7721

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code,

of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

James T. Lucke

Vice President and General Counsel

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

160 S. Industrial Blvd.

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

(706) 629-7721

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

R. David Patton

Alston & Bird LLP

One Atlantic Center

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

(404) 881-7000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x


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If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer    x      Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨ (do not check if a smaller reporting company)      Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount to be registered/

Proposed maximum aggregate offering price per unit/

Proposed maximum offering price/

Amount of registration fee

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

   

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

Debt Securities

 

Warrants

 

Purchase Contracts

 

Units (2)

  (1)

 

(l) An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
(2) Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement or indenture and will represent an interest in two or more debt or equity securities, warrants or purchase contracts, which may or may not be separable from one another.


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PROSPECTUS

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

From time to time, we may offer to sell common stock, preferred stock (which we may issue in one or more series), debt securities (which we may issue in one or more series), warrants and purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of these securities. The debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common or preferred stock or other securities. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker symbol “MHK”.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities.

 

 

You should refer to the risk factors included in our periodic reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and carefully consider that information before buying our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Prospectus dated February 29, 2012.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page           Page  

Important Information About This Prospectus

     1      

Description of Debt Securities

     6   

Available Information

     1      

Description of Warrants

     11   

Incorporation of Certain

    Information by Reference

     2      

Description of Purchase Contracts or Units

     12   

Special Note on Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors

     2      

Legal Ownership and Book-Entry
Issuance

     12   

Company Summary

     4      

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     14   

Description of Securities We May Offer

     5      

Use of Proceeds

     14   

Description of Common Stock

     5      

Validity of the Securities

     14   

Description of Preferred Stock

     5      

Experts

     14   

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. No person is authorized to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We are only offering the securities in places where sales of those securities are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference herein or therein, is current as of any date other than the date of such information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the manner in which the securities will be offered. We urge you to read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and other offering material together with additional information described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference.”

In this prospectus, we refer to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units collectively as the “securities.” The terms “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Mohawk Industries, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, except that in the discussion of the capital stock and related matters, these terms refer solely to Mohawk Industries, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents filed by us at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public through the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and through the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common stock is listed.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SEC’s Internet site.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC’s rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011;

 

   

our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2012;

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 29, 1992; and

 

   

all documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on or after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the applicable offering (except for information furnished to the SEC that is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act).

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. These documents are available on our website at http://www.mohawkind.com. You can also request those documents from our Corporate Secretary at the following address:

160 South Industrial Boulevard

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

(706) 629-7721

Except as expressly provided above, no other information, including information on our website, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

Certain of the statements in this prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, particularly those anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies, proposed acquisitions, and similar matters, and those that include the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “forecast,” “estimates” or similar expressions constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation in raw material prices and other input costs; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company’s products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; tax, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk’s SEC reports and public announcements.

 

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We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or risks or the eventual outcome of the facts underlying the forward-looking statements. New information, future events or risks may cause the forward-looking events we discuss in this prospectus not to occur or to occur in a manner different from what we expect.

The risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and as updated in any future filings with the SEC, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may also be other risks that we are unable to predict at this time.

 

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COMPANY SUMMARY

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (“Mohawk” or the “Company”), a term which includes the Company and its subsidiaries, including its primary operating subsidiaries, Mohawk Carpet, LLC, Dal-Tile Corporation and Unilin BVBA, is a leading producer of floor covering products for residential and commercial applications in the United States (“U.S.”) and residential applications in Europe. The Company is the second largest carpet and rug manufacturer and one of the largest manufacturers, marketers and distributors of ceramic tile, natural stone and hardwood flooring in the U.S., as well as a leading producer of laminate flooring in the U.S. and Europe. The Company is expanding its international presence through investments in Australia, China, Mexico and Russia. The Company has three reporting segments: the Mohawk segment, the Dal-Tile segment and the Unilin segment.

The Mohawk segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets its floor covering product lines, which include carpets, ceramic tile, laminate, rugs, carpet pad, hardwood and resilient, in a broad range of colors, textures and patterns for residential and commercial applications in both remodeling and new construction. The Mohawk segment markets and distributes its carpets, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and resilient under various brands. The Mohawk segment positions its products in all price ranges and emphasizes quality, style, performance and service. The Mohawk segment is widely recognized through its premier brand names, which include Mohawk®, Aladdin®, Mohawk ColorCenters®, Mohawk Floorscapes®, Portico®, Mohawk Home®, Bigelow®, Durkan®, Horizon®, Karastan®, Lees®, Merit® and SmartStrand®. The Mohawk segment markets and distributes soft and hard surface products through over 24,000 customers, which include independent floor covering retailers, home centers, mass merchandisers, department stores, commercial dealers and commercial end users. Some products are also marketed through private labeling programs. The Mohawk segment’s soft surface operations are vertically integrated from the extrusion of resin to the manufacturing and distribution of finished carpets and rugs.

The Dal-Tile segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets a broad line of ceramic tile, porcelain tile and natural stone products used in the residential and commercial markets for both remodeling and new construction. In addition, Dal-Tile sources, markets and distributes other tile related products. Most of the Dal-Tile segment’s ceramic tile products are marketed under the Dal-Tile® and American Olean® brand names and sold through independent distributors, home center retailers, individual floor covering retailers, ceramic specialists, commercial dealers and commercial end users. The Dal-Tile segment operations are vertically integrated from the production of raw material for body and glaze preparation to the manufacturing and distribution of ceramic and porcelain tile.

The Unilin segment designs, manufactures, sources, licenses, distributes and markets laminate and hardwood flooring used primarily in the residential market for both remodeling and new construction in Europe and the U.S. Unilin is one of the leaders in laminate flooring technology, having commercialized direct pressure laminate (“DPL”), a technology used in a majority of laminates today, and has developed the patented UNICLIC® glueless installation system and a variety of other new technologies, such as beveled edges, multiple length planks and new surface and finish features from which the company generates licensing revenue. Unilin sells its flooring products under the Quick-Step®, Columbia Flooring®, Century Flooring® and Mohawk brands through retailers, independent distributors and home centers. Unilin is one of the largest vertically-integrated laminate flooring manufacturers in the U.S. producing both laminate flooring and related high density fiberboard. In Europe, Unilin also produces roofing systems, insulation panels and other wood products. In 2011, Unilin began test marketing its Didit® click furniture line, a collection that can be assembled without any tools, in the United Kingdom with plans to introduce it to other geographic markets in the future.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units that we may offer from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement and other offering material.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following summary of the terms of our common stock, including our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Restated Bylaws, as amended, which we refer to as our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, respectively, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to review all of the terms of our common stock that may be important to you.

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we are authorized to issue a total of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2011, we had 68,780,863 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock held by approximately 318 stockholders of record. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MHK.”

Each share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes, consisting, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire board of directors, with each class elected for staggered three-year terms expiring in successive years. Further, to amend, alter or repeal the provision of our Certificate of Incorporation related to the classification of the board of directors, our Certificate of Incorporation requires the approval of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of capital stock, voting together as a single class. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors. In addition, the holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to participate equally in dividends when our board of directors declares dividends on our common stock out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of our common stock will have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of our creditors and of all liabilities. No shares of our common stock have any preemptive, redemption or conversion rights, or the benefits of any sinking fund.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following summary describes generally some of the terms of preferred stock that we may offer from time to time in one or more series. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material relating to that series of preferred stock along with any general provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock. The following description of our preferred stock, and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement and other offering material, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the certificate of designations, preferences and rights relating to the particular series of preferred stock, which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the preferred stock. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, the applicable certificate of designations, preferences and rights and the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material to review the terms of a particular series of our preferred stock that may be important to you.

 

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Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue, without further stockholder approval, up to 60,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, in one or more series. For each series of preferred stock, our board of directors may determine whether such preferred stock will have voting powers. Our board of directors may also determine the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of any preferred stock we issue. Our board of directors will determine these terms by resolution adopted before we issue any shares of a series of preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not designated or issued any series of preferred stock.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

The following description of the terms of the debt securities contains certain general terms that may apply to the debt securities. The specific terms of any debt securities will be described in one or more prospectus supplements relating to those debt securities and other offering materials we may provide.

The debt securities will be issued under an Indenture between us and a trustee to be entered into at or before the time of such offering. We refer to the form of Indenture, as may be supplemented from time to time, as the “Indenture.”

We have summarized below the material provisions of the Indenture and the debt securities, or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement. These descriptions are only summaries, and each investor should refer to the Indenture, which describes completely the terms and definitions summarized below and contains additional information regarding the debt securities. Any reference to particular sections or defined terms of the Indenture in any statement under this heading qualifies the entire statement and incorporates by reference the applicable section or definition into that statement.

The debt securities will be our direct general obligations and may be secured or unsecured.

The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The Indenture allows us to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that issue.

