UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of
Report (Date of earliest event reported):
August 12, 2009
THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
Delaware
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1-8649
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41-0580470
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(State of Incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota
(Address of principal executive offices)
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55420
(Zip Code)
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Registrants telephone number,
including area code: (952) 888-8801
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address,
if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:
o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o Soliciting material
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Section 1 Registrants
Business and Operations
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive
Agreement
On August 12, 2009, The Toro Company, a
Delaware corporation (Toro), and TCF Inventory Finance, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (TCFIF), entered into an Agreement to Form Joint
Venture (JV Agreement) pursuant to which Toro and TCFIF agreed to establish a
joint venture to provide commercial inventory financing, including floor plan
financing and open account inventory financing, to distributors and dealers of products
of Toro and certain of its affiliates (Toro Products) in the United States
and to distributors of Toro Products in Canada.
Additionally, under the terms of the JV Agreement, TCFIF will implement
a program to provide commercial inventory financing to dealers of Toro Products
in Canada. Toro and its affiliates will
continue to provide commercial inventory financing to mass market retailer
customers, wholly-owned distributors, non-United States and non-Canadian
international distributors and dealers, and government entity customers. The joint venture will be conducted through
Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company (Red
Iron).
Also on August 12, 2009, and in connection with
the establishment of the joint venture, Toro (and/or one or more of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries), TCFIF (and/or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries)
and Red Iron entered into several other agreements, including: (i) a Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Red Iron (LLC Agreement) between Red Iron Holding Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Toro (Red Iron Holding),
and TCFIF Joint Venture I, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company and
wholly-owned subsidiary of TCFIF (TCFIF JV I); (ii) a Credit and
Security Agreement (Credit Agreement) between TCFIF, as lender, and Red Iron,
as borrower; (iii) a Services Agreement between Toro and Red Iron; (iv) a
Services Agreement between TCFIF and Red Iron; (v) a Trademark License
Agreement between Toro and Red Iron; and (vi) a Trademark License
Agreement between Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated, a Nebraska
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Toro, and Red Iron. In addition, pursuant to the terms of a
Performance Assurance Agreement delivered by TCF National Bank, as the indirect
parent company of TCFIF, in favor of Toro and Red Iron Holding, TCF National
Bank has agreed for the benefit of Toro and Red Iron Holding to cause TCFIF to
perform its obligations, as lender, under the Credit Agreement and to cause
TCFIF JV I to make certain capital contributions under the LLC Agreement.
In addition, in connection with the operation of Red
Iron, it is contemplated that at the appropriate time in the future (i) Toro
and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries will enter into Receivable
Purchase Agreements, in substantially the form attached as an exhibit to the JV
Agreement, related to the transfer of certain commercial inventory receivables
and related assets to Red Iron (Receivable Purchase Agreements); and (ii) Toro
and Red Iron will enter into a Repurchase Agreement, in substantially the form
attached as an exhibit to the JV Agreement, regarding commercial inventory
financing to be provided by Red Iron (Repurchase Agreement).
With respect to the accounting for the joint
venture, Toro does not intend to consolidate Red Irons financial statements
with Toros consolidated financial statements and instead intends to account
for its investment in Red Iron under the equity method of accounting. Further, Toro expects that TCFIF will
consolidate Red Irons financial statements with TCFIFs consolidated financial
statements.
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JV Agreement
The JV Agreement provides, among other things,
that: (i) Toro and certain of its
affiliates will sell to Red Iron certain commercial inventory receivables,
including floor plan receivables and open account inventory receivables, from
distributors and dealers of Toro Products; (ii) following the termination
of applicable contractual obligations that Toro has to a third-party financing
company, and during the term of Red Iron, Toro and its affiliates will use
commercially reasonable efforts to recommend to all distributors and dealers of
Toro Products in the United States and to all distributors of Toro Products in
Canada to use Red Iron to finance the acquisition of inventory of Toro
Products; (iii) during the term of Red Iron, Toro and its affiliates will
not enter into any joint venture or similar jointly-owned business relationship
with any other person or entity for the purpose of operating a commercial
inventory finance business in the United States or Canada, or otherwise provide
commercial inventory financing, to support the purchase of Toro Products; (iv) during
the term of Red Iron, TCFIF and its affiliates will not enter into any joint
venture or similar jointly-owned business relationship for the purpose of
operating a wholesale finance business in the United States or Canada to
support the financing of certain lawn and garden products, or otherwise
providing financing, working capital or similar loan facilities to dealers or
distributors of any manufacturer of certain lawn and garden products in the
United States or Canada; (v) Toro will pay to TCFIF a performance fee if a
certain wholesale management software system is satisfactorily delivered to Red
Iron by TCFIF within a certain prescribed period of time and the amount of
which will vary depending upon the timing within which TCFIF implements a
program to provide floor plan and open account financing for dealers of Toro
Products in Canada; and (vi) TCFIF will pay to Toro an exclusivity
incentive fee if certain receivables are sold by Toro to Red Iron within a
certain prescribed period of time. The
JV Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and other
agreements by the parties, including confidentiality obligations and
indemnification rights and obligations of the parties.
LLC Agreement
The LLC Agreement is the primary operating document
of Red Iron and contains the understanding of Toro (through Red Iron Holding)
and TCFIF (through TCFIF JV I) regarding the governance and operation of Red
Iron. The LLC Agreement provides, among
other things, that: (i) the initial
term will continue until October 31, 2014, subject to unlimited automatic
two-year extensions thereafter; (ii) either Red Iron Holding or TCFIF JV I
may elect not to extend the initial term or any subsequent term by giving
one-year notice to the other party of its intention not to extend the term; (iii) Red
Iron Holding will have a 45 percent equity interest in Red Iron and TCFIF JV I
will have a 55 percent equity interest in Red Iron; (iv) Red Iron Holding
and TCFIF JV I will contribute a specified amount of the estimated cash required
to enable Red Iron to provide commercial inventory financing to distributors
and dealers of Toro Products in the United States and Canada, and Red Iron will
borrow, under the Credit Agreement, the remaining requisite estimated cash; (v) Red
Iron will be managed through a management committee consisting of eight
persons, four of whom will be designated by Red Iron Holding and four of whom
will be designated by TCFIF JV I; (vi) generally, the vote for any action
to be taken by the management committee requires the vote of a majority of the
managers, including one manager designated by each of Red Iron Holding and
TCFIF JV I, which in limited certain circumstances regarding the sale of assets
of Red Iron may not be unreasonably withheld;
(vii) disputes under the LLC Agreement, including a deadlock of the
management committee, will be resolved pursuant to a dispute resolution process
involving submission of the matter to certain specified officers of Toro and
TCFIF, followed by mediation and, ultimately, arbitration; (viii) neither
Red Iron Holding or TCFIF JV I may transfer its equity interest in Red Iron
without the consent of the other party and the consent of both parties is
required in connection with the admission of any new member; (ix) Red Iron
Holding will have the option to acquire the equity interest of TCFIF JV I in
Red Iron at the end of the initial or additional term
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or in certain termination events; and (x) in
connection with the liquidation of the joint venture, if requested by Red Iron
Holding, the business will continue for a period of up to the later of one year
from the termination date or, if the termination date occurs between February 1
and June 30, until June 30 of the year following the termination
date. The LLC Agreement also contains
customary representations, warranties and other agreements by the parties.
Credit Agreement
The Credit Agreement provides for a $450 million
secured revolving credit facility to be used by Red Iron primarily to purchase
the commercial inventory financing receivables from Toro and its affiliates and
to fund Red Irons financing programs for distributors and dealers of Toro
Products in the United States and for distributors of Toro Products in Canada. Amounts owed under the Credit Agreement are
secured by substantially all of the assets of Red Iron. The Credit Agreement contains standard
covenants regarding Red Iron, including affirmative financial covenants, such
as the maintenance of a minimum tangible net worth, and negative covenants,
which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness,
loans and investments, dividends, disposition of assets, consolidations and
mergers, capital expenditures, changes in its business, the issuance of
additional equity securities, transactions with affiliates and other matters
customarily restricted in such agreements. Generally, these restrictions are
subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The Credit Agreement
contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, material
inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, bankruptcy and
involuntary proceedings and monetary judgment defaults in excess of specified
amounts. The Credit Agreement also
contains customary representations, warranties and other agreements by the
parties.
Form of Receivable Purchase Agreement
The form of Receivable Purchase Agreement provides
that Toro and certain of its affiliates, as sellers, will sell to Red Iron, and
Red Iron will purchase from such sellers, all of the sellers right, title and
interest in and to certain commercial inventory receivables, including floor
plan receivables and open account inventory receivables, from distributors and
dealers of Toro Products, and certain related assets, including security
interests, financing agreements and books and records relating to the
receivables, at a purchase price equal to the face value of the receivables or
the purchase price paid for such receivables by the sellers. It is expected that such receivables and
related assets will be sold to Red Iron in more than one transaction. The first transaction is expected to occur
during Toros fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.
A second transaction is expected to occur during Toros first quarter of
fiscal 2010. Toro intends to remove the
receivables from its books upon completion of the sale and receipt of cash from
Red Iron for the receivables purchased. The completion of the sale of the receivables
and related assets is subject to customary closing conditions. The form of Receivable Purchase Agreement
also contains customary representations, warranties and other agreements by the
parties.
Form of Repurchase Agreement
The form of Repurchase Agreement provides the terms
and conditions under which Red Iron will provide commercial inventory financing
for certain dealers and distributors of Toro to purchase Toro Products and the
manner of payment to Toro for such purchases of Toro Products. The form of Repurchase Agreement also provides
the terms under which Toro will agree to repurchase any such Toro Products that
are later repossessed by or otherwise in the possession of Red Iron. The form of Repurchase Agreement limits the
aggregate amount of Toros repurchase obligations to a maximum amount of $7.5
million per calendar year (the Repurchase Limit). Once the Repurchase Limit has been reached in
any calendar year, Toro will agree to use its best efforts to remarket any
additional repossessed Toro Products
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on behalf of Red Iron on a non-discriminatory,
non-priority basis for an amount not less than the outstanding balance
remaining due Red Iron on such Toro Products.
Red Iron will agree to reimburse Toro for third party expenses incurred
by Toro in providing such remarketing services.
The form of Repurchase Agreement also contains customary
representations, warranties and other agreements by the parties.
The foregoing descriptions of the JV Agreement, the
LLC Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the form of Receivable Purchase Agreement
and the form of Repurchase Agreement are summaries of the material terms of
such agreements, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the complete text of such documents, copies of which
are filed as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2, 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, to this
Current Report on Form 8-K, and each is incorporated herein by reference.
Section 7
Regulation FD
Item 7.01 Regulation
FD Disclosure
On
August 13, 2009, Toro issued a press release announcing the formation of
the joint venture with TCFIF. A copy of
this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The
information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is
furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed filed for any other
purpose, including for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to
the liabilities of that Section. The
information in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not
be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of
1933 or the Exchange Act regardless of any general incorporation language in
such filing.
Section 9 Financial
Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
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Description
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2.1 (1)
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Agreement to Form Joint Venture dated
August 12, 2009 by and between The Toro Company and TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.*
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2.2 (1)
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Limited Liability Company Agreement of Red Iron
Acceptance, LLC dated August 12, 2009 by and between Red Iron Holding
Corporation and TCFIF Joint Venture I, LLC*
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10.1 (1)
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Credit and Security Agreement dated August 12,
2009 by and between Red Iron Acceptance, LLC and TCF Inventory
Finance, Inc.
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10.2
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Form of Receivable Purchase Agreement between The
Toro Company, certain affiliates of The Toro Company (as applicable) and Red
Iron Acceptance, LLC
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10.3
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Form of Repurchase Agreement between The Toro
Company and Red Iron Acceptance, LLC
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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99.1
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Press Release issued on August 13, 2009 by The
Toro Company
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(1) Portions of this
exhibit have been redacted and are subject to a confidential treatment request
filed with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The redacted material is being filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
* All exhibits and
schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of
Regulation S-K. Toro will furnish the omitted exhibits and schedules to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
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THE TORO
COMPANY
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(Registrant)
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Date:
August 13, 2009
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By
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/s/
Stephen P. Wolfe
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Stephen
P. Wolfe
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Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
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THE TORO COMPANY
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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Description
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Method of Filing
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2.1 (1)
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Agreement to Form Joint Venture dated
August 12, 2009 by and between The Toro Company and TCF Inventory
Finance, Inc.*
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Filed
herewith
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2.2 (1)
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Limited Liability Company Agreement of Red Iron
Acceptance, LLC dated August 12, 2009 by and between Red Iron Holding
Corporation and TCFIF Joint Venture I, LLC*
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Filed
herewith
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10.1 (1)
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Credit and Security Agreement dated August 12,
2009 by and between Red Iron Acceptance, LLC and TCF Inventory
Finance, Inc.
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Filed
herewith
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10.2
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Form of Receivable Purchase Agreement between The
Toro Company, certain affiliates of The Toro Company (as applicable) and Red
Iron Acceptance, LLC
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Filed
herewith
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10.3
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Form of Repurchase Agreement between The Toro
Company and Red Iron Acceptance, LLC
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Filed
herewith
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99.1
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Press Release issued on August 13, 2009 by The
Toro Company
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Furnished
herewith
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(1) Portions of this
exhibit have been redacted and are subject to a confidential treatment request
filed with the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The redacted material is being filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
* All exhibits and
schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of
Regulation S-K. Toro will furnish the omitted exhibits and schedules to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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Exhibit 2.1
[PORTIONS
OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY
UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS
INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
AGREEMENT TO FORM JOINT
VENTURE
This Agreement To Form Joint Venture (this Agreement) is made and entered
into as of the 12th day of August, 2009, between The Toro Company,
a Delaware corporation (Toro), and TCF Inventory Finance, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (TCFIF) (collectively, Toro and TCFIF, the Parties
and individually, a Party).
Red Iron Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Toro
Sub), and TCFIF Joint Venture I, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (TCFIF
Sub), respectively Affiliates of Toro and TCFIF, contemporaneously with the
execution of this Agreement have entered into a Limited Liability Company
Agreement with respect to Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (Red Iron), organized for the operation of a commercial
inventory finance business, including floorplan financing and open account
inventory financing, supporting the business of Toro and its Affiliates within
the United States and Canada and by this Agreement desire to set forth their
understanding with regard to the operation of Red Iron and certain related
matters.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and
mutual covenants, undertakings and obligations hereinafter set forth or
referred to herein, the Parties mutually covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
1.1 Definitions.
AAA is defined in Section 6.3.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified. For purposes of this
definition, Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Agreement is defined in the preamble.
Arbitrable Disputes is defined in Section 6.1.
Average Net Receivables is defined in Section 2.12.
Business Plan is defined in Section 2.1.
Confidential Information is defined in Article IV.
Credit Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
DataScan is defined in Section 2.13(a).
DataScan Delivery Date is defined in Section 2.13(a).
DataScan System Enhancements is defined in Section 2.13(a).
Definitive Agreements is defined in Section 2.2.
Eligible Receivables has the meaning ascribed
to it in the Receivable Purchase Agreement.
Exclusivity Calculation is defined in Section 2.15.
Exclusivity Incentive Payment is defined in Section 2.15.
Exmark means Exmark Manufacturing Company
Incorporated, a Nebraska corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toro.
Indemnified Parties is defined in Article V.
Lawn and Garden Products means any one or
more of the following: walk power mowers, lawn and garden tractors, zero-turn
mowers, mid-size walk-behind and stand-on mowers, large reel and riding rotary
mowers, riding and walk-behind mowers for putting greens, snow blowers, debris
blowers, trimmers, tillers, sweepers and vacuums, aerators, walk-behind
trenchers, turf cultivation equipment, turf sprayer equipment, compact utility
loaders, golf course bunker maintenance equipment, irrigation systems, utility
vehicles for golf courses and parts and accessories for any of the foregoing.
LLC Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
Management Committee shall mean the
management committee of Red Iron.
Officers means the President of Toro and the
person to whom the President of TCFIF directly reports, provided, however, that
neither such individual is or ever has been a member of the Management
Committee. If either such individual is
or has been a member of the Management Committee, then the Officer for the
applicable Party shall be a senior executive officer of such Party who is not
and has not ever been a member of the Management Committee, who is reasonably
acceptable to the other Party.
Party and Parties is defined in the
preamble
Performance Assurance Agreement is defined in
Section 2.2.
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Person means and includes an individual, a
partnership, a corporation (including a business trust), a limited liability
company, a joint stock company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture,
a trust, a governmental authority or other entity.
Program Letter is defined in Section 2.2.
Receivable Purchase Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
Red Iron is defined in the preamble.
Repurchase Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
Request Notice is defined in Section 6.1.
TCC is defined in Section 2.5.
TCFCFC is defined in Section 2.12.
TCFIF is defined in the preamble.
TCFIF Services Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
TCFIF Sub is defined in the preamble.
Toro is defined in the preamble.
Toro Amount is defined in Section 2.12.
Toro Phase II Finance Business means the
commercial inventory finance business related to the sale of Toro Products
presently provided to dealers and distributors of Toro and its Affiliates by
third party floorplan finance lenders and open account inventory financing
presently provided to dealers and distributors by Toro and its Affiliates,
together with the commercial inventory finance business related to the sale of
Lawn and Garden Products by Exmark.
Toro Products means Lawn and Garden Products
manufactured and/or distributed by Toro and Toros Affiliates.
Toro Services Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
Toro Sub is defined in the preamble.
Trademark License Agreement is defined in Section 2.2.
ARTICLE II
Organizational Matters
2.1 Red Iron Business. The Parties have agreed to the Business Plan
attached hereto as Exhibit A (as amended from time to time, the Business
Plan), which Business Plan describes the marketing and operational goals of
Red Iron (including the targeted return on total
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assets goals for Red Iron and the formula to be used for determining interest
rates to be charged to Toro and its dealers and distributors in connection with
Red Irons operations) and includes a pro forma budget covering a
five-year period and the assumptions upon which such pro forma
budget is based.
2.2 Agreements. Contemporaneously with the execution of this
Agreement, Toro and TCFIF have executed and delivered, or have caused Toro Sub
and TCFIF Sub to execute and deliver, a Limited Liability Company Agreement of
Red Iron (LLC Agreement), a Credit and Security Agreement between Red Iron
and TCFIF (the Credit Agreement), a Services Agreement between Red Iron and
TCFIF (the TCFIF Services Agreement), a Services Agreement between Red Iron
and Toro (the Toro Services Agreement), a Program Letter between Toro and Red
Iron (the Program Letter) and one or more Trademark License Agreements among
Toro and its Affiliates and Red Iron (collectively, the Trademark License
Agreement), and TCFIF has delivered to Toro a Performance Assurance Agreement
from TCF National Bank, a national banking association, with respect to the
performance of certain obligations of TCFIF and TCFIF Sub (the Performance
Assurance Agreement). In connection with the operation of Red Iron, Toro and
Red Iron shall execute a Repurchase Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B
attached hereto regarding commercial inventory financing to be provided by Red
Iron (the Repurchase Agreement) and one or more Receivable Purchase
Agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit C attached hereto
between Toro, Affiliates of Toro and Red Iron related to the transfer of
certain receivables to Red Iron (collectively, the Receivable Purchase
Agreement). The agreements and documents referred to in the preceding two
sentences, collectively, with this Agreement, as they may be amended from time
to time, are referred to herein as the Definitive Agreements.
2.3 Qualification to do Business. TCFIF shall cause Red Iron to become
qualified to do business in each state where such qualification is necessary to
conduct the business of Red Iron. TCFIF shall also cause Red Iron to make such
assumed name and fictitious name filings as are necessary for the conduct of
the business of Red Iron as contemplated by this Agreement and the LLC
Agreement. In connection with all filings for, or on behalf of, Red Iron for
which TCFIF has responsibility, Toro shall cooperate with TCFIF in causing such
filings to be made in a timely manner. All fees and expenses of the initial
qualification to do business and assumed name and fictitious name filings
incurred by TCFIF shall be charged to Red Iron. All fees and expenses of
subsequent filings to maintain such qualifications and any related filings
shall be borne by Red Iron.
2.4 Insurance.
(a) Toro and TCFIF
each shall provide at their own expense directors and officers liability
insurance for the individuals serving on the Management Committee appointed by
its respective subsidiary which is a member of Red Iron in a policy amount of
not less than $5,000,000. The Parties
agree to cooperate with each other in coordinating the defense of litigation
whenever the interests of the individuals serving on the Management Committee
are aligned.
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(b) TCFIF shall
arrange for the extension of TCFIFs existing single interest insurance
coverage to Red Irons business. The costs for the extension of TCFIFs single
interest insurance to Red Irons business shall be charged to Red Iron.
2.5 Purchase of Receivables;
Capital Contributions. On or before October 1, 2009, Toro
shall, and shall cause its wholly owned subsidiary Toro Credit Company, a
Minnesota corporation (TCC) to, have taken
all such actions required to be taken by Toro and TCC, respectively, to sell
all or substantially all of their then-existing portfolio of Eligible
Receivables (or such lesser portion thereof as Toro is permitted to sell under
the terms of any agreement of Toro restricting the amount of such sale or as
otherwise agreed by the Parties with respect to certain categories of
receivables), other than Eligible Receivables relating to the Toro Phase II
Finance Business, to Red Iron pursuant to the initial Receivable Purchase
Agreement. On or before December 1, 2009, Toro shall, and shall cause TCC
and any other Affiliates of Toro that are party to a Receivable Purchase
Agreement to, have taken all such actions required to be taken by Toro and such
Affiliates, respectively, pursuant to a Receivable Purchase Agreement, to sell
to Red Iron their then-existing portfolio of Eligible Receivables relating to
open account inventory financing provided to distributors by Toro and its
Affiliates relating to the floorplan financing Eligible Receivables sold to Red
Iron pursuant to the preceding sentence.
On the first day of the month following the month in which the unsecured
open account receivable balances are less than the cumulative limits set forth
in clause (k) of the definition of Eligible Receivable in Section 1.1
of such Receivable Purchase Agreement, Toro shall, and shall cause TCC and any
other Affiliates of Toro that are party to a Receivable Purchase Agreement to,
have taken all such actions required to be taken by Toro and such Affiliates,
respectively, pursuant to a Receivable Purchase Agreement, to sell to Red Iron
their then-existing portfolio of Eligible Receivables not previously sold to
Red Iron. Toro agrees to provide Toro
Sub, and TCFIF agrees to provide TCFIF Sub, with sufficient capital to permit
Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub to make any capital contributions required to be made
pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 2.03 of the LLC Agreement in connection with the
organization of Red Iron (including the payment of expenses described in Section 7.8)
and the transactions contemplated by the Receivable Purchase Agreement.
2.6 Referral of Financing
Business. Following
the dates of the purchases described in Section 2.5 (but in no event any
earlier than permitted under the terms of any agreement restricting such
activities on the part of Toro or Toros Affiliates, which agreements Toro
undertakes to terminate as promptly as possible following the date of this
Agreement), Toro shall use, and shall
cause its Affiliates to use, commercially reasonable efforts to recommend to
all dealers and distributors of Toro Products within the United States and all
distributors of Toro Products within Canada to utilize Red Iron to finance the
acquisition of inventory of Toro Products acquired during the term of Red Iron
(it being understood that such obligation shall not commence with respect to
the Toro Phase II Finance Business until the sale of such business to Red
Iron), including all the floorplan financing and open account financing of all
such Toro Products in accordance with Red Irons credit policies in effect from
time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to
the limitation contained in the parenthetical phrase in the first sentence of
this Section 2.6 and except as set forth in Section 2.8(d), during
the term of Red Iron, Toro shall not, and Toro shall not permit any of its
Affiliates to, recommend, except with respect to the Toro Phase II Finance
Business until the date of the sale of such business to Red Iron, to any dealer
or distributor of Toro Products within the United
5
States or within Canada that such dealer or distributor obtain
floorplan financing or open account financing for such Toro Products from any
source other than Red Iron or, in the case of Canadian dealers, from TCFIF or
its Affiliates. TCFIF acknowledges that
the distributors and dealers are independent businesses and shall decide in
their own discretion whether or not to participate in the financing programs
offered by Red Iron or TCFIF or its Affiliates and, once enrolled, whether to
seek out or make referrals to independent sources of commercial inventory
financing.
2.7 Obligation to Finance Red
Iron Acquisition of Receivables; Most Favored Customer Pricing.
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
(a) TCFIF and Toro
shall jointly cause Red Iron to offer to participating Toro distributors and
dealers floorplan financing and open account financing for all Toro Products in
accordance with the credit policies of Red Iron in effect from time to
time. Toro and TCFIF shall use their
best efforts to enroll Toro distributors in the Red Iron finance program as
promptly as possible and to enroll at least XXXXXXXXX (XXXXXXXXX) Toro dealers,
representing at least XXXXXXXXX percent (XXXXXXXXX%) of the amount of floorplan
financing of Toro Products by third-party floorplan finance lenders to Toro
dealers during Toros 2008 fiscal year, in the Red Iron finance program by
XXXXXXXXX. TCFIF agrees to cause Red Iron to negotiate the terms of any
agreements with Toro distributors and dealers in good faith and to include in
such agreements commercially reasonable provisions requested by distributors in
order to account for sales subject to commercial inventory financing as true
sales. TCFIF covenants and agrees with
Toro that, during the term of this Agreement in connection with the performance
of its obligations under the TCFIF Services Agreement, it shall establish
dedicated credit lines for each dealer and distributor covering Toro Products
financed by Red Iron. TCFIF agrees to cause Red Iron to service receivables
which would qualify as Eligible Receivables but for the fact that the
distributor or dealer does not qualify under the terms of the Red Iron credit
policies on such terms as TCFIF and Red Iron shall mutually agree.
(b) TCFIF shall use
its best efforts to cause Red Iron to provide to Toro distributors and dealers
floorplan financing and open account financing with XXXXXXXXX. For purposes of determining similarly
situated distributors and dealers, all relevant factors shall be considered,
including manufacturer rate and other support, dealer loss experience,
manufacturer loss sharing, manufacturer participation, dealer credit quality,
product mix, product turn, the budget for Red Iron and the targeted rate of
return for Red Iron. This Section 2.7(b) shall
not apply to any financing program heretofore or hereafter acquired by TCFIF
for the then-remaining term (without any extension thereof) of such financing
program. On not less than an annual
basis, and more frequently as Toro may reasonably request, TCFIF shall send a
representative to report to the Management Committee on TCFIFs compliance with
TCFIFs obligations under this
6
Section 2.7(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event
shall TCFIF be required to disclose to the Management Committee (i) any
confidential or proprietary information of TCFIF, or (ii) any information
that would cause it to violate any banking rules or regulations to which
it is subject, including The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended, or any
contractual confidentiality obligation owed to any third party.
(c) So that Toro
and Toro Sub may make a fully informed decision as to whether to continue Red
Iron beyond the initial term contemplated by the LLC Agreement, upon the
request of Toro and Toro Sub made not later than July 31, 2013, TCFIF
agrees to obtain from TCF Bank and provide to Toro and Toro Sub, no later than August 31,
2013, written notice indicating TCF Banks intent with respect to extension of
the term of the Performance Assurance Agreement in conjunction with TCFIFs
willingness to extend the term of the Credit Agreement prior to the one-year
advance notice date required in order to not extend the initial term of Red
Iron. In the event the term of the LLC
Agreement is extended beyond its initial term, upon the request of Toro and
Toro Sub, TCFIF agrees to obtain from TCF Bank similar written notice no later
than fourteen (14) months prior to any subsequent expiration of the term of Red
Iron.
2.8 Exclusivity.
(a) Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.8(d), Toro covenants and agrees with TCFIF that,
during the term of Red Iron, it shall not, and it shall not permit any
Affiliate of Toro to, directly or indirectly, operate, conduct, enter into,
consummate, or otherwise arrange for any joint venture, partnership or other
legal entity, contractual arrangement, or other legal or business relationship,
except for the Toro Phase II Business prior to its sale to Red Iron, with any
other person or entity for the purpose (whether exclusive, primary or
otherwise) of operating a commercial inventory finance business in the United
States or Canada to support the purchase of Toro Products or otherwise
providing commercial inventory financing (including floorplan financing or open
account financing) to some or all of the dealers or distributors of Toro or any
of its Affiliates for Toro Products. Toro acknowledges and agrees that its
agreement set forth in this Section 2.8(a) is a material inducement
for TCFIF to enter into, and continue performing under, this Agreement.
(b) TCFIF covenants
and agrees with Toro that, during the term of Red Iron it shall not, and it
shall not permit any Affiliate of TCFIF (other than TCFIF Sub with respect to
Red Iron) to, directly or indirectly, operate, conduct, enter into, consummate,
or otherwise arrange for any joint venture, partnership or other jointly owned
legal entity for the purpose (whether exclusive, primary or otherwise) of (i) operating
a wholesale finance business within the United States or Canada to support the
financing of Lawn and Garden Products, or (ii) otherwise providing
financing (including floorplan
financing), working capital or similar loan facilities to some or all of the
dealers or distributors of any manufacturer of Lawn and Garden Products within
the United States or Canada. TCFIF
acknowledges and agrees that its agreement set forth in this Section 2.8(b) is
a material inducement for Toro to enter into, and continue performing under,
this Agreement.
7
(c) Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall preclude TCFIF from providing commercial
inventory financing to dealers and distributors within the United States or
Canada for Lawn and Garden Products manufactured or distributed by manufacturers
other than Toro, provided that (i) such financing is not conducted in
contravention of Section 2.8(b) above and (ii) TCFIF is in
compliance with its obligations set forth in Section 2.7 above.
(d) The provisions
of Sections 2.6 and 2.8(a) shall not apply to commercial inventory finance
business with respect to (i) receivables that are not Eligible Receivables
or otherwise not acquired by Red Iron by reason of limits under the terms of
the Credit Agreement or otherwise; (ii) receivables due from Affiliates of
Toro (including distributors that are wholly owned subsidiaries of Toro), mass
market retailer customers or governmental entities; (iii) receivables
arising out of any business acquired by Toro or an Affiliate of Toro following
the date hereof that are subject to a financing program agreement at the time
of the acquisition thereof, provided that Toro agrees to use commercially
reasonable efforts (so long as Toro is not obligated to incur any significant
expense to do so) to terminate any such agreements in order to permit Red Iron
to provide such financing, provided that Red Iron has the financial capacity
including access to adequate lines of credit to accommodate such additional
financing; (iv) receivables due Exmark prior to the date of the sale of
the Toro Phase II Finance Business to Red Iron; or (v) receivables created
during the liquidation period for Red Iron contemplated by Section 10.04
of the LLC Agreement. In addition, in the event TCFIF Sub fails to make a
capital contribution required by Article II of the LLC Agreement and Toro
Sub makes a corresponding Deficit Loan (as such term is defined in Section 2.05
of the LLC Agreement), and TCFIF fails to pay to Toro Sub all amounts due with
respect to such Deficit Loan within thirty (30) days of the advancement
thereof, the provisions of Section 2.8(a) shall no longer apply to
Toro.
2.9 Services.
(a) TCFIF agrees to
use commercially reasonable efforts to provide
to Red Iron the services described in the TCFIF Services Agreement with such priority
and speed as shall meet the reasonably expected needs of Red Iron.
(b) Toro agrees to
use commercially reasonable efforts to provide
to Red Iron the services described in the Toro Services Agreement with such
priority and speed as shall meet the reasonably expected needs of Red Iron.
2.10 Other Business. During the term of Red Iron, each Party, and
each Partys Affiliates, may continue to operate its business in the usual and
ordinary course. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.8, each Party, and
each Partys Affiliates (exclusive of Red Iron) may, at any time and from time
to time, engage in and pursue other business ventures. Without limiting the
scope of the foregoing, each of TCFIF, TCFIF Sub, Toro and Toro Sub may pursue
other business opportunities (including joint ventures) with no obligation to
refer business or offer opportunities to Red Iron or to each other, except as
otherwise expressly provided in Sections 2.6 and 2.7 of this Agreement.
8
2.11 Trade Names.
Subject to the terms of the Trademark License Agreement, neither Party
shall obtain any rights in any trade name of the other Party or any of its
Affiliates by virtue of this Agreement or as a result of the formation and
operation of Red Iron. Upon dissolution and completion of the winding-up of Red
Iron, Toro Sub shall succeed to the name Red Iron Acceptance and neither
TCFIF nor TCFIF Sub shall have any rights thereto.
2.12 Canadian Program.
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
(a) Within
ninety (90) days of the date of this Agreement, TCFIF shall implement, in
cooperation with Toro, a program to provide floorplan and open account
financing for dealers of Toro Products located within Canada in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Toro and TCFIF that shall provide for
dedicated credit lines for each dealer covering Toro Products at competitive
rates and terms, subject to applicable regulatory, legal, tax and accounting
considerations. During such ninety (90)
day period, TCFIF will develop a documentation process to accompany such
program (including the preparation of appropriate form dealer documents). If such program is not implemented, or the
accompanying documentation process is not developed, within ninety (90) days of
the date of this Agreement, Toros sole remedies for such failure will be to (i) elect
to be released from its obligations under Section 2.8(a) with respect
to dealers within Canada until such time as the program is implemented and such
documentation process is developed, provided that such implementation occurs on
or before December 31, 2009, and (ii) reduce the Performance Fee
otherwise payable to TCFIF as follows:
Date of Implementation of the Canadian Program
|
|
Effect on Performance Fee
|
|
|
|
More than ninety
(90) days after the date of this Agreement but on or prior to
December 31, 2009
|
|
Reduced by XXXXXXXXX
|
|
|
|
After
December 31, 2009
|
|
Reduced by XXXXXXXXX
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case will the amount of the
Performance Fee, if any, be reduced below zero.
(b) To
the extent the cumulative pre-tax return on assets of such program exceeds
XXXXXXXXX%, then TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. (TCFCFC) will pay
to Toro or its designated Affiliate XXXXXXXXX% of such excess; provided,
however, that if such payment is made to Toro or an Affiliate of Toro not
organized under the laws of Canada or any province of Canada, such payment
shall be made net of withholding, if any, imposed on TCFCFC (the Toro Amount). The Toro Amount, less any Toro Amounts paid
in prior years, will be paid by TCFCFC to Toro or its designated Affiliate on
an annual basis. For purposes of
determining the cumulative pre-tax return
9
on assets, within ninety (90) days of each December 31, TCFCFC
will prepare and deliver to Toro a profit and loss statement covering the
period from the program inception to December 31 of the most recently
completed calendar year using the following:
(i) cost of service assumptions of XXXXXXXXX% of the average of the
beginning and ending receivable balances for each month included in the prior
calendar year (Average Net Receivables), (ii) funding cost based on
actual funding costs and a capital structure that assumes XXXXXXXXX% equity;
provided, however, that if no third-party funding is in place, the implied rate
will be based on the Canadian prime rate, and (iii) bad debt reserve rate
assumptions based on XXXXXXXXX of Average Net Receivables, subject to TCFCFCs
accounting policies and practices and the impact of any actual losses of the
portfolio. Toro shall agree to provide a
free floorplan period to dealers within Canada upon rates and terms
substantially similar to rates and terms currently offered by Toro to dealers
within Canada (which are substantially similar to rates and terms offered by
Toro to dealers within the United States).
Pricing to dealers and to Toro or its designated Affiliate within Canada
will be indexed to 30-day Canadian bankers acceptance rates. The Parties acknowledge that such program
will not be conducted by Red Iron.
For purposes of this Section 2.12(b), the cumulative pre-tax
return on assets shall mean a quotient, (x) the numerator of which is
equal to the product of (i) the pre-tax income of the program from the
date of inception through December 31 of the most recently completed
calendar year, divided by the number of calendar months from the date of
inception through December 31 of the most recently completed calendar
year, multiplied by (ii) 12, and (y) the denominator of which is
equal to (i) the sum of the monthly Average Net Receivables, divided by (ii) the
number of calendar months from the date of inception through December 31
of the most recently completed calendar year.
2.13 DataScan Systems Enhancements; Performance Fee.
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
(a) In
accordance with Section 2.A of Schedule 1 to the TCFIF Services Agreement,
TCFIF shall work with DataScan Technologies LLC (DataScan) to provide to Red
Iron the DataScan WMS 4.x test system and the DataScan DAS 4.x test system
(collectively, the Test System) with the system enhancements described in the
System Enhancement Document attached as Annex A to Schedule 1 to the TCFIF
Services Agreement (the DataScan System Enhancements). Subject to paragraph (b) below and Section 2.12,
if the DataScan Delivery Date (as defined herein) occurs on or before December 31,
2009, Toro shall pay to TCFIF a performance fee as follows (the Performance
Fee):
10
DataScan Delivery Date
|
|
Amount of Performance Fee
|
|
On or before October 12, 2009
|
|
$
|
XXXXXXXXX
|
|
October 13, 2009 through November 12, 2009
|
|
$
|
XXXXXXXXX
|
|
November 13, 2009 through December 12,
2009
|
|
$
|
XXXXXXXXX
|
|
December 13, 2009 through December 31,
2009
|
|
$
|
XXXXXXXXX
|
|
Toro shall not be required to pay a Performance Fee to TCFIF if the
DataScan Delivery Date occurs after December 31, 2009. The Performance Fee, if any, shall be paid by
Toro to TCFIF promptly upon the later to occur of (i) completion of the
user acceptance testing described in clause (iii) of paragraph (b) below
and (ii) implementation of the Canadian program described in Section 2.12.