We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. As a result, claims of holders of the debt securities will effectively have a junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of those subsidiaries. In addition, our right to participate as a shareholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of the debt securities to benefit as creditors of the company from such distribution) is junior to creditors of that subsidiary.

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. We may also issue debt securities, from time to time, with the principal amount, interest or other amounts payable on any relevant payment date to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices, indices or any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance. In addition, we may issue debt securities as part of units issued by us. All references in this prospectus, or any prospectus supplement to other amounts will include premium, if any, other cash amounts payable under the applicable indenture, and the delivery of securities or baskets of securities under the terms of the debt securities.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate, which may be zero, or a floating rate.

 

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The prospectus supplement and other offering materials we may provide relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular terms of, and other information relating to, those debt securities.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities (the “Original Issue Discount Securities”). Original Issue Discount Securities bear no interest or bear interest at below market rates and will be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement relating to an issue of Original Issue Discount Securities will contain information relating to United States federal income tax, accounting, and other special considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities.

Holders may present debt securities for exchange or transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions stated in the debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material we may provide. We will provide these services without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these services and subject to any limitations provided in the Indenture.

Holders may transfer debt securities in definitive bearer form by delivery to the transferee. If any of the securities are held in global form, the procedures for transfer of interests in those securities will depend upon the procedures of the depositary for those global securities. See “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” below.

We will generally have no obligation to repurchase, redeem, or change the terms of debt securities upon any event (including a change in control) that might have an adverse effect on our credit quality.

Events of Default

The following are events of default under the Indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

failure to pay any installment of interest on such series of debt securities when due and the continuance of such failure for 30 days;

 

   

failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on such series of debt securities when due;

 

   

failure to deposit any sinking fund payment with respect to such series of debt securities when due and the continuance of such failure for 30 days;

 

   

failure to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement in such series of debt securities or the Indenture and the continuance of such failure for 60 days after receipt by Mohawk of notice of such failure, specifying such failure and requiring the same to be remedied, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of such series of debt securities outstanding;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Mohawk; and

 

   

any other event of default we may provide for that series of debt securities.

If an event of default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of a particular series occurs and continues, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of outstanding debt securities may declare the principal amount of such series of debt securities to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, such principal amount, or portion thereof will automatically become due and payable without any action by the trustee or any holder. In the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, only a specified portion of the principal amount may be accelerated. However, at any time after an acceleration with respect to the debt securities of a particular series has occurred, but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “Modification and Waiver” below.

 

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If the principal or any premium or interest on any debt security is payable in a currency other than U.S. dollars and such currency is not available to Mohawk for making payment due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond Mohawk’s control, Mohawk is entitled to satisfy its obligations to holders of such debt securities by making such payment in U.S. Dollars in an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the trustee as provided in the Indenture. Any payment made under such circumstances in U.S. Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than U.S. Dollars will not constitute an event of default under the Indenture.

Subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. Subject to such indemnification and certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a particular series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

Other than with respect to a lawsuit for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on any series of debt securities when due, the Indenture provides that no holder of such series of debt securities may institute any action against Mohawk under the Indenture without first complying with the conditions set forth in the Indenture.

Mohawk will furnish to the trustee an annual statement as to Mohawk’s performance of certain of its obligations under the Indenture and as to any default in such performance.

Modification and Waiver

Modifications and amendments of the Indenture with respect to any series of debt securities outstanding may be made by Mohawk and the trustee with the consent of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series, except that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the applicable series affected thereby:

 

   

extend the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any such debt security, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate (or extend the time for payment) of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any such debt security;

 

   

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

   

change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any such debt security;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, any such debt security;

 

   

reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of such series of outstanding debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver provided for in the Indenture;

 

   

modify any of the waiver provisions, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected thereby;

 

   

cause any such debt security to become subordinate in right of payment to any other debt, except to the extent provided in the terms of such security; or

 

   

if such debt security provides that the holder may require us to repurchase or convert such debt security, impair such holder’s right to require repurchase or conversion of such debt security on the terms provided therein.

 

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Mohawk and the trustee may also modify and amend the Indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities in limited circumstances, such as clarifications and changes that would not adversely affect the holders.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of the holders of all such debt securities, waive Mohawk’s compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture or such series of debt securities. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of the holders of all such debt securities, waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such debt securities or in respect of any provision of the Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected thereby.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The Indenture provides that Mohawk may, at its option, elect to discharge its obligations with respect to any series of debt securities (“Legal Defeasance”). If Legal Defeasance occurs, Mohawk will be deemed to have paid and discharged all amounts owed under the applicable series of debt securities, and the Indenture will cease to be of further effect as to such series of debt securities, except that:

 

   

holders will be entitled to receive timely payments for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, such series of debt securities, from the funds deposited for that purpose (as explained below);

 

   

Mohawk’s obligations will continue with respect to the issuance of temporary debt securities, the registration of debt securities, and the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the applicable series;

 

   

the trustee will retain its rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities, and Mohawk will retain its obligations in connection therewith; and

 

   

other Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture will remain in effect.

In addition, Mohawk may, at its option and at any time, elect to cause the release of its obligations with respect to most of the covenants in the Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) with respect to any series of debt securities. If Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment events and bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization events) relating to Mohawk described under “Events of Default” will no longer constitute events of default with respect to such series of debt securities. Mohawk may exercise Legal Defeasance regardless of whether it previously exercised Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance (each, a “Defeasance”) with respect to any series of debt securities:

(1) Mohawk must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of such series, U.S. legal tender, U.S. government securities, a combination thereof or other obligations as may be provided with respect to such series of debt securities, in amounts that will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the applicable series of debt securities on the stated date for payment or any redemption date thereof, and the trustee must have, for benefit of holders of such debt securities, a valid and perfected security interest in the obligations so deposited;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Mohawk must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that:

 

   

Mohawk has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling, or

 

   

since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

 

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in either case to the effect that holders of such series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Mohawk must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that holders of such series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no default or event of default with respect to such debt securities may have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture on the date of the deposit with respect to such series of debt securities (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); in addition, no event of default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency may occur at any time from the date of the deposit to the 91st calendar day thereafter;

(5) the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (excluding the Indenture) to which Mohawk or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Mohawk or any of its subsidiaries is bound;

(6) Mohawk must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by Mohawk with the intent of preferring the holders of such debt securities over any other creditors of Mohawk or the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any other of its creditors;

(7) the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless that trust is qualified, or exempt from regulation, under that Act; and

(8) Mohawk must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate confirming the satisfaction of conditions in clauses (1) through (6) above, and an opinion of counsel confirming the satisfaction of the conditions in clauses (1) (with respect to the validity and perfection of the security interest), (2), (3) and (5) above.

If the amount deposited with the trustee to effect a Covenant Defeasance is insufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the applicable series of debt securities when due, then Mohawk’s obligations under the Indenture and such series of debt securities will be revived, and such Defeasance will be deemed not to have occurred.

Restrictive Covenants

We will describe restrictive covenants for any series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering materials relating to such series of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

Mohawk may not consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to, any entity, unless:

 

   

Mohawk is the surviving entity or, if not, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which Mohawk is merged or which acquires or leases Mohawk’s assets is organized and existing under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction and expressly assumes Mohawk’s obligations with respect to the debt securities and under the Indenture;

 

   

no default or event of default exists or will occur immediately after giving effect to the transaction; and

 

   

Mohawk has delivered to the trustee the certificates and opinions required under the Indenture.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

Mohawk will issue the debt securities only in fully registered form, without interest coupons. Unless provided otherwise in the prospectus supplement and the other offering materials relating to a particular series of

 

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debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but Mohawk may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or government charge payable in connection therewith. If any series of the debt securities are to be redeemed in part, Mohawk will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange such series of the debt securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or to register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities being redeemed in part.

Mohawk will cause to be kept at the office of the registrar a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, Mohawk will provide for the registration of the debt securities and registration of transfers of the debt securities. Mohawk initially will appoint the trustee at its corporate trust office as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. Mohawk may vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent or registrar, or appoint additional or other such agents or approve any change in the office through which any such agent acts. Mohawk will cause notice of any resignation, termination or appointment of the trustee or any paying agent or registrar, and of any change in the office through which any such agent will act, to be provided to holders of the debt securities.

The Trustee

All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery of, the debt securities will be effected by the trustee or its agent at an office designated by the trustee at its corporate trust office.

The Indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture. During the existence of an event of default under the Indenture, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee.

The Indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of Mohawk, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to liquidate certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with Mohawk or any of its affiliates. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Affiliates of the trustee may serve as agents and lenders under our credit facilities or engage in other transactions with us from time to time

Governing Law

New York law governs the Indenture and will govern the debt securities.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock or other securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants, if any, under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.

 

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The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among others, the aggregate number of warrants offered, the exercise price of the warrants, the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable and any other specific terms of the warrants.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the applicable warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference.” We urge you to read the applicable warrant agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement and any other offering material in their entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS OR UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock and/or preferred stock at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the stock purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock and/or preferred stock. The price per share and the number of shares may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of a stock purchase unit that consists of (a) stock purchase contracts and (b) warrants. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or require the holders of the stock purchase units to make periodic payments to us. These payments may be secured or unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the contracts in a specified manner.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable purchase contract agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the applicable purchase contract agreement if we offer stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, see “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference.” We urge you to read the applicable purchase contract agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

The securities offered by means of this prospectus may be issued in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. Securities issued in book-entry form will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository, who are called “participants.” Such accounts will be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if we directly offer and sell the securities. Ownership of global securities will be limited to the depository’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee (with respect to ownership interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to ownership interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of global securities will not:

 

   

be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names;

 

   

receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form; and

 

   

be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and directors or any paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of global securities for such securities as shown on the records of such depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a depository for a series of securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of securities. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities, determine not to have any securities of such series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities.

 

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The information in this section concerning the depository and its book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that Mohawk believes to be reliable, but Mohawk takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The Company’s consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the five years ended December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2007      2008      2009     2010      2011  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (unaudited) (1)

     4.1         *         *     2.1         2.4   

 

(1) Earnings are defined as the sum of earnings before income taxes, fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest. Fixed charges are defined as interest expensed and capitalized plus interest within rent expense, which is estimated to be one-third of rent expense.
* Due to a loss resulting from impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in 2008, the ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would need to generate additional earnings before income taxes of $1,273,848,000 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.
** Due to warranty claims related to the performance of certain commercial carpet tile, the ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would need to generate additional earnings before income taxes of $76,805,000 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes.

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

Alston & Bird LLP will pass upon the validity of any securities we offer by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for underwriters participating in an offering of securities offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, the underwriters’ counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Mohawk Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

Information Not Required in Prospectus

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following is a statement of the expenses (all of which are estimated) we expect to incur in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:

 

    

Amount

to be paid

 

SEC registration fee

   $         

Legal fees and expenses

     *

Accounting fees and expenses

     *

Printing fees

     *

Trustee’s fees and expenses

     *

Miscellaneous

     *

Total (without SEC registration fee)

   $ *

 

* The registrant is registering an indeterminate amount of securities under this registration statement and, in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of any additional registration fee until the time that the securities are sold under this registration statement pursuant to a prospectus supplement.

**Estimates of these fees and expenses are not presently known. Estimates of the fees and expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Article 11 of our Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision, permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, limiting the personal monetary liability of directors for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. This provision and Delaware law provides that the provision does not eliminate or limit liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper benefit.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, permits indemnification against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with actions, suits or proceedings in which a director, officer, employee or agent is a party by reason of the fact that he or she is or was such a director, officer, employee or agent, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, in connection with actions by or in the right of the corporation, such indemnification is not permitted if such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation unless the court determines that, under all of the circumstances, such person is nonetheless fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper. Article 12 of our Certificate of Incorporation provides for such indemnification.

 

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Section 145 of the DGCL also permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability that may be asserted against, or incurred by, such persons in their capacities as directors or officers of the corporation whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such persons against such liabilities under the provisions of such sections. Mohawk has purchased such insurance.

Section 145 of the DGCL further provides that the statutory provision is not exclusive of any other right to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or independent directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

Article XII of our Bylaws contains provisions regarding indemnification that parallel those described above.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  

Incorporated by Reference to Filings Indicated

  1.1

   Form of Underwriting Agreement    *

  4.1

   See Article 4 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Mohawk, as amended.    Exhibit 3.1 in Mohawk’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

  4.2

   See Articles 2, 6 and 9 of the Restated Bylaws of Mohawk, as amended.    Exhibit 3.2 in Mohawk’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2007.

  4.3

   Form of Indenture    **

  4.4

   Specimen of Preferred Stock Certificate and Form of Designation of Preferred Stock.    *

  4.5

   Form of Note    *

  4.6

   Form of Warrant    *

  5.1

   Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP.    **

12.1

   Statement regarding computation of earnings to fixed charges.    **

23.1

   Consent of KPMG LLP.    **

23.2

   Consent of Alston & Bird LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)   

24.1

   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).   

 

* To be filed by amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

** Filed herewith.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,

 

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represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

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That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, that the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Calhoun, State of Georgia, on the 29th day of February, 2012.

 

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum

   

Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the individuals whose signatures appear below constitute and appoint Frank H. Boykin and James T. Lucke, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents with full and several power of substitution, for him or her and his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

   February 29, 2012
Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum      

/s/ Frank H. Boykin

  

Chief Financial Officer

   February 29, 2012
Frank H. Boykin      

/s/ James F. Brunk

  

Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

   February 29, 2012
James F. Brunk      

/s/ Phyllis O. Bonanno

  

Director

   February 29, 2012
Phyllis O. Bonanno      


Table of Contents

 

/s/ Bruce C. Bruckmann

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

Bruce C. Bruckmann      

/s/ Frans De Cock

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

Frans De Cock      

/s/ John F. Fiedler

  

Director

   February 29, 2012

John F. Fiedler

     

/s/ Richard C. Ill

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

Richard C. Ill      

/s/ David L. Kolb

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

David L. Kolb      

/s/ Joseph A. Onorato

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

Joseph A. Onorato      

/s/ Karen A. Smith Bogart

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

Karen A. Smith Bogart      

/s/ W. Christopher Wellborn

  

Director

  

February 29, 2012

W. Christopher Wellborn      
EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.,

as Issuer

and

[                                                             ],

as Trustee

_____________

INDENTURE

Dated as of __________, 20__

_____________

 


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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

  

  

SECTION 1.1.

   DEFINITIONS      1   

SECTION 1.2.

   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TIA      7   

SECTION 1.3.

   RULES OF CONSTRUCTION      7   

ARTICLE II

SECURITY FORMS

  

  

SECTION 2.1.

   FORMS GENERALLY      8   

SECTION 2.2.

   FORM OF SECURITIES      8   

SECTION 2.3.

   GLOBAL SECURITIES      9   

SECTION 2.4.

   FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION      10   

ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

  

  

SECTION 3.1.

   AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES      10   

SECTION 3.2.

   DENOMINATIONS      13   

SECTION 3.3.

   EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING      13   

SECTION 3.4.

   TEMPORARY SECURITIES      14   

SECTION 3.5.

   HOLDER LISTS      15   

SECTION 3.6.

   REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND DEPOSITARY      15   

SECTION 3.7.

   REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE      15   

SECTION 3.8.

   MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES      17   

SECTION 3.9.

   PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED      18   

SECTION 3.10.

   PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST      19   

SECTION 3.11.

   PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS      20   

SECTION 3.12.

   CANCELLATION      20   

SECTION 3.13.

   COMPUTATION OF INTEREST; USURY      20   

SECTION 3.14.

   CUSIP NUMBERS      21   

ARTICLE IV

REDEMPTION

  

  

SECTION 4.1.

   APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE      21   

SECTION 4.2.

   ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE      21   

SECTION 4.3.

   SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED      22   

SECTION 4.4.

   NOTICE OF REDEMPTION      23   

SECTION 4.5.

   DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE      23   

SECTION 4.6.

   SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE      24   

SECTION 4.7.

   SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART      24   

 

i


ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

  

  

SECTION 5.1.

   APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE      25   

SECTION 5.2.

   SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES      25   

SECTION 5.3.

   REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND      25   

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

  

  

SECTION 6.1.

   PAYMENT OF SECURITIES      26   

SECTION 6.2.

   MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY      26   

SECTION 6.3.

   CORPORATE EXISTENCE      27   

SECTION 6.4.

   COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE; NOTICE OF DEFAULT      27   

SECTION 6.5.

   REPORTS      27   

ARTICLE VII

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

  

  

SECTION 7.1.

   LIMITATION ON MERGER, SALE OR CONSOLIDATION      28   

SECTION 7.2.

   SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED      28   

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

  

  

SECTION 8.1.

   EVENTS OF DEFAULT      29   

SECTION 8.2.

   ACCELERATION OF MATURITY DATE; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT      30   

SECTION 8.3.

   COLLECTION OF DEBT AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE      31   

SECTION 8.4.

   TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM      31   

SECTION 8.5.

   TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF SECURITIES      32   

SECTION 8.6.

   PRIORITIES      32   

SECTION 8.7.

   LIMITATION ON SUITS      33   

SECTION 8.8.

   UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST      34   

SECTION 8.9.

   RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE      34   

SECTION 8.10.

   DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER      34   

SECTION 8.11.

   CONTROL BY HOLDERS      34   

SECTION 8.12.