DataScan Delivery Date will be deemed to be the date upon which
DataScan makes a version of the Test System (including the DataScan System
Enhancements) available to TCFIF and Toro (or Red Iron) for user acceptance
testing, which subsequently passes user acceptance testing as contemplated by,
and subject to the provisions of, clause (iii) of paragraph (b) below.
(b) (i) Toro shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with TCFIF and DataScan in
connection with the determination of the testing requirements for the DataScan
System Enhancements. In addition, Toro
shall approve or otherwise respond to all DataScan provided use cases within
four (4) business days of delivery thereof by TCFIF to Toro. For purposes of clarity, any changes to or
requests for clarification regarding a use case shall toll the four (4) business
day period until such changes or clarifications are received by Toro; provided,
however, that during such tolling period, Toro responds to any request from
DataScan within two (2) business days.
If Toro fails to approve a use case within such four (4) business
day period (or such additional tolling period permitted by the previous
sentence), TCFIFs sole and exclusive remedy for such failure shall be that the
specified enhancement to which such use case relates shall be deemed not to
be a DataScan System Enhancement for purposes of determining the DataScan
Delivery Date or completion of the user acceptance testing described in clause (iii) below.
(ii) If there is any change by, or at the
request of, Toro to the scope of the DataScan System Enhancements that has the
effect of extending the delivery date of any specific enhancement, TCFIFs sole
and exclusive remedy for such scope change shall be that the specified
enhancement to which such use case relates shall be deemed not to be a
DataScan System Enhancement for purposes of determining the DataScan Delivery
Date or completion of the user acceptance testing described in clause (iii) below.
(iii) Toro shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cooperate with TCFIF (including actively participating in the design
and execution of user acceptance testing) and DataScan in connection with the
user acceptance testing
11
of the Test System (including the DataScan System Enhancements) that is
production ready in all material respects within twenty-six (26) calendar days
from the date upon which DataScan first makes the Test System (including the
DataScan System Enhancements) available to TCFIF and Toro (or Red Iron) for
user acceptance testing. If the Test
System (including the DataScan System Enhancements) is not production ready in
all material respects within such twenty-six (26) calendar day period, then the
DataScan Delivery Date for the purpose of determining the amount of the
Performance Fee shall be the date of actual delivery of the Test System
(including the DataScan System Enhancements) that is production ready in all
material respects.
(c) The
Performance Fee is in addition to any fees payable to TCFIF under the TCFIF
Services Agreement for performance of services related to the Test System or
the DataScan System Enhancements. The
parties agree that the Performance Fee is between TCFIF and Toro and shall not
be charged as an expense to Red Iron.
2.14 Credits. If
Toro or any Toro Affiliate in the ordinary course of business issues any credit
to any Account Debtor with respect to any Transferred Receivable (as those
terms are defined in a Receivable Purchase Agreement) sold to Red Iron under
the terms of any Receivable Purchase Agreement or any Wholesale Instrument (as
such term is defined in any Repurchase Agreement) issued by Red Iron that
reduces any amount due with respect to a Transferred Receivable or Wholesale
Instrument, Toro shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, pay to Red Iron an
amount equal to such credit within two (2) Business Days of the issuance
thereof.
2.15 Exclusivity Incentive Payment. On October 20,
2010 TCFIF shall pay to Toro an Exclusivity Incentive Payment (as defined
herein) if on or before October 31, 2009, Toro shall have taken all such
actions required to be taken by Toro pursuant to the initial Receivable
Purchase Agreement in order to effect the initial sale of receivables under the
initial Receivable Purchase Agreement which sale shall comprise all floorplan
dealer and distributor receivables that are Eligible Receivables (or such
lesser portion thereof as Toro is permitted to sell under the terms of any
agreements of Toro restricting the amount of such sale, in which case the
unsold portion is sold to Red Iron as soon as permitted under such agreements).
Exclusivity Incentive Payment shall mean an amount equal to:
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
Date Toro Offers Receivables for Sale
Under Initial Receivable Purchase
Agreement
|
|
Amount of Exclusivity Incentive Payment
|
|
|
|
On or before
October 1, 2009
|
|
The product of
XXXXXXXXX (the Exclusivity Calculation)
|
12
Date Toro Offers Receivables for Sale
Under Initial Receivable Purchase
Agreement
|
|
Amount of Exclusivity Incentive Payment
|
|
|
|
October 2,
2009 through October 31, 2009
|
|
Exclusivity
Calculation less the product of XXXXXXXXX
|
|
|
|
After
October 31, 2009
|
|
Zero
|
Such Exclusivity
Incentive Payment will be payable in consideration of the exclusive
relationships among TCFIF, Toro and Red Iron, as described in Section 2.8
hereof, from which TCFIF will derive substantial benefit. If Red Iron shall be dissolved prior to October 31,
2014 pursuant to Section 10.01(a) of the LLC Agreement (with respect
to Toro) or pursuant to TCFIF Subs
election pursuant to Sections 10.01(c), (d), (e), (i), and (j) of the LLC
Agreement, then Toro shall remit to
TCFIF an amount equal to the product of (i) the Exclusivity Incentive
Payment multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
number of days from the date of dissolution through October 31, 2014 and
the denominator of which shall be the total number of days from the date of
this Agreement through October 31, 2014.
The parties agree that the Exclusivity Incentive Payment is between
TCFIF and Toro and shall not be charged as an expense to Red Iron.
2.16 Termination of Toro Commercial Inventory Management
System. The Parties shall work together to
eliminate or minimize the cost of terminating Toros third-party-provided
commercial inventory management system.
To the extent Toro is obligated to make a payment to such third party in
connection with the termination and such payment results in a reduction to
TCFIFs fees due to such third party for TCFIFs commercial inventory
management system, TCFIF shall pay to Toro an amount equal to such reduction,
as and when TCFIF receives the benefit of such reduction. Notwithstanding the provisions of the TCFIF
Services Agreement, TCFIF shall not be required to pass along the benefit of
any discount to Red Iron.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party
with respect to itself and its respective subsidiary that is a member of Red
Iron that:
3.1 Due Organization; Authority. It is a corporation or
limited liability company duly organized and validly existing in good standing
under the laws of the state of its incorporation or formation, as applicable,
and has the power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform its
obligations under the Definitive Agreements to which it is a party.
3.2 Due Authorization; Enforceability. Each of the
Definitive Agreements to which it is a party has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by it and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes its valid and legally binding
obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as may
be
13
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and other similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of
equity.
3.3 No Violation. The execution and delivery by it of
the Definitive Agreements to which it is a party do not, and the performance by
it of its obligations thereunder shall not (i) violate or conflict with
any provision of its charter or by-laws or other constituent documents, any
law, governmental rule or regulation, judgment or order applicable to it,
or any provision of any indenture, mortgage, contract or other instrument to
which it is a party or by which it or its property is bound, (ii) constitute
a default under any agreement to which it is a party or by which it or its
property is bound, or (iii) require the consent or approval of, the giving
of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any action in respect of
or by, any federal or state governmental authority or agency (including any
local governmental authority or agency), except such as have been duly
obtained, given or accomplished and are in full force and effect
3.4 Brokers or Finders. Neither it nor any of its
officers, agents, representatives, employees, members or shareholders has
employed any brokers, finders or other intermediaries, or incurred any liability
for any brokers fees, finders fees, commissions or other amounts, with
respect to Red Iron or the transactions contemplated by the Definitive
Agreements.
3.5 Sufficient Resources. It has sufficient resources
to perform or to cause its Affiliates to perform their respective financial and
other obligations as contemplated by the Definitive Agreements.
3.6 Liens. The performance of any transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Definitive Agreements shall not
give rise to any liens on the property of Red Iron or either member of Red
Iron, except as expressly contemplated by the Credit Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
Confidentiality
During the term of Red Iron
and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, each Party shall, and shall
cause its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents and
Affiliates to keep any nonpublic information which the other Party treats or
designates as confidential, any nonpublic information concerning the formation
and operation of Red Iron or the particulars thereof, and any other nonpublic
information set forth in the Definitive Agreements or in other documents
concerning Red Iron or relating to the performance by the Parties of any of the
Definitive Agreements (Confidential Information), strictly confidential and
not disclose any such information to any person (except for such Partys
financial and legal advisors, lenders and accountants responsible for or
actively engaged in the review, performance or development of Red Iron or its
business), or use any such information in the business of such Party. The
Parties and their Affiliates shall be deemed to have fulfilled their
obligations hereunder if they exercise the same degree of care to preserve and
safeguard such Confidential Information as Toro and TCFIF, respectively, use to
preserve and safeguard their own confidential information, provided that upon
discovery of any inadvertent disclosure of any Confidential Information, the
Party making such inadvertent disclosure endeavors to prevent further use of
such information and attempts to prevent similar future inadvertent
disclosures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Party shall be liable for
any disclosure or use of any of the disclosing Partys Confidential
14
Information if such information is (1) publicly
available or later becomes publicly available to such Party other than through
a breach of this Agreement; (2) already previously known on the date such
information is disclosed; (3) subsequently lawfully obtained by such Party
from a third party who does not have an obligation to keep such information
confidential; (4) independently developed by such Party without the use of
the disclosing Partys Confidential Information; (5) disclosed pursuant to
a valid regulatory or judicial order, decree, subpoena, or other process or
requirement of law or regulation (including any requirements of any national
securities exchange where such Partys securities are listed), provided that
the Party disclosing such information to such court, governmental entity or
regulatory authority shall give notice to the original disclosing Party in
writing in advance thereof so the original disclosing Party may seek a
protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the
provisions of this Article IV and the Party disclosing the information
shall disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that counsel
to such Party disclosing the information advises is legally required to be
disclosed; (6) disclosed in connection with an audit or examination of
records conducted in the ordinary course of such Partys business by a
governmental or regulatory authority (including any national securities
exchange where such Partys securities are listed) with jurisdiction thereover,
or by independent certified public accountants, provided that such governmental
or regulatory authority or accountants shall have been advised of the
confidential nature of such information; or (7) expressly released from
the restrictions of this Article IV by the original disclosing Party in
writing. Each Party recognizes and acknowledges that the injury to Red Iron and
the other Party which would result from a breach of the provisions of this Article IV
could not adequately be compensated by money damages. The Parties expressly
agree and contemplate, therefore, that in the event of the breach or default by
either Party of any provision of this Article IV, Red Iron or the other
Party may, in addition to any remedies which it might otherwise be entitled to
pursue, obtain such appropriate injunctive relief in support of any such
provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
Indemnification
Each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the other Party (and its Affiliates and the past, present and future officers,
directors, shareholders, members, employees, attorneys, representatives and agents
of such Party and such Affiliates) (collectively, the Indemnified Parties)
against all losses, costs, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys
fees and expenses) incurred by the Indemnified Parties as a result of such
Partys breach or the breach by the Affiliates of any Party of any of its
representations, warranties or obligations hereunder or under any of the
Definitive Agreements; provided, however, that to the extent such breach is or
relates to an Arbitrable Dispute (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnified
Party shall have complied with the dispute resolution procedures described in Article VI. NEITHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR,
ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON
ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR,
EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF FRAUD, BAD FAITH, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF ANY
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER.
15
ARTICLE VI
Dispute Resolution
6.1 Generally.
If any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the
interpretation of this Agreement, or the existence or extent of, a breach of
any duties hereunder (but exclusive of Article IV (confidential information),
Article V (indemnification), Section 7.3 (governing laws;
jurisdiction), Section 7.4 (waiver of jury trial) and Section 7.15
(publicity)) shall arise between the Parties,
or if the Parties shall be unable to agree as to the determination of any accounting
matter or other computation expressly contemplated by this Agreement (all such
disputes and failures to agree, the Arbitrable Disputes), then either Party
may request, by giving written notice to the other Party (the Request Notice),
that the Officers confer within five (5) business days regarding the
Arbitrable Dispute. The Officers shall confer in good faith and use all
reasonable efforts to resolve the Arbitrable Dispute. If the Officers do not
resolve the Arbitrable Dispute within ten (10) business days after
delivery of the Request Notice, then the Arbitrable Dispute shall be submitted
to mediation and then arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth
below in this Article VI.
6.2 Mediation.
Arbitrable Disputes shall be submitted to mediation (assuming other good
faith attempts to resolve the dispute have failed) prior to submitting such
claim to arbitration pursuant to this Article VI. The mediation shall take place in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, unless the Parties agree to conduct the mediation at
another location. If the Parties are
unable to agree upon a mediator, each Party shall select a mediator, which
mediators in turn shall select the mediator of the dispute. Each Partys representation at the mediation
shall include a business representative having full settlement authority. The Parties shall use best efforts to
schedule the mediation within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Request
Notice. Any mediation shall be
non-binding and all statements, whether oral or in writing, that are made as
part of any mediation shall be subject to Federal Rule of Evidence 408 and
cannot be used by either Party in any subsequent arbitration in a manner
prohibited by Federal Rule of Evidence 408. The Parties acknowledge that they agree to
mediate disputes in hopes of amicably resolving the matter before incurring
significant attorneys fees that may act as a barrier to settlement of the
dispute at a later time. Accordingly,
the Parties shall mediate in good faith and use reasonable efforts to reach a
resolution of the matter.
6.3 Arbitration.
If the Parties are unable to resolve an Arbitrable Dispute through
mutual cooperation, negotiation or mediation, such Arbitrable Dispute shall be
finally resolved by arbitration by a single arbitrator in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules, except as otherwise provided herein, of the
American Arbitration Association (AAA) but without intervention of the
AAA. The arbitration shall take place in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, unless the Parties agree to conduct the arbitration at
another location. If the Parties are
unable to agree upon an arbitrator, each Party shall select an arbitrator,
which arbitrators in turn shall select the arbitrator of the dispute. The arbitrator of the dispute shall be an
accountant, attorney or retired judge with a working knowledge of the
commercial inventory finance industry. The Parties agree to facilitate the
arbitration by: (a) conducting
arbitration hearings to the greatest extent possible on successive, contiguous
days; and (b) observing strictly the time periods established by the
applicable rules and procedures or by the arbitrator for the submission of
evidence and briefs. Discovery in the
arbitration shall be as limited as reasonably possible and in no event shall a
Party be entitled to take more than three depositions (each deposition
completed in no more than
16
seven hours), ask more than ten narrowly
focused interrogatories (sub-parts of an interrogatory deemed as a separate
interrogation), or make more than fifteen narrowly focused document requests
(sub-parts of a request deemed as a separate request). Any up-front fees payable to the arbitrator
or like up-front fees shall be divided equally between the Parties. The
arbitrator shall have the authority to award relief under legal or equitable
principles and to allocate responsibility for the costs of the arbitration and
to award recovery of reasonable attorneys fees and expenses to the prevailing
Party. A full and complete record and transcript of the arbitration proceeding
shall be maintained. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned decision. Each Party
shall have five (5) business days to object to the arbitrators decision,
or any part thereof, by written submission made to the arbitrator and the other
Party shall have five (5) business days to submit a written response to
the objection. The arbitrator may hold a hearing regarding any objection if
deemed appropriate by the arbitrator. In the event an objection is submitted,
the arbitrator shall issue a supplemental reasoned decision addressing all
objections. Thereafter, the decision of the arbitrator shall be final, binding
and nonappealable and shall be reviewable only to the extent provided by law.
6.4 Additional Provisions. If either Party brings or appeals any
judicial action to vacate or modify any award rendered pursuant to arbitration
or opposes the confirmation of such award and the Party bringing or appealing
such action or opposing confirmation of such award does not prevail, such Party
shall pay all of the costs and expenses (including court costs, arbitrators
fees and expenses and reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the other Party
in defending such action. Additionally,
if either Party brings any action for judicial relief of an Arbitrable Dispute
in the first instance without pursuing arbitration prior thereto, the Party
bringing such action for judicial relief shall be liable for and shall
immediately pay to the other Party all of the other Partys costs and expenses
(including court costs and reasonable attorneys fees) in the event the other
Party successfully moves to stay or dismiss such judicial action and/or compel
it to arbitration. The failure of either
Party to exercise any rights granted hereunder shall not operate as a waiver of
any of those rights. This Agreement
concerns transactions involving commerce among the several states. The arbitrator shall not be empowered to
award punitive, exemplary, or, except in the case of fraud, bad faith, willful
misconduct or gross negligence, indirect or consequential damages. The arbitrator shall decide if any
inconsistency exists between the rules of the applicable arbitral forum
and the arbitration provisions contained herein. If such inconsistency exists, the arbitration
provisions contained herein shall control and supersede such rules. The agreement to arbitrate shall survive
termination of this Agreement. The initiation of the dispute resolution
procedures in this Article VI shall not excuse either Party, or any of its
respective Affiliates, from performing its obligations hereunder or under any
of the other Definitive Agreements or in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby. While the dispute procedure is pending, the Parties and
their respective Affiliates shall continue to perform in good faith their
respective obligations hereunder and under the other Definitive Agreements,
subject to any rights to terminate this Agreement or the other Definitive Agreements
that may be available to the Parties or their respective Affiliates. The
provisions of this Article VI shall be the exclusive process for all
Arbitrable Disputes. The terms of this Article VI, shall be without
prejudice to the rights of each Party to obtain recovery from, or to seek
recourse against, the other Party (or otherwise), in such manner as such Party
may elect (but subject to Section 7.4) for all claims, damages, losses,
costs and matters other than those related to Arbitrable Disputes.
17
ARTICLE VII
General
7.1 Additional Documents and Acts; Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement, as well as
all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute
and deliver such additional documents and instruments, and to perform such
additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and
perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement, and all
such transactions. All approvals of either Party hereunder shall be in writing.
7.2 Notices.
Notices and all other communication provided for herein shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given to a Party at the earlier of (a) when
personally delivered, (b) 72 hours after having been deposited into the
custody of the U.S. Postal Service, sent by first class certified mail, postage
prepaid, (c) one business day after deposit with a national overnight
courier service, (d) upon receipt of a confirmation of facsimile transmission,
or (e) upon receipt of electronic mail (with a notice contemporaneously
given by another method specified in this Section 7.2); in each case
addressed as follows:
If to TCFIF:
|
TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.
|
|
2300 Barrington Road, Suite 600
|
|
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
|
|
Attention: Vincent E. Hillery, General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (847) 252-6616
|
|
Facsimile: (847) 285-6012
|
|
Email: vhillery@tcfif.com
|
|
|
|
With copies to:
|
|
|
|
TCF National Bank
|
|
200 E. Lake Street
|
|
Wayzata, MN 55391
|
|
Attention: General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (952) 475-6498
|
|
Facsimile: (952) 475-7975
|
|
Email: jgreen@tcfbank.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
|
|
5500 Wells Fargo Center
|
|
90 South Seventh Street
|
|
Minneapolis, MN 55402
|
|
Attention: Harvey F. Kaplan, Esq.
|
|
Telephone: (612) 375-1138
|
|
Facsimile: (612) 375-1143
|
|
Email: hfk@kskpa.com
|
18
If to Toro:
|
The Toro Company
|
|
8111 Lyndale
Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN
55420
|
|
Attention:
Treasurer
|
|
Telephone: (952)
887-8449
|
|
Facsimile: (952)
887-8920
|
|
Email:
Tom.Larson@toro.com
|
|
|
|
With copies to:
|
|
|
|
The Toro Company
|
|
8111 Lyndale
Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN
55420
|
|
Attention:
General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (952)
887-8178
|
|
Facsimile: (952)
887-8920
|
|
Email: Tim.Dordell@toro.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
|
|
3300 Plaza VII Building
|
|
45 South Seventh Street
|
|
Attention: C. Robert Beattie, Esq.
|
|
Telephone: (612) 607-7395
|
|
Facsimile: (612) 607-7100
|
|
Email:
RBeattie@Oppenheimer.com
|
or to such other address as either Party hereto may
have furnished to the other Party hereto in writing in accordance herewith,
except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
7.3 Governing Laws; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be subject to and
governed by the laws of the state of Minnesota, without
regard to conflicts of laws principles. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably
submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts sitting in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota and any state court located in Hennepin
County, Minnesota, and by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Party
hereto accepts for itself and in connection with its properties, generally and
unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts with respect to
any litigation concerning this Agreement or the Definitive Agreements or the
transactions contemplated thereby or any matters related thereto not subject to
the provisions of Article VI. Each Party hereto irrevocably waives any objection
(including any objection to the laying of venue or any objection on the grounds
of forum non conveniens) which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of
any proceeding with respect to this Agreement or the Definitive Agreements to
the courts set forth above. Each Party hereto agrees to the personal
jurisdiction of such courts and that service of process may be made on it at
19
the address indicated in Section 7.2
above. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law.
7.4 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF TORO AND TCFIF, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
7.5 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, together with the other Definitive Agreements and any
documents or agreements contemplated hereby or thereby,
contains all of the understandings and agreements of whatsoever kind and nature
existing between the Parties hereto and their respective Affiliates with
respect to this Agreement and the other Definitive Agreements, the subject
matter hereof and of the other Definitive Agreements, and the rights,
interests, understandings, agreements and obligations of the Parties and their
respective Affiliates pertaining to the subject matter hereof and thereof and
Red Iron, and supersedes any previous agreements between the Parties and their
respective Affiliates.
7.6 Waiver. No
consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by either Party or any of their
respective Affiliates to or of any breach or default by the other Party or any
of its Affiliates in the performance by the other Party or any of its Affiliates
of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Definitive
Agreements to which it is a party shall be deemed or construed to be a consent
or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Party
or any of its Affiliates of the same or any other obligations of that Party or
its Affiliates. Failure on the part of either Party or its Affiliates to
complain of any act or failure to act on the part of the other Party or its
Affiliates or to declare the other Party or its Affiliates in default,
irrespective of how long the failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver
by that Party or its Affiliates of its rights under this Agreement or the other
Definitive Agreements.
7.7 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or its application to any Person or
circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of
this Agreement and the application of the provisions to other persons or
circumstances shall not be affected thereby, and this Agreement shall be
enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
7.8 Expenses Incurred in the Formation of Red Iron. All
disbursements for (a) organization, qualification to do business and
fictitious name filings contemplated by Section 2.3, (b) single interest
insurance contemplated by Section 2.4(b), (iii) preparation of the
Business Plan contemplated by Section 2.1; (c) the pre-formation
costs and other costs described on Schedule 7.8 attached hereto that are in the
future or have been incurred by the Parties in connection with the formation of
Red Iron shall be charged by the Parties to Red Iron. All other fees, charges
and expenses incurred by the Parties in connection with the formation of Red
Iron and the transactions contemplated hereby (including all related legal
fees) shall be borne by the Party incurring them.
20
7.9 Binding Agreement, Assignments. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
Parties and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the
benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Party hereto shall be permitted to
assign its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent
of the other Party. Whenever a reference to any party or Party is made in this
Agreement, such reference shall be deemed to include a reference to the
successors and permitted assigns of that party or Party.
7.10 Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the Parties, and it shall not be deemed to be for the direct or
indirect benefit of any other Person.
With respect to the Definitive Agreements, Toro and TCFIF shall each be
deemed a third-party beneficiary of each such Definitive Agreement to which any
of its respective Affiliates or Red Iron is a party and entitled to (a) enforce
any such agreements on behalf of such Affiliates or Red Iron and (b) recover
damages incurred by such Party as a result of breach by any Affiliate of the
other Party or Red Iron attributable to the other Party or any Affiliate of the
other Party of any of the Definitive Agreements.
7.11 Disclaimer of Agency.
This Agreement shall not constitute either Party (or any of its
Affiliates) as a legal representative, agent, subsidiary, joint venturer,
partner, employee or servant of the other Party (or any of its Affiliates) for
any purpose whatsoever, nor shall a Party (or any of its Affiliates) have the
right or authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any obligation
of any kind, expressed or implied, against or in the name or on behalf of the
other Party (or any of its Affiliates) or Red Iron, unless otherwise expressly
permitted by such other Party, and except as expressly provided in any of the
Definitive Agreements.
7.12 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same agreement.
7.13 Headings; Interpretation. The headings in this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and are not to be considered in the interpretation or
construction of the provisions hereof.
Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the
following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement: (a) the
words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import shall
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement; (b) the words include and including and words of similar
import shall not be construed to be limiting or exclusive and (c) the word
or shall have the meaning represented by the phrase and/or.
7.14 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time, but any
amendment must be in writing and signed by the Parties.
7.15 Publicity.
Neither Toro nor TCFIF nor any of their respective Affiliates shall make
any public announcement or other disclosure to the press or public regarding
this Agreement or Red Iron or any matter related hereto or thereto, unless Toro
and TCFIF mutually agree to make an announcement in a form that both Parties
have approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a Party (or its
Affiliate) is required by law or the rules of a national securities
exchange applicable to such Party (or such Affiliate) to make a public
announcement
21
regarding this Agreement or Red Iron or any
matter related hereto or thereto, then such Party (or such Affiliate) may make
a public announcement in order for such Party (or such Affiliate) to duly
comply with such law or rule, provided that such Party (or such Affiliate)
gives notice to the other Party of such public announcement promptly upon such
Party (or such Affiliate) becoming aware of its need to comply with such law or
rule, but, in any event, not later than the time the public announcement is to
be made.
7.16 No Assumption in Drafting. The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
(a) each Party has reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of
this Agreement and has had the opportunity to contribute to its revision, and (b) each
Party has been represented by counsel in reviewing and negotiating such terms
and provisions. Accordingly, the rule of
construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting
Party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the terms of this Agreement shall be
construed fairly as to both parties hereto and not in favor or against either
Party.
[Signature page follows]
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and
delivered as of, and is effective as of, the date first set forth above.
|
THE TORO COMPANY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Thomas J. Larson
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Thomas J. Larson
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
Vice President, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
TCF INVENTORY FINANCE, INC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Rosario A. Perrelli
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Rosario A. Perrelli
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
President and CEO
|
Exhibit 2.2
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
of
RED
IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC
between
RED
IRON HOLDING CORPORATION
and
TCFIF
JOINT VENTURE I, LLC
Dated as of: August 12, 2009
[PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR
CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
Table of Contents
|
Page
|
SECTION I
ORGANIZATION
|
1
|
1.01 FORMATION
|
1
|
1.02 NAME AND OFFICE
|
2
|
1.03 PURPOSE
|
2
|
1.04 TERM
|
3
|
SECTION II
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
|
3
|
2.01 AUTHORIZED SHARES
|
3
|
2.02 INITIAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
|
3
|
2.03 PURCHASE CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
|
3
|
2.04 ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS/LOANS
|
4
|
2.05 CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO PROVIDE CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
|
4
|
2.06 NO INTEREST ON CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
|
5
|
2.07 CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
|
5
|
SECTION III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
6
|
3.01 TORO SUB REPRESENTATIONS
|
6
|
3.02 TCFIF SUB REPRESENTATIONS
|
7
|
3.03 SURVIVAL
|
7
|
SECTION IV
DISTRIBUTIONS
|
8
|
4.01 DISTRIBUTIONS
|
8
|
SECTION V
ALLOCATIONS
|
8
|
5.01 NET INCOME
|
8
|
5.02 NET LOSSES
|
8
|
5.03 REGULATORY ALLOCATIONS
|
8
|
5.04 CURATIVE ALLOCATIONS
|
9
|
5.05 TAX ALLOCATIONS
|
9
|
5.06 OTHER ALLOCATION RULES
|
10
|
5.07 TAX DECISIONS
|
10
|
5.08 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
10
|
SECTION VI
MANAGEMENT
|
11
|
6.01 MEMBERS
|
11
|
6.02 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
|
12
|
6.03 GENERAL MANAGER
|
14
|
6.04 REQUIRED APPROVALS
|
15
|
6.05 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS
|
18
|
SECTION VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
|
18
|
7.01 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; NO EMPLOYEES
|
18
|
7.02 TECHNOLOGY
|
18
|
7.03 TRADE NAMES
|
19
|
7.04 INSURANCE
|
19
|
7.05 CONFIDENTIALITY
|
19
|
7.06 PUBLICITY
|
20
|
7.07 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
|
21
|
7.08 ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
|
23
|
SECTION VIII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
|
24
|
8.01 BANK ACCOUNTS
|
24
|
8.02 BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
|
24
|
Table of Contents
|
Page
|
8.03 REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
26
|
SECTION IX
TRANSFER OF MEMBER INTERESTS
|
26
|
9.01 NO TRANSFER
|
26
|
9.02 NEW MEMBERS
|
26
|
9.03 TORO SUB PURCHASE OPTION
|
26
|
SECTION X TERMINATION
|
28
|
10.01 DISSOLUTION
|
28
|
10.02 TERMINATION PAYMENT
|
29
|
10.03 DISTRIBUTIONS UPON DISSOLUTION
|
30
|
10.04 TIME FOR LIQUIDATION
|
31
|
10.05 MEMBERS NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR RETURN OF
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
|
31
|
10.06 FINAL ACCOUNTING
|
31
|
10.07 CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE
|
31
|
SECTION XI
MISCELLANEOUS
|
31
|
11.01 FURTHER ASSURANCES
|
31
|
11.02 INDEMNITIES
|
32
|
11.03 NOTICES
|
34
|
11.04 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION
|
35
|
11.05 HEADINGS; SECTION AND ARTICLE REFERENCES
|
36
|
11.06 NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES; NO PARTNERSHIP
|
36
|
11.07 EXTENSION NOT A WAIVER
|
36
|
11.08 SEVERABILITY
|
36
|
11.09 ASSIGNMENT
|
37
|
11.10 CONSENTS
|
37
|
11.11 DISCLAIMER OF AGENCY
|
37
|
11.12 COUNTERPARTS
|
37
|
11.13 PERSON DEFINED
|
37
|
11.14 NO ASSUMPTION IN DRAFTING
|
37
|
11.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
|
37
|
11.16 AMENDMENTS
|
38
|
11.17
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
|
38
|
ii
THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this Agreement)
of Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company),
made as of the 12th day of August, 2009, by and between Red Iron
Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Toro Sub), and TCFIF Joint
Venture I, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (TCFIF Sub) (each
individually, a Member and, collectively, the Members).
WHEREAS, the Members desire to form a limited
liability company in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute
(the Act), for the ownership and operation of a commercial inventory finance
business, including floorplan financing and open account inventory financing,
supporting the business of The Toro Company, a Delaware corporation (Toro),
and its Affiliates (as defined below) within the United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, the Members desire to enter into a written
agreement pursuant to the Act governing the affairs of the Company and the
conduct of its business. Accordingly, in
consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Members agree as
follows:
SECTION I
ORGANIZATION
1.01 Formation. The Members have formed the Company as a
limited liability company pursuant to the provisions of the Act. A Certificate of Formation for the Company
has been filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
in conformity with the Act. Each of the
Members hereby ratifies the actions taken by or on behalf of the Company prior
to the Formation Date (as defined in Section 1.04), as described in the
preceding sentence. The Company and, if required,
each of the Members shall execute or cause to be executed from time to time all
other instruments, certificates, notices and documents and shall do or cause to
be done all such acts and things (including keeping books and records and
making publications or periodic filings) as may now or hereafter be required
for the formation, valid existence and, when appropriate, termination of the
Company as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of
Delaware. In connection with the
organization of the Company, the Members and certain of their respective
Affiliates have entered into, are entering into contemporaneously with this
Agreement or will enter into, the following ancillary agreements:
(a) That
certain Agreement to Form Joint Venture between Toro and TCF Inventory
Finance, Inc. (TCFIF) dated as of the date hereof (the Joint Venture
Agreement);
(b) That
certain Credit and Security Agreement between the Company and TCFIF dated as of
the date hereof (the Credit Agreement);
(c) That
certain Services Agreement between the Company and TCFIF dated as of the date
hereof (the TCFIF Services Agreement);
(d) That
certain Services Agreement between the Company and Toro dated as of the date
hereof (the Toro Services Agreement and, together with the TCFIF Services
Agreement, the Services Agreements);
(e) That
certain Repurchase Agreement between Toro and the Company in substantially the
form set forth on Exhibit B attached to the Joint Venture Agreement;
(f) One
or more Receivable Purchase Agreements among Toro Credit Company, Toro or any
other Affiliate of Toro and the Company in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C
attached to the Joint Venture Agreement (each, a Receivable Purchase Agreement);
(g) That
certain Program Letter between Toro and the Company dated as of the date
hereof;
(h) One
or more Trademark License Agreements among Toro and/or an Affiliate of Toro and
the Company dated as of the date hereof (the Trademark License Agreement);
and
(i) That
certain Performance Assurance Agreement made by TCF National Bank for the
benefit of Toro and Toro Sub dated as of the date hereof.
collectively, with
this Agreement, all such documents, the Definitive Agreements.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, Control
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the
ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled
have meanings correlative thereto.
1.02 Name and Office. The name of the Company shall be Red Iron
Acceptance, LLC. All business of the
Company shall be carried on in this name, with such variations and changes as
the Management Committee (as defined in Section 6.02(a)) in its sole
judgment deems necessary or appropriate to comply with requirements of the
jurisdictions in which the Companys operations are conducted, and all title to
all property, real, personal, or mixed, owned by or leased to the Company shall
be held in such name. The registered
office and registered agent of the Company shall be The Corporation Trust
Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, or such other office
or agent as determined by the Management Committee. The principal offices and place of business
of the Company shall be in Hoffman Estates, Illinois with an operations office
in Bloomington, Minnesota or, in either case, such other place or places as the
Management Committee may from time to time direct.
1.03 Purpose.
(a) The
Company is formed for the following purposes:
(i) subject to the terms of this Agreement, to own and operate a
commercial inventory finance business to provide floor plan and open account
financing to dealers and distributors of products, including parts,
accessories, software and software updates to support equipment or services,
advertising materials, advertising placements, training materials, point of
sale or merchandising materials, extended service contracts, licenses for
scheduling software and online services; (ii) to manage,
2
own, supervise and dispose of the assets associated with the business
referred to in the preceding clause (i); and (iii) to engage in any
activities or transactions necessary or desirable to accomplish the foregoing
purposes and to do any other act or thing incidental or ancillary thereto. The Companys business referred to in the
preceding clauses (i) through (iii) is referred to herein as the Business.
(b) The
Company shall not, without the prior written consent of all the Members, engage
in any business or activity other than the Business and those activities that
are necessary or advisable to carry out the Business.
(c) Each
Member shall restrict its business to its ownership of its interest in the
Company and related activities. Each
Members Affiliates (exclusive of the Company), may, at any time and from time
to time, engage in and pursue other business ventures.
1.04 Term. Subject to the provisions of Article X
below, the initial term of the Company shall commence on the date first written
above (the Formation Date), shall continue until October 31, 2014 (the Initial
Term), and thereafter shall be extended automatically for additional two-year
terms (each, an Additional Term) unless at least one year prior to the
expiration of the Initial Term or Additional Term (as applicable) either Member
gives notice to the other Member of its intention not to extend the term, in
which event the Company shall dissolve and be wound-up in accordance with the
provisions of said Article X.
SECTION II
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
2.01 Authorized
Shares. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Company is authorized to issue equity interests in the Company
designated as Shares, which shall constitute limited liability company
interests under the Act; unless otherwise determined by the Management
Committee, Shares shall not be certificated.
The total number of Shares which the Company shall have authority to issue
is one hundred (100). All Shares shall
be identical to each other in all respects.
On the Formation Date, forty-five (45) Shares shall be issued to Toro
Sub and fifty-five (55) Shares shall be issued to TCFIF Sub. For purposes of this Agreement, a Members Percentage
Interest shall mean the number of outstanding Shares of such Member divided by
the total number of issued and outstanding Shares.
2.02 Initial
Capital Contributions. On the
business day immediately following the Formation Date, each Member shall
contribute to the capital of the Company (the Initial Capital Contributions)
cash in an amount set forth after each Members name on Schedule 2.02. To the extent the Company requires additional
capital prior to closing by the Company of the purchase under the initial
Receivable Purchase Agreement and the Members approve such a capital
contribution, Toro Sub shall contribute forty-five percent (45%) of such
required capital contribution and TCFIF Sub shall contribute fifty-five percent
(55%) of such required capital contribution.
2.03 Purchase
Capital Contributions. On the date
the Company makes the initial purchase pursuant to the terms of the initial
Receivable Purchase Agreement, each Member shall contribute to the capital of
the Company (a Purchase Capital Contribution) cash in the amount
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equal to the sum of XXXXXXXXXX.
For purposes of this Agreement, Total Tangible Assets of the Company
shall mean the remainder of (a) the total assets of the Company minus (b) all
intangible assets of the Company to the extent included in calculating total
assets in clause (a), all as determined in accordance with GAAP). [PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
2.04 Additional
Capital Contributions/Loans.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub shall be
required to contribute as additional capital to the Company (each, an Additional
Capital Contribution and, together with the Initial Capital Contributions and
the Purchase Capital Contributions, the Capital Contributions) cash in an
amount sufficient to increase and/or maintain such Members Capital Account to
an amount equal to the sum of XXXXXXXXXX.
Such contributions shall be determined (x) as of the end of each
month during the term of the Company, or (y) if approved by the Management
Committee, more often. The Company shall
provide notice to the Members, no later than the earlier of the twenty-fifth
(25th) of each month or three (3) business days prior to the last day of
the month, of the estimated contribution amount for such month, which
contributions shall be made no later than the last day of such month or, with
respect to Additional Capital Contributions referred to in clause (y) of
this Section 2.04, within five (5) business days of receiving notice
from the Company of any such contribution.
To the extent the estimated contribution amount is greater or less than
the actual capital needs for such month, such excess or shortage shall be taken
into account in the Companys calculation of the Distributable Cash (as defined
in Section 4.01(b)) for such month.
The requirement of each Member to maintain sufficient funds in its
Capital Account shall continue through the dissolution and winding-up of the
Company as specified in Article X.
No additional Shares shall be issued to the Members on account of any
Capital Contribution made subsequent to the Initial Capital Contributions. Except as expressly provided in this Section 2.04
or with the prior written consent of each of the Members, no Member shall be
required or entitled to contribute any other or further capital to the Company,
nor, except as contemplated by this Agreement, shall any Member be required or
entitled to loan any funds to the Company.
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
2.05 Consequences
of Failure to Provide Capital Contributions. If Capital Contributions are required to be
made and if, on or prior to the due date thereof, one of the Members has made
its Capital Contribution (the Contributing Member) and the other Member has
failed to make its Capital Contribution (the Non-Contributing Member), then
the Contributing Member shall have the option during the following five (5) business
day period to (i) request and receive from the Company an immediate return
of the funds advanced in such instance as its Capital Contribution or (ii) elect
to lend to the Non-Contributing Member the amount of the Capital Contribution
not paid by the Non-Contributing Member (a Deficit Loan) in such instance,
the proceeds of which Deficit Loan shall be paid by the Contributing Member
directly to the Company as a contribution to the capital account of the
Non-Contributing Member. The
4
Contributing Member shall be entitled to interest from the
Non-Contributing Member on the amount outstanding from time to time on each
Deficit Loan calculated at a rate equal to the Index plus 10% per annum, or the
highest rate permitted by law, whichever is less. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections
4.01 and 10.03, distributions otherwise payable by the Company to a
Non-Contributing Member shall first be made to the Contributing Member to the
extent of the amount of any outstanding Deficit Loans, including accrued
interest thereon, and such distribution shall be charged to the Capital Account
of the Non-Contributing Member. In
addition, any amounts otherwise payable by the Company to an Affiliate of the
Non-Contributing Member under the terms of the TCFIF Services Agreement or the
Toro Services Agreement, as appropriate, shall be paid to the Contributing
Member to the extent the amount of any outstanding Deficit Loans, including
interest thereon. The rights of the
Contributing Member to receive the payments described in the preceding sentence
shall be in addition to the right of the Contributing Member to receive payment
of the amount of all outstanding Deficit Loans, including accrued interest
thereon, at any time upon demand. The
term Index shall mean the rate of interest published in the Money Rates
section of The Wall Street Journal from time to time as the Prime Rate. If more than one Prime Rate is published in
The Wall Street Journal for a day, the average of the Prime Rates so published
shall be used and such average shall be rounded up to the nearest one quarter
of one percent (.25%). If The Wall
Street Journal ceases to publish the Prime Rate, the Contributing Member may
select a comparable publication or service that publishes such Prime Rate, or
its equivalent, and if such Prime Rate is no longer published, then the rate
publicly announced by one of the ten largest money center banks in the United
States (as selected by the Contributing Member in its discretion) as its prime,
base or reference rate shall be substituted.
2.06 No
Interest on Capital Contributions.
No Member shall be entitled to receive interest on its Capital
Contributions.
2.07 Capital
Accounts. A capital account (Capital
Account) shall be maintained for each Member on the books of the Company. The Capital Account for each Member shall be
maintained in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) To
each Members Capital Account there shall be credited such Members Capital
Contributions, such Members allocated share of Net Income (as defined in Section 5.08)
and any items of income or gain specially allocated to such Member pursuant to
Sections 5.03 or 5.04.
(b) To
each Members Capital Account there shall be debited such Members allocated
share of Net Loss (as defined in Section 5.08), any items of deduction or
loss specially allocated to such Member pursuant to Sections 5.03 or 5.04 and
the amount of cash and the value of any other property distributed to such
Member (net of any liabilities assumed by such Member and liabilities, if any,
to which such property is subject).
(c) A
Member shall not be entitled to withdraw from the Company or withdraw any part
of its Capital Account or receive any distributions from the Company except as
specifically provided in this Agreement.
No Member shall be entitled to receive any distribution in kind, except
as otherwise provided herein. No
interest shall be paid on or with respect to the Capital Account of any
Member. Except as expressly provided
herein, no Member
5
shall have any priority over any other Member as to the return of its
Capital Contributions or as to compensation by way of income, and no additional
share of the profits or losses of the Company shall accrue to any Member solely
by virtue of its Capital Account being proportionately greater than the Capital
Account of any other Member. No Member
shall be entitled to make any Capital Contributions to the Company other than
as provided herein.
(d) If
any Member makes a loan to the Company, such loan shall not be considered a
contribution to the capital of the Company and shall not increase the Capital
Account of the lending Member. Repayment
of such loans shall not be deemed a withdrawal from the capital of the Company.
(e) No
Member shall be required to pay to the Company or to any other Member or person
any deficit in such Members Capital Account upon dissolution of the Company or
otherwise.
(f) If
any Member receives a distribution from the Company in excess of the amount
such Member should have received in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement at the time the distribution was made, such Member shall be obligated
to pay any such excess to the Company for reallocation to the Member or Members
rightfully entitled to such distribution upon demand to do so by the Company.
(g) If
all or any portion of a Members Shares are transferred pursuant to Article IX
hereof, the transferee shall succeed to the transferors Capital Account to the
extent it relates to the transferred Shares.
SECTION III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
3.01 Toro
Sub Representations. Toro Sub
represents and warrants, as of the Formation Date, each of the following:
(a) Organization
and Authority. Toro Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, its sole purpose is the ownership of its Shares
and activities ancillary to such ownership, and has all necessary power and
authority to enter into, and to perform its obligations under, this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Toro Sub, the performance by Toro Sub of its obligations
hereunder, and the consummation by Toro Sub of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by all necessary
corporate action on behalf of Toro Sub.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Toro Sub, and
(assuming due execution and delivery by TCFIF Sub), this Agreement constitutes
a legal, valid and binding obligation of Toro Sub enforceable against Toro Sub
in accordance with its terms.
(b) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Toro Sub does not and will not (i) violate, conflict
with or result in the breach of any provision of the certificate of
incorporation of Toro Sub, (ii) conflict with or violate any law or order
of any court or other governmental authority applicable to Toro Sub or any of
its assets, properties or businesses, or (iii) conflict with, result in
any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice
or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under,
6
require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation or cancellation of, or result
in the creation of any encumbrance on any of the assets or properties of Toro
Sub, pursuant to any note, bond, mortgage or indenture, contract agreement,
lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or arrangement
to which Toro Sub is a party or by which any of such assets or properties is
bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above,
where such conflict, violation, breach, default, failure to obtain any such
consent, rights or creation will not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Business or on Toro Subs ability to enter into this
Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.
3.02 TCFIF Sub Representations. TCFIF Sub represents and warrants, as of the
Formation Date, each of the following:
(a) Organization and Authority. TCFIF Sub is a limited liability company duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Minnesota, its sole purpose is the ownership of its Shares and activities
ancillary to such ownership, and has all necessary power and authority to enter
into, and to perform its obligations under, this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by TCFIF Sub, the performance by TCFIF Sub of its obligations hereunder, and
the consummation by TCFIF Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized and approved by all necessary limited liability
company action on behalf of TCFIF Sub.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by TCFIF Sub, and
(assuming due execution and delivery by Toro Sub) this Agreement constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of TCFIF Sub enforceable against TCFIF Sub
in accordance with its terms.
(b) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by TCFIF Sub does not and will not (i) violate, conflict
with or result in the breach of any provision of the articles of organization
of TCFIF Sub, (ii) conflict with or violate any law or order of any court
or other governmental authority applicable to TCFIF Sub or any of its assets,
properties or businesses, or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of,
constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of
time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or
give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension,
revocation or cancellation of, or result in the creation of any encumbrance on
any of the assets or properties of TCFIF Sub pursuant to any note, bond,
mortgage or indenture, contract agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit,
franchise or other instrument or arrangement to which TCFIF Sub is a party or
by which any of such assets or properties is bound or affected, except,
in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, where such conflict,
violation, breach, default, failure to obtain any such consent, rights or
creation will not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the Business or on TCFIF Subs ability to enter into this Agreement and perform
its obligations hereunder.
3.03 Survival. All representations and warranties contained
in this Article (notwithstanding any investigation or inquiry which any
party hereto or any representative may make) shall relate solely to the
Formation Date, and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and continue until the dissolution and winding-up of the Company in accordance
with Article X.
7
SECTION IV
DISTRIBUTIONS
4.01 Distributions.
(a) From and after the date hereof, except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement (including Sections 2.05 and 10.03), the
Company shall make distributions in the same proportions as Net Income would be
allocated to Members pursuant to Section 5.01.
(b) Subject to Section 4.01(a) and
except as otherwise approved by the Management Committee, the Company shall
make distributions in cash pursuant to this Section 4.01 on a monthly
basis, on or before the last day of each calendar month, in an amount equal to
the Companys Distributable Cash as of the end of such month. Distributable Cash shall mean the positive
difference, if any, between (i) the estimated Capital Account balances of
all the Members and (ii) the sum of XXXXXXXXXX. Such estimates shall be calculated on the
date that is the earlier of the twenty-fifth (25th) of each month or three (3) business
days prior to the last day of the month.
Each distribution pursuant to this Section 4.01 shall be made in
immediately available funds by wire transfer in accordance with wire transfer
instructions provided in writing from time to time by each Member. Any change in such wire transfer instructions
shall be effective two (2) business days following receipt of notice
thereof by the Company. [PORTIONS
OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR
CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
SECTION V
ALLOCATIONS
5.01 Net
Income. Except as provided in
Sections 5.03, 5.04 and 10.03, the Net Income shall be allocated for each
fiscal year (or for any applicable portion of a fiscal year, such applicable
portion to be calculated pursuant to a hypothetical closing of the Companys
books based on the specific portion of the fiscal year and not on a pro rata or
other similar basis) to the Members, pro rata in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests.
5.02 Net
Losses. Except as provided in
Sections 5.03, 5.04 and 10.03, Net Loss shall be allocated for each fiscal year
(or for any applicable portion of a fiscal year, such applicable portion to be
calculated pursuant to a hypothetical closing of the Companys books based on
the specific portion of the fiscal year and not on a pro rata or other similar
basis) to the Members, pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage
Interests.
5.03 Regulatory
Allocations.
(a) Maintenance of Capital Accounts. The Capital
Accounts shall be maintained in accordance with Section §1.704-1(b) of
the Regulations.
(b) Qualified Income Offset. In the event
any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions
described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and
8
(6) of the Regulations, items of Company income
and gain shall be specially allocated to each such Member in an amount and
manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, the
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Member as quickly as possible,
provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.03(b) shall be
made only if and to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital
Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article V
have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.03(b) were not in
this Agreement.
(c) Gross Income Allocation. In the event
any Member has a negative Capital Account at the end of any fiscal year which
is in excess of the amount such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore
pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and
1.704-2(i)(5), each such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company
income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible provided
that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be made only if and
to the extent that such Member would have a negative Capital Account in excess
of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article V
have been made as if Section 5.03(b) and this Section 5.03(c) were
not in this Agreement.
5.04 Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Section 5.03
hereof (the Regulatory Allocations) are intended to comply with certain
requirements of the Regulations. It is
the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory
Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or with
special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction
pursuant to this Section 5.04.
Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V
(other than the Regulatory Allocations), offsetting special allocations of
Company income, gain, loss or deduction shall be made so that, after such
offsetting allocations are made, each Members Capital Account balance is, to
the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would
have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all
Company items were allocated pursuant to this Article V without regard to
the Regulatory Allocations. In
exercising their discretion under this Section 5.04, the Members shall
take into account future Regulatory Allocations under Section 5.03 that,
although not yet made, are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations
previously made under Section 5.03.
5.05 Tax
Allocations.
(a) In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and
the Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to
any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for tax
purposes (and, as such, it is not intended to change the accounting
allocation), be allocated between the Members so as to take account of any
variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for
Federal income tax purposes and its fair market value at the time of
contribution.
(b) Any elections or other decisions relating
to such allocations shall be made by the Management Committee in any manner
that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.05
are solely for purposes of Federal, state, and local taxes and shall not
affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any
9
Members Capital Account or share of Net Income, Net
Loss, other items, or distributions pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all items of Company income, gain, loss, deduction, and any other
allocations not otherwise provided for shall be divided between the Members in
the same proportions as they share Net Income or Net Loss, or amounts specially
allocated pursuant to Section 5.03 or 5.04 hereof, as the case may be, for
the fiscal year.
5.06 Other
Allocation Rules.
(a) Solely for purposes of determining the
Members proportionate share of the excess nonrecourse liabilities of the
Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the
Members interests in the Company profits shall be allocated in the same manner
such item would have been allocated pursuant to Section 5.01.
(b) To the extent permitted by Section 1.704-2(h)(3) of
the Regulations, the Members shall endeavor to treat distributions of cash as
having been made from the proceeds of a nonrecourse liability only to the
extent that such distributions would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital
Account Deficit for any Member.
5.07 Tax
Decisions. The Company shall file
its income and all other tax returns (including sales, use, property, excise,
information and unclaimed property reports) as a partnership. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the tax matters partner shall, upon consultation with the Management
Committee, make all applicable elections, determinations and other tax
decisions for the Company relating to all tax matters, including, without
limitation, the positions to be taken on the Companys tax returns and the
settlement or further contest and litigation of any audit matters raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. TCFIF Sub shall be the tax matters partner
within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code. TCFIF Sub shall cause all tax returns of the
Company to be timely filed. The Company
shall provide a draft copy of all income tax and information returns to Toro
Sub for its review and comment at least ten (10) business days prior to
the due date for filing such returns.
5.08 Certain
Definitions. The following terms
shall be defined for purposes of this Agreement as set forth below:
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit means, with respect
to each Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Members Capital Account
as of the end of the relevant fiscal year, after giving effect to the following
adjustments:
(i) Credit to such Capital Account any
amounts which such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the
penultimate sentences of each of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and
1.704-2(i)(5); and
(ii) Debit to such Capital Account the items
described in Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the
Regulations.
10
The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account
Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of
the Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
Code means the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, or any
successor legislation.
Net Income and Net Loss mean,
for each fiscal period, an amount equal to the Companys taxable income or loss
for such fiscal period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for
this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be
stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be
included in taxable income or loss).
Regulations means the Income Tax
Regulations, including Temporary Regulations, promulgated under the Code, as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
SECTION VI
MANAGEMENT
6.01
Members.
(a) Subject to the
limitations and restrictions set forth in this Agreement and the Act, each
Member shall have all the rights, powers and obligations which may be possessed
by a member of a limited liability company under the Act and otherwise as
provided by law.
(b) Meetings of the Members
may be called by any Member on at least ten (10) business days prior
written notice to the other Members, which notice shall contain the time, place
and purpose of such meeting. The
presence in person or by proxy of both of the Members shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business by the Members at such meeting. Except as otherwise expressly set forth
herein, all actions of the Members taken at a meeting shall require the
affirmative vote of both of the Members.
(c) Notice of any meeting
of the Members may be waived by any Member before or after such meeting. Meetings of the Members may be conducted by
conference telephone facilities or other similar technology. The Members may approve a matter or take any
action without a meeting by a written consent of the Members, which must be
executed by both of the Members. In no
instance where action is authorized by written consent of the Members shall a
meeting of the Members be required to be called or notice to be given. The writing or writings evidencing any such
consent shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Company and
copies thereof shall be sent to each of the Members.
(d) Except as expressly set
forth herein, neither Member or any of its Affiliates shall have any liability
for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company or of the other Member
or any of its Affiliates.
(e) The Members shall adopt
credit and operational policies described in Exhibit A attached
hereto, which policies may be modified from time to time by mutual agreement of
the Members; provided, however, that such credit and operational policies shall
not be inconsistent with the credit and operational policies of TCFIF. TCFIF Sub shall be responsible for advising
the Members of TCFIFs credit and operational policies.
11
6.02
Management
Committee.
(a) Subject to such matters
which are expressly reserved under this Agreement or the Act to the Members for
decision, the Business shall be managed through a committee of managers (the Management
Committee), which shall initially consist of eight (8) persons (the Managers)
who shall be determined as follows: (i) TCFIF Sub shall be entitled to
designate four (4) Managers (the TCFIF Sub Managers) and (ii) Toro
Sub shall be entitled to designate four (4) Managers (collectively, with
the TCFIF Sub Managers, the Designated Managers). The Designated Managers shall appoint a
General Manager (the General Manager) and all other executive officers (if
any) of the Company by the affirmative vote or written consent of at least five
(5) Managers, including the affirmative vote of at least one of the
Designated Managers appointed by each Member (a Majority of the Managers);
provided, however, that if the Management Committee shall at any time be
deadlocked and unable to appoint a General Manager, then TCFIF Sub shall have
the sole right to appoint the General Manager on an interim basis pending
resolution of the deadlock regarding final appointment of the General Manager
as provided in Section 7.08. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, any Designated Manager under consideration
for appointment as General Manager, or other executive officer position (if
any), shall not be recused from voting on such matter. Each of the Members shall, in its respective
sole discretion, be entitled to remove or discharge (with or without cause and
with or without prior notice) one or more of its Designated Managers at any
time, and to designate an alternate (who shall be permitted to attend, and have
full voting powers at, any meeting at which the Designated Manager is absent)
or a successor therefor. Designated
Managers may only be removed in accordance with the preceding sentence. The Member that has removed or discharged one
or more of its Managers and designated an alternate or alternates shall
promptly give notice to the other Member of the names of the removed or
discharged Manager(s) and the name(s) and address(es) of the
replacement Manager(s). The initial
Designated Managers and the General Manager as of the date of this Agreement
are set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) hereto, which shall be updated from time
to time to reflect the addition or removal of such persons.
(b) Subject to the next
sentence, the Management Committee shall meet at such times as may be necessary
for the Business on at least ten (10) business days prior written notice
to each Manager of such meeting given by any one (1) Manager, which
written notice shall contain the time and place of such meeting and the
proposed items of business; unless otherwise agreed by a Majority of the
Managers, meetings of the Management Committee shall be held at the office of
one of the Members. The initial meeting
of the Management Committee shall be held within sixty (60) days of the
Formation Date and, thereafter, the Management Committee shall meet at least
once every fiscal quarter. Provided that
proper and adequate notice has been provided as required by the first sentence
of this Section 6.02(b), the presence of at least a Majority of the
Managers (or their respective alternates) shall be required to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of any business by the Management Committee. Each Manager shall have one (1) vote on
all matters before the Management Committee.
All actions of the Management Committee shall require the affirmative
vote of at least a Majority of the Managers.
No Manager (acting in his or her capacity as such) shall have any
authority to bind the Company to any third party with respect to any matter,
except pursuant to a resolution expressly authorizing such action (and
authorizing such Manager to bind the Company with respect to such
12
action) which resolution is duly
adopted by the Management Committee by the affirmative vote of at least a
Majority of the Managers.
(c) Except as otherwise
expressly required by this Agreement, in the event the Management Committee is
evenly divided on any matter, such matter shall promptly be referred to the
Members for decision and approval in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.07
or 7.08, as the case may be.
(d) There shall be no
committees of the Management Committee and there shall be no delegation of the
powers, duties and authorities of the Management Committee to any other person,
entity, or committee, except as otherwise provided herein or expressly approved
by the Management Committee.
(e) No item of business
that is not contained in the notice of the meeting may be considered unless at
least a Majority of the Managers consent.
Notice of any Management Committee meeting may be waived by any Manager
before or after such meeting. Meetings
of the Management Committee shall be conducted by conference telephone
facilities (or other similar technology) if any Manager so requests. Managers may approve a matter or take any
action without a meeting by a written consent of the Managers, which must be executed
by at least a Majority of the Managers.
In no instance where action is authorized by written consent of the
Managers shall a meeting of the Managers be required to be called or notice
required to be given. The writing or
writings evidencing any such consent shall be filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the Company and copies thereof shall be sent to each of the
Managers. The Management Committee shall
cause written minutes to be prepared of all actions taken by the Management
Committee at a meeting thereof and shall cause a copy thereof to be delivered
to each Manager within thirty (30) calendar days after each such meeting.
(f) The Management
Committee shall review and approve all budgets and business plans, including
any amendments thereto from time to time as necessary or desirable, of the
Company. At each quarterly meeting of the
Management Committee, the Management Committee will review the report, forecast
and calculation referred to in Section 6.03(j) and, if such report
reflects a pre-tax return on assets that is different from the Target Return by
more than one-tenth of one percent, the Management Committee shall consider
taking such action or actions, if any, as it may deem to be appropriate to
target a pre-tax return on assets of the Company, determined cumulatively as of
the end of the applicable Adjustment Period, equal to the Target Return. To that end, the Management Committee shall
consider such changes deemed appropriate by the Management Committee under the
currently existing or forecasted circumstances, which may include changes to
the manufacturer support rate, the dealer rate or cost savings. For purposes of this Agreement, pre-tax return on assets shall mean a
quotient, (x) the numerator of which is equal to the product of (i) the
pre-tax income of the Company from the first day of the first calendar month
covered by such calculation, divided by the number of calendar months included
in the period covered by such calculation, multiplied by (ii) 12, and (y) the
denominator of which is equal to (i) the sum of the monthly Average Net
Receivables for each calendar month included in the period covered by such
calculation, divided by (ii) the number of calendar months included in the
period covered by such calculation.
13
(g) The Management
Committee shall review and approve the accounting policies, tax policies,
methods or practices of the Company from time to time, which accounting
policies, tax policies, methods and practices shall at all times not be
inconsistent with those of TCFIF. TCFIF Sub
Manager shall be responsible for advising the Management Committee of TCFIFs
accounting policies, tax policies, methods and practices.
6.03
General Manager. The General Manager of the Company shall have the responsibility for managing the
Business on a day-to-day basis and supervising the other officers of the
Company (if any), subject to the absolute direction, supervision and control of
the Management Committee. The General
Manager shall have no authority or power to enter into any material agreement
or material arrangement on behalf of the Company which binds the Company to any
third party outside the scope of the Business, but shall have the authority and
power:
(a) To generally manage the
Companys credit and operations office or offices and the Companys marketing
efforts;
(b) [Reserved];
(c) To exercise credit
authority within the limits established by the Companys credit policies;
(d) To comply with credit,
operations, legal and other policies adopted by the Management Committee;
(e) To manage the Companys
dealer and distributor relations with respect to the Business;
(f) To call special
meetings of the Management Committee;
(g) To support the staff of
TCFIF and Toro in the performance of their obligations under their respective
Services Agreement;
(h) To pay expenses of the
Company in the ordinary course of the Business, including expenses provided for
in the Definitive Agreements;
(i) To prepare the Companys
annual budget, which shall reflect a target pre-tax return on assets of XXXXXXXXXX (the Target Return), unless otherwise approved by the Management
Committee; and [PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN
OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
(j) To prepare for, and
deliver to, the Management Committee not later than the 15th day of the first month of each calendar
quarter (the first day of such quarter being an Adjustment Date) commencing
after September 30, 2010, a report reflecting the pre-tax return on assets
of the Company for the immediately preceding four calendar quarters (the
14
Measurement Period Return) and on
a cumulative basis over the then-current Initial Term or Additional Term of the
Company, a forecast of the expected returns for the remainder of the
then-current Initial Term or Additional Term of the Company, and a calculation
of the adjustment, if any, that would be required to be made to the Business
Plan (as that term is defined in the Joint Venture Agreement) over the
applicable Adjustment Period (as defined below) in order for the Company to
achieve a target pre-tax return on assets of not less than the Target Return,
determined cumulatively:
(i) In the case where the
difference between the Measurement Period Return and the Target Return is XXXXXXXXXX, then the Adjustment Period will be the next four calendar quarters
beginning on the Adjustment Date (or such shorter period of time as is then
remaining in the then-current Initial Term or Additional Term of the Company);
(ii) In the case where the
difference between the Measurement Period Return and the Target Return is XXXXXXXXXX, then the Adjustment Period will be the next eight calendar quarters
beginning on the Adjustment Date (or such shorter period of time as is then
remaining in the then-current Initial Term or Additional Term of the Company);
and
(iii) In the case where the
difference between the Measurement Period Return and the Target Return is XXXXXXXXXX, then the Adjustment Period will be the next twelve calendar quarters beginning on the
Adjustment Date (or such shorter period of time as is then remaining in the
then-current Initial Term or Additional Term of the Company)
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
(k) To do such other things
and take such other actions as shall be authorized by the Management Committee.
The powers and duties of the General Manager shall at all times be subject
to the provisions of Section 6.04 hereof.
The General Manager may not be removed or discharged without cause
without the approval of the Management Committee. The General Manager shall
preside over all meetings of the Management Committee. In the absence of the General Manager, his or
her designated alternate shall assume his or her powers, duties and authority
at such meeting.
6.04
Required Approvals.
The following actions shall under no
circumstances be taken by the General Manager, or any other Manager or officer
(if any) on behalf of the Company or by the Management Committee, without the
approval of the Management Committee:
(a) merge or consolidate
with, purchase all or any substantial part of the assets of, make or agree to
make capital contributions to or investments in, or otherwise acquire any
securities, interest or ownership in, any person, joint venture, firm,
corporation or division thereof;
15
(b) sell all or a
significant portion of the assets of the Company, provided however, that the
Toro Sub Managers shall not unreasonably withhold their consent to any proposed
disposition of the assets of the Company to any party other than a party
primarily engaged in the manufacture, sale or financing of Lawn and Garden
Products (as defined in the Joint Venture Agreement);
(c) dissolve or liquidate
the Company;
(d) enter into, amend or
terminate any agreement or contract involving aggregate expense for the Company
in excess of $25,000 (in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions), or if such contract is not so quantifiable, which would have a
material adverse effect on the operations or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Business;
(e) make any operating
expenditure or commitment therefor involving the expenditure of more than
$25,000 for any individual transaction or series of related transactions or
$50,000 in the aggregate in any 12-month period or any capital expenditures in
any amount, except to the extent such expenditure is provided for in a budget
previously approved by the Management Committee;
(f) change the nature of
the Business or enter into any new line of business;
(g) except as contemplated
by Article IV or Section 10.03 hereof, determine the amount and
timing of any distribution to be made to the Members by the Company;
(h) enter into or amend any
written agreement, or engage in any other transaction, with any officer (if
any) of the Company or direct or indirect holder of any Shares (or any of such
persons Affiliates);
(i) create any lien,
mortgage or other encumbrance on the property or assets of the Company,
provided, however, that the Toro Sub Managers shall not unreasonably withhold
their consent to any proposed encumbrance on the assets of the Company in favor
of any party other than a party primarily engaged in the manufacture, sale or
financing of Lawn and Garden Products (as defined in the Joint Venture
Agreement);
(j) incur indebtedness for,
lend or advance money to, or guarantee or endorse the obligations of, any other
person, except as otherwise expressly provided herein and except for
endorsement of checks in the ordinary course of business;
(k) incur indebtedness for
borrowed money in excess of $25,000 other than as contemplated by the Credit
Agreement;
(l) (i) lease any real
property, (ii) lease any personal property for a term longer than 36
months or exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate or (iii) acquire any property
of any kind in excess of $10,000 in the aggregate, other than financial assets
arising out of the Business or any collateral securing the performance of such
financial assets;
16
(m) engage in any
transaction or series of transactions that results in the incorporation of the
Company or any other material change in organizational form or causes the
Company to lose its status as a partnership for any tax purpose;
(n) except as provided in
Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04 and 2.05, accept any contribution to the capital of
the Company or (A) issue or sell or (B) purchase or redeem, in each
case, by the Company, any Shares in the Company;
(o) file any petition by or
on behalf of the Company seeking relief under the federal bankruptcy act or
similar relief under any law or statute of the United States or any state
thereof;
(p) except as provided in Section 8.03,
hire or change the registered independent public accounting firm of the
Company;
(q) subject to Section 6.02(g),
make any material change with respect to the accounting policies, tax policies,
methods or practices of the Company, except as otherwise required by generally
accepted accounting principles as adopted in the United States (GAAP),
consistently applied;
(r) appoint or remove any
executive officer of the Company;
(s) conduct the Business
under any name other than Red Iron Acceptance, LLC;
(t) initiate or otherwise
engage in any litigation on behalf of the Company other than in the ordinary
course of the Business or to enforce an obligation of a Member under any
Definitive Agreement that is not the subject of an Arbitrable Dispute under
such Definitive Agreement;
(u) amend, extend or restate or otherwise
modify any of the Definitive Agreements to which the Company is a party;
(v) invest any of the Companys funds;
(w) enter into any contracts of insurance;
(x) [Reserved];
(y) issue any additional Shares or repurchase
any outstanding Shares;
(z) incur any cost on behalf of the Company
if the amount thereof would result in an increase in the total budgeted
expenses for the Company of more than 5%;
(aa) remove the General Manager;
(bb) establish or amend the Company budget or
business plan; or
17
(cc) decrease or terminate the Commitment, as
that term is defined under the Credit Agreement.
6.05
Consents and
Approvals. Each of the
Members agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company
in obtaining as promptly as practicable all consents, authorizations,
approvals, and waivers from any governmental entity required to be obtained by
the Company in order to operate the Business, including, without limitation,
assisting the Company in making any required filings, submissions and
notifications with any court, governmental, regulatory, or administrative body,
agency or authority, department, commission, instrumentality or
arbitrator. Each of the Members shall
furnish to the Company such necessary information and reasonable assistance as
the Company may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing.
SECTION VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
7.01 Conduct of Business; No
Employees. From the
date hereof until the dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to Article X
hereof, the Company, Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub shall (A) act in good faith
and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the value of the Companys
assets and not permit the Shares or any of the Companys assets to become subject
to any lien other than liens as may be provided for in the Credit Agreement, (B) continue
to operate the business, activities and practices of the Company in the
ordinary course of business, and (C) use their respective commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve the business organization of the Company, and to
preserve the goodwill of customers and others with whom material business
relationships exist. The Company shall
have no employees at any time.
7.02 Technology. Any processes, techniques, hardware,
software, copyrights, patents, practices or other intellectual property which
are owned or used by either Member or any of its Affiliates and used by such
Member or Affiliate in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement
or any of the other Definitive Agreements and which are proprietary to such
Member or Affiliate including the System Technology of either TCFIF or Toro
(collectively, the Technology), shall be and at all times shall remain the
property of such Member or Affiliate or property of the licensor thereof, and
neither the other Member nor any of its Affiliates nor the Company shall have
any interest in such Technology, except to the extent expressly provided to the
contrary in one or more of the Definitive Agreements. System Technology means the hardware and
software (including, without limitation, the operating system software, the
source code and the machine code, and including software owned by a Member and
its Affiliates and third party licensed software) used by a Member or its
Affiliates to provide the services under a Services Agreement, together with
all written manuals and other documentation for system use (which are
internally written or produced by a Member or an Affiliate or licensed to a
Member or an Affiliate), diagnostic processes, security procedures, file
arrays, database systems, processing procedures, program logic, data
manipulation formats, data manipulation and processing routines including, but
not limited to, (a) internal programming processing logic, (b) software
logic, software formatting and software sequencing for (i) invoice
purchasing, (ii) cash application, (iii) invoice purchase approval, (iv) the
development and use of rates and terms, (v) credit underwriting, (vi) portfolio
control, and (vii) floor check collateral verifications, and (c) third-party
licensed products, but excluding system generated reports, forms of billing
18
statements, forms of transaction statements and any information not
subject to copyright (or which is not otherwise proprietary to a Member or its
Affiliates) related to such hardware and software, as such may be modified,
expanded or superseded from time to time.
Any Technology developed by a Member or any of its Affiliates in
connection with the operation of the Company, which relates to services
provided by TCFIF or Toro, respectively, shall be deemed to be the property of
TCFIF or Toro, respectively, and such Technology shall not be deemed property
of the Company; provided, however, that if such Technology is developed for use
by the Company at the request of the Company, or if substantially all of the
cost of developing such Technology is paid by the Company, then (subject to the
last sentence of this Section 7.02) TCFIF or Toro, as appropriate, shall
permit the Company to replicate for its own use such Technology, and such
replicated Technology shall be deemed to be property of the Company, and the
Company shall have an independent, perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use such replicated Technology.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be permitted to replicate the
Technology only to the extent that TCFIF or Toro is the owner of such
Technology or, with respect to all such Technology not owned by TCFIF or Toro,
has the legal right to permit the Company to replicate such Technology.
7.03
Trade Names. Subject to the terms of the Trademark License
Agreement, neither Member shall obtain any rights in any trade name of the
other Member or any of its Affiliates by virtue of this Agreement or as a
result of the formation and operation of the Company. The Company shall not use
the name, fictitious or otherwise, of either Member or any Affiliate of either
Member without the consent of such entity, which consent may be withheld in the
sole discretion of any such entity. Upon
dissolution and completion of the winding-up of the Company, Toro Sub shall
succeed to the name Red Iron Acceptance, LLC and neither TCFIF nor TCFIF Sub
shall have any rights thereto.
7.04 Insurance. Each
of the Members shall cause its respective parent
entity to provide at its own expense directors and officers liability insurance
for its Designated Managers in a policy amount of not less than
$5,000,000. The Members agree to
cooperate with each other in coordinating the defense of litigation whenever
the interests of the members of the Management Committee are aligned.
7.05 Confidentiality. During the term of the Company and for a
period of two (2) years thereafter, each Member shall, and shall cause its
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents to keep any
nonpublic information which the other Member treats or designates as
confidential (including, without limitation, the Technology and System Technology),
any nonpublic information concerning the formation and operation of the Company
or the particulars thereof, and any other nonpublic information set forth in
the Definitive Agreements or in other documents concerning the Company or
relating to the performance by the Members of any of the Definitive Agreements
(Confidential Information), strictly confidential and not disclose any such
information to any person (except for such Members financial and legal
advisors, lenders and accountants responsible for or actively engaged in the
review, performance or development of the Business), or use any such
information in the business of such Member. The Members and their Affiliates
will be deemed to have fulfilled their obligations hereunder if they exercise the
same degree of care to preserve and safeguard such Confidential Information as
Toro and TCFIF, respectively, use to preserve and safeguard their own
confidential information, provided
19
that upon discovery of any inadvertent disclosure of any Confidential
Information, the Member making such inadvertent disclosure endeavors to prevent
further use of such information and attempts to prevent similar future
inadvertent disclosures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Member will be
liable for any disclosure or use of any of the disclosing Members Confidential Information if such information
is (1) publicly available or later becomes publicly available to such
Member other than through a breach of this Agreement, (2) already
previously known on the date such information is disclosed, (3) subsequently
lawfully obtained by such Member from a third party who does not have an
obligation to keep such information confidential, (4) independently
developed by such Member without the use of the disclosing Members
Confidential Information as evidenced in writing, (5) disclosed pursuant
to a valid regulatory or judicial order, decree, subpoena, or other process or
requirement of law or regulation (including any requirements of any national
securities exchange where such Members securities are listed), provided that
the Member disclosing such information to such court, governmental entity or
regulatory authority shall give notice to the original disclosing Member in writing
in advance thereof so the original disclosing Member may seek a protective
order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions
of this Section 7.05 and the Member disclosing the information shall
disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that counsel to such
Member disclosing the information advises is legally required to be disclosed, (6) disclosed
in connection with an audit or examination of records conducted in the ordinary
course of such Members business by a governmental or regulatory authority
(including any national securities exchange where such Members securities are
listed) with jurisdiction thereover, or by independent certified public
accountants, provided that such governmental or regulatory authority or
accountants shall have been advised of the confidential nature of such
information, or (7) expressly released from the restrictions of this Section 7.05
by the original disclosing Member in writing. Each Member recognizes and
acknowledges that the injury to the Company and the other Member which would
result from a breach of the provisions of this Section 7.05 could not
adequately be compensated by money damages. The Members expressly agree and
contemplate, therefore, that in the event of the breach or default by either
Member of any provision of this Section 7.05, the Company or the other
Member may, in addition to any remedies which it might otherwise be entitled to
pursue, obtain such appropriate injunctive relief in support of any such
provision of this Agreement. For
purposes of this Section 7.05, references to a Member shall be deemed to
include that Members Affiliates.