   WAIVER OF EXISTING OR PAST DEFAULT      35   

SECTION 8.13.

   UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS      35   

SECTION 8.14.

   RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES      36   

 

ii


ARTICLE IX

TRUSTEE

  

  

SECTION 9.1.

   DUTIES OF TRUSTEE      36   

SECTION 9.2.

   RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE      37   

SECTION 9.3.

   INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE      39   

SECTION 9.4.

   TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER      39   

SECTION 9.5.

   NOTICE OF DEFAULT      39   

SECTION 9.6.

   REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS      39   

SECTION 9.7.

   COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY      40   

SECTION 9.8.

   REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE      41   

SECTION 9.9.

   SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.      42   

SECTION 9.10.

   ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION      42   

SECTION 9.11.

   PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.      42   

ARTICLE X

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

  

  

SECTION 10.1.

   OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE      42   

SECTION 10.2.

   LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE      42   

SECTION 10.3.

   COVENANT DEFEASANCE      43   

SECTION 10.4.

   CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE      43   

SECTION 10.5.

   DEPOSITED CASH AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS      45   

SECTION 10.6.

   REPAYMENT TO THE COMPANY      45   

SECTION 10.7.

   REINSTATEMENT      46   

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

  

  

SECTION 11.1.

   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS      46   

SECTION 11.2.

   AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND WAIVERS WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS      48   

SECTION 11.3.

   COMPLIANCE WITH TIA      49   

SECTION 11.4.

   REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS      50   

SECTION 11.5.

   NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES      50   

SECTION 11.6.

   TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.      51   

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

  

  

SECTION 12.1.

   TIA CONTROLS      51   

SECTION 12.2.

   FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE      51   

 

iii


SECTION 12.3.

   ACTS OF HOLDERS; RECORD DATES      52   

SECTION 12.4.

   NOTICES      54   

SECTION 12.5.

   COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS      55   

SECTION 12.6.

   CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT      55   

SECTION 12.7.

   STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION      55   

SECTION 12.8.

   RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR      56   

SECTION 12.9.

   LEGAL HOLIDAYS      56   

SECTION 12.10.

   GOVERNING LAW      56   

SECTION 12.11.

   NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS      56   

SECTION 12.12.

   NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS      56   

SECTION 12.13.

   SUCCESSORS      57   

SECTION 12.14.

   DUPLICATE ORIGINALS      57   

SECTION 12.15.

   SEVERABILITY      57   

SECTION 12.16.

   TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.      57   

 

iv


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

   Indenture
Section
 

310

 

(a)(1)

     9.10   
 

(a)(2)

     9.10   
 

(a)(3)

     N.A.   
 

(a)(4)

     N.A.   
 

(a)(5)

     9.10   
 

(b)

     9.10   
 

(c)

     N.A.   

311

 

(a)

     9.11   
 

(b)

     9.11   
 

(c)

     N.A.   

312

 

(a)

     3.5   
 

(b)

     12.5   
 

(c)

     12.5   

313

 

(a)

     9.6   
 

(b)

     9.6   
 

(c)

     9.6   
 

(d)

     9.6   

314

 

(a)

     6.5(a), 6.6   
 

(b)(1)

     N.A.   
 

(b)(2)

     N.A.   
 

(c)(1)

     12.6   
 

(c)(2)

     12.6   
 

(c)(3)

     N.A.   
 

(d)

     N.A.   
 

(e)

     12.7   
 

(f)

     N.A.   

315

 

(a)

     9.1   
 

(b)

     9.5   
 

(c)

     9.1   
 

(d)

     9.1   
 

(e)

     8.13   

316

 

(a)(last sentence)

     1.1   
 

(a)(1)(A)

     8.11   
 

(a)(1)(B)

     N.A.   
 

(a)(2)

     8.12   
 

(b)

     8.8   
 

(c)

     12.3   

 

v


 

317

 

(a)(1)

     8.3   
 

(a)(2)

     8.4   
 

(b)

     3.10   

318

 

(a)

     12.1   
 

(b)

     N.A.   
 

(c)

     12.1   

 

N.A. means Not Applicable

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.

 

vi


INDENTURE, dated as of                         , 20    , by and between Mohawk Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [                                ], a                                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS

“Acceleration Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.2.

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 12.3.

“Affiliate” means any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or another specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” means the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, directly or through one or more intermediaries, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.

“Applicable Procedures” of a Depositary means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” or “beneficial owner” for purposes of the definition of Affiliate has the meaning attributed to it in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable; the term “beneficial ownership” shall have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.


“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close; provided that, when used with respect to any Security, “Business Day” may have such other meaning, if any, as may be specified for such Security as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“Cash” or “cash” means such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public or private debts.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Company” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture, and thereafter means such successor.

“Company Request” or “Company Order” means, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee from time to time.

“Consolidated Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [                        ], Attention: [                        ], or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as a successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

“Covenant Defeasance” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.3.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” means, at any time, all obligations of the Company and each Consolidated Subsidiary, to the extent such obligations would appear as a liability upon the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, in accordance with GAAP, (1) for borrowed money, (2) evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, and (3) in respect of any letters of credit supporting any Debt of others, and all guarantees by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary of Debt or others.

“Default” means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

“Defaulted Interest” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.9.

 

2


“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or other applicable law or regulation that is designated to act as the Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and, thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.1.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 12.3.

“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 2.3 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities).

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more Supplemental Indentures, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such Supplemental Indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“Interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the stated due date of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Legal Defeasance” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.2.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, security interest, statutory or other lien, or preference, priority or other security or similar agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or

 

3


herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Maximum Interest Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.13.

“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, or the Secretary of the Company.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Secretary of the Company, delivered to the Trustee from time to time and otherwise complying with the requirements of Sections 12.6 and 12.7, if applicable.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and, if applicable, complying with the requirements of Sections 12.6 and 12.7.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 8.2.

“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Securities or Securities of any series, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(1) such Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) such Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(3) such Securities as to which Legal Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 10.2;

(4) such Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.8 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

(5) such Securities as to which any property deliverable upon conversion thereof has been delivered (or such delivery has been duly provided for), or as to which any other particular conditions have been satisfied, in each case as may be provided for such Securities as contemplated in Section 3.1;

 

4


provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 8.2, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 3.1, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies, composite currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such clause), and (D) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

“Person” or “person” means any corporation, individual, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, partnership, unincorporated association, governmental regulatory entity, country, state or political subdivision thereof, trust, municipality or other entity.

“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series and subject to Section 6.2, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.8 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

“Principal” of any Debt means the principal amount of such Debt as of any date of determination.

“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

5


“Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor provision thereto.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” means unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of any series, as the case may be, issued by the Company from time to time, and authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Securities Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Global Securities, or any successor entity thereto.

“Security Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.6.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.9.

“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means any Person of which the Company, or the Company and one or more Subsidiaries, or any one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly own more than 50% of the Voting Stock.

“Supplemental Indenture” means an indenture supplemental to this Indenture, which supplements, amends or modifies this Indenture and is entered into by the parties to this Indenture as provided in Article XI.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “TIA” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“Trust Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

6


“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or noncallable obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

“Voting Stock” means outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests having under ordinary circumstances voting power for the election of directors, managers or the substantial equivalent thereof whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or similar equity interest has such voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency.

 

SECTION 1.2. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TIA

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, such provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company and any other obligor on any Security.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them thereby.

 

SECTION 1.3. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

7


(4) “including” means including, without limitation;

(5) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(7) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(8) references to Sections or Articles means reference to such Section or Article in this Indenture, unless stated otherwise.

ARTICLE II

SECURITY FORMS

 

SECTION 2.1. FORMS GENERALLY

All Securities shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. The definitive Securities shall be printed, typewritten, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on any type of paper, or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

SECTION 2.2. FORM OF SECURITIES

Each Security in a series shall be in a form approved by or pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture hereto or a Board Resolution or by an Officer or Officers pursuant to authority delegated to that Officer or those Officers pursuant to a Board Resolution. If the form of the Securities of a series is not prescribed by the Supplemental Indenture relating to that series, upon or prior to the delivery to the Trustee for authentication of the first Security to be issued of that series, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, the Board Resolution by or pursuant to which such form of the Security for that series has been approved, which Board Resolution shall have attached thereto a copy of the form of the Security approved, or a certificate of an Officer, attested to by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, certifying that an Officer, acting pursuant to delegated authority from the Board of Directors, approved the form of the Securities of that series and attaching a copy of the form of the Security approved and a true and complete copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors delegating authority to that Officer to approve the form of Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form as permitted by Section 3.4, the form thereof also shall be established as provided in this Section 2.2.