7.06 Publicity. Neither Toro Sub nor TCFIF Sub nor any of
their respective Affiliates shall make any public announcement or other
disclosure to the press or public regarding this Agreement or the Company or
any matter related hereto or thereto, unless Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub mutually
agree to make an announcement in a form that both Members have approved.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a Member (or its Affiliate) is
required by law, including the Federal securities laws, or the rules of a
national securities exchange applicable to such Member (or such Affiliate) to
make a public announcement regarding this Agreement or the Company or any
matter related hereto or thereto, then such Member (or such Affiliate) may make
a public announcement in order for such Member (or such Affiliate) to duly
comply with such law or rule, provided that such Member (or such Affiliate)
gives notice to the other Member of such public announcement promptly upon such
Member (or such Affiliate) becoming aware of its need to comply with such law
or rule, but, in any event, not later than the time the public announcement is
to be made.
20
7.07 Dispute Resolution.
(a) If any controversy or claim arising out
of or relating to the interpretation of this Agreement, or the existence or
extent of, a breach of any duties hereunder (but exclusive of Section 7.02
(technology), Section 7.05 (confidentiality), Section 7.06
(publicity), Section 11.02 (indemnities), Section 11.04 (governing
law) and Section 11.15 (waiver of jury trial)) shall
arise between the Members, or if the Members shall be unable to agree as to the
determination of any accounting matter or other computation expressly
contemplated by this Agreement (all such disputes and failures to agree, the Arbitrable
Disputes), then either Member may request, by giving written notice to the other
Member (the Request Notice), that the Officers confer within five (5) business
days regarding the Arbitrable Dispute. The Officers shall confer in good faith
and use all reasonable efforts to resolve the Arbitrable Dispute. For purposes of this Section 7.07, Officers
shall mean the President of Toro and the person to whom the President of TCFIF
directly reports, provided, however, that neither such individual is or ever
has been a member of the Management Committee.
If either such individual is or has been a member of the Management
Committee, then the Officer for the applicable Member shall be a senior
executive officer of such Member who is not and has not ever been a member of
the Management Committee, who is reasonably acceptable to the other Member.
(b) If the Officers do not resolve the
Arbitrable Dispute within ten (10) business days after delivery of the
Request Notice, then the Arbitrable Dispute shall be submitted to mediation and
then arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth below in this Section 7.07.
(c) Arbitrable Disputes will be submitted to
mediation (assuming other good faith attempts to resolve the dispute have
failed) prior to submitting such claim to arbitration pursuant to this Section 7.07. The mediation will take place in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, unless the Members agree to conduct the mediation at another
location. If the Members are unable to
agree upon a mediator, each Member will select a mediator, which mediators in
turn will select the mediator of the dispute.
Each Members representation at the mediation will include a business
representative having full settlement authority. The Members will use best efforts to schedule
the mediation within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Request
Notice. Any mediation will be
non-binding and all statements, whether oral or in writing, that are made as
part of any mediation will be subject to Federal Rule of Evidence 408 and
cannot be used by either party in any subsequent arbitration in a manner
prohibited by Federal Rule of Evidence 408. The Members acknowledge that they agree to
mediate disputes in hopes of amicably resolving the matter before incurring
significant attorneys fees which may act as a barrier to settlement of the
dispute at a later time. Accordingly,
the Members will mediate in good faith and use reasonable efforts to reach a
resolution of the matter.
(d) If the Members are unable to resolve an
Arbitrable Dispute through mutual cooperation, negotiation or mediation, such
Arbitrable Dispute will be finally resolved by arbitration by a single
arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules, except as
otherwise provided herein, of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) but
without intervention of the AAA. The
arbitration will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, unless the Members agree
to conduct the mediation at another location.
If the Members are unable to agree upon an arbitrator, each Member will
select an arbitrator, which arbitrators in turn will select the
21
arbitrator of the dispute. The
arbitrator of the dispute shall be an accountant, attorney or retired judge
with a working knowledge of the commercial inventory finance industry.
(e) The Members agree to facilitate the
arbitration by: (a) conducting
arbitration hearings to the greatest extent possible on successive, contiguous
days; and (b) observing strictly the time periods established by the
applicable rules and procedures or by the arbitrator for the submission of
evidence and briefs. Discovery in the
arbitration shall be as limited as reasonably possible and in no event will a
Member be entitled to take more than three depositions (each deposition
completed in no more than seven hours), ask more than ten narrowly focused
interrogatories (sub-parts of an interrogatory deemed as a separate
interrogation), or make more than fifteen narrowly focused document requests
(sub-parts of a request deemed as a separate request). Any up-front fees payable to the arbitrator
or like up-front fees will be divided equally between the Members.
(f) The arbitrator shall have the authority
to award relief under legal or equitable principles and to allocate
responsibility for the costs of the arbitration and to award recovery of
reasonable attorneys fees and expenses to the prevailing Member. A full and
complete record and transcript of the arbitration proceeding shall be
maintained. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned decision.
(g) Each Member shall have five (5) business
days to object to the arbitrators decision, or any part thereof, by written
submission made to the arbitrator and the other Member shall have five (5) business
days to submit a written response to the objection. The arbitrator may hold a
hearing regarding any objection if deemed appropriate by the arbitrator. In the
event an objection is submitted, the arbitrator shall issue a supplemental
reasoned decision addressing all objections. Thereafter, the decision of the
arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable and shall be reviewable
only to the extent provided by law.
(h) If either Member brings or appeals any
judicial action to vacate or modify any award rendered pursuant to arbitration
or opposes the confirmation of such award and the Member bringing or appealing
such action or opposing confirmation of such award does not prevail, such
Member shall pay all of the costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
court costs, arbitrators fees and expenses and reasonable attorneys fees)
incurred by the other Member in defending such action. Additionally, if either Member brings any
action for judicial relief of an Arbitrable Dispute in the first instance
without pursuing arbitration prior thereto, the Member bringing such action for
judicial relief shall be liable for and shall immediately pay to the other
Member all of the other Members costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys fees) in the event the other
Member successfully moves to stay or dismiss such judicial action and/or compel
it to arbitration. The failure of either
Member to exercise any rights granted hereunder shall not operate as a waiver
of any of those rights. This Agreement
concerns transactions involving commerce among the several states. The arbitrator will not be empowered to award
punitive, exemplary, or, except in the case of fraud, bad faith, willful
misconduct or gross negligence, indirect or consequential damages. The arbitrator will decide if any
inconsistency exists between the rules of the applicable arbitral forum
and the arbitration provisions contained herein. If such inconsistency exists, the arbitration
provisions contained herein will control and supersede such rules. The agreement to arbitrate will survive
termination of this Agreement.
22
(i) The initiation of the dispute resolution
procedures in this Section 7.07 shall not excuse either Member, or any of
its respective Affiliates, from performing its obligations hereunder or under
any of the other Definitive Agreements or in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby. While the dispute procedure is pending, the Members and
their respective Affiliates shall continue to perform in good faith their
respective obligations hereunder and under the other Definitive Agreements,
subject to any rights to terminate this Agreement or the other Definitive
Agreements that may be available to the Members or their respective Affiliates.
(j) The provisions of this Section 7.07
shall be the exclusive process for all Arbitrable Disputes. The terms of this Section 7.07,
shall be without prejudice to the rights of each Member to obtain recovery
from, or to seek recourse against, the other Member (or otherwise), in such
manner as such Member may elect (but subject to Section 11.15) for all
claims, damages, losses, costs and matters other than those related to
Arbitrable Disputes.
7.08 Alternate Dispute Resolution.
(a) In the event:
(i) service levels provided by either the TCFIF
Services Agreement or the Toro Services Agreement become a continuing matter of
dispute between the Members;
(ii) matters of credit policy, credit
decisions or matters of credit administration made by or presented to the
Management Committee become a continuing matter of material dispute between the
Members;
(iii) the Management Committee is evenly
divided with regard to appointment of a General Manager, as described in Section 6.02(a);
or
(iv) the Management Committee is evenly
divided on a matter regarding the approval of the Company budget as described
in Section 6.02(f);
a Member may send a notice (Dispute Resolution Notice)
to the other Member of its desire to utilize the provisions of this Section 7.08
to address the issue (Issue) described in the Dispute Resolution Notice. Such Dispute Resolution Notice shall identify
with particularity the Issue to be addressed and the notifying Members
suggestion for resolving the issue.
(b) Within fifteen (15) days after the
receipt of a Dispute Resolution Notice, the Management Committee shall meet to
discuss the Issue raised in the Dispute Resolution Notice and the desired
request for change. The General Manager
will be responsible for preparing and making available to the Members any
information regarding such Issue requested by either Member. If the Management
Committee agrees to a resolution of the Issue raised in a Dispute Resolution
Notice, such resolution shall be documented in the minutes of the Management
Committee and appropriate amendments made to any agreement, policy or other
documents required to evidence such resolution.
23
(c) If, (i) within fifteen (15) days
after convening a meeting of the Management Committee to address an Issue, the
Management Committee is unable to agree to an acceptable resolution of such
Issue; (ii) the Management Committee is deadlocked with regard to
appointment of a General Manager as described in Section 6.02(a) or (iii) the
Management Committee is evenly divided on a matter regarding approval of the
Company budget as described in Section 6.02(f) (each, a Disputed
Matter), then either Member may request, by giving notice to the other Member,
that the Officers (as defined in Section 7.07(a)) confer within five (5) business
days regarding the issue. The Officers
shall confer in good faith and use all reasonable efforts to resolve the
Disputed Matter. If the Officers do not resolve the Disputed Matter within ten (10) business
days after the delivery to them of notice of the Disputed Matter, the Disputed
Matter shall be submitted to mediation in accordance with the procedures
described in Section 7.07(c).
(d) If the Members are unable to resolve an
Issue described in Section 7.08(a) through mutual cooperation, negotiation
or mediation, within thirty (30) days after delivery of the Dispute Resolution
Notice relating to such Issue, the Member which originally served the Dispute
Resolution Notice relating to such Issue shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement, provided that such notice of termination must be given within sixty
(60) days after delivery of the Dispute Resolution Notice related to the
Issue. Failure to timely send such
notice of termination will be deemed a waiver by the notifying party of its right
to terminate the Agreement as a consequence of such Issue.
SECTION VIII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
8.01
Bank Accounts. The Management Committee shall have authority
to open bank accounts and designate signatories with respect thereto on behalf
of the Company and may authorize agents and independent contractors of the
Company to open such bank accounts as deemed necessary or desirable for the
conduct of the Business. The Company bank accounts shall be
maintained on behalf of the Company as segregated accounts and shall not be
commingled with the funds of any person other than the Company. The Companys excess funds shall be invested
in the manner established by the Management Committee from time to time.
8.02 Books of Account.
(a) TCFIF Sub shall cause to
be kept full and proper ledgers and other books of account of all receipts and
disbursements and the following financial reports or information shall be
provided to each Member:
(i) within a reasonable time after the
end of each calendar month and consistent with past practices of the Business,
but in any event within ten (10) days thereafter, the unaudited balance
sheet and the related statements of income
of the Company, prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a
consistent basis, as of the end of, and for, such month and the fiscal
year-to-date;
24
(ii) within a reasonable
time after expiration of each fiscal year and consistent with past practices of
the Business, but in any event no later than the following April 15, the
balance sheet and the related statements of income and cash flows of the
Company and a statement of Capital Accounts and changes thereto, each prepared
in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, accompanied by all necessary
tax reporting information required by each of the Members for preparation of
its Federal, state and local income tax returns, including each Members
allocable share of income, gain, loss, deductions and credits for such fiscal
year;
(iii) promptly, but in no
event more than ten (10) days following the end of each calendar month and
consistent with past practices of the Business, a monthly operating summary of
the Companys activities in a form to be agreed upon by Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub;
and
(iv) within a reasonable
period of time after a request, such other financial information as to the
Company as any Member shall reasonably request.
The tax returns of the Company will be maintained at the offices of TCF
National Bank in Wayzata, Minnesota. All
other ledgers, books of account and financial statements shall be maintained at
the offices of TCFIF in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
TCFIF Sub shall certify on behalf of
the Company that the financial information provided in subsections (i) through
(iv) above (A) has been prepared in accordance with the books of
account and other financial records of the Company, (B) presents fairly
the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the date
thereof or for the periods covered thereby, (C) has been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, and (D) includes,
with respect to annual financial statements, all adjustments that are necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial condition of the Company as of the
dates thereof or for the periods covered thereby and that there are no material
adjustments with respect to quarterly financial statements.
(b) Upon reasonable notice,
the Company shall and shall cause each of its officers, agents, accountants and
counsel to: (i) afford the officers, authorized agents, accountants,
counsel and representatives of the Members and their Affiliates reasonable
access, during normal business hours, to the offices, properties, other
facilities, books and records of the Company and to those officers, agents,
accountants and counsel of the Company who have any knowledge relating to the
Company or the Business and (ii) furnish to the officers, authorized
agents, accountants, counsel and representatives of the Members and their
Affiliates such additional financial and operating data and other information
regarding the Business and the assets, properties and goodwill of the Company
as the Members or their Affiliates may from time to time reasonably
request. The parties shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any disruption to the Business
resulting from this Section 8.02.
(c) The Companys fiscal
year end shall be December 31.
25
8.03
Registered
Independent Public Accounting Firm. If the Management Committee determines that
the Company needs to engage a registered independent public accounting firm,
the Company shall retain, at its sole cost and expense, KPMG LLP to be such
registered independent public accounting firm for the Company; provided,
however, that TCFIF Sub, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, shall be
permitted to cause the Company instead to retain such other registered
independent public accounting firm of national repute as may, from time to
time, be the auditor for TCFIF Subs ultimate parent entity (the Accountant).
The fees and expenses of the Accountant shall be paid by the Company.
SECTION IX
TRANSFER
OF MEMBER INTERESTS
9.01
No Transfer. No Member may sell, assign, transfer, give,
hypothecate or otherwise encumber, directly or indirectly, by operation of law
or otherwise (including by merger, consolidation, dividend or distribution)
(any such sale, assignment, transfer, gift, hypothecation or encumbrance being
hereinafter referred to as a Transfer), any Shares or any interest of any
kind therein or derived therefrom, except upon the prior written consent of the
other Member. Any Transfer of any Shares
in contravention of this Article IX shall be null and void.
9.02
New Members. Subject to the unanimous approval of the
Members, no person not then a Member shall become a Member. The admission of any person as a Member under
any of the provisions hereof shall be conditioned upon such person expressly
assuming and agreeing to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. All reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any Transfer and, if
applicable, the admission of a person as a Member hereunder, shall be paid by
the transferor. Upon compliance with all
provisions hereof applicable to such person becoming a Member, the other Member
agrees to execute and deliver such amendments hereto as are necessary to constitute
such person a Member of the Company.
9.03 Toro
Sub Purchase Option. Toro Sub shall have the option to purchase all, but
not less than all, of the Shares owned by TCFIF Sub or its transferees on the
Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), at the end of the Initial Term or the
next succeeding Additional Term (the End of Term Option), or upon the
termination of the Company pursuant to Section 10.01 (other than pursuant
to Section 10.01(f) or (g)) (the Termination Event Option and
collectively with the End of Term Option, the Toro Sub Purchase Option), in
each case pursuant to this Section 9.03.
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
(a) Purchase Price.
(i) If Toro Sub exercises the End of Term
Option, the purchase price to be paid for by Toro Sub to TCFIF Sub for the
Shares owned by TCFIF Sub shall be the sum of (i) the amount standing to
the credit of the Capital Account of TCFIF Sub as of the Closing Date plus (ii) an
amount equal to the Percentage
26
Interest of TCFIF
Sub multiplied by the Allowance as of the Closing Date plus (iii) the
applicable Toro Sub Purchase Premium plus (iv) the unpaid balance as of
the Closing Date, if any, of any Deficit Loans made by TCFIF Sub to Toro Sub
including accrued interest thereon minus (v) the unpaid balance as of the
Closing Date, if any, of any Deficit Loan made by Toro Sub to TCFIF Sub
including accrued interest thereon, which purchase price shall be payable by
Toro Sub to TCFIF Sub at the closing on the Closing Date; upon payment of the
purchase price, the Deficit Loan made by Toro Sub to TCFIF Sub shall be deemed
to have been paid in full. For purposes
of this Agreement, the term Toro Sub Purchase Premium shall mean:
(A) if the Closing Date occurs at October 31,
2014, an amount equal to the greater of (y) XXXXXXXXXX or (z) XXXXXXXXXX;
(B) if the Closing Date occurs at October 31,
2016, an amount equal to XXXXXXXXXX;
(C) if the Closing Date occurs at October 31,
2018 or at any time thereafter, an amount equal to XXXXXXXXXX.
Average Net Receivables shall be the mean of the
average of the beginning and ending receivable balances for each of the months
included in the calculation and shall be calculated for the 12-month period
immediately preceding the Closing Date.
(ii) If Toro Sub exercises the Termination
Event Option pursuant to a termination of the Company under Section 10.01(a),
the purchase price shall be the greater of (A) the purchase price
calculated under Section 9.03(a)(i) above, and (B) the fair
market value of the Shares owned by TCFIF Sub as of the Closing Date, as
determined by an independent third party expert mutually agreeable to Toro Sub
and TCFIF Sub.
(iii) If Toro Sub exercises the Termination Event Option
pursuant to any other termination of the Company under Section 10.01, the
purchase price shall be the fair market value of the Shares owned by TCFIF as
of the Closing Date, as determined by an independent third party expert
mutually agreeable to Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub.
(iv) Closing Date shall mean (A) for
purposes of the End of Term Option, the last date of the Initial Term or the
next succeeding Additional Term, as applicable; and (B) for purposes of
the Termination Event Option, the date mutually agreed to by Toro Sub and TCFIF
Sub, not to exceed 120 days from the date Toro Sub provides the notice required
by Section 9.03(b)(ii).
(b) Notice of Exercise; Closing.
(i) Toro Sub shall exercise the End of Term
Option, if at all, by giving written notice to such effect to TCFIF Sub either (i) during
the 31-day period
27
commencing October 1,
2013, or (ii) during the 31-day period commencing on the date which is
thirteen (13) months prior to the end of each Additional Period; provided,
however, if TCFIF Sub gives notice of its election not to renew the term of the
Company pursuant to Section 1.04, Toro Sub shall have ninety (90) days
after receipt of such notice within which to exercise the End of Term Option.
(ii) Toro Sub shall exercise the Termination
Event Option, if at all, by giving written notice to such effect to TCFIF Sub
at the time of the events giving rise to the applicable termination event, or
as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
Upon Toro Subs delivery of such notice, no Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined) shall have occurred, no Termination Payment (as
hereinafter defined) shall be payable and the Members shall cooperate to effect
an orderly transfer of the Shares to Toro Sub (including causing the Credit
Agreement to continue through the Closing Date) and to consummate the closing
on the Closing Date; provided, that if the closing is not consummated for any
reason, then such Termination Event shall be deemed to have occurred and the
related Termination Payment, if any, shall be due.
(iii) Contemporaneously with the closing on the Closing
Date, Toro Sub shall cause the Company to repay to TCFIF all indebtedness under
the Credit Agreement.
SECTION X
TERMINATION
10.01 Dissolution. Subject to Toro Subs exercise of the Toro
Sub Purchase Option under Section 9.03, the Company shall be
dissolved and its business wound up as provided in Section 10.04 following
the occurrence of any of the following events, whichever shall first occur (the
Termination Date):
(a) the dissolution,
liquidation or final adjudication as bankrupt or the filing of a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy of TCF Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (TCF),
TCF National Bank, TCFIF, or Toro;
(b) the final adjudication
as bankrupt or the filing of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy of the Company;
(c) an election by a Member
or any of its Affiliates to terminate any of the Definitive Agreements by
reason of default of the other Member or any of such other Members Affiliates
thereunder (other than failure of a Member to make a Capital Contribution
pursuant to this Agreement as to which a Deficit Loan has been made by the
other Member);
(d) upon the election of a Member following
the transfer by the other Member of its Shares (other than to an Affiliate of
such Member or in accordance with Article IX hereof);
(e) upon the election of a Member following
the sale, assignment or encumbrance of any part of the equity interest in other
Member held by the parent of such other Member (other than to an Affiliate of
such Member);
28
(f) the end of the term of
the Company;
(g) upon delivery of a
notice of termination in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08(d);
(h) upon election of a
Member to dissolve due to non-viability of the Company, as described below,
provided that notice of such election may not be given prior to the second
anniversary of the initial closing by the Company of a purchase under the
initial Receivable Purchase Agreement.
(For purposes of this Agreement, non-viability shall mean (i) failure
of the Company to achieve a minimum four quarter rolling return average for
each four-quarter period ending after the second anniversary of the initial
closing of a purchase by the Company under the initial Receivable Purchase
Agreement of XXXXXXXXXX% of pre-tax return on assets or such other return as
may hereafter be agreed upon in writing by the Members or (ii) agreement
of the Members to the effect that the equity requirements of the Company exceed
the sum of XXXXXXXXXX; [PORTIONS
OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR
CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
(i) upon the election of a
Member due to the acquisition of the other Member or its direct or indirect
parent (or in the case of TCFIF Sub, TCF National Bank) by a
competitor of the direct or indirect parent company of the electing Member;
(j) upon election of a
Member in the event that a controlling interest in the ultimate parent of the
other Member (or in the case of TCFIF Sub, TCF
National Bank) were to be directly or indirectly acquired by a third party,
provided that notice of such election is given to such other Member within
twelve (12) months after the electing Member has notice of the acquisition,
such dissolution to be effective not earlier than two (2) years after the
delivery of such notice, subject to the potential earlier termination of the
Company at the end of the then current term; or
(k) the mutual written
consent thereto of all of the Members.
Dissolution will not be complete
until the Company has been wound-up after collecting or charging off all
receivables of the Company and discharging all debts of the Company with
Company assets or as a result of pursuing the obligations of the Members.
10.02 Termination Payment.
In the event of a dissolution of the Company on account of an event
described in Section 10.01(c), (d) or (e), the other Member shall pay
to the Member electing to dissolve the Company a termination payment (the Termination
Payment) as follows:
[PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST
FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
29
(a) if the termination occurs with more than
two (2) years remaining in the Initial Term, then an amount equal to (x) $XXXXXXXXXX
(in the case of a Termination Payment to be made by TCFIF Sub) or (y) $XXXXXXXXXX
(in the case of a Termination Payment to be made by Toro Sub);
(b) if the termination occurs with more than
one (1) but two (2) or less years remaining in the Initial Term, then
an amount equal to (x) $XXXXXXXXXX (in the case of a Termination Payment
to be made by TCFIF Sub) or (y) $XXXXXXXXXX (in the case of a Termination
Payment to be made by Toro Sub);
(c) if the termination occurs with one (1) year
or less remaining in the Initial Term, then an amount equal to (x) $XXXXXXXXXX
(in the case of a Termination Payment to be made by TCFIF Sub) or (y) $XXXXXXXXXX
(in the case of a Termination Payment to be made by Toro Sub).
Such Termination Payment shall be paid no later than thirty
(30) days after the Member electing to dissolve the Company delivers notice
thereof to the other Member.
10.03 Distributions upon Dissolution. Upon the dissolution of the Company as a
result of any of the events set forth in Section 10.01, the Management
Committee (or, if dissolution should occur by reason of an event of default
under Section 10.01(a) or (d), the remaining Member) shall proceed, subject
to the provisions herein, to liquidate the Company and apply the proceeds in
such liquidation, or in their sole discretion to distribute Company assets, in
the following order of priority:
(a) first, to the payment of
secured debts and secured liabilities of the Company;
(b) second, to the payment of
expenses of liquidation;
(c) third, to the payment of
ordinary unsecured debts and liabilities owing to third parties;
(d) fourth, to the payment of all
unsecured indebtedness owing to the Members or their Affiliates;
(e) fifth, to the payment of all
obligations under the TCFIF Services Agreement and the Toro Services Agreement;
(f) sixth, to the payment of all
obligations under any of the other Definitive Agreements;
(g) seventh, to any reserves deemed
necessary by the Management Committee for contingent or unforeseen liabilities
of the Company;
(h) eighth, to the Members pro
rata in accordance with their Capital Account balances.
30
Any distribution to a Member shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.05
and to set-off for any damages to the Company by a default by such Member in
the payment or performance of any of the obligations of such Member owing to
the Company.
10.04 Time for Liquidation. The Members acknowledge that any liquidation of assets
of the Company must be handled in such a manner as to minimize the impact of
such liquidation on the business of Toro and its Affiliates and agree, subject
to the provisions of the following sentence, if so requested by Toro Sub to
continue the Business for a period of up to the later of one year following the
Termination Date, or, if such date shall occur in the months of February through
June, until June 30 of the year following the Termination Date during
which time the Members acknowledge that (a) the Company will no longer be
entitled to any exclusive rights to provide floor plan and open account
financing to Toro dealers and distributors and (b) TCFIF shall no longer
be bound to its exclusivity obligations under Section 2.8(b) of the
Joint Venture Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event in any one
month period following the Termination Date, the Company fails to achieve the
Target Return. TCFIF
Sub may give written notice to Toro Sub of its election to direct that the
Business be discontinued as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days from the
date of such notice, and, unless prior to such date Toro Sub or its Affiliates
shall have paid to TCFIF Sub an amount, when added to amounts allocable to
TCFIF Sub under the terms hereof to permit TCFIF Sub to achieve such a return
with respect to its interest in the Company for such period, then the Business
shall be discontinued as of the date specified in such notice and the Company
shall be liquidated in accordance with the provisions of the following
sentence. Following the cessation of the
Business as contemplated by either of the two preceding sentences, a reasonable time period shall be allowed for the
orderly liquidation of the assets of the Company and the discharge of
liabilities to creditors so as to enable the Members to reasonably minimize the
losses attendant upon such liquidation.
10.05 Members Not Personally Liable for Return of Capital
Contributions. Neither of the Members
nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be personally liable for the
return of the Capital Contributions of any Member and such return shall be made
solely from available Company assets, if any, and each Member hereby waives any
and all claims it may have against the other Member in this regard.
10.06 Final Accounting. In the event of the dissolution of the
Company, prior to any liquidation, a proper accounting shall be made to the
Members from the date of the last previous accounting to the date of
dissolution.
10.07 Cancellation of Certificate. Upon the completion of the distribution of
the Companys assets upon dissolution of the Company, the Company and this
Agreement (other than such provisions which, by their terms or nature, survive
such transaction) shall be terminated, all Shares shall be cancelled and the
Managers shall cause the Company to execute and file a Certificate of
Cancellation in accordance with Section 18-203 of the Act.
SECTION XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01 Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge,
deliver, file, record and publish such further certificates, amendments to
certificates, instruments and
31
documents, and do all such other
acts and things as may be required by law, or as may be required to carry out
the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
11.02 Indemnities.
(a) The Company shall
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Member,
Manager, Officer or any other officer of the Company, or is or was serving at
the request of the Company as a director, officer or employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and
in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person
seeking indemnification did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable
cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) The Company shall
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of
the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is
or was a Member, Manager, Officer or any other officer of the Company, or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery
of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a
Member, Manager, Officer or any other officer of the Company has been
successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in (a) and (b) of this Section 11.02, or
in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified by
the Company against expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and
expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification
under (a) and (b) of this Section 11.02 (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case
upon a determination that indemnification of the Member, Manager, Officer or
any other officer, is
32
proper in the circumstances because
he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such paragraphs (a) and
(b). Such determination shall be made (i) by
a Majority of the Managers who were not parties to such action, suit or
proceeding, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
obtainable such quorum declines to take any action with respect to such
determination, a quorum of at least two disinterested Managers (which shall
include at least one Manager appointed by each Member unless no such Managers
are disinterested) so directs in reliance upon written advice of independent
legal counsel.
(e) Expenses (including
reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by a Member, Manager, Officer
or any other officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company as such
expenses are incurred in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Member,
Manager, Officer or other officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company pursuant
to this Section 11.02.
(f) The indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 11.02
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any law,
agreement, vote of Managers or disinterested Managers or otherwise, both as to
action in an official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
(g) The Company may
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Member,
Manager, Officer or any other officer or agent of the Company, or is or was
serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such.
(h) The indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 11.02
shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a Member, Manager, Officer or any other officer or
agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a person.
(i) No amendment to or
repeal of this Section 11.02 shall apply to or have any effect on the
rights of any person entitled to indemnification or other rights under the
terms of this Section 11.02 prior to such amendment or repeal to the
extent such indemnification or other rights relate, in whole or on part, to
acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment and repeal.
(j) The obligations of the
parties described in Sections 11.02(k) through 11.02(m) shall survive
the filing of a Certification of Cancelation by the Company.
(k) Each Member shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company against all losses, costs,
damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses)
incurred by the Company as a result of such Members breach of any of its
representations, warranties or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that
to the extent such
33
breach is, or relates to, an
Arbitrable Dispute, the Company and the Members shall have complied with the
dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 7.07.
(l) In the event a Member
(including its past, present and future Affiliates, officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, lawyers, representatives and agents) acting in good
faith in a manner it reasonably believes to be (i) in or not opposed to
the best interests to the Company and (ii) consistent with the terms of
this Agreement shall pay or become obligated to pay any proper obligation of
the Company, such Member (including such other persons specified above) shall
be entitled to contribution from the other Member to the extent necessary so
that, after giving effect to such contribution, such Member shall bear no more
than that part of such obligation which corresponds to its respective
Percentage Interest in the Company.
(m) Neither Member shall be
responsible or liable to the other Member, any successor, assignee or third
party beneficiary of such Member or any other Person asserting claims
derivatively through such Member, for exemplary, punitive, or, except in the
case of fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence, indirect or
consequential damages that may be alleged as a result of any transaction
contemplated hereunder.
11.03 Notices.
Notices and all other communication provided for herein shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given to a Member at the earlier of (a) when
personally delivered, (b) 72 hours after having been deposited into the
custody of the U.S. Postal Service, sent by first class certified mail, postage
prepaid, (c) one (1) business day after deposit with a national
overnight courier service, (d) upon receipt
of a confirmation of facsimile transmission, or (e) upon receipt of
electronic mail (with a notice contemporaneously given by another method
specified in this Section 11.03); in each case addressed as follows:
If to TCFIF Sub:
|
TCFIF Joint
Venture I, LLC
|
|
2300 Barrington
Road, Suite 600
|
|
Hoffman Estates,
IL 60169
|
|
Attention:
Vincent E. Hillery, General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (847)
252-6616
|
|
Facsimile: (847)
285-6012
|
|
Email:
vhillery@tcfif.com
|
|
|
|
With copies to:
|
|
|
|
TCF National
Bank
|
|
200 E. Lake
Street
|
|
Wayzata, MN 55391
|
|
Attention:
General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (952)
475-6498
|
|
Facsimile: (952)
475-7975
|
|
Email:
jgreen@tcfbank.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
34
|
Kaplan, Strangis
and Kaplan, P.A.
|
|
5500 Wells Fargo
Center
|
|
90 South Seventh
Street
|
|
Minneapolis, MN
55402
|
|
Attention:
Harvey F. Kaplan, Esq.
|
|
Telephone: (612)
375-1138
|
|
Facsimile: (612)
375-1143
|
|
Email:
hfk@kskpa.com
|
|
|
If to Toro Sub:
|
Red Iron Holding
Corporation
|
|
c/o The Toro
Company
|
|
8111 Lyndale
Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN
55420
|
|
Attention:
Treasurer
|
|
Telephone: (952)
887-8449
|
|
Facsimile: (952)
887-8920
|
|
Email:
Tom.Larson@toro.com
|
|
|
|
With copies to:
|
|
|
|
The Toro Company
|
|
8111 Lyndale
Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN
55420
|
|
Attention:
General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (952)
887-8178
|
|
Facsimile: (952)
887-8920
|
|
Email:
Tim.Dordell@toro.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
Oppenheimer
Wolff & Donnelly LLP
|
|
3300 Plaza VII
Building
|
|
45 South Seventh
Street
|
|
Attention: C.
Robert Beattie, Esq.
|
|
Telephone: (612)
607-7395
|
|
Facsimile: (612)
607-7100
|
|
Email:
RBeattie@Oppenheimer.com
|
or to such other address as either Member hereto may
have furnished to the other Member hereto in writing in accordance herewith,
except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
11.04 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws
principles. Each of Toro Sub and TCFIF
Sub hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal
courts sitting in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota and any state court
located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and by execution and delivery of this
Agreement, each party hereto accepts
35
for itself and in connection with its properties,
generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts
with respect to any litigation concerning this Agreement or the other
Definitive Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any
matters related thereto not subject to the provisions of Sections 7.07 and
7.08. Each Member irrevocably waives any objection (including, without
limitation, any objection to the laying of venue or any objection on the grounds
of forum non conveniens) which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of
any proceeding with respect to this Agreement or the other Definitive
Agreements to the courts set forth above. Each Member agrees to the personal
jurisdiction of such courts and that service of process may be made on it at
the address indicated in Section 11.03 above. Nothing herein shall affect
the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
11.05 Headings; Section and Article References. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and are not to be considered in the interpretation or
construction of the provisions hereof.
Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following
rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement: (a) the words hereof,
herein and hereunder and words of similar import shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (b) the
words include and including and words of similar import shall not be
construed to be limiting or exclusive and (c) the word or shall have the
meaning represented by the phrase and/or.
Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders.
11.06 No Third-Party Beneficiaries; No Partnership. Except for rights in Section 11.02, and as set
forth in Section 7.10 of the Joint Venture Agreement, (x) this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their permitted assigns and (y) this Agreement shall not
be deemed to be for the direct or indirect benefit of any other person. It is
expressly understood and agreed that the Members shall not have the
relationship of partners to each other and that neither Member shall owe the
other the fiduciary duties of a partner; provided, however, that it is understood and
agreed that the Company will be treated as a partnership for tax purposes and
the preceding clause shall in no way affect, limit or restrict any such tax
treatment.
11.07 Extension Not a Waiver. No consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by either
Member or any of their respective Affiliates to or of any breach or default by
the other Member or any of its Affiliates in the performance by the other
Member or any of its Affiliates of its obligations under this Agreement or any
of the other Definitive Agreements to which it is a party shall be deemed or
construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the
performance by that Member or any of its Affiliates of the same or any other
obligations of that Member or its Affiliates. Failure on the part of either
Member or its Affiliates to complain of any act or failure to act on the part
of the other Member or its Affiliates or to declare the other Member or its
Affiliates in default, irrespective of how long the failure continues, shall
not constitute a waiver by that Member or its Affiliates of its rights under
this Agreement or the other Definitive Agreements.
11.08 Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or
public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially
36
adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties
hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable
manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as
originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
11.09 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Members and
their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the
Members and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, neither Member hereto shall be permitted to assign its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Member.
Whenever a reference to any party or Member is made in this Agreement, such
reference shall be deemed to include a reference to the successors and
permitted assigns of that party or Member.
11.10 Consents. Any consent or approval to any act or matter
required under this Agreement must be in writing and shall apply only with
respect to the particular act or matter to which such consent or approval is
given, and shall not relieve any Member from the obligation to obtain the
consent or approval, as applicable, wherever required under this Agreement to
any other act or matter.
11.11 Disclaimer of Agency. This Agreement shall not constitute either Member (or
any of its Affiliates) as a legal representative or agent of the other Member
(or any of its Affiliates), nor shall a Member (or any of its Affiliates) have
the right or authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any
obligation of any kind, expressed or implied, against or in the name or on
behalf of the other Member (or any of its Affiliates) or the Company, unless
otherwise expressly permitted by such other Member, and except as expressly provided
in any of the Definitive Agreements.
11.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
11.13 Person Defined. As used in this Agreement, person shall
mean any individual, entity, estate, firm, corporation, partnership,
association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or association, or any other incorporated or
unincorporated entity.
11.14 No Assumption in Drafting. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
(i) each party has reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of
this Agreement and has had the opportunity to contribute to its revision, and (ii) each
party has been represented by counsel in reviewing and negotiating such terms
and provisions. Accordingly, the rule of
construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting
party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the terms of this Agreement shall be
construed fairly as to both parties hereto and not in favor or against either
party.
11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF TORO SUB AND TCFIF SUB, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
37
VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL
BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DEFINITIVE
AGREEMENT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH
MEMBER ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
11.16 Amendments. This Agreement may be
amended at any time and from time to time, but any amendment must be in writing
and signed by all of the Members.
11.17 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, together
with the other Definitive Agreements, contains all of the understandings and agreements
of whatsoever kind and nature existing among the Members and their respective
Affiliates with respect to this Agreement and the other Definitive Agreements,
the subject matter hereof and of the other Definitive Agreements, and the
rights, interests, understandings, agreements and obligations of the Members
and their respective Affiliates pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
thereof and the Company, and supersedes any previous agreements among the
Members and their respective Affiliates.
[Signature
Page Follows]
38
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
|
RED IRON HOLDING CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas J. Larson
|
|
Name:
|
Thomas J. Larson
|
|
Title:
|
Vice President and CFO
|
|
|
|
|
|
TCFIF JOINT VENTURE I, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Rosario A. Perrelli
|
|
Name:
|
Rosario A. Perrelli
|
|
Title:
|
President
|
39
Schedule
of Definitions
Term
|
|
Section No.
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
7.07(d)
|
Accountant
|
|
8.03
|
Act
|
|
Second paragraph on page 1
|
Additional Capital Contribution
|
|
2.04
|
Additional Term
|
|
1.04
|
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit
|
|
5.08
|
Adjustment Date
|
|
6.03(j)
|
Adjustment Period
|
|
6.03(j)
|
Affiliate
|
|
1.01
|
Agreement
|
|
First paragraph on page 1
|
Allowance
|
|
2.03
|
Arbitrable Disputes
|
|
7.07(a)
|
Average Net Receivables
|
|
9.03(a)(i)
|
Business
|
|
1.03(a)
|
Capital Account
|
|
2.07
|
Capital Contributions
|
|
2.04
|
Closing Date
|
|
9.03(a)(iv)
|
Code
|
|
5.08
|
Company
|
|
First paragraph on page 1
|
Confidential Information
|
|
7.05
|
Contributing Member
|
|
2.05
|
Credit Agreement
|
|
1.01(b)
|
Deficit Loan
|
|
2.05
|
Definitive Agreements
|
|
1.01
|
Designated Managers
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Dispute Resolution Notice
|
|
7.08(a)
|
Disputed Matter
|
|
7.08(c)
|
Distributable Cash
|
|
4.01(b)
|
End of Term Option
|
|
9.03
|
Formation Date
|
|
1.04
|
GAAP
|
|
6.04(q)
|
General Manager
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Index
|
|
2.05
|
Initial Capital Contributions
|
|
2.02
|
Initial Term
|
|
1.04
|
Issue
|
|
7.08(a)
|
Joint Venture Agreement
|
|
1.01(a)
|
Majority of the Managers
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Management Committee
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Managers
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Measurement Period Return
|
|
6.03(j)
|
Member
|
|
First paragraph on page 1
|
Net Income
|
|
5.08
|
Net Loss
|
|
5.08
|
Non-Contributing Member
|
|
2.05
|
non-viability
|
|
10.01(h)
|
Officers
|
|
7.07(a)
|
Percentage Interest
|
|
2.01
|
person
|
|
11.13
|
pre-tax return on assets
|
|
6.02(f)
|
Purchase Capital Contribution
|
|
2.03
|
Receivable Purchase Agreement
|
|
1.01(f)
|
Regulations
|
|
5.08
|
Regulatory Allocations
|
|
5.04
|
Request Notice
|
|
7.07(a)
|
Services Agreements
|
|
1.01(d)
|
Shares
|
|
2.01
|
System Technology
|
|
7.02
|
Target Return
|
|
6.03(i)
|
TCF
|
|
10.01(a)
|
TCFIF
|
|
1.01(a)
|
TCFIF Sub
|
|
First paragraph on page 1
|
TCFIF Sub Managers
|
|
6.02(a)
|
TCFIF Services Agreement
|
|
1.01(c)
|
Technology
|
|
7.02
|
Termination Date
|
|
10.01
|
Termination Event Option
|
|
9.03
|
Termination Payment
|
|
10.02
|
Toro
|
|
Second paragraph on page 1
|
Toro Services Agreement
|
|
1.01(d)
|
Toro Sub
|
|
First paragraph on page 1
|
Toro Sub Purchase Option
|
|
9.03
|
Toro Sub Purchase Premium
|
|
9.03(a)(i)
|
Total Tangible Assets of the Company
|
|
2.03
|
Trademark License Agreement
|
|
1.01(h)
|
Transfer
|
|
9.01
|
Exhibit 10.1
CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
dated as of
AUGUST 12, 2009
between
RED IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC
and
TCF INVENTORY FINANCE, INC.
[PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
Table of Contents
|
Page
|
SECTION I
INTERPRETATION
|
1
|
1.01
Definitions
|
1
|
1.02
GAAP
|
1
|
1.03
Headings
|
1
|
1.04
Plural Terms
|
1
|
1.05
Time
|
2
|
1.06
Governing Law
|
2
|
1.07
Construction
|
2
|
1.08
Entire Agreement
|
2
|
1.09
Calculation of Interest and Fees
|
2
|
1.10
Other Interpretive Provisions
|
2
|
SECTION II
CREDIT FACILITY
|
2
|
2.01
Revolving Loan Facility
|
2
|
2.02
Commitment, Commitment Reductions, Etc.
|
4
|
2.03
Prepayments
|
4
|
2.04
Other Payment Terms
|
4
|
2.05
Revolving Loan Note and Interest Account
|
5
|
2.06
Revolving Loan Funding
|
6
|
2.07
[Reserved]
|
6
|
2.08
Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances; Increased Costs or Reduced
Return Resulting from Taxes, Reserves, Capital Adequacy Requirements,
Expenses, Etc.
|
6
|
SECTION III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
|
7
|
3.01
Conditions Precedent to Initial Revolving Loan
|
7
|
3.02
Conditions Precedent to Each Revolving Loan
|
7
|
3.03
Covenant to Deliver
|
8
|
SECTION IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
8
|
4.01
Borrowers Representations and Warranties
|
8
|
4.02
Reaffirmation
|
11
|
SECTION V
COVENANTS
|
11
|
5.01
Affirmative Covenants
|
11
|
5.02
Negative Covenants
|
13
|
SECTION VI
DEFAULT
|
15
|
6.01 Events
of Default
|
15
|
6.02
Remedies
|
16
|
SECTION VII
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST AND PROVISIONS REGARDING COLLATERAL
|
17
|
7.01
Grant of Security Interest
|
17
|
7.02
Lock Box
|
18
|
7.03
Special Provisions Regarding Accounts
|
18
|
7.04
Lenders Power of Attorney
|
19
|
7.05
No Liability for Safekeeping
|
20
|
7.06
Supplemental Documentation Relating to Collateral; Further Assurances
|
20
|
7.07
Rights and Remedies
|
20
|
i
SECTION VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
|
21
|
8.01
Notices
|
21
|
8.02
Expenses
|
23
|
8.03
Indemnification
|
23
|
8.04
Waivers; Amendments
|
23
|
8.05
Successors and Assigns
|
24
|
8.06
Setoff
|
24
|
8.07
No Third Party Rights
|
25
|
8.08
Partial Invalidity
|
25
|
8.09
Jury Trial
|
25
|
8.10
Submission to Jurisdiction
|
25
|
8.11
Counterparts
|
25
|
8.12
Disclosure of Information about Borrower
|
25
|
8.13
No Recourse to Members of Borrower
|
26
|
8.14
No Indirect or Consequential Damages
|
26
|
ii
CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of August 12, 2009, is
entered into by and among:
RED IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (Borrower), and
TCF INVENTORY FINANCE,
INC., a Minnesota corporation (Lender or TCFIF).
RECITALS
A. Borrower has requested Lender to provide a revolving
credit facility to Borrower for general business purposes.
B. Lender is willing to provide such revolving credit
facility upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the above Recitals and the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION I
INTERPRETATION
1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement
or any other Credit Document, each term set forth in Schedule 1.01, when
used in this Agreement or any other Credit Document, shall have the respective
meaning given to that term in Schedule 1.01 or in the provision of this
Agreement or other Credit Document referenced in Schedule 1.01.
1.02 GAAP.
Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement or any other Credit
Document, all accounting terms used in this Agreement or any other Credit
Document shall be construed, and all accounting and financial computations
hereunder or thereunder shall be computed, in accordance with GAAP. If GAAP changes during the term of this
Agreement such that any covenants contained herein would then be calculated in
a different manner or with different components, Borrower and Lender agree to
negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement in such respects as are
necessary to conform those covenants as criteria for evaluating Borrowers
financial condition to substantially the same criteria as were effective prior
to such change in GAAP; provided, however, that, until Borrower and Lender so
amend this Agreement, all such covenants shall be calculated in accordance with
GAAP as in effect immediately prior to such change.
1.03 Headings. Headings in this Agreement and each of the
other Credit Documents are for convenience of reference only and are not part
of the substance hereof or thereof.
1.04 Plural Terms. All terms defined in this Agreement or any
other Credit Document in the singular form shall have comparable meanings when
used in the plural form and vice versa.
1.05 Time.
All references in this Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents
to a time of day shall mean Chicago, Illinois time, unless otherwise indicated.
1.06 Governing Law. This Agreement and each of the other Credit
Documents shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
state of Minnesota without reference to conflicts of law rules.
1.07 Construction. Each of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents is the result of negotiations among, and has been reviewed by,
Borrower, Lender and their respective counsel. Accordingly, this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents shall be deemed to be the product of all parties
hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against Borrower or
Lender.
1.08 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and each of the other Credit
Documents, taken together, constitute and contain the entire agreement of
Borrower and Lender and supersede any and all prior agreements, negotiations,
correspondence, understandings and communications among the parties, whether
written or oral, respecting the subject matter hereof.
1.09 Calculation of Interest and Fees. All calculations of interest and fees under
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents for any period shall include the
first day and the last day of such period.
1.10 Other Interpretive Provisions. References in this Agreement to Recitals, Sections,
Exhibits and Schedules are to recitals, sections, exhibits and schedules
herein and hereto unless otherwise indicated. References in this Agreement and
each of the other Credit Documents to any document, instrument or agreement (a) shall
include all exhibits, schedules and other attachments thereto, (b) shall
include all documents, instruments or agreements issued or executed in
replacement thereof, and (c) shall mean such document, instrument or
agreement, or replacement or predecessor thereto, as amended, modified and
supplemented in writing from time to time and in effect at any given time. The
words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import when used
in this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall refer to this Agreement or
such other Credit Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement or such other Credit Document, as the
case may be. The words include and including and words of similar import
when used in this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall not be construed
to be limiting or exclusive. The word or
when used in this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall have the meaning
represented by the phrase and/or.
SECTION II
CREDIT FACILITY
2.01 Revolving Loan Facility.
(a) Revolving
Loan Availability. Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, Lender agrees to advance to Borrower
from time to time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on
October 31, 2014, or such earlier date on which the LLC Term shall end (such
date or such earlier date, if applicable, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date),
such loans as Borrower may request under this
2
Section 2.01 (individually, a Revolving Loan); provided,
however, that the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding
at any time shall not exceed the Commitment at such time. Except as otherwise
provided herein, Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Loans until
the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.
(b) Revolving
Loan Borrowings. Borrower shall
request each Revolving Loan by having a representative of Borrower request by
telephone or other means acceptable to Lender a Revolving Loan, which request
shall specify the principal amount of the requested Revolving Loan and the date
of the requested Revolving Loan, which shall be a Business Day (any such
request, a Revolving Loan Borrowing Request). Any Revolving Loan
Borrowing Request received after 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on a Business
Day may not be honored until the next following Business Day (or such later
time as may be specified in the Revolving Loan Borrowing Request).
(c) Revolving
Loan Interest Rates. Borrower shall
pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan from the
date of such Revolving Loan until the Maturity thereof, at a rate per annum
equal to the TCFIF Rate from time to time in effect. All computations of
interest on Revolving Loans shall be based on a year of 365 days
for actual days elapsed.
(d) Scheduled
Revolving Loan Payments. Unless
sooner repaid, Borrower shall repay to Lender on the Revolving Loan Maturity
Date the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan made by Lender.
Borrower shall pay accrued interest in arrears on the unpaid principal amount
of each Revolving Loan (A) no later than the fifteenth day in each
calendar month for the preceding calendar month, and (B) at Maturity.
(e) Purpose. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the
Revolving Loans solely for Borrowers general business needs (including (i) the
purchase of certain receivables from Toro, TCC, Toro International, Exmark and
their Affiliates, or from third parties that have purchased receivables from
Toro or its Affiliates (the Purchased Receivables), (ii) the
funding of Borrowers financing programs for its customers, (iii) payment
of expenses and other items incurred in the ordinary course of business
(including payments of principal and interest under Section 2.01(d))
and (iv) distributions of Distributable Cash (as defined in the LLC
Agreement) to the Members).
(f) Extension
of Facility. So that the Members of
Borrower may make a fully informed decision as to whether to continue Borrowers
existence beyond the then-current LLC Term, Lender agrees to provide to
Borrower, no later than fourteen (14) months prior to the expiration of the
then-current LLC Term, written notice indicating Lenders intent with respect
to the extension of the Revolving Loan facility and, if Lender intends to
extend the Revolving Loan facility, the proposed material terms of such
extension; provided, however, that failure to provide such notice by Lender
shall not be a default of the terms of this Agreement and shall be deemed to be
a declination of its willingness to extend the term of this Agreement.
3
2.02 Commitment, Commitment Reductions, Etc.
(a) Commitment. The aggregate principal amount of all
Revolving Loans outstanding at a time shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the
Borrowing Base and (y) $450,000,000 (or, if reduced pursuant to Section 2.02(b) or
otherwise; the lesser amount to which reduced) (such lesser amount, as so
reduced from time to time, to be referred to herein as the Commitment).
(b) Reduction
or Cancellation of the Commitment.
Borrower may, upon three (3) Business Days written notice to
Lender, permanently reduce the Commitment by the amount of $1,000,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or cancel the Commitment in
its entirety; provided, however, that (i) Borrower may not reduce the
Commitment prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, if, after giving effect
to such reduction, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans
outstanding would exceed the Commitment, (ii) Borrower may not cancel the
Commitment prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, if, after giving effect
to such cancellation, any Obligations would remain outstanding, and (iii) Borrower
may reduce or cancel the Commitment in connection with a dissolution of
Borrower under the terms of the LLC Agreement. Once reduced or cancelled, the
Commitment may not be increased or reinstated without the prior written consent
of Lender.
2.03 Prepayments.
(a) Optional
Prepayments. At its option, Borrower
may prepay, at any time and from time to time on a Business Day, any Revolving
Loan in whole or in part.
(b) Mandatory
Prepayments. If, at any time, the
aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding exceeds the
Commitment at such time, Borrower shall prepay Revolving Loans in an aggregate
principal amount equal to such excess (i) by the twentieth (20th) day of the following month if such excess is greater
than $500,000 or (ii) if less, by the end of the last day of such
month. Lender acknowledges that under
the terms of Section 2.4 of the LLC Agreement, required capital
contributions to Borrower at the end of each month will be based upon estimates
and that Borrowers Borrowing Base compliance as determined as of the end of
any month will be dependent upon the accuracy of such estimates. Borrower shall not be deemed to be in breach
of this covenant as a result of reliance on such estimates so long as it
complies with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.03(b).
2.04 Other Payment Terms.
(a) Place
and Manner. Borrower shall make all
payments due to Lender hereunder without setoff, counterclaim or deduction by
payments at Lenders office, located at the address specified in Section 8.01,
or to such other place or account as Lender may designate from time to time in
writing to Borrower, in lawful money of the United States and in same day or
immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date due. Borrower shall establish various bank
accounts, including a parent account, an electronic disbursements account, a
manual collections account, an electronic
4
collections account, and one or more Lock Box accounts. Each day, funds will be transferred
electronically between the parent account and the electronic disbursement,
manual collections, electronic collections and the Lock Box accounts so as to
result in a zero balance in all accounts other than the parent account. The balance in the parent account, if
positive, will be transferred electronically to Lender and applied pursuant to Section 2.04(d).
(b) Date. Whenever any payment due hereunder shall fall
due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next
succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be included in the
computation of interest.
(c) Late
Payments. If any amounts required to
be paid by Borrower under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents
(including principal or interest payable on any Revolving Loan or other
amounts) remain unpaid when due, Borrower shall pay interest on the aggregate
outstanding balance of such amounts from the due date thereof until such
amounts are paid in full at a per annum rate equal to the TCFIF Rate from time
to time in effect plus two percent (2.00%) (or, if less, the maximum amount
permitted by law), such rate to change from time to time as the TCFIF Rate
shall change. All computations of such interest shall be based on a year of 365
days for actual days elapsed.
(d) Application
of Payments. All payments hereunder
shall be applied first to unpaid costs and expenses then due and payable under
this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, second to accrued interest then
due and payable under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents and finally
to reduce the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans.
(e) Application
of Seller Credits. At Lenders
request, Borrower shall pay all Seller Credits to Lender as soon as the same
are received for application to the Obligations. At any time Lender is entitled to terminate
the Commitment after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default under Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g), Borrower
authorizes Lender to collect such amounts directly from Sellers and, upon
request of Lender, shall instruct Sellers to pay Lender directly.
2.05 Revolving Loan Note and Interest Account.
(a) Revolving
Loan Note. The obligation of
Borrower to repay the Revolving Loans and to pay interest thereon at the rates
provided herein shall be evidenced by a promissory note in the form of Exhibit A
(the Revolving Loan Note), which note shall be (i) in the
original principal amount of $450,000,000, (ii) dated the Closing Date and
(iii) otherwise appropriately completed. Lender shall record on its
general ledger the date and amount of each Revolving Loan and of each payment
or prepayment of principal and each payment of interest or other amounts
thereon made by Borrower.
(b) Interest
Account. Borrower authorizes Lender
to record in an account or accounts maintained by Lender on its books (the Interest
Account) (i) the interest rates applicable to all Revolving Loans and
the effective dates of all changes thereto, (ii) the
5
date and amount of each principal and interest payment on each
Revolving Loan and (iii) such other information as Lender may determine is
necessary for the computation of interest payable by Borrower hereunder.
(c) Notations. Borrower agrees that all notations on the
Schedule annexed to the Revolving Loan Note and the Interest Account shall
constitute prima facie evidence of the matters noted absent manifest error;
provided, however, that the failure of Lender to make any such notation shall
not affect Borrowers Obligations.
2.06 Revolving Loan Funding. Unless otherwise directed by Borrower, Lender
shall disburse the proceeds of each Revolving Loan to Borrower by disbursement
to such account at such bank as Borrower may designate from time to time in
writing to Lender from time to time.
2.07 [Reserved]
2.08 Additional Compensation in Certain
Circumstances; Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting from Taxes,
Reserves, Capital Adequacy Requirements, Expenses, Etc. If any change in any Requirement of Law,
guideline or interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or
compliance with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of a
Requirement of Law) of any central bank or other Governmental Authority:
(a) subjects
Lender to any Taxes or changes the basis of taxation with respect to this
Agreement, the Revolving Loans or payments by Borrower of principal, interest,
fees, or other amounts due from Borrower hereunder,
(b) imposes,
modifies or deems applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, or
assets (funded or contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, or other
acquisitions of funds by, Lender, or
(c) imposes,
modifies or deems applicable any capital adequacy or similar requirement (i) against
assets (funded or contingent) of, or other credits or commitments to extend
credit extended by, Lender, or (ii) otherwise applicable to the
obligations of Lender under this Agreement,
and the result of any of
the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the income receivable by, or
impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon Lender with respect to this
Agreement or the making, maintenance or funding of any part of the Revolving
Loans (or, in the case of any capital adequacy or similar requirement, to have
the effect of reducing the rate of return on Lenders capital, taking into
consideration Lenders customary policies with respect to capital adequacy) by
an amount which Lender in its sole discretion deems to be material, Lender
shall from time to time notify Borrower of the amount determined in good faith
by Lender to be necessary to compensate Lender for such increase in cost,
reduction of income, additional expense or reduced rate of return. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable
detail the basis for such determination.
Such amount shall be due and payable by Borrower to Lender ten (10) Business
Days after such notice is given. If Lender fails to give such notice within three
hundred sixty-five (365) days after it obtains knowledge of such event, Lender
shall, with respect to
6
compensation payable
pursuant to this Section 2.08, only be entitled to payment for
increase in cost, reduction of income, additional expense or reduced rate of
return incurred from and after the date three hundred sixty five (365) days
prior to the date that Lender does give such notice.
SECTION III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
3.01 Conditions Precedent to Initial Revolving
Loan. The obligation of Lender to
make the initial Revolving Loan is subject to receipt by Lender, on or prior to
the Closing Date, of the following documents, each in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender:
(a) This Agreement, duly executed by Borrower;
(b) The
Revolving Loan Note payable to Lender, duly executed by Borrower;
(c) The
Security Documents duly executed and delivered to Lender;
(d) The
organizational documents of each of the Members;
(e) Certificate
of Formation of Borrower;
(f) The
Joint Venture Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto;
(g) The
LLC Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto;
(h) A
certificate of the general manager of Borrower, dated the Closing Date,
certifying that attached thereto are true and correct copies of resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Managers of Borrower and continuing in effect,
which authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents executed or to be executed by Borrower
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
(i) A
certificate of the general manager of Borrower, dated the Closing Date,
certifying the incumbency, signatures and authority of the members of the Board
of Managers of Borrower or other officers of Borrower authorized to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and the other applicable Credit Documents on
behalf of Borrower.
3.02 Conditions Precedent to Each Revolving
Loan. The obligation of Lender to
make each Revolving Loan, including the making of the initial Revolving Loan,
is subject to the further conditions that Lender shall have received the
appropriate Revolving Loan Borrowing Request requesting such Revolving Loan, or
request therefor shall otherwise have been made to Lenders satisfaction, in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and that on the date such Revolving
Loan is to be made and after giving effect to such Revolving Loan, the
following shall be true and correct:
(a) The
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.01 are true
and correct in all material respects as if made on such date;
7
(b) No
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing that would permit the Lender to
terminate the Commitment;
(c) No
Material Adverse Effect or Acceleration Event has occurred and is continuing;
and
(d) Each
of the Credit Documents remains in full force and effect.
3.03 Covenant to Deliver. Borrower agrees (not as a condition but as a
covenant) to deliver to Lender each item required to be delivered to Lender as
a condition to the making of each Revolving Loan. Borrower expressly agrees
that the making of any Revolving Loan prior to the receipt by Lender of any
such item shall not constitute a waiver by Lender of Borrowers obligation to
deliver such item.
SECTION IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.01 Borrowers Representations and Warranties. To induce Lender to enter into this Agreement
and to make Revolving Loans hereunder, Borrower represents and warrants to
Lender that:
(a) Due
Organization, Qualification, Etc. Borrower (i) is a limited liability
company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of
Delaware; (ii) has the power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted; and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business in each
jurisdiction where the nature of the business of Borrower requires such
qualification or licensing and the failure to be so qualified or licensed could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Authority.
The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of each Credit Document to
be executed by Borrower and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby (i) are within the limited liability company power of Borrower and
(ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company
actions on the part of Borrower (including Member action, if necessary).
(c) Enforceability.
Each Credit Document executed, or to be executed, by Borrower has been, or will
be, duly executed and delivered by Borrower and constitutes, or will
constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower enforceable against
Borrower in accordance with its terms.
(d) Non-Contravention.
The execution and delivery by Borrower of the Credit Documents executed by
Borrower and the performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby do not (i) violate any Requirement of Law applicable to Borrower; (ii) violate
any provision of, or result in the breach or the acceleration of, or entitle
any other Person to accelerate (whether after the giving of notice or lapse of
time or both), any Contractual Obligation of Borrower; or (iii) result in
the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property, asset or revenue of
Borrower (except such
8
Liens as may be created in favor of Lender pursuant to this Agreement
or the other Credit Documents).
(e) Approvals.
No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration
or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person (including the partners, members or shareholders of any
Person) that has not been obtained on or prior to the Closing Date is required
in connection with the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents executed
by Borrower and the consummation and performance of the transactions
contemplated thereby.
(f) No
Violation or Default. Borrower is not in violation of or in default with
respect to (i) any Requirement of Law applicable to it or (ii) any
Contractual Obligation of it (nor is there any waiver in effect which, if not
in effect, would result in such a violation or default), where, individually or
in the aggregate, such violations or defaults could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Litigation.
No actions, suits, proceedings or investigations are pending or, to the
knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower at law or in equity in any
court or before any other Governmental Authority which (i) could
reasonably be expected to (individually or in the aggregate) have a Material
Adverse Effect or (ii) seek to enjoin, either directly or indirectly, the
execution, delivery or performance by Borrower of the Credit Documents or the
transactions contemplated thereby.
(h) Title.
Borrower owns and has good and marketable title in fee simple absolute to, or a
valid leasehold interest in, all of its real properties and good title to its
other respective assets and properties as reflected in the most recent
Financial Statements delivered to Lender (except those assets and properties
disposed of in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in compliance with
this Agreement since the date of such Financial Statements) and all respective
assets and properties acquired by Borrower since such date (except those
disposed of in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in compliance with
this Agreement), including all of the Collateral. Such assets and properties
are subject to no Liens, except for Permitted Liens.
(i) Financial
Statements. The Financial Statements of Borrower that have been delivered
to Lender, (i) are in accordance with the books and records of Borrower,
which have been maintained in accordance with good business practice; (ii) have
been prepared in conformity with GAAP and (iii) fairly present the
financial position of Borrower at such date. Borrower does not have any
contingent obligations, liability for Taxes or other outstanding obligations
which are material in the aggregate, except as disclosed in the Financial
Statements most recently delivered to Lender pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(i) or
(ii).
(j) Membership
Interests. Outstanding Membership
Interests of Borrower are owned as follows:
Toro Sub:
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
TCFIF Sub:
|
|
55
|
%
|
9
All outstanding
Membership Interests of Borrower are duly authorized, validly issued and fully
paid, subject to the Purchase Capital Contribution and the Additional
Capital Contribution requirements set forth in Sections 2.03 and 2.04 of the
LLC Agreement, respectively. There are no outstanding subscriptions,
options, conversion rights, warrants or other agreements or commitments of any
nature whatsoever (firm or conditional) regarding the Membership Interests of
Borrower other than as contemplated by the Joint Venture Agreement or the LLC
Agreement. All Membership Interests of Borrower have been offered and sold in
compliance with all federal and state securities laws and all other
Requirements of Law.
(k) No
Agreements to Sell Assets, Etc.
Borrower has no legal obligation, absolute or contingent, to any Person
to sell the assets of Borrower (other than sales in the ordinary course of
business), or to effect any merger, consolidation or other reorganization of
Borrower or to enter into any agreement with respect thereto.
(l) Employee
Benefit Plans. As of the date
hereof, Borrower does not maintain or contribute to, nor has it any obligation
under any Employee Benefit Plan of any type or nature whatsoever. Borrower does
not contribute to and does not have any liability with respect to any
Multiemployer Plan.
(m) Other
Regulations. Borrower is not subject
to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, any state public utilities
code or to any federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to
incur Indebtedness.
(n) Governmental
Charges and Other Indebtedness. Borrower has filed or caused to be filed
all tax returns which are required to be filed by it. Borrower has paid, or
made provision for the payment of, all taxes and other Governmental Charges
which have or may have become due pursuant to said returns or otherwise and all
other Indebtedness which has become due, except for such Governmental Charges
or Indebtedness, if any, which are being contested in good faith and as to
which adequate reserves (determined in accordance with GAAP) have been provided
or which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if
unpaid.
(o) Subsidiaries,
Etc. Borrower has no Subsidiaries,
is not a partner in any partnership and is not a joint venturer in any joint
venture.
(p) No
Material Adverse Effect. No event
has occurred and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Records
Regarding Collateral. Borrower keeps
and maintains its books and records regarding its accounts and chattel paper at
its chief executive office in Hoffman Estates, Illinois or at its office in
Bloomington, Minnesota. The only locations at which any Collateral is located
are at its offices in Bloomington, Minnesota and Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
(r) Accounts. All of Borrowers accounts are bona fide
existing receivables created by Toro, an Affiliate of Toro or a distributor of
Toro in the regular course of
10
business of Toro or such Affiliate or distributor to their respective
account debtors or acquired by Toro or an Affiliate of Toro in connection with
the acquisition of the business of another party.
(s) Accuracy
of Information Furnished. None of
the Credit Documents and none of the other certificates, statements or
information furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Borrower in connection with
the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.02 Reaffirmation. Borrower shall be deemed to have reaffirmed,
in all material respects, for the benefit of Lender, each representation and
warranty contained in Section 4.01 on and as of the date each
Revolving Loan is made.
SECTION V
COVENANTS
5.01 Affirmative Covenants. Until the termination of this Agreement and
the satisfaction in full by Borrower of all Obligations, Borrower shall comply,
and shall cause compliance, with the following affirmative covenants unless
Lender shall otherwise consent in writing:
(a) Financial
Statements, Reports, Etc. Borrower
shall furnish to Lender the following, each in such form and such detail as
Lender shall reasonably request:
(i) Within
thirty (30) Business Days after the last day of each calendar month, copies of
the unaudited Financial Statements of Borrower for such month as of the last
day of such month;
(ii) Within
one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower,
copies of the unaudited Financial Statements of Borrower;
(iii) As
soon as possible and in no event later than five (5) Business Days after
any manager or officer of Borrower knows of the occurrence or existence of (A) any
actual or threatened litigation, suits, claims or disputes against Borrower
involving potential monetary damages payable by Borrower of $100,000 or more
(individually or in the aggregate), (B) any other event or condition which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) any
Event of Default or Default; a written statement of the general manager of
Borrower setting forth the details of such event, condition, Event of Default
or Default and the action which Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
and
(iv) Such
other instruments, agreements, certificates, opinions, statements, documents
and information relating to the operations or condition (financial or otherwise)
of Borrower, and compliance by Borrower with the terms
11
of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, as Lender may from
time to time reasonably request.
(b) Books
and Records. Borrower shall at all
times keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct
entries will be made of its transactions in accordance with GAAP.
(c) Inspections;
Information. Borrower shall permit
any Person designated by Lender, upon reasonable notice and during normal
business hours, to visit and inspect any of the properties and offices of
Borrower, to examine the books of account of Borrower and to discuss the
affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower with, and to be advised as to the
same by, their managers, officers, auditors and accountants, all at such times
and intervals as Lender may reasonably request. Borrower shall permit Lender,
upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to inspect the
Collateral and Borrower shall furnish to Lender, upon request of Lender, such
information regarding the Collateral and Borrowers business as Lender may from
time to time reasonably request.
(d) Governmental
Charges and Other Indebtedness.
Borrower shall promptly pay and discharge when due (i) all taxes
and other Governmental Charges imposed on Borrower prior to the date upon which
penalties accrue thereon, (ii) all Indebtedness which, if unpaid, could
become a Lien upon the property of Borrower and (iii) all other
Indebtedness which, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, except such taxes and Indebtedness as may in good faith be
contested or disputed, or for which arrangements for deferred payment have been
made, provided that in each such case appropriate reserves are maintained to
the reasonable satisfaction of Lender.
(e) Use
of Proceeds. Borrower shall use the
proceeds of the Revolving Loans only for the purposes set forth in Section 2.01(e).
(f) General
Business Operations. Borrower shall (i) preserve
and maintain its limited liability company existence and all of its rights,
privileges and franchises reasonably necessary to the conduct of its business, (ii) conduct
its business activities in compliance with all Requirements of Law and Contractual
Obligations applicable to it, the violation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) keep all property useful
and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, and (iv) maintain its chief executive office and
principal place of business in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
(g) Collateral. Borrower shall keep all Collateral at the
locations identified in Section 4.01(q) and shall keep all
tangible Collateral in good order, repair and operating condition. Borrower
shall not sell, rent, lease, transfer, consign, dispose or otherwise convey any
of the Collateral except for sales or other dispositions in the ordinary course
of Borrowers business. Borrower shall not change its name or change its chief
executive office or the office where it keeps its books and records with
respect to accounts and chattel paper without giving at least thirty (30) days
prior written notice to Lender.
12
(h) Borrowing Base.
Upon request of Lender, Borrower promptly shall provide to Lender a
written report, prepared in reasonable detail and with supporting
documentation, setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base.
5.02 Negative Covenants. Until the termination of this Agreement and
the satisfaction in full by Borrower of all Obligations, Borrower shall comply,
and shall cause compliance, with the following negative covenants unless Lender
shall otherwise consent in writing:
(a) Indebtedness. Borrower
shall not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness except for
Permitted Indebtedness.
(b) Liens. Borrower
shall not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect
to any of its assets or property of any character, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except for Permitted Liens. Borrower shall keep all
Collateral free and clear of all Liens except Liens in favor of Lender.
(c) Asset Dispositions.
Borrower shall not sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of
its assets or property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except in the
ordinary course of its business and except as otherwise contemplated by the
Credit Documents. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event Borrower elects to transfer to any Seller any Purchased
Receivables acquired from such parties pursuant to any reconveyance rights that
it may have under the terms of any agreement with such Seller, it shall be
permitted to do so free and clear of any Lien granted hereunder upon payment of
any amount due from the original transferor thereof as set forth in the
agreement governing the original purchase by Borrower of such Purchased
Receivables.
(d) Mergers, Acquisitions, Etc.
Borrower shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
permit any other Person to merge into it, or acquire all or substantially all
of the assets of any other Person, except, with respect to TCC, pursuant to the
initial Receivable Purchase Agreement described in Section 7.02.
(e) Distributions, Etc.
Except for Permitted Distributions, Borrower shall not (i) make any
distributions of any kind whatsoever to its Members; (ii) purchase,
redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any of its Membership
Interests held by any Person; (iii) return any capital to any of its
Members; or (iv) set apart any sum for any such purpose.
(f) Capital Expenditures.
Borrower shall not pay or incur Capital Expenditures which exceed in the
aggregate in any fiscal year $50,000.
(g) Investments.
Borrower shall not make any Investments other than loans, advances or
purchases of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of Borrowers business.
(h) Change in Business.
Borrower shall not engage, either directly or indirectly through
Subsidiaries, in any business substantially different from its business as
conducted on the date hereof or as expected to be conducted after the date
hereof; provided, however, that Borrower shall be permitted to engage in the
business of providing floorplan financing and open account inventory financing
of any and all
13
products manufactured or
distributed from time to time after the date hereof by Toro, or any of its
Affiliates, including parts, accessories, software and software updates to
support equipment or services, advertising materials, advertising placements,
training materials, point of sale or merchandising materials, extended service
contracts, licenses for scheduling software and online services, to the extent
permitted by the LLC Agreement.
(i) Security Issuances.
Borrower shall not issue, offer or sell any Equity Securities of it
other than as contemplated by the Joint Venture Agreement or the LLC Agreement.
(j) [Reserved]
(k) Subsidiaries, Etc.
Borrower shall not create or permit to exist any Subsidiaries, and
Borrower shall not become a partner in any partnership or a joint venturer in
any joint venture.
(l) Transactions With Affiliates.
Borrower shall not enter into any Contractual Obligation with any Affiliate
or engage in any other transaction with any Affiliate except upon terms at
least as favorable to Borrower as an arms-length transaction with unaffiliated
Persons and except for Contractual Obligations and transactions expressly
contemplated by the Joint Venture Agreement or the LLC Agreement.
(m) Accounting Changes.
Borrower shall not change (i) its fiscal year (currently January 1
through December 31) or (ii) its accounting practices except as
required by GAAP.
(n) Tangible Net Worth Covenant.