 

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SECTION 2.3. GLOBAL SECURITIES

If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding Section 3.1 and Section 3.2, such Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of that series as shall be specified in such Global Security and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased to reflect exchanges or partial redemptions or increased to reflect the issuance of additional uncertificated Securities of that series. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities of a series represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.3.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE [OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”),] TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [CEDE & CO.] OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE [OF DTC] (AND ANY PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE TO [CEDE & CO.] OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE [OF DTC]), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [CEDE & CO.], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

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SECTION 2.4. FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

   

[                                     ],

as Trustee

Dated:       By:    
        Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE III

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 3.1. AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 3.3, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Supplemental Indentures hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4 or 4.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;

(3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

(4) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;

 

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(5) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(6) the Place of Payment;

(7) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;

(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, composite currency, composite currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for the purposes of making payment in the currency of the United States of America and applying the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.1;

(12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies, composite currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies, composite currency, composite currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);

(13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 8.2 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

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(14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

(15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 10.2 or Section 10.3 or both such Sections, or pursuant to a manner varying from such Sections, any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than U.S. Government Obligations (or the establishment of other arrangements) to satisfy the requirements of Section 10.4 for defeasance of such Securities and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;

(16) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 2.3, any addition to, elimination of or other change in the circumstances set forth in clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 3.7 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and any other provisions governing exchanges or transfers of any such Global Security;

(17) any addition to, elimination of or other change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 8.2;

(18) any addition to, elimination of or other change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series;

(19) any provisions necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of any Securities of the series that may be converted into securities or other property other than Securities of the same series and of like tenor, whether in addition to, or in lieu of, any payment of principal or other amount and whether at the option of the Company or otherwise;

(20) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of the series are secured;

(21) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

 

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(22) the exchanges, if any, on which the Securities may be listed; and

(23) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 11.1(4)).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such Supplemental Indenture hereto. If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 3.2. DENOMINATIONS

The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of that series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof.

 

SECTION 3.3. EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by two Officers by manual or facsimile signature.

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of the Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Securities as this Indenture provides and not otherwise.

If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 2.2 and 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 9.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.2, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution or the Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of that series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of that series to be issued.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.4. TEMPORARY SECURITIES

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

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If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of that series, the temporary Securities of that series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of that series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of that series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of that series and tenor.

 

SECTION 3.5. HOLDER LISTS

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders of Securities of each series, by series, and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish, or shall cause the Registrar (if other than the Company) to furnish, to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to a series of Securities and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

 

SECTION 3.6. REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND DEPOSITARY

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register (the “Security Register”) of each series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar with respect to the Securities of any series without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain an entity other than the Trustee as either Registrar or Paying Agent for the affected series of Securities, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Securities. The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Securities Custodian with respect to the Global Securities.

 

SECTION 3.7. REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one

 

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or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency of the Company. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.7 or 11.5 not involving any transfer.

If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 4.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

The provisions of clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities:

(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, and subject to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Securities will be exchanged by the Company for other certificated Securities if (i) the Company delivers to

 

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the Trustee written notice from the Depositary that (x) the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Securities and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days or (y) the Depositary is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that the Global Securities (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for other certificated Global Securities and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee or (iii) upon request of the Trustee or Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the applicable series if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities. If the Company designates a successor Depositary as aforesaid, such Global Security shall promptly be exchanged in whole for one or more other Global Securities registered in the name of the successor Depositary, whereupon such designated successor shall be the Depositary for such successor Global Security or Global Securities and the provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this Section shall continue to apply thereto.

(3) Subject to Clause (2) above and to such applicable provisions, if any, as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.

(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 3.4, 3.6, 3.7 or 11.5 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.

 

SECTION 3.8. MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of written notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 3.9. PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED

Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities of a series, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest (or, if no business is conducted by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office on such date, at 5:00 P.M. New York City time on such date).

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest payable on any Securities of a series to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each of such Securities and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as provided in this clause (1). Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to

 

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the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of such Securities in the manner set forth in Section 12.4, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities of a series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such Securities may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Except as may otherwise be provided in this Section 3.9 or as contemplated in Section 3.1 with respect to any Securities of a series, the Person to whom interest shall be payable on any Security that first becomes payable on a day that is not an Interest Payment Date shall be the Holder of such Security on the day such interest is paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

In the case of any Security which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security whose Maturity is prior to such Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of any Security that may be converted may provide that the provisions of this paragraph do not apply, or apply with such additions, changes or omissions as may be provided thereby, to such Security.

 

SECTION 3.10. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders of the applicable Securities of

 

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any series or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal or any premium or interest on such Securities and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent with respect to such Securities. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for any Securities.

 

SECTION 3.11. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.9) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 3.12. CANCELLATION

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to destroy such cancelled Securities.

 

SECTION 3.13. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST; USURY

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The amount of interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law) payable or paid on any Security shall be limited to an amount which shall not exceed the maximum nonusurious rate of interest allowed by the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any applicable law of the United States permitting a higher maximum nonusurious rate that preempts such applicable New York law, which could lawfully be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged

 

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or received (the “Maximum Interest Rate”). If, as a result of any circumstances whatsoever, the Company or any other Person is deemed to have paid interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law) or any Holder of a Security is deemed to have contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law), in excess of the Maximum Interest Rate, then, ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of validity, and if under any such circumstance, the Trustee, acting on behalf of the Holders, or any Holder shall ever receive interest or anything that might be deemed interest under applicable law that would exceed the Maximum Interest Rate, such amount that would be excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing on the applicable Security or Securities and not to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds the unpaid principal balance of any such Security or Securities, such excess shall be refunded to the Company; provided that the Company and not the Trustee shall be responsible for collecting any such refund from the Holders. In addition, for purposes of determining whether payments in respect of any Security are usurious, all sums paid or agreed to be paid with respect to such Security for the use, forbearance or detention of money shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such Security.

 

SECTION 3.14. CUSIP NUMBERS

The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE IV

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 4.1. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 4.2. ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 30 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such

 

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Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of those Securities, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition and if requested by the Trustee under Section 9.2(b) hereof, an Opinion of Counsel.

 

SECTION 4.3. SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of that series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of that series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of that series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of that series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of that series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.

If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and each Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 4.4. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s current address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any) and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price,

(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,

(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,

(6) for any Securities that by their terms may be converted, the terms of conversion, the date on which the right to convert the Security to be redeemed will terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. The failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

 

SECTION 4.5. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE

On or before 12:00 Noon, New York City time on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.10) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that

 

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date, other than any Securities called for redemption on that date which have been converted prior to the date of such deposit.

If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such Security shall (subject to any right of the Holder of such Security or any Predecessor Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section 3.9 or in the terms of such Security) be paid to the Company upon Company Request or, if then held by the Company, shall be discharged from such trust.

 

SECTION 4.6. SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

 

SECTION 4.7. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge (other than payment by the Company of charges previously agreed to by the Company and the Trustee in writing), a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 5.1. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for such Securities.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities.

 

SECTION 5.2. SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES

The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been converted in accordance with their terms or which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of that series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed (or at such other prices as may be specified for such Securities as contemplated in Section 3.1), for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 5.3. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND

Not less than 90 days (or such shorter period as shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 5.2 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 4.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in

 

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Section 4.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 4.6 and 4.7.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 6.1. PAYMENT OF SECURITIES

The Company shall pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of any series on the dates and in the manner provided herein and in the applicable Security. An installment of principal of or interest on any Security of any series shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds for the benefit of the Holders of such Security (on or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time to the extent necessary to provide the funds to the Depositary in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) on that date cash deposited and designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue installments of interest at the rate specified in the Security of that series compounded semi-annually, to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 6.2. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY

The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, of the Registrar or of an agent of the Trustee or the Registrar) where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

With respect to any Global Security, and except as otherwise may be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be the Place of Payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for

 

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payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided, however, that any such payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 6.3. CORPORATE EXISTENCE

Except as otherwise permitted by Article VII, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

 

SECTION 6.4. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE; NOTICE OF DEFAULT

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company, complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) and stating that a review of its activities during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture (without regard to notice requirements or grace periods) and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, whether or not the signer knows of any failure by the Company to comply with any conditions or covenants in this Indenture and, if such signer does know of such a failure to comply, the certificate shall describe such failure with particularity. The Officers’ Certificate shall also notify the Trustee in writing should the relevant fiscal year end on any date other than the current fiscal year end date. The Officer’s Certificate need not comply with Section 12.6 hereof.

(b) The Company shall, so long as any Security of any series is Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default with respect to such series, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default, any Event of Default or any such fact unless one of its Trust Officers receives written notice thereof from the Company or any of the Holders.

 

SECTION 6.5. REPORTS

So long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company shall file with the SEC or, if the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, post on the Company’s website, in either case within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, including the additional periods provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act, annual reports and other reports or statements prepared in accordance with the reporting provisions under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(a).