Borrower shall not permit its Tangible Net Worth as at the last day of
any calendar month (after giving effect to any capital contributions made by
the Members with respect to such calendar month in accordance with the terms of
the LLC Agreement) to be less than its Required Equity Investment as of such
date; provided that Borrower shall not be deemed to be in breach of this
covenant so long as (i) the actual Tangible Net Worth is no more than $
XXXXXXXXXX less than its Required Equity Investment as of such date, or (ii) if
the actual Tangible Net Worth is more than $ XXXXXXXXXX less than its Required
Equity Investment as of such date, then each Member shall make a capital
contribution on or before the twentieth (20th)
day of the following month in the amount
of such difference. Lender acknowledges
that under the terms of Section 2.4
of the LLC Agreement, required capital contributions to Borrower at the end of
each month will be based upon estimates.
In the case of a deficit of less than $XXXXXXXXXX, Borrower shall take
such deficiency into account when determining the required capital
contributions to be made by the Members for the following month. [PORTIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE
BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED.
A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.]
14
SECTION VI
DEFAULT
6.01 Events of Default. The occurrence or existence of any one or
more of the following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:
(a) Borrower shall fail to pay when due any
principal, interest or other payment required under the terms of this Agreement
or any of the other Credit Documents; or
(b) Borrower shall fail to observe or perform
in any material respect any covenant, obligation, condition or agreement set
forth in Sections 5.01(d)(iii), 5.02(c), 5.02(d), 5.02(f),
5.02(h), 5.02(i), 5.02(j) or 5.02(k); or
(c) Borrower shall fail to observe or perform
any other covenant, obligation, condition or agreement contained in this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents and such failure shall continue for
thirty (30) days after notice thereof is given by Lender to Borrower or such
longer period of time as is reasonably necessary to allow Borrower to so
observe or perform such covenant, obligation, condition or agreement but, in
any event, not more than seventy-five (75) days after notice thereof is given
by Lender to Borrower; provided, that with respect to a failure by Borrower to
observe or perform the Tangible Net Worth covenant pursuant to Section 5.02(n),
such failure shall have only continued for five (5) days after notice
thereof is given by Lender to Borrower; or
(d) Any representation, warranty,
certificate, or other statement (financial or otherwise) made or furnished by
or on behalf of Borrower to Lender in or in connection with this Agreement or
any of the other Credit Documents, or as an inducement to Lender to enter into
this Agreement, shall be false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any
material respect when made or furnished; or
(e) Borrower shall (i) fail to make any
payment when due under the terms of any bond, debenture, note or other evidence
of Indebtedness to be paid by such Person (excluding this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents but including any other evidence of Indebtedness of
Borrower to Lender) and such failure shall continue beyond any period of grace
provided with respect thereto, or (ii) default in the observance or
performance of any other agreement, term or condition contained in any such
bond, debenture, note or other evidence of Indebtedness, and the effect of such
failure or default in either case is to cause, or permit the holder or holders
thereof to cause Indebtedness in an aggregate amount of $100,000 or more to
become due prior to its stated date of maturity; or
(f) Borrower shall (i) apply for or
consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian of
itself or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) be unable, or
admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts generally as they mature, (iii) make
a general assignment for the benefit of its or any of its creditors, (iv) become
insolvent (as such term may be defined or interpreted under any applicable
statute), (v) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking
liquidation, reorganization or
15
other relief with respect
to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law
now or hereafter in effect or consent to any such relief or to the appointment
of or taking possession of its property by any official in an involuntary case
or other proceeding commenced against it, or (vi) take any action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
(g) Proceedings for the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian of Borrower or of all or a
substantial part of the property of Borrower, or an involuntary case or other
proceedings seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to
Borrower or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now
or hereafter in effect shall be commenced and not dismissed within sixty (60)
days of commencement; or
(h) A final, non-appealable judgment or order
for the payment of money in excess of $100,000 (exclusive of amounts covered by
insurance issued by an insurer not an Affiliate of Borrower) shall be rendered
against Borrower and the same shall remain unsatisfied, unstayed or unvacated
for a period of thirty (30) days after entry thereof, or any judgment, writ,
assessment, warrant of attachment, or execution or similar process shall be
issued or levied against a substantial part of the property of Borrower, and
such judgment, writ, assessment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days
after filing; or
(i) Any Credit Document or any material term
thereof shall cease to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower
enforceable in accordance with its terms; or
(j) Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub shall cease to be
the sole members of Borrower or Toro Sub closes on its acquisition of the
interest of TCFIF Sub in Borrower pursuant to the exercise of the Toro Sub
Purchase Option under Section 9.03 of the LLC Agreement; or
(k) Borrower shall have been finally
dissolved, wound up and liquidated, whether at scheduled maturity or otherwise
or the business of Borrower shall have been discontinued pursuant to an
election made as described in the third sentence of Section 10.04 of the
LLC Agreement;
(l) Lenders security interest in any
material portion of the Collateral shall at any time cease to be a valid and
perfected, first priority, security interest.
6.02 Remedies.
(a) Upon (i) the occurrence or existence
of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.01(f) or
6.01(g) or an Event of Default caused solely by TCFIF or an
Affiliate of TCFIF, including any failure by TCFIF to make a capital
contribution to Borrower required pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement or
any willful violation on the part of the general manager of Borrower while such
general manager is TCFIFs employee, which such failure or violation shall be
deemed to have been caused solely by TCFIF) and at any time thereafter during
the continuance of such
16
Event of Default, (ii) the
occurrence or existence of a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) the
occurrence of an Acceleration Event, Lender may, by written notice to Borrower,
(a) terminate the Commitment and the obligation of Lender to make
Revolving Loans and/or (b) declare all outstanding Obligations payable by
Borrower hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the Revolving Loan Note to
the contrary notwithstanding.
Notwithstanding the occurrence or existence of an Event of Default under
Sections 6.01(b) (e), 6.01(h), 6.01(i) or 6.01(l),
Lender shall not be permitted to terminate the Commitment or declare the
Obligations due and payable and shall continue to make Revolving Loans
hereunder so long as there shall not occur or exist a Material Adverse Effect
or Acceleration Event or an Event of Default under any of Sections 6.01(a),
6.01(f), 6.01(g), 6.01(j) or 6.01(k).
(b) Upon the occurrence or existence of any
Event of Default described in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g),
immediately and without notice, (i) the Commitment and the obligations of
Lender to make Revolving Loans shall automatically terminate and (ii) all
outstanding Obligations payable by Borrower hereunder shall automatically
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any
other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything
contained herein or in the Revolving Loan Note to the contrary notwithstanding.
(c) In addition to the foregoing remedies,
upon the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default at any time Lender is
permitted to terminate the Commitment, Lender may exercise any other right,
power or remedy granted to it by the Credit Documents or otherwise permitted to
it by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.
SECTION VII
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST AND PROVISIONS REGARDING COLLATERAL
7.01 Grant of Security
Interest. As security for the
payment of all Revolving Loans now or hereafter made by Lender to Borrower
hereunder or under the Revolving Loan Note, and as security for the payment or
other satisfaction of all other Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to the
Lender a Lien and a security interest in and to the following property of
Borrower, whether now or hereafter owned, existing, licensed, leased,
consigned, acquired or arising, wherever now or hereafter located (all such
property is herein referred to collectively as the Collateral (each
capitalized term used in this Section 7.01 and not otherwise
defined in this Agreement shall have in this Agreement the meaning given to it
by the UCC)):
(a) The Purchased Receivables, and any and
all other Accounts, Goods, Health Care Insurance Receivables, General Intangibles,
Payment Intangibles, Deposit Accounts, Chattel Paper (including Electronic
Chattel Paper), Documents, contracts, advices of credit, money, Commercial Tort
Claims, Equipment, Inventory, Fixtures and Supporting Obligations, together
with all products of and Accessions to any of the foregoing and all Proceeds of
any of the foregoing (including all insurance policies and proceeds thereof);
17
(b) to the extent, if any, not listed in clause
(a) above, each and every other item of personal property and
fixtures, whether now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, including all licenses, contracts and agreements and
all collateral for the payment or performance of any contract or agreement,
together with all products and Proceeds (including all insurance policies and
proceeds) or any Accessions to any of the foregoing;
(c) all present and future business records
and information, including computer tapes and other storage media containing
the same, together with all Proceeds of any of the foregoing;
(d) all replacements, substitutions,
additions or Accessions to or for any of the foregoing; and
(e) all rights of Borrower in, to and under
all policies of insurance, including claims of rights to payments thereunder
and proceeds therefrom, including credit insurance and business interruption
insurance.
In furtherance of the foregoing grant of security,
upon the request of Lender, Borrower will make proper entries in its books and
records, disclosing the above-described grant of a security interest in the
Collateral, including the assignment of its accounts to Lender. To the extent
any of the Collateral is evidenced by chattel paper, a promissory note, a trade
acceptance or any other instrument for the payment of money, unless Lender
shall otherwise agree, Borrower will deliver the original of same to Lender,
appropriately endorsed to Lenders order and, regardless of the form of such
endorsement, Borrower hereby expressly waives presentment, demand, notice of dishonor,
protest and notice of protest and all other notices with respect thereto.
7.02 Lock Box. On or before the date Borrower makes the
initial purchase of Purchased Receivables pursuant to the terms of the initial
Receivable Purchase Agreement to be entered into by and among Toro, and certain
of its Affiliates and Borrower, Borrower shall either (a) establish one or
more post office lock box arrangements with Lender on terms acceptable to the
Lender (each, a Lock Box) for the collection of payments from its
respective account debtors or other amounts owing to it or (b) enter into
agreements acceptable to Lender with each financial institution where Borrower
deposits such collections on the date of this Agreement or will hereafter
deposit such collections. In connection with any Lock Box, if required by
Lender, Borrower shall direct its account debtors to send their payments
directly to such Lock Box, and all invoices issued thereafter by Borrower shall
direct its account debtors to send their payments directly to such Lock Box.
7.03 Special Provisions
Regarding Accounts. Lender is
authorized and empowered (which authorization and power, being coupled with an
interest, is irrevocable until the last to occur of (i) termination of
this Agreement, the Commitment and any other obligations of Lender under this
Agreement and (ii) indefeasible payment in full in cash, and performance
in full, of all of the Obligations) at any time in its sole and absolute
discretion:
18
(a) To request, in the name of Lender,
Borrower, or in the name of a third party, confirmation from any account debtor
or party obligated under or with respect to any Collateral of the amount shown
by the accounts or other Collateral to be payable, or any other matter stated
therein;
(b) To endorse in Borrowers name and to
collect, any chattel paper, checks, notes, drafts, instruments or other items
of payment tendered to or received by Lender in payment of any account or other
obligation owing to Borrower;
(c) At any time Lender is entitled to
terminate the Commitment after the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, to notify, either in Lenders name or Borrowers name, and/or
to require Borrower to notify, any account debtor or other Person obligated
under or in respect of any Collateral or of the fact of Lenders Lien thereon
and of the collateral assignment thereof to Lender;
(d) At any time Lender is entitled to
terminate the Commitment after the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, to direct, either in Lenders name or Borrowers name, and/or
to require Borrower to direct, any account debtor or other Person obligated
under or in respect of any Collateral to make payment directly to Lender of any
amounts due or to become due thereunder or with respect thereto; and
(e) At any time Lender is entitled to
terminate the Commitment after the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, to demand, collect, surrender, release or exchange all or any
part of any Collateral or any amounts due thereunder or with respect thereto,
or compromise or extend or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the
initial period) any and all sums which are now or may hereafter become due or owing
upon or with respect to any of the Collateral, or enforce, by suit or
otherwise, payment or performance of any of the Collateral, in Lenders own
name or Borrowers name.
Under no circumstances shall Lender be under any duty
to act in regard to any of the foregoing matters. The costs relating to any of
the foregoing matters, including attorneys fees and out-of-pocket expenses,
and the cost of any bank account or accounts which may be required hereunder,
shall be borne solely by Borrower whether the same are incurred by Lender or
Borrower.
7.04 Lenders Power of
Attorney. Borrower appoints the
Lender, or any Person whom the Lender may from time to time designate, as
Borrowers attorney and agent-in-fact with power: (a) at any time Lender
is entitled to terminate the Commitment after the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, to notify the post office authorities to
change the address for delivery of Borrowers mail to an address designated by
Lender; (b) at any time Lender is entitled to terminate the Commitment
after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to
receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to Borrower; (c) to send
requests for verification of Borrowers accounts or other Collateral to its
account debtors; (d) to open an escrow account under Lenders sole control
for the collection of Borrowers accounts or other Collateral, if not required
contemporaneously with the execution hereof; and
19
(e) to do all other things which Lender is permitted to do under
this Agreement or any other Credit Document or which are necessary to carry out
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Neither Lender nor any of the
directors, officers, employees or agents of Lender will be liable for any acts
of commission or omission nor for any error in judgment or mistake of fact or
law, unless the same shall have resulted from gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The foregoing appointment and power, being coupled with an
interest, is irrevocable until the last to occur of (x) termination of
this Agreement, the Commitment and any other obligations of Lender under this
Agreement and (y) indefeasible payment in full in cash, and performance in
full, of all Obligations. Borrower expressly waives presentment, demand, notice
of dishonor and protest of all instruments and any other notice to which it
might otherwise be entitled.
7.05 No
Liability for Safekeeping. Lender
shall not be liable or responsible in any way for the safekeeping of any
Collateral of Borrower delivered to it, to any bailee appointed by or for it,
to any warehouseman, or under any other circumstances. Lender shall not be
responsible for collection of any proceeds or for losses in collected proceeds
held by Borrower in trust for Lender. Any and all risk of loss for any or all
of the foregoing shall be upon Borrower, except for such loss as shall result
from Lenders gross negligence or willful misconduct.
7.06 Supplemental
Documentation Relating to Collateral; Further Assurances. At Lenders request, Borrower shall execute
and/or deliver to Lender, at any time or times hereafter, such agreements,
documents, financing statements, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, notices
of assignment of accounts, schedules of accounts assigned, certificates of
origin or title and other written matter necessary or reasonably requested by
Lender to perfect and maintain perfected Lenders security interest in the
Collateral owned by it in form and substance acceptable to Lender, and pay or
cause to be paid all taxes, fees and other costs and expenses associated with
any recording or filing of any such documentation. Borrower hereby irrevocably
makes, constitutes and appoints Lender (and all Persons designated by Lender
for that purpose) as Borrowers true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact)
(which appointment and power, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable
until the last to occur of (a) termination of this Agreement, the
Commitment and all other obligations of Lender under this Agreement and (b) indefeasible
payment in full in cash, and performance in full, of all Obligations) to sign
the name of Borrower on any of such documentation and to deliver any of such
documentation to such Persons as Lender, in its sole and absolute discretion,
may elect. Borrower agrees that a carbon, photographic, photostatic, or other
reproduction of this Agreement or of a financing statement is sufficient as a
financing statement. Borrower shall fully cooperate with Lender and perform all
additional acts reasonably requested by Lender to effect the purposes of this Section VII.
7.07 Rights
and Remedies. In addition to the
rights and remedies of Lender set forth in Section 6.02, at any
time Lender is entitled to terminate the Commitment upon the occurrence of and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender (i) shall have all
rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC and other applicable law
and all the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement, and Borrower
waives notice of intent to accelerate, and of acceleration of, the Obligations;
(ii) Lender may enter any premises of Borrower, with or without process of
law, without force, to search for, take possession of, and remove the
Collateral, or any part thereof; (iii) if Lender requests, Borrower shall
cease disposition of and shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to
Lender, at Borrowers expense, at a convenient place or places designated by
Lender; (iv) Lender may take possession of the Collateral or any part
20
thereof on Borrowers premises and cause it to remain there at Borrowers
expense, pending sale or other disposition. Any notice of a disposition shall
be deemed reasonably and properly given if given to Borrower at least ten (10) days
before such disposition. If Borrower fails to perform any of its Obligations
under this Agreement, Lender may perform the same in any form or manner Lender
in its discretion deems necessary or desirable, and all monies paid by Lender
in connection therewith shall be additional Obligations and shall be
immediately due and payable without notice together with interest payable on
demand at the rate set forth in Section 2.04(c). All of Lenders
rights and remedies shall be cumulative.
SECTION VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.01 Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
notices, requests, demands, consents, instructions or other communications to
or upon Lender or Borrower under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents
shall be in writing and faxed, mailed or delivered to each party at its
facsimile number or address set forth below (or to such other facsimile number
or address for any party as indicated in any notice given by that party to the
other party). All such notices and communications shall be effective (a) when
sent by an overnight service of recognized standing, on the Business Day
following the deposit with such service; (b) 72 hours after being mailed,
first class postage prepaid and addressed as aforesaid through the United
States Postal Service; (c) when delivered by hand, upon delivery; (d) when
faxed, upon confirmation of receipt; provided, however, that any notice
delivered to Lender under Section II shall not be effective until
received by Lender; and (e) upon receipt of electronic mail (with a notice
contemporaneously given by another method specified in this Section 8.01).
Lender:
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TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.
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|
2300 Barrington Road
|
|
Suite 600
|
|
Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169
|
|
Attention: Vincent E. Hillery, General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (847) 252-6616
|
|
Facsimile: (847) 295-6012
|
|
Email:
vhillery@tcfif.com
|
21
with copies to:
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TCF National Bank
|
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200 E. Lake Street
|
|
Wayzata, MN 55391
|
|
Attention: General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: (952) 475-6498
|
|
Facsimile: (952) 475-7975
|
|
Email: jgreen@tcfbank.com
|
|
|
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and
|
|
|
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Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
|
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5500 Wells Fargo Center
|
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90 South Seventh Street
|
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Minneapolis, MN 55402
|
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Attention: Harvey F. Kaplan, Esq.
|
|
Telephone: (612) 375-1138
|
|
Facsimile: (612) 375-1143
|
|
Email: hfk@kskpa.com
|
|
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Borrower:
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Red Iron Acceptance, LLC
|
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
|
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Bloomington, MN 55420
|
|
Attention: General Manager
|
|
Telephone: 952-888-8801
|
|
Facsimile: 952-887-8258
|
|
Email:
|
|
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with copies to:
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The Toro Company
|
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN 55420
|
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Attention: Treasurer
|
|
Telephone: 952-887-8449
|
|
Facsimile: 952-887-8920
|
|
Email:
Tom.Larson@toro.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
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The Toro Company
|
|
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
|
|
Bloomington, MN 55420
|
|
Attention: General Counsel
|
|
Telephone: 952-887-8178
|
|
Facsimile: 952-887-8920
|
|
Email:
Tim.Dordell@toro.com
|
|
|
|
and
|
22
|
Oppenheimer
Wolff & Donnelly LLP
|
|
3300 Plaza VII
Building
|
|
45 South Seventh
Street
|
|
Attention: C.
Robert Beattie, Esq.
|
|
Telephone:
612-607-7395
|
|
Facsimile:
612-607-7100
|
|
Email:
RBeattie@Oppenheimer.com
|
Each Revolving Loan Borrowing Request shall be made to
Lenders telephone number referred to above (or by such other means as Lender
and Borrower shall agree) during Lenders normal business hours. In any case
where this Agreement authorizes notices, requests, demands or other
communications by Borrower to Lender to be made by telephone, facsimile or
electronic mail, Lender may conclusively presume that anyone purporting to be a
Person designated in any incumbency certificate or other similar document
delivered by Borrower to Lender is such a Person.
8.02 Expenses. Borrower shall pay on demand all reasonable
fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, incurred
by Lender in the enforcement or attempted enforcement of any of the Obligations
or in preserving any of Lenders rights and remedies, including all such fees and expenses incurred in
connection with any workout or restructuring affecting the Credit Documents
or the Obligations or any bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving Borrower.
8.03 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Borrower
agrees to protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lender and its
directors, officers, employees, agents and any Affiliates thereof (Indemnitees)
from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages or expenses of any
kind or nature and from any and all suits, claims or demands (including in
respect of or for reasonable attorneys fees and other expenses) arising on
account of or in connection with any matter or thing or action or failure to
act by Indemnitees, or any of them, arising out of or relating to the Credit
Documents, including any use by Borrower of any proceeds of the Revolving
Loans, except to the extent such liability arises from the willful misconduct
or gross negligence of the Indemnitees. Upon receiving knowledge of any suit, claim
or demand asserted by a third party that Lender believes is covered by this
indemnity, Lender shall give Borrower notice of the matter and an opportunity
to defend it, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, with legal counsel
reasonably satisfactory to Lender. Any failure or delay of Lender to notify
Borrower of any such suit, claim or demand shall not relieve Borrower of its
obligations under this Section 8.03 but shall reduce such
obligations to the extent of any increase in those obligations caused solely by
an unreasonable failure or delay. The obligations of Borrower under this Section 8.03
shall survive the payment and performance of the Obligations, the termination
of the Commitment and the termination of this Agreement.
8.04 Waivers;
Amendments. Any term, covenant,
agreement or condition of this Agreement or any other Credit Document may be
amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by
Borrower and Lender. No failure or delay by Lender in exercising any right hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other further exercise thereof
or of any other right. Unless otherwise specified in such waiver or consent, a
waiver or consent given
23
hereunder shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which given.
8.05 Successors
and Assigns.
(a) Binding Effect. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, Lender, all future
holders of the Revolving Loan Note and their respective successors and, solely
in the case of Lender, its assigns permitted pursuant to Section 8.05(b).
All references in this Agreement to any Person shall be deemed to include all
successors and permitted assigns of such Person.
(b) Assignments. Borrower may not assign or transfer any of
its rights or obligations under any Credit Document without the prior written
consent of Lender. Lender may at any time, without the consent of Borrower,
assign to one or more Affiliates (each an Assignee) all, or a
proportionate part of all, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents, and such Assignee shall assume such rights and
obligations, pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement executed by
such Assignee and Lender; provided, however, that any Assignee of Lender shall
be required to have at the time of assignment (i) a creditworthiness not
less than the creditworthiness of Lender at such time and (ii) a credit
facility, with TCF Bank as lender and Assignee as borrower, no less favorable
than Lenders credit facility with TCF Bank and supported by the same
Performance Assurance Agreement from TCF Bank furnished in connection with
Lenders credit facility with TCF Bank, and such Assignee shall be able to
perform the obligations of Lender hereunder. Upon execution and delivery of
such instrument, such Assignee shall be a Lender party to this Agreement and
shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender with a commitment as set
forth in such instrument of assumption, and Lender shall be released from its
obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent, and no further consent or
action by any party shall be required. Upon the consummation of any assignment
pursuant to this Section 8.05(b), Lender and Borrower shall make
appropriate arrangements so that, if required, a new Revolving Loan Note is
issued to the Assignee and the existing Revolving Loan Note is returned to
Borrower.
(c) Information. Lender may disclose the Credit Documents and
any financial or other information relating to Borrower to any Assignee or
potential Assignee, subject to the terms of Section 8.12, and subject
to Lender obtaining the agreement of such Assignee or potential Assignee to be
bound by the terms of Section 8.12.
8.06 Setoff. In addition to any rights and remedies of
Lender provided by law, Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to Borrower,
any such notice being expressly waived by Borrower to the extent permitted by
applicable law, at any time Lender is entitled to terminate the Commitment
following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default, to set-off and apply against any Indebtedness, whether matured or
unmatured, of Borrower to Lender (including
the Obligations), any amount owing from Lender to Borrower. The
aforesaid right of set-off may be exercised by Lender against Borrower or
against any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the
benefit of creditors, receiver or execution, judgment or attachment creditor of
Borrower or against anyone else claiming through
24
or against Borrower or such trustee in bankruptcy,
debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receiver, or
execution, judgment or attachment creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such
right of set-off shall not have been exercised by Lender prior to the
occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default. Lender agrees promptly to
notify Borrower after any such set-off and application made by Lender, provided
that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such
set-off and application.
8.07 No
Third Party Rights. Subject to the
terms of the Joint Venture Agreement, nothing expressed in or to be implied
from this Agreement or any other Credit Document is intended to give, or shall
be construed to give, any Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto and
their permitted successors and assigns, any benefit or legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or by virtue of this Agreement or any other Credit
Document.
8.08 Partial
Invalidity. If at any time any
provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in
any respect under the law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity
or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement nor the
legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any
other jurisdiction shall in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
8.09 Jury
Trial. EACH OF BORROWER AND LENDER,
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE
RELATING TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR OUR ENTERING
INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
8.10 Submission
to Jurisdiction. Each of Borrower
and Lender hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal courts sitting in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota and any state
court located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and by execution and delivery of
this Agreement, each of Borrower and Lender accepts for itself and in
connection with its properties, generally and unconditionally, the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts with respect to any litigation
concerning the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby or any
matters related thereto. Each of Borrower and Lender irrevocably waives any
objection (including any objection to the laying of venue or any objection on
the grounds of forum non conveniens) which it may now or hereafter have to the
bringing of any proceeding with respect to this Agreement to the courts set
forth above. Borrower agrees to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and
that service of process may be made on it at the address indicated in Section 8.01
above. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law.
8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of identical counterparts, any set of which signed by all the parties hereto
shall be deemed to constitute a complete, executed original for all purposes.
8.12 Disclosure
of Information about Borrower.
Lender agrees that it will not provide any information to any Person
regarding the business and operations of Borrower without the
25
prior written consent of Borrower, except for (i) disclosures to
any Person to the extent necessary to permit an assignment permitted under the
terms of Section 8.05, (ii) disclosures to Lenders
accountants to the extent necessary in connection with such accountants
auditing responsibilities, (iii) disclosures to any Person of information
which is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of
a disclosure in violation of the terms of this Section 8.12, (iv) disclosures
to any Person of information which Lender is legally compelled to disclose,
provided that Lender agrees to use all reasonable efforts to notify Borrower of
any such legal requirement to disclose sufficiently in advance of the
disclosure to permit Borrower to challenge the legal requirement, and (v) disclosure
to any Person to the extent otherwise permitted by the Joint Venture Agreement
or the LLC Agreement.
8.13 No
Recourse to Members of Borrower.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
recourse for the payment of the Obligations and any other liabilities and
obligations of Borrower arising under any Credit Document shall be had only
against the assets, property and rights of Borrower.
8.14 No
Indirect or Consequential Damages.
NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER
PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF
SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH
PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF FRAUD, BAD FAITH,
WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT
OF ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER.
[Signature
page follows]
26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the day and year first above written.
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RED IRON
ACCEPTANCE, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Mark Wrend
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Name:
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Mark Wrend
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Title:
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Manager
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TCF INVENTORY FINANCE, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Rosario A.
Perrelli
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Name:
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Rosario A.
Perrelli
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Title:
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President and
CEO
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27
SCHEDULE 1.01
DEFINITIONS
Acceleration Event shall mean Toro, on a
consolidated basis, permits its consolidated ratio of (x) Indebtedness to (y) Indebtedness
plus stockholders equity to exceed (i) 0.60 to 1.0 as at the end
of the first fiscal quarter of Toros fiscal year, (ii) 0.65 to 1.00 as at
the end of the second fiscal quarter of Toros fiscal year, (iii) 0.60 to
1.0 as at the end of the third fiscal quarter of Toros fiscal year or (iv) 0.55
to 1.00 as at the end of Toros fiscal year.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified. For purposes of this
definition, Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Agreement shall mean this Credit and Security
Agreement.
Assignee shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 8.05(b).
Borrower shall have the meaning given to that
term in clause (1) of the preamble to this Agreement.
Borrowing Base shall mean, with respect to
Borrower at any time, the remainder of Tangible Assets less the sum of (i) all
liabilities of Borrower at such time (other than the aggregate principal amount
of Revolving Loans borrowed by Borrower at such time) and (ii) the
Required Equity Investment. The Borrowing Base for Borrower shall be determined
by Lender as at the last day of each calendar month (after giving effect to any
capital contributions made by the Members of Borrower with respect to such
calendar month in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement).
Business Day shall mean any day on which
commercial banks are not authorized or required to close in Minneapolis,
Minnesota or Chicago, Illinois.
Capital Asset shall mean, with respect to any
Person, tangible property owned or leased (in the case of a Capital Lease) by
such Person, or any expense incurred by any Person that is required by GAAP to
be reported as an asset on such Persons balance sheet.
Capital Expenditures shall mean, with respect
to any Person and any period, all amounts expended and Indebtedness incurred or
assumed by such Person during such period for the acquisition of real property
and other Capital Assets (including amounts expended and Indebtedness incurred
or assumed in connection with Capital Leases).
Capital Leases shall mean any and all lease
obligations that, in accordance with GAAP, are required to be capitalized on
the books of a lessee.
Closing Date shall mean August 12, 2009.
1
Collateral shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 7.01.
Commitment shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 2.02(a).
Contractual Obligation of any Person shall
mean, any indenture, note, security, deed of trust, mortgage, security
agreement, lease, guaranty, instrument, contract, agreement or other form of
obligation or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which such
Person or any of its property is bound.
Credit Documents shall mean and include this
Agreement, the Revolving Loan Note and each Security Document delivered to
Lender in connection with this Agreement, as each of the foregoing may be
amended from time to time.
Default shall mean any event or circumstance
not yet constituting an Event of Default but which, with the giving of any
notice or the lapse of any period of time or both, would become an Event of
Default.
Dollars and $ shall mean the lawful
currency of the United States of America and, in relation to any payment under
this Agreement, same day or immediately available funds.
Employee Benefit Plan shall mean any employee
benefit plan within the meaning of section 3(3) of ERISA maintained or
contributed to by Borrower, other than a Multiemployer Plan.
Equity Securities of any Person shall mean (a) all
common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests,
participations, shares, partnership interests or other equity interests in and
of such Person (regardless of how designated and whether or not voting or
non-voting) and (b) all warrants, options and other rights to acquire any
of the foregoing.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may from time to time be amended or
supplemented, including any rules or regulations issued in connection
therewith.
Event of Default shall have the meaning given
to that term in Section 6.01.
Exmark shall mean Exmark Manufacturing
Company Incorporated, a Nebraska corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Toro.
Financial Statements shall mean, with respect
to any accounting period for any Person, statements of income of such Person
for such period and balance sheets of such Person as of the end of such period
and, with respect to any annual accounting period for any Person, statements of
cash flows of such Person for such annual period, setting forth in each case in
comparative form figures for the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal
year if such period is less than a full fiscal year or, if such period is a full
fiscal year, corresponding figures from the preceding fiscal year, all prepared
in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP.
GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting
principles and practices as in effect in the United States of America from time
to time, consistently applied.
2
Governmental Authority shall mean any
domestic or foreign national, state or local government, any political
subdivision thereof, any department, agency, authority or bureau of any of the
foregoing, or any other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
Governmental Charges shall mean all levies,
assessments, fees, claims or other charges imposed by any Governmental
Authority upon or relating to (i) Borrower, (ii) the Revolving Loans,
(iii) income or gross receipts of Borrower, (iv) the ownership or use
of any of its assets by Borrower or (v) any other aspect of the business
of Borrower.
Governmental Rule shall mean any law, rule,
regulation, ordinance, order, code interpretation, judgment, decree, directive,
guidelines, policy or similar form of decision of any Governmental Authority.
Indebtedness of any Person shall mean and include
(a) all items of indebtedness and liabilities which, in accordance with
GAAP, would be included in determining liabilities that are shown on the
liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (b) all
indebtedness and liabilities of other Persons assumed or guaranteed by such
Person or in respect to which such Person is secondarily or contingently liable
whether by any agreement to acquire indebtedness and liabilities or to supply
or advance funds or otherwise, and (c) all indebtedness and liabilities of
other Persons secured by any Lien in any property of such Person (including
Capital Leases).
Indemnitees shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 8.03.
Interest Account shall have the meaning given
to that term in Section 2.05(b).
Investment of any Person shall mean any loan
or advance of funds by such Person to any other Person (other than advances to
employees of such Person for moving and travel expense, drawing accounts and
similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business), any purchase or other
acquisition of any Equity Securities or Indebtedness of any other Person, and
any capital contribution by such Person to or any other investment by such
Person in any other Person (including
any Indebtedness incurred by such Person of the type described in clauses
(b) and (c) of the definition of Indebtedness on behalf
of any other Person).
Joint Venture Agreement shall mean that
certain Agreement to Form Joint Venture, dated as of the date hereof,
between TCFIF and Toro, as it may be amended from time to time.
Lender shall have the meaning given to that
term in clause (2) of the preamble of this Agreement.
LIBOR shall mean the most recent 15 Business
Day moving average of one-month interbank offered rates for dollar deposits in
the London market, as reported to Lender by The Bloomberg Financial Markets,
Commodities and News, a publicly available financial reporting service (Bloomberg).
If Bloomberg no longer publishes such rates, the Lender may, in its
discretion, choose a similar successor publicly available financial reporting
service. LIBOR for any month will be based on the reported one-month
LIBOR rate for the most recent 15 Business Days preceding the 25th day of the
immediately preceding month.
3
Lien shall mean, with respect to any
property, any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, charge or other
encumbrance in, of, or on such property or the income therefrom, including the interest of a vendor or lessor under a
conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement,
or any agreement to provide any of the foregoing, and the filing of any
financing statement or similar instrument under the UCC or comparable law of
any jurisdiction.
LLC Agreement shall mean that certain Limited
Liability Company Agreement of Borrower, dated as of the date hereof, by and
between Toro Sub and TCFIF Sub, as it may be amended from time to time.
LLC Term shall mean, at any time, the term of
Borrower in effect at such time pursuant to the LLC Agreement.
Lock Box shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 7.02.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean a material
adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or financial or
other condition of Borrower if the same could reasonably be expected to affect
the ability of Borrower to pay or perform the Obligations in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; (b) the
ability of Borrower to pay or perform the Obligations in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; (c) the rights and
remedies of Lender under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents; or (d) the
value of a material portion of the Collateral, the Lenders security interest
in a material portion of the Collateral or the general perfection or priority
of a material portion such security interests.
Maturity shall mean, with respect to any
Revolving Loan, interest or other amount payable by Borrower under this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents, the date such Revolving Loan, interest
or other amount becomes due, whether upon the stated maturity or due date, upon
acceleration or otherwise.
Member shall mean either Toro Sub or TCFIF
Sub, in their respective capacities as members of Borrower.
Membership Interests shall mean all
membership interests, units, securities and interests assigned to members of a
limited liability company, together with all voting rights associated
therewith.
Multiemployer Plan shall mean any
multiemployer plan within the meaning of section 3(37) of ERISA maintained or
contributed to by Borrower.
Obligations shall mean and include all loans,
advances, debts, liabilities, and obligations, howsoever arising, owed by Borrower
to Lender of every kind and description (whether or not evidenced by any note
or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents,
including all interest, fees (if any), charges, expenses, attorneys fees and
accountants fees chargeable to Borrower or payable by Borrower hereunder or
thereunder.
4
Permitted Distributions shall mean any
distributions expressly contemplated or permitted by the Joint Venture
Agreement or the LLC Agreement, provided, however, that any distribution
otherwise permitted by the foregoing which would result in a Default or Event
of Default shall not be deemed to be a Permitted Distribution.
Permitted Indebtedness shall mean and
include:
(a) Indebtedness
incurred in the ordinary course of business other than indebtedness for
borrowed money or Capital Leases;
(b) Indebtedness of
Borrower to Lender or an Affiliate of Lender; and
(c) Indebtedness arising
from the endorsement of instruments in the ordinary course of business.
Permitted Liens shall mean and include:
(d) Liens for taxes or other
governmental charges not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without
penalty or being contested in good faith, provided provision is made to the
reasonable satisfaction of Lender for the eventual payment thereof if
subsequently found payable;
(e) Liens of carriers,
warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, vendors, and landlords incurred in the
ordinary course of business for sums not overdue or being contested in good
faith, provided provision is made to the reasonable satisfaction of Lender for
the eventual payment thereof if subsequently found payable;
(f) Deposits to secure
the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of
borrowed money) or leases, or to secure statutory obligations of surety or
appeal bonds or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds in the
ordinary course of business;
(g) Liens arising out of
a judgment or award not exceeding $100,000 (exclusive of any amounts covered by
insurance issued by a Person not an Affiliate of Borrower) with respect to
which an appeal is being prosecuted, a stay of execution pending appeal having
been secured; and
(h) Liens in favor of
Lender.
Person shall mean and include an individual,
a partnership, a corporation (including a business trust), a limited liability
company, a joint stock company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture,
a trust or other entity or a Governmental Authority.
Purchased Receivables shall have the meaning
given to that term in Section 2.01(e).
Required Equity Investment shall mean the
minimum amount of Investment in Borrower by the Members pursuant to the LLC
Agreement.
5
Requirement of Law applicable to any Person
shall mean (a) the articles or certificate of incorporation or
organization, bylaws, operating agreement, limited liability company agreement,
partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, (b) any Governmental Rule applicable to such Person, (c) any
license, permit, approval or other authorization granted by any Governmental
Authority to or for the benefit of such Person and (d) any judgment,
decision or determination of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, in each
case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Revolving Loan shall have the meaning given
to that term in Section 2.01(a).