 

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ARTICLE VII

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 7.1. LIMITATION ON MERGER, SALE OR CONSOLIDATION

The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) either (a) the Company is the surviving entity or (b) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or which acquires or leases the Company’s assets is a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by a Supplemental Indenture (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) all of the Company’s obligations in connection with the Securities and this Indenture;

(2) no Default or Event of Default will exist immediately after giving effect to such transaction (applying Article 11 of Regulation S-X to such transaction as and to the extent applicable); and

(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel meeting the requirements of Sections 12.6 and 12.7 hereof.

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise) of the assets, substantially as an entirety, of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, the Company’s interest in which constitutes the Company’s assets substantially as an entirety, shall be deemed to be the transfer of the Company’s assets substantially as an entirety.

 

SECTION 7.2. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED

Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer or lease of the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 7.1, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such transfer or lease is made shall succeed to and (except in the case of a lease) be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named herein as the Company, and (except in the case of a lease) when a surviving entity duly assumes all of the obligations of the Company pursuant hereto and pursuant to the Securities, the Company shall be released from such obligations (except with respect to any obligations that arise from, or are related to, such transaction).

 

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ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 8.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

“Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be caused voluntarily or involuntarily or effected, without limitation, by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(i) the Company’s failure to pay any installment of interest on any Security of that series as and when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days; or

(ii) the Company’s failure to pay all or any part of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Security of that series when and as the same becomes due and payable at maturity, redemption, by acceleration or otherwise; or

(iii) the Company’s failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and continuance of any such failure for 30 days; or

(iv) with respect to the Securities of that series, the Company’s failure to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement in respect of any Security of that series contained in this Indenture or in such Security (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or that has been expressly included in this Indenture by means of a Supplemental Indenture solely for the benefit of Securities of a series other than that series) or in the applicable Board Resolution under which that series is issued as contemplated by Section 3.01 and, the continuance of such failure for a period of 60 days after written notice of such failure, specifying such failure and requiring the same to be remedied, has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; or

(v) a decree, judgment, or order by a court of competent jurisdiction shall have been entered adjudicating the Company as bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization of the Company under any bankruptcy or similar law, and such decree or order shall have continued undischarged and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or a decree, judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction appointing a receiver, liquidator, trustee, or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency for the Company, or any substantial part of the property of the Company, or for the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, shall have been entered, and such decree, judgment, or order shall have remained in force undischarged and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or

 

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(vi) the Company shall institute proceedings to be adjudicated a voluntary bankrupt, or shall consent to the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding against it, or shall file a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization under any bankruptcy or similar law or similar statute, or shall consent to the filing of any such petition, or shall consent to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator, trustee, or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of it or any substantial part of its assets or property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or take any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

(vii) any other event or occurrence that is designated to be an Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in the Supplemental Indenture or Board Resolution that establishes the terms of the Securities of that series.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a currency other than the currency of the United States of America and such currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the currency of the United States of America in an amount equal to the currency of the United States of America equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Trustee by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency (the “Exchange Rate”), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1, any payment made under such circumstances in the currency of the United States of America where the required payment is in a currency other than the currency of the United States of America will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.2. ACCELERATION OF MATURITY DATE; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(v) or Section 8.1(vi)), then in every such case, unless the principal of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by notice in writing to the Company specifying the respective Event of Default (and to the Trustee if given by Holders) (an “Acceleration Notice”), may declare all principal, determined as set forth below, and accrued interest on such series (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the terms of that series) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(v) or Section 8.1(vi) occurs, all principal and accrued interest on such series (or, in the case of any Security of that series which specifies an amount to be due and payable thereon upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, such amount as may be specified by the terms thereof)

 

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will be immediately due and payable on all Outstanding Securities of that series without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, by written notice to the Trustee, may rescind and annul any acceleration and its consequences with respect to the Securities of that series so long as (a) such rescission occurs before a judgment or decree is entered based on such acceleration and (b) all existing Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Securities of that series that have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 8.12.

 

SECTION 8.3. COLLECTION OF DEBT AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE

The Company covenants that if an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8.1 hereof occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of that series, the whole amount then due and payable on Securities of that series for principal, premium (if any), and interest, and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any), and on any overdue interest, at the rate borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to, and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.7.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust in favor of the Holders of Securities of that series, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of that series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effective to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

SECTION 8.4. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of any series or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of such Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise

 

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and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of such Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agent and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.7) and of the Holders of Securities of that series allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of a series to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.7 hereof.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of Securities of any series any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting Securities of that series or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any such Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 8.5. TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF SECURITIES

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust in favor of the Holders of such Securities, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of compensation to, and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.7, be for the ratable benefit of such Holders of such Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

SECTION 8.6. PRIORITIES

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VIII shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, premium (if any), or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of any series and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

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First: To the Trustee in payment of all amounts due pursuant to Section 9.7 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection, as provided in such Section;

Second: To the Holders of such Securities in payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, premium (if any), and interest on, such Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), and interest, respectively; and

Third: To the Company or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto, the remainder, if any, each as their respective interests may appear.

The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the Holders under this Section 8.6.

 

SECTION 8.7. LIMITATION ON SUITS

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute, or to order or direct the Trustee to institute, any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder with respect to such Security, unless:

(A) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(B) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(C) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred or reasonably probable to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(D) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(E) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Securities of that series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of that series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders of Securities of that series.

 

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SECTION 8.8. UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium (if any), and (subject to Section 3.9) interest on, such Security on the Maturity Dates of such payments as expressed in such Security (in the case of redemption, the Redemption Price on the applicable Redemption Date), and, if the terms of such Security so provide, to convert such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment after such respective dates, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 8.9. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 3.8 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 8.10. DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER

No delay or omission by the Trustee or by any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy arising upon any Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall impair the exercise of any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default. Every right and remedy given by this Article VIII or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders of any Security may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holders, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 8.11. CONTROL BY HOLDERS

The Holder or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that series; provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any applicable rule of law or with this Indenture;

(2) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed would be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction; and

(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

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SECTION 8.12. WAIVER OF EXISTING OR PAST DEFAULT

The Holder or Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may, on behalf of all Holders of all the Securities of that series, waive any existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series and its consequences under this Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series:

(A) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Security of that series as specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 8.1 hereof and not yet cured; or

(B) with respect to any covenant or provision hereof which, under Article XI, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of that series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such Default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any other Default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default with respect to the Securities of that series or impair the exercise of any right arising therefrom. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of Holders have consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents (or other evidence of such consents as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee).

This Section 8.12 shall be in lieu of TIA §§ 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) and such sections of the TIA are hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the TIA.

 

SECTION 8.13. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security of any series by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture with respect to the Security of that series, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it as Trustee with respect to that series, any court may in its discretion require the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 8.13 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder of the Security of that series, or group of Holders of the Security of that series, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Security of that series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder of that series for enforcement of the payment of principal of, or premium (if any), or interest on, any Security of that series on or after the respective Maturity Date expressed in such Security (including, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

 

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SECTION 8.14. RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture with respect to any Security of any series and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Security of that series shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

ARTICLE IX

TRUSTEE

The Trustee hereby accepts the trust imposed upon it by this Indenture and covenants and agrees to perform the same, as herein expressed, subject to the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 9.1. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and has not been cured or waived in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such Securities and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series:

(1) the Trustee need perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; no covenants or obligations shall be implied in or read into this Indenture which are adverse to the Trustee; and any rights of the Trustee to take any action that is permitted, but not required, to be taken by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee shall not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 9.1;

 

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(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 8.11 hereof.

(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or to take or omit to take any action under this Indenture or at the request, order or direction of the Holders or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

(e) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and (g) of this Section 9.1.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any assets received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company (including without limitation to the extent the Trustee receives funds prior to the interest payment date in order to comply with the provisions of Section 6.1). Assets held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other assets except to the extent required by law.

(g) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture.

(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.

 

SECTION 9.2. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

Subject to Section 9.1 hereof, with respect to Securities of any series:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may consult with counsel and may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Sections 12.6 and 12.7 hereof, except as specifically provided herein. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or advice of counsel.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

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(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it or its agent takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.

(g) Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company, as applicable.

(h) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in Article VI hereof or as to the performance by any Agent of its duties hereunder. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except any Default or Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or obtained actual knowledge of an event which is in fact such a default (and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture), and in the absence of any such notice or any such actual knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default or Event of Default exists.

(i) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel, or both.

(j) The Trustee may request that the Issuer or the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities under this Indenture, and to each Agent, Custodian and other person employed by the Trustee in furtherance of carrying out its duties under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 9.3. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

The Trustee, or any of its Affiliates, in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities of any series and may otherwise deal with the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent or Custodian may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 9.10 and 9.11 hereof.

 

SECTION 9.4. TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities of any series, and it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in the Indenture or any statement in the Securities of any series (other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) or in any prospectus or other disclosure materials distributed with respect to the Securities of any series (other than information provided by the Trustee concerning the Trustee), or for the use or application of any funds received by a Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

 

SECTION 9.5. NOTICE OF DEFAULT

If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series and if it is known to the Trustee as provided in Section 9.2(h) hereof, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of that series notice of the uncured Default or Event of Default within 90 days after such Default or Event of Default occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of any Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 9.6. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS

Within 60 days after each March 15 beginning with the March 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall, if required by law, mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such March 15 that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA §§ 313(b) and 313(c).

The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Securities of any series become listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system or of any delisting thereof.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which any Securities are listed.

 

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SECTION 9.7. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee (in its capacity as such) from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. In addition to such compensation for services, the Company shall promptly reimburse the Trustee (and any predecessor Trustee with respect to all matters and events existing or alleged to exist on or prior to the date such person ceased to be a Trustee) upon request for all reasonable disbursements, expenses (including costs of collection) and advances actually incurred or made by it in accordance with this Indenture or carrying out its duties hereunder. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents, accountants, experts and counsel.

The Company agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee (in any capacity under this Indenture including as Trustee, Agent or Securities Custodian) and each predecessor Trustee and each of its officers, directors, attorneys-in-fact and agents for, and hold it harmless against, any claim, demand, expense (including but not limited to reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel), loss or liability incurred by it without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance and the administration of this trust and its rights or duties hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any investigation, claim or liability (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other person) in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may seek indemnity; provided, however, that any failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that the Company will not be required to pay such fees and expenses if they assume the Trustee’s defense and if the Trustee is advised by its counsel that there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without their written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability to the extent incurred by the Trustee through its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(v) or (vi) of this Indenture occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Company’s obligations under this Section 9.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations pursuant to Article X of this Indenture and any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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SECTION 9.8. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE

The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holder or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to that series by so notifying the Company and the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor trustee with the Company’s consent. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10 hereof;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a receiver, Custodian or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to Securities of any series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holder or Holders of a majority in principal amount of that series of Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that and, provided that all sums owing to the retiring Trustee provided for in Section 9.7 hereof have been paid, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder of the affected series at the current address of each such Holder as set forth in the Security Register.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed with respect to Securities of any series, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s cost and expense), the Company or the Holder or Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10 hereof, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 9.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 9.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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SECTION 9.9. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall, if such resulting, surviving or transferee corporation is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.

 

SECTION 9.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION

The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).

 

SECTION 9.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.

The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE X

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 10.1. OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

The Company, at the Company’s option and at any time, may elect to have Section 10.2 or Section 10.3 of this Indenture applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article X.

 

SECTION 10.2. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 10.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 10.2 with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities as to which this option provided in Section 10.1 is exercised, on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, and this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to all such Outstanding Securities, except as to be deemed to be Outstanding only for the purposes of the Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied all other of its obligations under such Outstanding Securities and this Indenture with respect to such Securities (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust described in Section 10.5, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under

 

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Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, 6.2, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 hereof, and (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith. If the Company exercises its option under this Section 10.2 with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, then payment of the Securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article X, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 10.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 10.3 hereof with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 10.3. COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 10.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 10.3 with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenants provided pursuant to Section 3.1(18) and the covenants contained in Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 and Article VII hereof with respect to all Outstanding Securities as to which this option provided in Section 10.1 is exercised, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Outstanding Securities shall thereafter be deemed not Outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series as to which the Covenant Defeasance has occurred, the Company shall not need to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant with respect to such Securities, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 8.1(iv) with respect to such Securities, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, if the Company exercises its option under this Section 10.3 with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, then payment of the Securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to such series specified in Section 8.1(iii) hereof.

 

SECTION 10.4. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

(a) The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 10.2 or 10.3 hereof to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, to be defeased:

(i) the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities as to which Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will occur, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations, a combination thereof, or other obligations as may be provided as contemplated by Section 3.1(15) with respect to such Securities, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the redemption date of such principal or installment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities, and the Trustee, for the benefit of the

 

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Holders of such Securities, has a valid and perfected security interest in obligations so deposited;

(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that: (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to such Trustee confirming that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(iv) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and no Default or Event of Default under Section 8.1(v) or Section 8.1(vi) occurs, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (excluding this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others;

(vii) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and

(viii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions precedent provided for in, in the case of the Officers’ Certificate, (i) through (vi) and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (i) (with respect to the validity and perfection of the security interest), (ii), (iii) and (v) of this paragraph have been complied with.

 

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(b) If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities to be so defeased when due, then the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such Securities will be revived and no such defeasance will be deemed to have occurred.

 

SECTION 10.5. DEPOSITED CASH AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Subject to Section 10.6 hereof, all cash and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 10.5, the “Paying Agent”) pursuant to Section 10.4 hereof in respect of any Securities to be defeased shall be held in trust and applied by the Paying Agent, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any other Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.4 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Securities.

 

SECTION 10.6. REPAYMENT TO THE COMPANY

(a) Anything in this Article X to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee or the Paying Agent shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any cash or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 10.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 10.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

(b) Any cash and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

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SECTION 10.7. REINSTATEMENT

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.2 or 10.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to such Securities affected and such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.2 or 10.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply such money in accordance with Sections 10.2 and 10.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the cash or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 11.1. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS

Without the consent of any Holder of any Securities, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more Supplemental Indentures hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any Supplemental Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any Supplemental Indenture or to make any changes hereto or to any Supplemental Indenture that are required by law;

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of all or any series (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of that series or those series specified in such Supplemental Indenture), and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of that series or those series specified in such Supplemental Indenture); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition such Supplemental Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for any immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit

 

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the remedies available to be exercised by the Trustee in its discretion upon such Default but may not limit the remedies available to be exercised by the Holders;

(3) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form;

(4) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such Supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding;

(5) to provide for collateral for or guarantors of the Securities of any series;

(6) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the obligations of the Company, herein and in the Securities in accordance with Article VII;

(7) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to comply with the TIA;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 9.8;

(9) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and 3.1;

(10) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture with respect to any Securities that by their terms may be converted into securities or other property other than Securities of the same series and of like tenor, in order to permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of such Securities;

(11) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded; or

(12) to provide for the payment by the Company of additional amounts in respect of taxes imposed on certain Holders and for the treatment of such additional amounts as interest and for all matters incidental thereto.

Upon the written request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such Supplemental Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of any Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel requested under Section 9.2(b) hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any Supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the

 

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terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to (but may in its discretion) enter into such Supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 11.2. AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND WAIVERS WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS

Subject to Section 8.8 hereof, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected thereby (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for such Securities), by written act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee for Securities of each such series may amend or supplement this Indenture or enter into one or more Supplemental Indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of that series under this Indenture or the applicable Securities. Subject to Section 8.8, the Holder or Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or such Securities with respect to such series. Notwithstanding any of the above, however, no such amendment, Supplemental Indenture or waiver shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 8.2, or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any such Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment, Supplemental Indenture or waiver provided for in this Indenture;

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 11.2 or Section 8.12, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 11.2, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 9.8 and 11.1(8);

 

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(4) cause such Security to become subordinate in right of payment to any other Debt, except to the extent provided in the terms of such Security; or

(5) if any Security provides that the Holder may require the Company to repurchase or convert such Security, impair such Holder’s right to require repurchase or conversion of such Security on the terms provided therein.

A Supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of that series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

Upon the written request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplement to this Indenture or of any such Supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of any Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel requested under Section 9.2(b) hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such amendment or supplement to this Indenture or of such Supplemental Indenture, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to (but may in its discretion) enter into any such amendment or supplement to this Indenture or any such Supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 11.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such Supplemental Indenture or waiver.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 11.2 or under Section 11.4 hereof becomes effective, it shall bind each Holder.

In connection with any amendment, supplement or waiver under this Article XI, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, offer to any Holder who consents to such amendment, supplement or waiver, or to all Holders, consideration for such Holder’s consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 11.3. COMPLIANCE WITH TIA

Every amendment, waiver or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

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SECTION 11.4. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS

Until an amendment, waiver or supplement becomes effective with respect to any Security of any series, a consent to it by a Holder of that series is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent Holder of such Security or portion of such Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to such Security or portion of such Security by written notice to the Company or the Person designated by the Company as the Person to whom consents should be sent if such revocation is received by the Company or such Person before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities affected have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent) to the amendment, supplement or waiver.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be the date so fixed by the Company notwithstanding the provisions of the TIA. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date, and only those Persons (or their duly designated proxies), shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder of the Security of the affected series, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (5) of Section 11.2 hereof, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Security of that series who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of such Security or portion of such Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security; provided that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder of that series to receive payment of principal and premium of and interest on such Security, on or after the respective dates set for such amounts to become due and payable expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates.