Revolving Loan Borrowing Request shall have
the meaning given to that term in Section 2.01(b).
Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall have the
meaning given to that term in Section 2.01(a).
Revolving Loan Note shall have the meaning
given to that term in Section 2.05(a).
Security Documents shall mean and include all
instruments, agreements, certificates, opinions and documents (including
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) delivered to Lender in connection
with any Collateral or to secure the Obligations.
Seller shall mean each of Toro, TCC, Toro
International, Exmark and their respective Affiliates from whom Borrower
purchases receivables.
Seller Credits shall mean all of the rights
of Borrower to any price protection payments, rebates, discounts, credits,
factory holdbacks, incentive payments, warranty payments, commissions and other
amounts that at any time are due to Borrower from a Seller that may arise with
respect to, or in connection with, Purchased Receivables.
Subsidiary of any Person shall mean (a) any
corporation of which more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Equity
Securities having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital
stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have
voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or
indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more
of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Persons other
Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership, joint venture, or other association of
which more than 50% of the equity interest having the power to vote, direct or
control the management of such partnership, joint venture or other association
is at the time owned and controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or
more of the other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Persons other
subsidiaries and (c) any other Person included in the Financial Statements
of such Person on a consolidated basis.
Tangible Assets shall mean, with respect to
any Person at any time, the remainder at such time, determined in accordance
with GAAP, of (a) the total assets of such Person minus (b) all
intangible assets of such Person (to the extent included in calculating total
assets in clause (a) above, including goodwill (including any
amounts, however designated on the balance sheet,
6
representing the cost of
acquisition of businesses and Investments in excess of underlying tangible
assets), trademarks, trademark rights, trade name rights, copyrights, patents,
patent rights, licenses, unamortized debt discount, marketing expenses,
organizational expenses, non-compete agreements and deferred research and
development expenses).
Tangible Net Worth shall mean, with respect
to any Person at any time, the remainder at such time, determined in accordance
with GAAP, of (a) the Tangible Assets of such Person minus (b) the
total liabilities of such Person.
Taxes shall mean present or future income,
stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed
by any Governmental Authority (except net income taxes and franchise taxes
imposed on Lender).
TCC means Toro Credit Company, a Minnesota
corporation.
TCFIF shall have the meaning given to that
term in clause (2) of the preamble of this Agreement.
TCFIF Rate shall mean XXXXXXXXXX [PORTIONS
OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR
CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED. A COPY OF THIS EXHIBIT WITH ALL
SECTIONS INTACT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.]
TCFIF Sub shall mean TCFIF Joint Venture I,
LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
Toro shall mean The Toro Company, a Delaware
corporation.
Toro International shall mean Toro
International Company, a Minnesota corporation.
Toro Sub shall mean Red Iron Holding
Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as
in effect in the state of Minnesota.
7
EXHIBIT A
REVOLVING LOAN NOTE
$450,000,000
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[ ,
20 ]
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Hoffman Estates,
Illinois
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FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, a
limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (Borrower),
hereby promises to pay to the order of TCF INVENTORY FINANCE, INC., a Minnesota
corporation (Lender), the principal sum of FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION
DOLLARS ($450,000,000) or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans made by Lender to Borrower
pursuant to the Credit and Security Agreement referred to below (the Credit
Agreement), on or before the Revolving Loan Maturity Date specified in the
Credit Agreement; and to pay interest on said sum, or such lesser amount, at
the rates and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.
Borrower shall make all payments hereunder to Lender
as indicated in the Credit Agreement, in lawful money of the United States and
in same day or immediately available funds.
Lender shall record on its general ledger the date and
amount of each Revolving Loan and of each payment or prepayment of principal and
each payment of interest or other amounts made by Borrower and Borrower agrees
that all such notations shall constitute prima facie evidence absent manifest
error of the matters noted; provided, however, that the failure of Lender to
make any such notation shall not affect Borrowers Obligations.
This Note is the Revolving Loan Note referred to in
the Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2009, between
Borrower and Lender.
This Note is subject to the terms of the Credit
Agreement, including the rights of prepayment and the rights of acceleration of
Maturity. Without limiting the foregoing, the obligations of Borrower under
this Note are secured as described in Section VII of the Credit
Agreement.
Borrower shall pay fees and expenses of Lender as
provided in the Credit Agreement. Borrower hereby waives notice of presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any other kind. This Note shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Minnesota without regard
to conflict of law principles.
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Red Iron Acceptance,
LLC
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Exhibit 10.2
FORM OF
RECEIVABLE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and
among
[TORO
CREDIT COMPANY],
[TORO INTERNATIONAL COMPANY],
[EXMARK
MANUFACTURING COMPANY INCORPORATED]
and
THE
TORO COMPANY,
as
Sellers,
and
RED
IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC
as Buyer
Dated as
of
[ ,
2009]
Table of Contents
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Page
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
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1
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1.1
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Definitions
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1
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1.2
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Other
Interpretive Matters
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7
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ARTICLE II SALE
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8
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2.1
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Sale
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8
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2.2
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Acceptance by
Buyer
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9
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2.3
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Purchase Price
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9
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2.4
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Additional Receivables
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9
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ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
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9
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3.1
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Conditions to
Transfer
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9
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
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10
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4.1
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Representations
and Warranties of Seller
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10
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4.2
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Covenants of
Seller
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14
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4.3
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Negative
Covenants of Seller
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15
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ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
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16
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5.1
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Notices
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16
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5.2
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No Waiver;
Remedies
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18
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5.3
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Successors and
Assigns
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18
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5.4
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No Buyer
Liability for Contracts
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18
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5.5
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Survival
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19
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5.6
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Complete
Agreement; Modification of Agreement
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19
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5.7
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Dispute
Resolution
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19
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5.8
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Jury Trial
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19
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5.9
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Submission to
Jurisdiction
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19
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5.10
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Counterparts
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19
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5.11
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Severability
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20
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5.12
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Section Titles
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20
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5.13
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No Setoff
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20
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5.14
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Further
Assurances
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20
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5.15
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No Indirect or
Consequential Damages
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20
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5.16
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No Assumption in
Drafting
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21
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5.17
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Headings; Section
and Article References
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21
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FORM OF
RECEIVABLE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This RECEIVABLE PURCHASE
AGREEMENT, dated as of [ ,
2009] (this Agreement), is entered into by and between [TORO CREDIT COMPANY, a Minnesota corporation (Toro Credit)],
[TORO INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, a Minnesota
corporation (Toro International)], [EXMARK
MANUFACTURING COMPANY INCORPORATED, a Nebraska corporation (Exmark)].
THE TORO COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (Toro and together
with [Toro Credit], [Toro
International] and [Exmark], each
a Seller and collectively the Sellers) and RED IRON
ACCEPTANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Buyer).
In consideration of the premises and the
mutual covenants hereinafter contained, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
Account Debtor means an obligor on a
Receivable.
Additional Receivables means those
Receivables described on Schedule 2 that Buyer has agreed to purchase
notwithstanding that such Receivables are not Eligible Receivables.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person
specified. For purposes of this
definition, Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Aggregate Repurchase Amount means, for any
repurchase of an Ineligible Receivable pursuant to Section 4.1(d),
the Purchase Price paid for such Ineligible Receivable, less any Principal
Collections received by Buyer in respect of such Ineligible Receivable from the
Closing Date.
Agreement is defined in the preamble.
Authorized Officer means (a) with
respect to Toro, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, the Corporate Controller and each other officer or employee of Toro
specifically authorized in resolutions of the Board of Directors of such
corporation to sign agreements, instruments or other documents on behalf of
such corporation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Documents; (b) with respect to Toro Credit, the
President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and each other officer or employee of
Toro Credit specifically authorized in resolutions of the Board of Directors of
such corporation to sign agreements, instruments or other documents on behalf
of such corporation in connection
with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Documents; (c) with respect
to Toro International, the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and each
other officer or employee of Toro International specifically authorized in
resolutions of the Board of Directors of such corporation to sign agreements,
instruments or other documents on behalf of such corporation in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Documents; and (d) with
respect to Buyer, its General Manager.
Business Day shall mean any day on which
commercial banks are not authorized or required to close in either Minneapolis,
Minnesota or Chicago, Illinois.
Buyer is defined in the preamble.
Closing Date means [ ,
2009].
Collateral Security means, with respect to
any Receivable, (i) any security interest, granted by or on behalf of the
related Account Debtor with respect thereto, including a security interest in
the related Products or assets, (ii) all other security interests or liens
and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of
such Receivable, whether pursuant to the agreement giving rise to such Receivable
or otherwise, together with all financing statements filed against an Account
Debtor describing any collateral securing such Receivable, (iii) all
guarantees, insurance and other agreements (including Financing Agreements and
subordination agreements with other lenders) or arrangements of whatever
character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable
whether pursuant to the agreement giving rise to such Receivable or otherwise,
and (iv) all Records in respect of such Receivable.
Collections means, without duplication, all
payments by or on behalf of Account Debtors received in respect of the
Receivables (including insurance proceeds and proceeds from the realization
upon any Collateral Security) in the form of cash, checks, wire transfers or
any other form of payment.
Cure Period is defined in Section 4.1(c).
Debtor Relief Laws means Title 11 of the
United States Code and all other applicable liquidation, conservatorship,
bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency,
reorganization, suspension of payments, readjustment of debt, marshalling of
assets or similar debtor relief laws of the United States, any state or any
foreign country from time to time in effect, affecting the rights of creditors
generally.
Eligible Receivable means a Receivable:
(a) that was created pursuant to genuine and bona fide
transactions in the ordinary course of a Sellers business and in compliance
with all applicable Requirements of Law, other than those Requirements of Law
the failure with which to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Buyer or any assigns, and pursuant to a Financing
Agreement that complies with all applicable Requirements of Law, other than
those Requirements of Law the failure with which to comply could not reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer or any of its creditors
or assigns;
2
(b) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals
or authorizations of, or registrations with, any Governmental Authority
required to be obtained or made by such Seller in connection with the creation
of such Receivable or the execution, delivery and performance by such Seller of
the related Financing Agreement, have been duly obtained or made and are in
full force and effect as of the date of creation of such Receivable, but
failure to comply with this clause (b) shall not cause a Receivable
not to be an Eligible Receivable if, and to the extent that, the failure to so
obtain or make any such consent, license, approval, authorization or
registration could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on Buyer or its assigns;
(c) that is not the subject of any Litigation that is
pending or has been threatened in writing;
(d) as to which, at the time of its transfer to Buyer,
such Seller will have good and
marketable title free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted
Encumbrances);
(e) that is freely assignable and is the subject of a
valid transfer and assignment from such Seller to Buyer of all of such Sellers
right, title and interest therein;
(f) that at and after the time of transfer to Buyer is,
and the Financing Agreement with respect thereto is, the legal, valid and binding
payment obligation of the Account Debtor thereof, legally enforceable against
such Account Debtor in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may
be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws, and by general principles of
equity (whether considered in a suit at law or in equity);
(g) that constitutes an account,
chattel paper or general intangible within the meaning of UCC Section 9-102;
(h) as to which, at the time of its transfer to Buyer,
such Seller has not taken any action which, or failed to take any action the
omission of which, would, at the time of transfer to Buyer, impair Buyers
rights therein;
(i) the obligations with respect to which, at the time
of its transfer to Buyer, have not been waived or modified except as permitted
by this Agreement;
(j) that, at the time of its transfer to Buyer, except
as contemplated by Section 4.2(c), is not subject to any right of
rescission, setoff, counterclaim or any other defense of an Account Debtor
(including the defense of usury), other than defenses arising out of Debtor
Relief Laws and except as the enforceability of such Receivable may be limited
by general principles of equity (whether considered in a suit at law or
equity);
(k) which, at the time of transfer to Buyer is secured
by, inter alia, a first priority perfected security interest (whether by prior
filing, purchase money security interest, subordination agreement from prior
filers or otherwise) in any related Product other than with respect to
Receivables due on an unsecured open account basis from Account Debtors in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000,000 whether acquired by Buyer under the
terms of this Agreement or any other agreement with Seller or Sellers
3
Affiliates; provided, that with respect to Receivables relating to
extended service contracts, such Receivables shall only be Eligible
Receivables within the scope of this clause (k) to the extent
Seller or Sellers Affiliate has provided recourse or other credit support upon
such terms as Seller and Buyer shall agree prior to transfer;
provided, however, that a Receivable shall not be an Eligible
Receivable:
(l) if it is an open account receivable that is due or
unpaid more than ninety (90) days after the original due date unless such past
due or unpaid amount is the subject of a bona fide dispute or represents less
than five percent (5%) of the original invoice amount for such Receivable;
(m) if it is a floor plan receivable (x) that is
related to a Product that has been sold out of trust for more than ninety (90)
days, (y) as to which charges or fees are more than ninety (90) days past
due (in which case, neither such charges or fees nor the related receivable(s) shall
be an Eligible Receivable) or (z) as to which a scheduled payment is more
than ninety (90) days past due;
(n) if the Account Debtor that is obligated on such
Receivable shall have (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the
appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee
or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property; (ii) admitted
in writing its inability, or be generally unable, to pay its debts as they
become due or cease operations of its present business, (iii) made a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) suffered a
Bankruptcy Event; or (v) taken any action for the purpose of effecting any
of the foregoing;
(o) if the sale to the Account Debtor that is obligated
on such Receivable is outside the United States or Canada;
(p) if it is subject to any claim of offset (unless such
Seller has received a letter from the applicable Account Debtor in form and
substance satisfactory to Buyer indicating that such Account Debtor shall not
exercise its right of offset), deduction, defense, dispute, or counterclaim, or
is owed by an Account Debtor that is also a supplier of such Seller (but only
to the extent of such Sellers obligations to such Account Debtor from time to
time) or the Receivable is contingent in any respect for any reason;
(q) if any return, rejection or repossession of the
Product to which the Receivable relates has occurred and not reflected in the
determination of the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable; or
(r) if such Receivable is not payable to such Seller or
one of its Affiliates.
Exmark is defined in the preamble.
Financing Agreement means any agreement
entered into between a Seller and an Account Debtor in order to finance
Products purchased by such Account Debtor from such Seller.
4
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time,
consistently applied.
Governmental Authority means any domestic or
foreign national, state or local government, any political subdivision thereof,
any department, agency, authority or bureau of any of the foregoing, or any
other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
Ineligible Receivable is defined in Section 4.1(c).
Insurance Proceeds with respect to Collateral
Security means any amounts received pursuant to any policy of insurance related
thereto which are required to be paid to a Seller with respect thereto.
Joint Venture Agreement means that certain
Agreement to Form Joint Venture dated as of August 12, 2009 by and
between Toro and TCFIF.
Knowledge with respect to a Seller means the
actual knowledge of an Authorized Officer of such Seller.
Lien means, with respect to any property, any
security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, charge or other encumbrance
in, of, or on such property or the income therefrom, including the interest of
a vendor or lessor under a conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other
title retention agreement, or any agreement to provide any of the foregoing,
and the filing of any financing statement or similar instrument under the UCC
or comparable law of any jurisdiction.
Litigation means, with respect to any Person,
any action, claim, lawsuit, demand, investigation or proceeding pending or
threatened in writing against such Person before any court, board, commission,
agency or instrumentality of any Governmental Authority or before any
arbitrator or panel of arbitrators.
LLC Agreement means that certain Limited
Liability Company Agreement dated as of August 12, 2009 by and between
TCFIF Joint Venture I, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, and Red Iron
Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Material Adverse Effect means a material
adverse effect on (a) the ability of any Seller to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, or (b) the
Transferred Receivables (including the collectability of the Transferred
Receivables and any Collateral Security).
Officers Certificate means, with respect to
any Person, a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of such Person.
Outstanding Balance means, with respect to
any Receivable, the amount of such Receivable at the time of determination
reduced by any credit issued by a Seller as contemplated by Section 4.2(c).
5
Permitted Encumbrances means the following: (a) Liens
for taxes or assessments or other governmental charges not yet due and payable;
(b) inchoate and unperfected workers, mechanics, suppliers or similar
Liens arising in the ordinary course of business; (c) presently existing
or hereinafter created Liens in favor of, or created by, Buyer; (d) any
Lien created or permitted by any agreement between Buyer and a Seller; (e) any
security interests in assets that are subordinate to the security interests
securing the related Receivables; and (f) Liens in favor of a Seller that
are assigned to Buyer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Person means and includes an individual, a
partnership, a corporation (including a business trust), a limited liability
company, a joint stock company, an unincorporated association, a joint venture,
a trust, a Governmental Authority or other entity.
Principal Collections means Collections other
than Collections of interest and all other non-principal charges (including
insurance service fees and handling fees) on the Receivables.
Products means the commercial, consumer
goods, parts and accessories manufactured or distributed by Toro or one of its
Affiliates.
Purchase Price is defined in Section 2.3.
Receivable means all amounts payable
(including interest, finance charges and other charges), and the obligation to
pay such amounts, by the related Account Debtor from time to time in connection
with extensions of credit made by a Seller to Account Debtors in order to
finance Products and services purchased by Account Debtors from such Seller,
together with the group of writings evidencing such amounts and any related
Collateral Security and all of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges
thereunder (including under any related Financing Agreement).
Records means, with respect to any
Receivable, all Financing Agreements and other documents, books, records and
other information (including tapes, disks and related property and rights)
relating to such Receivable and the related Account Debtor.
Related Documents means any documents or
instruments evidencing Collateral Security.
Repurchase Agreement is defined in Section 4.2(f).
Requirements of Law means, as to any Person, (a) the
articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, bylaws, operating
agreement, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or other
organizational or governing documents of such Person, (b) any law, treaty,
rule or regulation applicable to such Person, (c) any license,
permit, approval or other authorization granted by any Governmental Authority to
or for the benefit of such Person and (d) any judgment, decision or
determination of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, in each case
applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which
such Person or any of its property is subject.
Seller
and Sellers are defined in the preamble.
6
TCFIF means TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.,
a Minnesota corporation.
Toro is defined in the preamble.
Toro Credit is defined in the preamble.
Toro International is defined in the
preamble.
Transferred Assets is defined in Section 2.1(a).
Transferred Receivables means the Receivables
described on Schedules 1 and 2 attached hereto. However, Receivables that are repurchased by
a Seller pursuant to this Agreement shall cease to be considered Transferred
Receivables from the date of such repurchase.
UCC means, with respect to any jurisdiction,
the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be enacted and
in effect in such jurisdiction.
United States means the United States of
America, together with its territories and possessions.
1.2 Other Interpretive Matters. All terms defined directly or by
incorporation in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in
any certificate or other document delivered pursuant thereto unless otherwise
defined therein. For purposes of this Agreement and all related certificates
and other documents, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) accounting
terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement, and accounting terms partly
defined in this Agreement to the extent not defined, shall have the respective
meanings given to them under GAAP; (b) unless otherwise provided,
references to any month, quarter or year refer to a calendar month, quarter or
year; (c) terms defined in Article 9 of the UCC as in effect in the
applicable jurisdiction and not otherwise defined in this Agreement are used as
defined in that Article; (d) references to any amount as on deposit or
outstanding on any particular date means such amount at the close of business
on such day; (e) the words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of
similar import refer to this Agreement (or the certificate or other document in
which they are used) as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement (or such certificate or document); (f) references to any
Section, Schedule or Exhibit are references to Sections, Schedules and
Exhibits in or to this Agreement (or the certificate or other document in which
the reference is made), and references to any paragraph, subsection, clause or
other subdivision within any Section or definition refer to such
paragraph, subsection, clause or other subdivision of such Section or
definition; (g) the words include or including shall not be construed
to be limiting or exclusive; (h) references to any law or regulation refer
to that law or regulation as amended from time to time and include any
successor law or regulation; (i) references to any agreement refer to that
agreement as from time to time amended, restated or supplemented or as the
terms of such agreement are waived or modified in accordance with its terms; (j)
references to any Person include that Persons successors and permitted assigns
and (k) the term or has the meaning represented by the phrase and/or.
7
ARTICLE II
SALE
2.1 Sale.
(a) Each Seller does hereby transfer, assign, set over
and otherwise convey to Buyer, without recourse except as provided herein, all
its right, title and interest (and each Seller hereby agrees to cause each of
its Affiliates, if applicable, to transfer, assign, set over and otherwise
convey to Buyer, without recourse except as provided herein, all of their
respective right, title and interest) in, to and under, the following (the Transferred
Assets):
(i) the Transferred Receivables;
(ii) the Collateral Security with respect to all
Transferred Receivables transferred pursuant to clause (i), together
with all monies due or to become due and all amounts received or receivable
with respect thereto and Insurance Proceeds relating thereto;
(iii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing or
the following, all of Sellers rights to receive payments from any Account
Debtor in respect of such Transferred Receivables;
(iv) all proceeds of all of the foregoing; and
(v) all reports, data, notes, Account Debtor lists and
files and other books and records of Seller that relate exclusively to, or are
used exclusively in connection with, any of the foregoing.
The foregoing does not constitute and is not intended
to result in the creation or assumption by Buyer of any obligation of Seller or
any other Person in connection with the Transferred Receivables or under any
agreement or instrument relating thereto, including any obligation under the
Financing Agreements or any other obligation to any Account Debtor. The
foregoing conveyance shall be effective on the Closing Date, as to all
Transferred Assets then existing (it being understood and agreed that, in the
case of clause (iv), the Collections transferred to Buyer shall include
all Collections since [ ,
2009]).
(b) Each Seller shall irrevocably instruct all Account
Debtors under the Transferred Receivables to make all payments on account
thereof on and after the Closing Date to Buyer.
(c) Any Collections received by a Seller after the
Closing Date with respect to the Transferred Receivables shall be deemed held
by such Seller in trust and as fiduciary for Buyer. Such Seller shall pay the same over to Buyer
forthwith upon receipt.
8
(d) Buyer is hereby authorized and empowered (which
authorization and power, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable unless
and until a Transferred Receivable is repurchased by a Seller pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement):
(i) to request confirmation from any Account Debtor or
party obligated under or with respect to any Transferred Receivable of the
amount shown by the Transferred Receivable to be payable, or any other matter
stated therein;
(ii) to endorse in a Sellers name and to collect, any
chattel paper, checks, notes, drafts, instruments or other items of payment
tendered to or received by Buyer in payment of any Transferred Receivable;
(iii) to notify any Account Debtor or other Person
obligated under or in respect of any Transferred Receivable of the sale thereof
to Buyer;
(iv) to direct any Account Debtor or other Person
obligated under or in respect of any Transferred Receivable to make payment
directly to Buyer of any amounts due or to become due thereunder or with
respect thereto.
2.2 Acceptance by Buyer. Buyer hereby acknowledges its acceptance of
all right, title and interest to the property, now existing and hereafter
created, conveyed to Buyer pursuant to Section 2.1.
2.3 Purchase Price. Buyer shall pay a purchase price to each
Seller equal to the sum of (i) for the Transferred Receivables from such
Seller that are Eligible Receivables and the other Transferred Assets related
thereto, equal to the Outstanding Balance of such Transferred Receivables, and (ii) for
the Transferred Receivables from such Seller that are Additional Receivables
and the other Transferred Assets related thereto, the purchase price for such
Additional Receivables set forth in Schedule 2 (in each case, the Purchase
Price).
2.4 Additional Receivables. Set forth on Schedule 2 is the reason
each Additional Receivable fails to qualify as an Eligible Receivable.
Warranties contained herein generally applicable to Receivables that are in
direct conflict with such reasons shall not apply to an Additional Receivable
to the extent of the reason expressly set forth in Schedule 2 for such
Additional Receivable.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
3.1 Conditions to Transfer. The sale by Sellers hereunder shall be
subject to satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent (any one
or more of which may be waived in writing by Buyer) as of the Closing Date:
(a) Documents. This Agreement or
counterparts hereof shall have been duly executed by, and delivered to, each
Seller and Buyer, and Buyer shall have received such documents, instruments and
agreements as Buyer shall reasonably request in connection
9
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.
(b) Governmental Approvals. Buyer shall
have received satisfactory evidence that each Seller has obtained all consents
and approvals of all Persons, including all requisite Governmental Authorities,
if any, required for such Seller to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(c) Compliance with Laws. Each Seller shall be in
compliance with all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
regulations, except to the extent that the failure to so comply, individually
or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(d) Other Agreements. The Joint Venture Agreement and the LLC
Agreement shall have been executed and delivered and the same shall be in full
force and effect.
(e) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each
Seller contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of the Closing Date, both before and after giving effect to such sale.
(f) Covenants. Each Seller shall be in compliance in all
material respects with each of its covenants and other agreements set forth
herein.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
4.1 Representations and
Warranties of Sellers.
(a) To induce Buyer to accept the Transferred Assets,
each Seller, jointly and severally, makes the following representations and
warranties to Buyer, as of the Closing Date.
(i) Valid Existence; Power and Authority. Each Seller (1) is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization; (2) is duly qualified to conduct business
and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction where its ownership or lease
of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and
where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (3) has all requisite power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement; and (4) is able to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
(ii) Authorization of Transaction; No Violation. The
execution, delivery and performance by each Seller of this Agreement and the Related
Documents to which such Seller is a party and, without limiting the foregoing,
the creation of all ownership interests provided for herein: (1) have been
duly
10
authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Seller, and (2) do
not violate any provision of any law or regulation of any Governmental
Authority, or contractual or other restrictions binding on such Seller, except
where such violations, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iii) Enforceability. Each Seller is in
compliance with all material provisions of this Agreement and any Related
Documents to which such Seller is a party.
This Agreement and any Related Documents to which such Seller is a party
have been duly executed and delivered by such Seller and constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of such Seller enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.
(iv) No Proceedings. There are no proceedings or,
to the best Knowledge of each Seller, investigations, pending or threatened in
writing against such Seller, before any Governmental Authority (i) asserting
the invalidity of this Agreement, (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation
of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) seeking
any determination or ruling that, in the reasonable judgment of such Seller,
could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the performance
by such Seller of its obligations under this Agreement or (iv) seeking any
determination or ruling that could reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
(v) Accuracy of Certain Information. All written
factual information heretofore furnished by each Seller to Buyer with respect
to the Transferred Receivables for the purposes of, or in connection with, this
Agreement was true and correct in all material respects on the date as of which
such information was stated or certified.
(vi) Transferred Receivables. With respect
to each Transferred Receivable, the Seller of such Transferred Receivable
represents and warrants that as of the Closing Date:
(1) each
Transferred Receivable satisfies the criteria for an Eligible Receivable as of
the Closing Date, except, with respect to an Additional Receivable, to the
extent expressly set forth in Schedule 2 for such Additional Receivable;
and
(2) all
authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of or registrations or declarations with any
Governmental Authority required to be
obtained, effected or given by such Seller in connection with the conveyance by
such Seller of such Transferred Receivable to Buyer have been duly obtained,
effected or given and are in full force and effect.
(vii) Products. All Products relating to Transferred
Receivables are of merchantable quality and are in conformance with the terms
and conditions of any
11
applicable Financing Agreement.
The original price paid by the Account Debtor for the Products does not
include any amount in respect of other goods or services provided by the
applicable Seller to the Account Debtor, other than for any delivery charges.
(viii) Perfection. Each Seller has caused the
filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in
the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect any
security interest granted by any Account Debtor in property securing the
related Receivables.
(ix) Priority. Other than the ownership
interests transferred to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, no Seller has
pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed
any of the Transferred Assets except as permitted by this Agreement. No Seller
has authorized the filing of and no Seller is aware of any financing statements
against such Seller that include a description of collateral covering the
Transferred Assets other than any financing statement that has been terminated.
None of the chattel paper that constitutes or evidences the Receivables has any
marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or
otherwise conveyed to any Person other than Buyer. No Seller is aware of any
judgment lien in excess of $100,000 that is final, binding and not subject to
appeal or ERISA lien or tax lien filings against it.
(x) Performance. Each Seller has performed or, to the extent
applicable, will timely perform, all of its material obligations relating to
the Transferred Receivables and, in particular and without limitation, it has
delivered all Products to the Account Debtor as are due and required with
respect to the Outstanding Balance of the Transferred Receivable.
(xi) Account Debtor Performance. No amounts due with respect to the
Transferred Receivables have been paid in advance. No Account Debtor is in breach or default
under any Financing Agreement.
(xii) Financing Agreements. The Financing Agreement and any other
documents provided to Buyer in connection with a Transferred Receivable (A) constitute
the entire agreement between the applicable Seller and the Account Debtor in
relation to the financing of Products underlying such Transferred Receivable; (B) represent
the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Seller and the Account
Debtor; (C) comply with all applicable Requirements of Law and other
requirements for their validity and enforceability; and (D) represent a
final sale.
(b) Upon discovery by any Seller or Buyer of a breach of
any of the representations and warranties by a Seller set forth in this Section 4.1,
the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the
others. Each Seller, jointly and
severally, agrees to undertake forthwith to cure any such breach and diligently
prosecute such cure to completion.
12
(c) If (i) any representation or warranty of a
Seller contained in Section 4.1(a) is not true and correct in
any material respect as of the date specified therein with respect to any
Transferred Receivable and as a result of such breach Buyers interest in such
Transferred Receivable is materially and adversely affected, including if Buyers
rights in, to or under such Transferred Receivables or the proceeds of such
Transferred Receivables are impaired or such proceeds are not available for any
reason to Buyer free and clear of any Lien other than Permitted Encumbrances,
unless cured within thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of the
discovery thereof by a Seller or receipt by such Seller of notice thereof given
by Buyer (in either case, the Cure Period) or (ii) any
Transferred Receivable other than an Additional Receivable was not an Eligible
Receivable on the Closing Date or any Transferred Receivable identified as an
Additional Receivable does not meet any requirement for an Eligible Receivable
other than those expressly identified on Schedule 2 with respect to such
Additional Receivable, then such Transferred Receivable shall be designated an Ineligible
Receivable; provided, that any such Transferred Receivable that becomes an
Ineligible Receivable under clause (i) will not be deemed to be an
Ineligible Receivable but will be deemed an Eligible Receivable or a qualifying
Additional Receivable if on any day prior to the end of the Cure Period, (i) the
relevant representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material
respects as if made on such day and (ii) such Seller shall have delivered
an Officers Certificate describing the nature of such breach and the manner in
which the relevant representation and warranty became true and correct.
(d) Sellers shall repurchase such Ineligible Receivable
(as to which the Cure Period has expired, as applicable) from Buyer as provided
below, which repurchase, subject to Sellers performance thereof, shall be
Buyers sole and exclusive remedy for a breach of Sections 4.1(a), 4.2(a),
4.2(b), 4.3(a) or 4.3(c) as to individual
Transferred Receivables. In connection with such repurchase, Sellers shall pay
to Buyer in immediately available funds not later than five (5) Business
Days after Sellers receipt from Buyer of notice of such Ineligible Receivables
ineligibility, in payment for such repurchase, an amount equal to the Aggregate
Repurchase Amount. The payment of such deposit amount in immediately available
funds shall otherwise be considered payment in full of all of such Transferred
Receivables. Each Sellers obligation to
repurchase an Ineligible Receivable hereunder is joint and several with each
other Seller.
(e) Upon the payment, if any, required to be made to
Buyer as provided in Section 4.1(d), Buyer shall automatically and
without further action be deemed to transfer, assign, set over and otherwise
convey to the applicable Seller or its designee, without recourse,
representation or warranty, except as set forth in the following sentence, all
the right, title and interest of Buyer in and to the applicable Ineligible
Receivables, all moneys due or to become due and all Collateral Security with
respect thereto and all amounts received with respect thereto and all proceeds
thereof. Such transfer shall be free and clear of any Liens created by or
through Buyer. Any collections received
by Buyer with respect to any Ineligible Receivables transferred to a Seller, as
well as any amounts received by Buyer from an Account Debtor at any time which
do not constitute Collections, shall be deemed held by Buyer in trust and as
fiduciary for such Seller and Buyer shall pay the same over to such Seller
forthwith upon receipt. Buyer will
irrevocably instruct all Account Debtors with respect to such Ineligible
Receivables
13
to make all payments on account thereof after such assignment to such
Seller. Buyer shall execute such
documents and instruments of transfer or assignment and take such other actions
as shall reasonably be requested by a Seller to effect the conveyance of such
Ineligible Receivables pursuant to this Section.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement or any Related Document, the representations contained in Section 4.1(a) shall
be continuing and remain in full force and effect.
4.2 Covenants of Sellers.
(a) Product Warranties. All Products underlying the Transferred
Receivables shall be subject to applicable product warranties of Toro and Toro
agrees to perform, or cause to be performed, all repairs, modifications and/or
other acts required by Toro pursuant to the product warranties. All expenses of performance by Toro under
this Section 4.2(a) shall be paid by Toro. If Toro does not perform, or cause to be
performed, any act required by Toro pursuant to such product warranties on any
Product underlying a Transferred Receivable or pay the expenses therefor within
a reasonable time after demand therefor, such Transferred Receivable shall
become an Ineligible Receivable, immediately subject to the repurchase
obligations set forth under Section 4.1(d), without giving effect
to the Cure Period.
(b) Returns. If a Seller accepts the return from any
Account Debtor of any Product covered by any Transferred Receivable,
voluntarily or otherwise, whether or not any substitution is made for such
returned Product, such Seller will pay to Buyer the Outstanding Balance of such
Transferred Receivable or the portion thereof attributable to the returned
Product within ten (10) Business Days of the approval by Toro of the
return of the Product by an Account Debtor.
If such Seller does not pay to Buyer the Outstanding Balance (or portion
thereof) of such Transferred Receivable as required by this Section 4.2(b),
such Transferred Receivable shall become an Ineligible Receivable,
immediately subject to the repurchase obligations set forth under Section 4.1(d),
without giving effect to the Cure Period.
(c) Credits. If a Seller in the ordinary course of
business issues any credit to any Account Debtor that reduces any amount due
with respect to a Transferred Receivable, such Seller shall pay to Buyer an
amount equal to such credit within two (2) Business Days of the issuance
thereof.
(d) Notification and Resolution of Disputes. Each Seller shall promptly notify Buyer of
all facts or circumstances of which such Seller has Knowledge and are material
to Buyers interests under this Agreement in relation to the terms and
conditions of any Financing Agreement, a Transferred Receivable and/or the
relevant Products including any dispute or threatened dispute with an Account
Debtor in relation thereto of which such Seller has Knowledge. Each Seller will, if requested to do so by
Buyer, use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Buyer, at no cost to such
Seller, in resolving any disputes between Buyer and any Account Debtor and in
collecting the Transferred Receivables of such Seller.
14
(e) Repossession of Products. If an Account Debtor defaults on any of its
obligations to Buyer, Buyer may appoint a Seller as its agent (without
compensation) to recover possession of the relevant Products from the Account
Debtor and such Seller shall, if it accepts such appointment in its sole
discretion, on such appointment, at its own risk, cost and expense, repossess,
transport, store and insure such Products.
Such Seller shall keep any Products repossessed by it in a safe and
suitable environment. In case a Seller
declines to act as Buyers agent, such Seller shall cooperate with Buyer to
appoint a third party, at such Sellers cost and expense, in connection with
the repossession, transportation, storage and insurance of such Products.
(f) Limited Repurchase Obligation. With respect to the Transferred Receivables,
Buyer shall be entitled to the benefits to which Red Iron is entitled described
in Sections 3 and 4(b) of the form of Repurchase Agreement attached as Exhibit A
hereto (the Repurchase Agreement), subject to the limits set forth in Section 4(a) of
the Repurchase Agreement, and the Sellers jointly and severally agree to
perform any obligations of Seller (as defined in the Repurchase Agreement) set
forth in Sections 3 and 4(b) of the Repurchase Agreement, subject to the
limits set forth in Section 4(a) of the Repurchase Agreement.
4.3 Negative Covenants of
Sellers. Each Seller covenants and
agrees that, without the prior written consent of Buyer:
(a) Liens. Sellers shall not create,
incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien, other than Permitted Encumbrances,
on or with respect to the Transferred Assets.
If a Transferred Receivable is subject to such a Lien and such Lien is
not released within the Cure Period, such Transferred Receivable shall become
an Ineligible Receivable, immediately subject to the repurchase obligations
set forth under Section 4.1(d), without giving effect to the Cure
Period.
(b) Amendments to Financing Agreements. Sellers shall
not amend the Financing Agreements.
(c) Non Disturbance of Buyers Rights. Sellers shall
not take any action over the Transferred Receivables and, in particular, except
as contemplated by Section 4.2(c), will not grant discounts or
grace periods to the Account Debtors nor will they agree to any compromise with
respect to the Transferred Receivables.