 

SECTION 11.5. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such Supplemental Indenture. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security of any series, the Trustee may require such Holder of the Security of that series to deliver it to the Trustee or require such Holder to put an appropriate notation on such Security. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on such Security about the changed terms and return it to such Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the affected Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security of the same series that reflects the changed terms. Any failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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SECTION 11.6. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

The Trustee shall execute any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article XI; provided that the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver which affects the Trustee’s own rights, liabilities, duties or immunities under this Indenture. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article XI is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.1. TIA CONTROLS

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of the TIA, the imposed duties, upon qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 12.2. FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of, or representation by, counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

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SECTION 12.3. ACTS OF HOLDERS; RECORD DATES

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 9.1) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of that series; provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of that series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite

 

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principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 12.4.

The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any notice of default pursuant to Section 9.5, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 8.2, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 8.7(B) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 8.11, in each case with respect to Securities of that series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of that series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of that series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 12.4.

With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 12.4, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

 

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SECTION 12.4. NOTICES

Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by telex, by telecopier, recognized overnight courier or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and addressed as follows:

if to the Company:

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

160 S. Industrial Blvd.

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

Attention: Treasurer

Telecopy: (            )                             

with a copy to:

Alston & Bird LLP

One Atlantic Center

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Attention:                                         

Telecopy: (            )                         

if to the Trustee:

_______________

_______________

_______________

Attention:                                                  

Telecopy: (            )                                 

Any party by notice to each other party may designate additional or different addresses as shall be furnished in writing by such party. Any notice or communication to any party shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered, if personally delivered; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; the next Business Day after timely delivery to a recognized overnight courier, if sent by such courier guaranteeing next day delivery; and five Business Days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee).

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it by first class mail or other equivalent means at its address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Where this Indenture provides for Notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary or its nominee for such Security

 

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(or its designee), pursuant to its Applicable Procedures, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

SECTION 12.5. COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS

Holders of any Security may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of that series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the applicable Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 12.6. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and which shall include the statements required by Section 12.7 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and which shall include the statements required by Section 12.7 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely on an Officers’ Certificate and certificates of public officials as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 12.7. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

SECTION 12.8. RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

SECTION 12.9. LEGAL HOLIDAYS

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to Securities of any series, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity of any Security, Stated Maturity or any date on which a Holder has the right to convert his Security, shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any), or conversion of such Security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Maturity or the Stated Maturity, or on such date for conversion, as the case may be and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 12.10. GOVERNING LAW

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND RULE 327(b) OF THE NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES.

 

SECTION 12.11. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 12.12. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

No direct or indirect stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, or any successor entity, shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Securities solely by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, employee, officer or director. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of any Security.

 

56


SECTION 12.13. SUCCESSORS

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and any Security shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

SECTION 12.14. DUPLICATE ORIGINALS

All parties may sign any number of copies or counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed copy or counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.

 

SECTION 12.15. SEVERABILITY

In case any one or more of the provisions in this Indenture or in any Security shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 12.16. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and the Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

57


SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

[                                                                                      ],

as Trustee

 

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

58

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

             LOGO

February 29, 2012

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

P.O. Box 12069

160 S. Industrial Boulevard

Calhoun, Georgia 30701

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-                    )

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Mohawk Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

This opinion is being furnished pursuant to Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of the following securities (the “Registered Securities”): (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company; (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company; (iii) the Company’s debt securities (the “Debt Securities”); (iv) warrants to purchase any of the securities described in clauses (i) to (iii) (collectively, the “Warrants”); (v) the Company’s stock purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase a specified or varying number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock at a future date or dates (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”); and (vi) the Company’s stock purchase units (the “Stock Purchase Units”), consisting of Stock Purchase Contracts and Warrants.

Each series of Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a note in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (the “Note”) and to an indenture (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) relating to Debt Securities between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”) to be entered into at or before the time of such

 

LOGO


 

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

February 29, 2012

Page 2

 

offering. Each Warrant will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement substantially in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (a “Warrant Agreement”). Each Stock Purchase Contract will be issued pursuant to a stock purchase contract agreement substantially in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (“Stock Purchase Contract Agreement”). Each Stock Purchase Unit will be issued pursuant to a unit agreement substantially in the form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference (“Unit Agreement”).

We have examined the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, the Restated By-laws of the Company, records of proceedings of the Board of Directors, or committees thereof, the proposed form of Indenture and the Registration Statement. We also have made such further legal and factual examinations and investigations as we deemed necessary for purposes of expressing the opinions set forth herein. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as original documents and the conformity to original documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, facsimile, electronic or photostatic copies.

As to certain factual matters relevant to this opinion letter, we have relied conclusively upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, agreements, documents and instruments, including certificates or comparable documents of officers of the Company and of public officials, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have made no independent investigations with regard to matters of fact, and, accordingly, we do not express any opinion as to matters that might have been disclosed by independent verification.

Our opinions set forth below are limited to the laws of the State of Georgia, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, applicable provisions of the Constitution of the State of Delaware and reported judicial decisions interpreting such General Corporation Law and Constitution, federal laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein and, solely with respect to whether or not the Debt Securities are the valid and binding obligations of the Company, the laws of the State of New York. We do not express any opinion herein concerning any other laws. Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 are subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.


 

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

February 29, 2012

Page 3

 

This opinion letter is provided for your use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and may not be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose without our express written consent. No opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the opinions expressly stated in the numbered paragraphs below. Our opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof that may affect our opinions expressed herein.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1. When, as and if (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken to authorize the issuance of Common Stock, (b) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained, (c) Common Stock has been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action, and (d) certificates representing shares of Common Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law or, if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations have been made in the share register of the Company, then, upon the happening of such events, such Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof).

 

2. When, as and if (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken to authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock, to fix the terms thereof and to authorize the execution and filing of a certificate of designation relating thereto with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (b) such certificate of designation has been executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and so filed by the Company, all in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained, (d) Preferred Stock with terms so fixed has been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action, and (e) certificates representing shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law or, if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations have been made in the share register of the Company, then, upon the happening of such events, such Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof).

 

3.

When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of any series of


 

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

February 29, 2012

Page 4

 

Debt Securities, (b) the Debt Securities have been issued in the form and containing the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the Indenture and such corporate action, (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained, and (d) the Debt Securities have been authenticated by the Trustee, then, upon the happening of such events, the Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

4. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Warrant Agreement (including a form of certificate evidencing the Warrants) and (b) Warrants with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in the manner provided for in the applicable Warrant Agreement and such corporate action, then, upon the happening of such events, such Warrants will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

5. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Stock Purchase Contract Agreement (including a form of certificate evidencing the Stock Purchase Contracts) and (b) the Stock Purchase Contracts with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in the manner provided for in the Stock Purchase Contract Agreement and such corporate action, then, upon the happening of such events, such Stock Purchase Contracts will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

6. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of a Unit Agreement (including a form of certificate evidencing the Units) and (b) the Units with such terms are duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in the manner provided for in the Unit Agreement and such corporate action, then, upon the happening of such events, such Units will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Validity of the Securities” in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit


 

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

February 29, 2012

Page 5

 

that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

ALSTON & BIRD LLP

By:

 

/s/ R. David Patton

  R. David Patton, Partner

 

EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(In Thousands, Except Ratio Data)

 

    

December 31,

    

2007

  

2008

  

2009

  

2010

  

2011

Fixed rent expense

   $123,095    139,103    130,227    105,976    103,416
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Principal

   82,063    92,735    86,818    70,651    68,944

Interest

   41,032    46,368    43,409    35,325    34,472
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total

   $123,095    139,103    130,227    105,976    103,416
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Fixed charges:

              

Portion of rent expense representative of interest

   $41,032    46,368    43,409    35,325    34,472

Capitalized interest

   4,446    6,419    4,469    4,240    6,197

Interest expensed

   154,469    127,050    127,031    133,151    101,617
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total fixed charges (1)

   $199,947    179,837    174,909    172,716    142,286
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Earnings:

              

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   $611,716    (1,272,472)    (77,713)    192,648    199,874

Fixed charges

   199,947    179,837    174,909    172,716    142,286

Amortization of capitalized interest

   4,395    5,043    5,377    5,178    5,607

less:

              

Capitalized interest

   (4,446)    (6,419)    (4,469)    (4,240)    (6,197)
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total earnings

   $811,612    (1,094,011)    98,104    366,302    341,570
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   4.1    *    **    2.1    2.4

 

 

(1)    Earnings are defined as the sum of earnings before income taxes, fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest. Fixed charges are defined as interest expensed and capitalized plus interest within rent expense, which is estimated to be one-third of rent expense.

*      Due to a loss resulting from impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in 2008, the ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would need to generate additional earnings before income taxes of $1,273,848 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.

**    Due to warrranty claims related to the performance of certain commercial carpet tile, the ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would need to generate additional earnings before income taxes of $76,805 to achieve a ratio of 1:1.

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Mohawk Industries, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 29, 2012, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Mohawk Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 29, 2012