If a Seller takes any of the foregoing actions with respect to a
Transferred Receivable, such Transferred Receivable shall become an Ineligible
Receivable, immediately subject to the repurchase obligations set forth under Section 4.1(d) without
giving effect to the Cure Period.
(d) Sale Characterization. For accounting purposes,
no Seller shall account for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
any manner other than, with respect to the sale of each Transferred Receivable,
as a true sale and absolute assignment of its full right, title and ownership
interest in the related Transferred Assets to Buyer. Sellers shall also
maintain their respective records and books of account in a manner which
clearly reflects each such sale of the Transferred Receivables to Buyer.
15
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. Notices and all other communication provided
for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to a
party at the earlier of (a) when personally delivered, (b) 72 hours
after having been deposited into the custody of the U.S. Postal Service, sent
by first class certified mail, postage prepaid, (c) one business day after
deposit with a national overnight courier service, (d) upon receipt of a
confirmation of facsimile transmission, or (e) upon receipt of electronic
mail (with a notice contemporaneously given by another method specified in this
Section 5.1); in each case addressed as follows:
If to Buyer:
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Red Iron Acceptance, LLC
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
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Bloomington, MN
55420
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Attention:
General Manager
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Telephone: (952)
888-8801
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Facsimile: (952)
887-8258
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Email:
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with copies to:
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TCF Inventory Finance, Inc.
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2300 Barrington Road, Suite 600
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Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
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Attention: Vincent E. Hillery, General Counsel
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Telephone: (847) 252-6616
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Facsimile: (847) 285-6012
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Email:
vhillery@tcfif.com
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and:
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TCF National Bank
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200 E. Lake Street
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Wayzata, MN 55391
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Attention: General Counsel
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Telephone: (952) 475-6498
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Facsimile: (952) 475-7975
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Email: jgreen@tcfbank.com
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and:
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Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
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5500 Wells Fargo Center
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90 South Seventh Street
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Minneapolis, MN 55402
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Attention: Harvey F. Kaplan, Esq.
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Telephone: (612) 375-1138
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Facsimile: (612) 375-1143
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Email:
hfk@kskpa.com
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If to Sellers:
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The Toro Company
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Toro Credit Company
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Toro International Company
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
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Bloomington, MN 55420
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Attention: Treasurer
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Telephone: (952) 887-8449
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Facsimile: (952) 887-8920
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Email:
Tom.Larson@toro.com
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With copies to:
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The Toro Company
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8111 Lyndale Avenue South
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Bloomington, MN 55420
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Attention: General Counsel
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Telephone: (952) 887-8178
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Facsimile: (952) 887-8920
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Email:
Tim.Dordell@toro.com
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and
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Oppenheimer
Wolff & Donnelly LLP
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3300 Plaza VII
Building
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45 South Seventh
Street
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Attention: C. Robert
Beattie, Esq.
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17
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Telephone:
(612) 607-7395
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Facsimile:
(612) 607-7100
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Email:
RBeattie@Oppenheimer.com
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or to such other
address as any party hereto may have furnished to the other party hereto in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.
5.2 No Waiver; Remedies.
(a) The failure of any party hereto, at any time or
times, to require strict performance by any other party hereto of any provision
of this Agreement shall not waive, affect or diminish any right of such party
thereafter to demand strict compliance and performance with this Agreement. Any
suspension or waiver of any breach or default hereunder shall not suspend,
waive or affect any other breach or default whether the same is prior or
subsequent thereto and whether of the same or a different type. None of the
undertakings, agreements, warranties, covenants and representations of any
party contained in this Agreement, and no breach or default by any party under
this Agreement, shall be deemed to have been suspended or waived or amended by
any other party hereto unless such waiver or suspension or amendment is by an
instrument in writing signed by an officer of or other duly authorized
signatory of such party and, in the case of a suspension or waiver, directed to
the defaulting party specifying such suspension or waiver.
(b) Each partys rights and remedies under this
Agreement shall be cumulative and nonexclusive of any other rights and remedies
that such party may have under any other agreement, including the Related
Documents, by operation of law or otherwise.
5.3 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of Sellers and Buyer and their respective successors
and permitted assigns, except as otherwise provided herein. No party may
assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise convey its rights, benefits,
obligations or duties hereunder without having obtained the prior express
written consent of the other party. Any such purported assignment, transfer,
hypothecation or other conveyance by any Seller without the prior express written
consent of Buyer shall be void. The terms and provisions of this Agreement are
for the purpose of defining the relative rights and obligations of Sellers and
Buyer with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and, except as set
forth in Section 7.10 of the Joint Venture Agreement, no Person shall be a
third-party beneficiary of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
5.4 No Buyer Liability for
Contracts. Sellers
hereby acknowledge and agree that Buyer shall not be in any way responsible for
the performance of any contract for the sale of Products by any Seller to an
Account Debtor giving rise to any Transferred Receivable and Buyer shall not
have any obligation to intervene in any dispute arising out of the performance
of any such contract. Sellers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify Buyer and
hold Buyer harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, penalties,
costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) and liabilities
(including product liabilities) incurred
by Buyer in connection with any claim or demand by an Account Debtor or any
third party arising directly or indirectly
18
from the design, manufacture or sale of the
Products, any warranty with respect to the Products or any failure of the
Products to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
5.5 Survival. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or in any Related Document, all undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties
and representations of or binding upon Sellers and Buyer, and all rights of
Sellers and Buyer hereunder shall not terminate or expire upon the closing of
the transactions contemplated hereby, but rather shall survive.
5.6 Complete Agreement;
Modification of Agreement. This
Agreement and the Related Documents constitute the
complete agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the
subject matter hereof and thereof, and may not be modified, altered or amended
except by written agreement of the parties hereto.
5.7 Dispute Resolution. In the event the parties hereto cannot
mutually reach a decision on an issue arising under this Agreement, then such
dispute shall be deemed to be an Arbitrable Dispute subject to the dispute
resolution procedures set forth in Article VI of the Joint Venture
Agreement.
5.8 Jury Trial. EACH OF SELLERS AND BUYER, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY RELATED DOCUMENT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR OUR ENTERING
INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
5.9 Governing Law; Submission to
Jurisdiction. This
Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the state of
Minnesota, without regard to conflicts of laws principles. Each of Sellers and
Buyer hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal courts sitting in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota or any state court
located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and by execution and delivery of this
Agreement, each party hereto accepts for itself and in connection with its
properties, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
such courts with respect to any Litigation concerning this Agreement or the
Related Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or any
matters related thereto not subject to the provisions of Section 5.7.
Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection (including any objection to the laying of venue or any
objection on the grounds of forum non conveniens) which it may now or hereafter
have to the bringing of any proceeding with respect to this Agreement or the
Related Documents to the courts set forth above. Each party hereto agrees to
the personal jurisdiction of such courts and that service of process may be
made on it at the address indicated in Section 5.1 above. Nothing
herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law.
5.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of separate counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately
constitute one agreement.
19
5.11 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of
this Agreement.
5.12 Section Titles. The section titles and table of contents
contained in this Agreement are provided for ease of reference only and shall
be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are not a
part of the agreement between the parties hereto.
5.13 No Setoff. Each Sellers obligations under this
Agreement shall not be affected by any right of setoff, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right such Seller might have against Buyer, all of
which rights are hereby expressly waived by such Seller.
5.14 Further Assurances.
(a) Each Seller shall, at its sole cost and expense,
upon request of Buyer, promptly and duly authorize, execute and/or deliver, as
applicable, any and all further instruments and documents and take such further
actions that Buyer may reasonably request to carry out more effectively the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement or to obtain the full benefits of
this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including
authorizing and filing amendments to financing statements under the UCC with
respect to the ownership interest of Buyer created by this Agreement. Each
Seller hereby authorizes Buyer to file any such financing statements without
the signature of such Seller to the extent permitted by applicable law. A
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of any notice
or financing statement covering the Transferred Assets or any part thereof
shall be sufficient as a notice or financing statement where permitted by law.
If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Transferred Assets
is or shall become evidenced by any instrument, such instrument, other than
checks and notes received in the ordinary course of business, shall be duly
endorsed in a manner satisfactory to Buyer immediately upon such Sellers
receipt thereof and promptly delivered to or at the direction of Buyer.
(b) If a Seller fails to perform any agreement or
obligation under this Section 5.14, Buyer may (but shall not be
required to) itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement or
obligation, and the reasonable expenses of Buyer incurred in connection
therewith shall be payable by such Seller upon demand of Buyer.
5.15 No Indirect or Consequential
Damages. NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY
SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER
PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE,
EXEMPLARY OR, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF FRAUD, BAD FAITH, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR
GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT MAY BE ALLEGED AS
A RESULT OF ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER.
20
5.16 No Assumption in Drafting. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
(a) each party has reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of
this Agreement and has had the opportunity to contribute to its revision, and (b) each
party has been represented by counsel in reviewing and negotiating such terms
and provisions. Accordingly, the rule of
construction to the effect that ambiguities are resolved against the drafting
party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Rather, the terms of this Agreement shall be
construed fairly as to both parties hereto and not in favor or against either
party.
5.17 Headings; Section and Article References. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and are not to be considered in the interpretation or
construction of the provisions hereof.
Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the
following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement: (a) the
words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import shall
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement; (b) the words include and including and words of similar
import shall not be construed to be limiting or exclusive and (c) the word
or shall have the meaning represented by the phrase and/or. Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to
cover all genders.
[Signature
page follows]
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Sellers and Buyer have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above
written.
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[TORO CREDIT COMPANY, as Seller]
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By:
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Name:
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Its:
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THE TORO COMPANY, as Seller
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By:
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Name:
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Its:
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[TORO INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, as Seller]
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By:
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Name:
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Its:
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[EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY INCORPORATED, as Seller]
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By:
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Name:
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Its:
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RED IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC, as Buyer
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By:
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Name:
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Its:
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22
Exhibit 10.3
FORM OF REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
(Two Step)
This
Repurchase Agreement (Agreement)
is entered into as of [ ,
2009] (Effective Date) by and between THE TORO COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, a manufacturer (hereinafter Seller), and RED IRON ACCEPTANCE, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (Red Iron),
to set forth the terms and conditions under which Red Iron will provide
financing for certain dealers and distributors as set forth below. In
consideration of the matters and mutual agreements herein contained, Red Iron
and Seller agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) Approval herein shall mean Red Irons agreement, whether in
writing, by electronic transmission or orally (provided, however, that such
oral agreement be promptly confirmed in writing), to provide floorplan
inventory financing for the sale of Inventory by Seller or an affiliate of
Seller to a Dealer and/or Distributor, which agreement shall be in effect for a
period of sixty (60) days from the date issued.
(b) Dealer herein shall mean any person, firm or corporation
which buys Inventory at wholesale from Seller or an affiliate of Seller and
sells Inventory at retail.
(c) Dealer Invoice herein shall mean an invoice, bill of sale
or other evidence, whether in writing or electronically transmitted, of the
sale or delivery of Inventory by Seller or an affiliate of Seller to a Dealer.
(d) Distributor herein shall mean any person, firm,
corporation or buying group which buys Inventory from Seller or an affiliate of
Seller and sells Inventory at wholesale.
(e) Distributor Invoice herein shall mean an invoice, bill of
sale or other evidence, whether in writing or electronically transmitted, of
the sale or delivery of Inventory by Seller or an affiliate of Seller to a
Distributor.
(f) Distributor to Dealer Invoice herein shall mean an
invoice, bill of sale or other evidence, whether in writing or electronically
transmitted, of the sale or delivery of Inventory by a Distributor to a Dealer.
(g) Inventory
herein shall mean any and all products, including parts and accessories, software
and related services manufactured, distributed or sold at wholesale by Seller
or an affiliate of Seller.
(h) Invoice herein shall mean a Dealer Invoice, a Distributor
Invoice and/or a Distributor to Dealer Invoice, either collectively or
individually, as the case may be.
(i) Wholesale Instrument herein shall mean an Invoice, billing
statement, inventory schedule or other evidence of indebtedness, including the
books and records of Red Iron, arising out of the financing by Red Iron of an
Invoice.
2. Financing
Program.
(a) If Seller or an
affiliate of Seller requests an Approval or sends to Red Iron an Invoice, and
the Dealer and/or Distributor related to such Approval or Invoice is eligible
for floorplan inventory financing in accordance with the credit and operational
policies of Red Iron, then Red Iron shall, from time to time in its commercially
reasonable discretion consistent with such credit and operational policies,
issue such Approvals and advance against such Invoices, all under the terms of
this Agreement. Upon issuance of an Approval by Red Iron, Seller shall (or, as
applicable, shall cause its affiliate to) deliver an original Invoice to Red
Iron. Provided Red Iron receives the Invoice within sixty (60) days of the date
Red Iron issued the Approval and within thirty (30) days of the ship date
referred to in the Invoice, Red Iron shall pay Seller or its affiliate, as
applicable, the amount of the Invoice, subject to the terms of the financing
program then in effect between Seller and Red Iron. If the Invoice is not
received within said 60- and 30-day periods, or is not acceptable in form or
content once received, Red Iron has the right, without notice to Seller or its
affiliate, as applicable, to cancel the Approval related to said Invoice. Prior
to funding any Approval, Red Iron has the right to cancel said Approval upon
oral or written notice (provided, however, that oral notice be promptly
confirmed in writing) to Seller or its affiliate, as applicable, should Dealer
or Distributor be in default of any of its obligations to Red Iron and provided
that Seller or its affiliate, as applicable, has not shipped Inventory in
reliance on Red Irons Approval. Advances on Invoices and Approvals for such
advances issued by Red Iron as provided hereunder shall constitute an
acceptance of the terms and conditions hereof by Seller (for itself or on
behalf of its affiliate, as applicable) and Red Iron as to each such advance,
and no other act or notice shall be required on the part of Red Iron or Seller (or
its affiliate, as applicable) to entitle such advances and Approvals to the
benefits of this Agreement. Red Iron may deduct, set-off, withhold and/or apply
any sums from payments due to Seller (either on behalf of
itself or its affiliate,
as applicable) from Red Iron under this Agreement any sums or payments due to
Red Iron from Seller and/or its affiliates in respect of any advance to be made
by Red Iron against any Invoice. Seller
and Red Iron may from time to time enter into written agreements for any Seller
sponsored special financing program for Dealers and/or Distributors.
(b) If Seller or
an affiliate of Seller delivers to Red Iron an original Invoice that is the subject
of open account financing of inventory and related items and the amount of such
Invoice is within (i) pre-established credit limits applicable to the
Dealer and/or Distributor related to such Invoice and (ii) unsecured
credit limits established by Red Iron from time to time (which shall not be
less than $4,000,000 in the aggregate at any time unless otherwise agreed by
the parties hereto), then Red Iron shall, from time to time in its commercially
reasonable discretion consistent with the credit and operational policies of
Red Iron, make an advance against such Invoice under the terms of this
Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, if
Red Iron receives the Invoice within thirty (30) days of the ship date referred
to in the Invoice, Red Iron shall pay Seller or its affiliate, as applicable,
the amount of the Invoice, subject to the terms of the financing program then
in effect between Seller and Red Iron.
Advances on Invoices issued by Red Iron as provided hereunder shall
constitute an acceptance of the terms and conditions hereof by Seller (for
itself or on behalf of its affiliate, as applicable) and Red Iron as to each
such advance, and no other act or notice shall be required on the part of Red
Iron or Seller (or its affiliate, as applicable) to entitle such advances to
the benefits of this Agreement. Red Iron
may deduct, set-off, withhold and/or apply any sums from payments due to Seller
(either on behalf of itself or its affiliate, as applicable) from Red Iron
under this Agreement any sums or payments due to Red Iron from Seller and/or
its affiliates in respect of any advance to be made by Red Iron against any Invoice.
(c) Upon payment
to Seller or an affiliate of Seller of the amount of an Invoice pursuant to the
terms of the preceding paragraphs (a) or (b), Seller or its affiliate, as
applicable, shall be deemed, without the necessity of any further action, to
have transferred, assigned, set over and otherwise conveyed to Red Iron,
without recourse except as provided herein, all its right, title and interest
in, to and under, such Invoice and any related Wholesale Instrument, any
collateral security securing payment thereof and any other credit support
together with all monies due or to become due and all amounts received or
receivable with respect thereto, including all rights to receive payments
thereon from any Dealer and/or Distributor.
For accounting purposes, no Seller or affiliate of Seller, as
applicable, shall account for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
in any manner other than, with respect to the sale of each Invoice, as a true
sale and absolute assignment of its full right, title and ownership interest
therein to Red Iron. Seller and its
affiliates shall also maintain their respective records and books of account in
a manner which clearly reflects each such sale of Invoices to Red Iron.
(d) Seller (on
behalf of itself and its affiliates) hereby grants to Red Iron a limited power
of attorney for the sole purpose of endorsing checks, drafts and other
instruments received by Red Iron payable to the order of Seller and its
affiliates and relating, in whole or in part, to receivables held by Red Iron.
3. Repurchase
of Inventory; Extended Service Contract Recourse.
(a) Sellers repurchase of Inventory sold by Seller or its affiliates directly
to a Dealer or Distributor. Subject to Section 4, if Red Iron
shall repossess or come into possession of any Inventory, or any part thereof,
covered by any Dealer Invoice or Distributor Invoice, Seller agrees to repurchase
such Inventory from Red Iron in a condition that is new and unused, subject to
normal wear and tear resulting from display or demonstration, and wherever
located. Seller shall pay Red Iron, within thirty (30) days of request therefor
and in good funds, the outstanding balance remaining unpaid under such Invoice. In addition, Seller shall pay Red Iron for
all costs and expenses actually incurred by Red Iron in taking possession or in
the repossession of such Inventory, including shipping and storage costs (not
to exceed 10% of the original Invoice) plus reasonable attomeys fees and
courts costs actually incurred. Seller shall not assert any interest in or
title to such Inventory until it has paid Red Iron all amounts as specified
herein in full.
(b) Sellers repurchase of Inventory sold by a Distributor to a Dealer.
Subject to Section 4, if Red Iron shall repossess or come into possession
of any Inventory, or any part thereof, covered by any Distributor to Dealer
Invoice, and Distributor fails to repurchase such Inventory from Red Iron
within thirty (30) days of Red Irons demand therefor, Seller agrees to repurchase
such Inventory from Red Iron in a condition that is new and unused, subject to
normal wear and tear resulting from display or demonstration, and wherever
located. Subject to Section 3(h), Seller shall pay Red Iron, within thirty
(30) days of request therefor and in good funds, the outstanding balance amount
remaining unpaid under such Distributor to Dealer Invoice. In addition, Seller
shall pay Red Iron for all costs and expenses actually incurred by Red Iron in
taking possession or in the repossession of such Inventory, including shipping
and storage costs
2
(not to exceed 10% of
the original Invoice) plus reasonable attorneys fees and court costs actually
incurred. Seller shall not assert any interest in or title to such Inventory
until it has paid Red Iron all amounts as specified herein in full.
(c) Seller and Red
Iron agree that the repurchase of Inventory hereunder shall not be deemed to be
a transfer subject to Sections 9-615(f) or 9-618 of the Illinois Uniform Commercial
Code or any similar provision of any other applicable law.
(d) If an Invoice
delivered to Red Iron by Seller does not identify the covered Inventory by
serial number, but only by model number, and Seller cannot prove to Red Irons
reasonable satisfaction that an item of Inventory is covered by a particular
Invoice, then for purposes of determining the age or price of an item of
Inventory under this Agreement, the item of Inventory shall be deemed to be
covered by the most recent Invoice which has an item with the same model number
as the item of Inventory tendered for repurchase.
(e) Seller further
agrees that in the event Red Iron refinances Inventory pursuant to a buyout of
debt from another financing source or otherwise, such Inventory will be subject
to repurchase by Seller under this Section 3, notwithstanding the fact
that Red Iron did not finance the initial purchase of such Inventory from
Seller.
(f) Seller agrees
(and Seller will cause its affiliates, as applicable) to execute any additional
agreements, instruments, and documents which Red Iron may reasonably require to
maintain Red Irons rights and interests in any Inventory.
(g) To the extent
reasonably feasible, and without prejudicing Red Irons rights, Red Iron shall
provide Seller prior written notice of Red Irons intent to commence litigation
against a Dealer or Distributor.
(h) Red Iron shall
provide Seller contemporaneous written notice of any action by Red Iron against
a Dealer or Distributor with respect to any amounts unpaid under a Distributor
to Dealer Invoice. Red Iron shall not
make a demand on Toro to perform its obligations under Section 3(b) above
until at least ten (10) days after providing such notice to Seller or, in
the case where the Dealer or Distributor disputes such amounts in good faith,
until at least thirty (30) days after providing such notice to Seller.
(i) If an Invoice
for an extended service contract is not paid when due, then Red Iron shall have
the benefit of recourse to Seller with respect to such Invoice on such terms as
Red Iron and Seller shall mutually agree from time to time.
4.
Net
Repurchase Limit; Remarketing.
(a) Neither Seller nor
any affiliate of Seller shall have any obligation under Section 3 or under
the terms of any other repurchase agreement entered into by and between Seller
or an affiliate of Seller, on the one hand, and Red Iron on the other, to
repurchase any additional Inventory in a Calendar Year once the aggregate
amount of repurchase obligations fully and finally paid hereunder to Red Iron
during such Calendar Year equals or exceeds the Net Repurchase Limit for such
Calendar Year. Net
Repurchase Limit shall mean Seven and One-Half Million Dollars
($7,500,000) for each Calendar Year during the term of this Agreement. The foregoing Net Repurchase Limit shall not relieve
Seller or its affiliates from (i) any obligation to repurchase or
otherwise acquire any Inventory pursuant to any separate agreement between
Seller or an affiliate of Seller and any Distributor or (ii) any other
recourse obligation Seller or an affiliate of Seller may have to Red Iron
(including the recourse described in Section 3(i) hereof).
(b) Once the Net
Repurchase Limit has been reached in a Calendar Year, Seller agrees to use its
best efforts to remarket any additional repossessed Inventory on behalf of Red
Iron on a non-discriminatory, non-priority basis for an amount not less than
the outstanding balance remaining due Red Iron on such Inventory. As used herein, such best efforts shall
include advertising and using the same methods to market such Inventory as
Seller uses to market similar products in the course of conducting its own business,
subject to Red Irons rights to approve all aspects of any resale of such
Inventory. Red Iron acknowledges that
Seller in the ordinary course of its business will be engaged in the marketing
of other similar Inventory and that such activity shall not constitute a breach
of any duty of Seller under the terms of this Section 4(b) so long as
Seller complies with the two immediately preceding sentences. Red Iron will reimburse Seller for reasonable
out-of-pocket, third party expenses, including reasonable commissions (if any),
incurred by Seller in providing remarketing services pursuant to this Section 4(b).
5. Seller
Representations and Warranties.
(a) Seller
represents and warrants, at the time of any Red Iron Approval and/or advance
against any Invoice as provided hereunder, that: (i) each and every
Invoice issued by Seller or its affiliate, as applicable, represents valid
obligations of a Dealer and/or Distributor, is legally enforceable according to
3
its terms and relates to
bona fide, original acquisition sales of Inventory by Seller or its affiliate,
as applicable, to a Dealer and/or Distributor without any claim, offset or
defense to payment by Dealer and/or Distributor and that Dealer and/or
Distributor requested that the acquisition of Inventory be financed by Red Iron;
(ii) Sellers (or, as applicable, its affiliates) title to all Inventory
is free and clear of all security interests, liens and encumbrances when
transferred to Dealer and/or Distributor and Seller or its affiliate, as
applicable, transfers to Dealer and/or Distributor all its right, title and
interest in and to the Inventory; (iii) the Inventory is in new and unused
condition; it is of the kind, quality and condition represented or warranted to
Dealer and/or Distributor; it meets or exceeds all applicable federal, state
and local safety, manufacturing and other standards; and if it is a type of
Inventory customarily crated or boxed, such crate or box is factory sealed.
(b) In the event of
breach of any of the foregoing representations or warranties, Seller will,
immediately upon demand, purchase from Red Iron the Wholesale Instrument
relating to the Invoice or Inventory with respect to which the representation/warranty
was breached and pay, in good immediately available funds, the unpaid balance
amount of the Wholesale Instrument, plus all charges owing by Dealer and/or
Distributor with respect thereto, and all of Red Irons costs and expenses,
including reasonable attorneys fees, actually incurred in connection with such
breach.
6. Seller
Covenants and Indemnity.
Seller covenants as
follows:
(a) All Inventory
financed by Red Iron shall be subject to applicable product warranties of Seller
(or its affiliate, as applicable), and Seller agrees to perform, or cause to be
performed, all repairs, modifications and/or other acts required of Seller or
its affiliate, as applicable, pursuant to said product warranties. All expenses
of performance under this covenant shall be paid by Seller.
(b) If Seller or
its affiliate, as applicable, accepts the return from any Dealer and/or
Distributor of any Inventory covered by any Wholesale Instrument, voluntarily
or otherwise, whether or not any substitution is made for such returned Inventory,
Seller will reimburse Red Iron for the unpaid balance amount of the Wholesale
Instrument within thirty (30) days of the return.
(c) At any time at
which Seller is not required to file reports with the U.S. Securities Exchange
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Seller will, upon request,
promptly provide Red Iron with Sellers year-end balance sheet and annual
profit and loss statement for each fiscal year prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
(d) All
transactions of Seller and its affiliates related to the sale of Inventory
financed by Red Iron shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations
and orders of all governmental entities having jurisdiction over such
transactions. Seller agrees to indemnify
and hold Red Iron harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, costs,
expenses, penalties and judgments asserted or imposed upon, or incurred by, Red
Iron as a result of breach by Seller or its affiliates of any provision of this
Section 6.
(e) Seller will
notify Red Iron promptly (i) if Seller or its affiliate, as applicable, terminates,
or gives notice of its intent to terminate, its agreement with any Distributor
or (ii) if any Distributor terminates, or gives notice of its intent to
terminate, its agreement with Seller or one of its affiliates.
7. Waivers.
(a) Seller
(on behalf of itself and its affiliates) waives: notice of non-payment; protest
and dishonor and notice of protest and dishonor of any Wholesale Instrument;
notice of Red Irons acceptance of this Agreement; and all other notices to
which Seller or its affiliates might otherwise be entitled to by law. Red Iron
may, at any time or times, without notice to or further consent of Seller or
its affiliates, renew and extend the time of payment of Wholesale Instruments
and compromise or adjust claims on Wholesale Instruments or Inventory covered
thereby and waive or modify performance of such terms and conditions of its
financing arrangement with Dealers and/or Distributors, as Red Iron may determine
to be reasonable, and no such renewal, extension, compromise, adjustment,
waiver or modification shall affect the obligations or liabilities of Seller
hereunder.
(b) No waiver of
any provision of this Agreement shall be implied, and no waiver shall be valid,
unless it is in writing and signed by the person or party to be charged. No waiver of any breach of any of the terms,
provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be construed as or held to be
a waiver of any other breach, or a waiver of, acquiescence in, or consent to,
any further or succeeding breach hereof.
4
8. Term
and Termination.
(a) Initial Term. The
initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and,
provided this Agreement is not terminated earlier as otherwise provided herein,
shall continue until October 31, 2014 (the Initial Term) and thereafter
shall be extended automatically for additional two-year terms (each, an Additional
Term) unless at least one year prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or
Additional Term (as applicable) either party gives notice to the other party of
its intention not to extend the term, in which event the Agreement shall
terminate at the end of the then current Initial Term or Additional Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement
shall automatically terminate upon the final dissolution, winding up and
liquidation of Red Iron.
(b) Default Termination.
If Seller (or, as applicable, one of its affiliates) is in default of
any of the provisions of this Agreement and Seller shall fail to cure (or cause
the cure of) such default within thirty (30) days after notice by Red Iron of
such default (or such longer period of time as is reasonably necessary to allow
Seller to cure (or cause the cure of) such default but, in any event, not more
than seventy-five (75) days after notice by Red Iron of such default), Red Iron
shall then have the right to terminate this Agreement without further notice
and without penalty and the right to exercise all remedies available to Red
Iron under applicable law.
(c) Effect of Termination.
The termination of all or any part of this Agreement shall not affect
the obligations of Seller or its affiliates with respect to Invoices approved
or advanced against by Red Iron, or other obligations incurred by either party,
prior to the effective date of such termination.
9. General.
(a) This Agreement
has been duly authorized and executed by Seller and Red Iron and shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and/or assigns of the
parties hereto. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the other (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), unless such assignment is to a successor-in-interest to the
assigning party. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns, subject to the limitations of this Section 9(a).
(b) This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and contains all
of the agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof. This Agreement supersedes any
and all other agreements, either oral or written, between the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless the
same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties
acknowledge that there may be other agreements between them from time to time
covering related matters such as financing program terms, Seller sponsored rate
programs or electronic invoice transmission which shall continue in full force
and effect. This Agreement shall not be deemed to create, or intend, a joint
venture, partnership, agency or other similar relationship between Seller and Red
Iron.
(c) Notices and
all other communication provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given to a party at the earlier of (i) when personally
delivered, (ii) 72 hours after having been deposited into the custody of
the U.S. Postal Service, sent by first class certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) one
business day after deposit with a national overnight courier service, (iv) upon
receipt of a confirmation of facsimile transmission or (v) upon receipt of
electronic mail (with a notice contemporaneously given by another method
specified in this Section 9(c)); in each case addressed as follows:
If to Red Iron:
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Red Iron Acceptance,
LLC
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8111 Lyndale Avenue
South
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Bloomington, MN 55420
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Attention: General
Manager
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Telephone: (952)
888-8801
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Facsimile: (952)
887-8258
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Email:
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If to Seller:
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The Toro Company
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8111 Lyndale Avenue
South
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Bloomington, MN 55420
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Attention: Treasurer
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Telephone: 952-887-8449
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Facsimile: 952-887-8920
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Email:
Tom.Larson@toro.com
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or to such other address
as either party hereto may have furnished to the other party hereto in writing
in accordance herewith, expect that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
(d) This Agreement
shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the state of Illinois, without
regard to conflicts of law principles.
(e) The respective
acts and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be performed
solely by said parties; provided, however, if any act or obligation hereunder
is performed by any partys subsidiary, affiliate or agent, then such
performance shall be deemed to be the act or obligation of Seller or Red Iron,
as applicable.
(f) Seller agrees
to pay all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses, including attorneys
fees, actually incurred by Red Iron in enforcing any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
(g) EACH OF SELLER
AND RED IRON, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO
ANY ISSUE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT FOR OUR ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
(h) Each of Seller
and Red Iron hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
the Federal courts and the courts of the state of Minnesota sitting in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota or any state court located in Hennepin
County, Minnesota, and by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party
hereto accepts for itself and in connection with its properties, generally and
unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts with respect to
any litigation concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or any matters related thereto.
Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection (including any
objection to the laying of venue or any objection on the grounds of forum non
conveniens) which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any
proceeding with respect to this Agreement to the courts set forth above. Each party hereto agrees to the personal
jurisdiction of such courts and that service of process may be made on it at
the address indicated in Section 9(c) above. Nothing herein shall affect the right to
serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(i) NO PARTY TO
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY TO THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR
ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR
PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF FRAUD, BAD FAITH, WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT MAY BE
ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER.
(j) If any portion
or portions of this Agreement shall be, for any reason, invalid or
unenforceable, the remaining portion or portions shall nevertheless be valid,
enforceable and carried into effect, unless to do so would clearly violate the
present legal and valid intention of the parties hereto.
(k) This Agreement
may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
agreement. This Agreement may be
executed by facsimile signature or electronic transmission, as directed by Red
Iron.
(l) The headings
in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and are not to be
considered in the interpretation or construction of the provisions hereof. Unless the context of this Agreement
otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall
apply to this Agreement: (i) the words hereof, herein and hereunder
and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular provision of this Agreement; (b) the words include and including
and words of similar import shall not be construed to be limiting or exclusive
and (c) the word or shall have the meaning represented by the phrase and/or.
[Signature
page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.
The Toro Company
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Red Iron Acceptance, LLC
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Seller
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By:
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By:
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Print Name:
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Print Name:
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Title:
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Title:
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Tax ID No.:
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Address for Notices:
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Address for Notices:
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Facsimile No.
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Facsimile No.
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7
Exhibit 99.1
Investor Relations
John Wright
Director, Investor
Relations
952) 887-8865,
invest@toro.com
Media Relations
Branden Happel
Manager, Public Relations
(952) 887-8930,
pr@toro.com
For
Immediate Release
THE TORO COMPANY AND TCF INVENTORY FINANCE FORM JOINT
VENTURE TO PROVIDE CHANNEL FINANCING
Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, provides expanded
financing capabilities and improves Toros working capital position
BLOOMINGTON,
Minn. (August 13, 2009) The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) today announced the
creation of a new joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. (TCFIF),
an indirect subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (NYSE: TCB). Under the name Red Iron Acceptance, LLC, the
new commercial finance entity will provide U.S. distributors and dealers and
select Canadian distributors of the Toro and Exmark brands with a reliable,
cost-effective source of floor plan and open account financing. In conjunction with the joint venture TCFIFs
affiliate, TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc., will provide floor plan
and open account financing to dealers located in Canada.
Ready
access to cost-effective financing remains at the forefront of our customers
concerns, said Mike Hoffman, chairman and CEO of The Toro Company. This venture leverages the complementary
strengths of two great companies to offer our channel partners the inventory
financing they need to support their businesses. For Toro, it further enables us to free up
working capital to drive future growth and innovation, and deliver increased
shareholder value.
The
lawn and garden industry is a key area that we have targeted in our growth
plan, said William A. Cooper, chairman and CEO of TCF Financial
Corporation. This alliance, with an
industry leader like Toro, further demonstrates our commitment to the industry.
Customer
support services for Red Iron Acceptance will be located at Toros Bloomington,
Minnesota, headquarters with back office operations housed at TCFIFs offices
in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Leadership
for the new entity will be provided by Tom Evans, who will serve as general
manager. Evans has extensive experience
in the inventory finance business, most recently as senior relationship manager
for GE Commercial Distribution Finance.
Executive oversight for Red Iron Acceptance will be provided by a
management committee comprised of four executives from each of The Toro Company
and TCFIF.
Currently,
commercial inventory financing is offered to Toro and Exmark distributors and
dealers through the Toro Credit Company and a third party financing
company. Later this year, Red Iron
Acceptance is expected to replace the current floor plan financing provided by
both parties. The new entity will service
nearly 3,500 channel partners serving the golf, sports field, municipal, landscape
contractor and residential markets.
About The Toro Company
The
Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of turf and landscape
maintenance equipment, and precision irrigation systems. With sales of nearly
$1.9 billion in fiscal 2008, Toros global
presence
extends to more than 140 countries through its reputation of world-class
service, innovation and turf expertise. Since 1914, the company has built a
tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care
for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and
residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available
at www.thetorocompany.com.
About
TCF Inventory Finance
TCFIF
(www.tcfif.com) offers a full range of inventory financing solutions to
retailers in the consumer electronics and household appliances industries and
the lawn and garden industry throughout the United States and Canada. TCFIF is an indirect subsidiary of TCF Financial
Corporation (NYSE: TCB) (www.tcfbank.com), a Wayzata, Minnesota-based national
financial holding company with $17.5 billion in total assets. TCF has 444 banking offices in Minnesota,
Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and South Dakota,
providing retail and commercial banking services. TCF also conducts commercial leasing and
equipment finance business in all 50 states.
Safe Harbor
Statements made in this news
release, which are forward-looking, are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. These
uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global
market as well as matters specific to Toro. Particular risks and uncertainties
that may affect the companys operating results or overall financial position
at the present include: slow or negative growth rates in global and domestic
economies, resulting in rising unemployment and weakened consumer confidence;
the threat of further terrorist acts and war, which may result in contraction
of the U.S. and worldwide economies; drug cartel-related violence, which may
disrupt our production activities and maquiladora operations based in Juarez,
Mexico; fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, including
steel, resins and other commodities; fluctuating fuel and other costs of
transportation; the impact of abnormal weather patterns, natural disasters and
global pandemics; the level of growth or contraction in our markets, including
the golf market; government and municipal revenue, budget and spending levels,
which may negatively impact our grounds maintenance equipment business in the event
of reduced tax revenues and tighter government budgets; dependence on The Home
Depot as a customer for the residential segment; elimination of shelf space for
our products at retailers; inventory adjustments or changes in purchasing
patterns by our customers; market acceptance of existing and new products;
increased competition; our ability to achieve the goals for our current
three-year growth, profit and asset management initiative called GrowLean
which is intended to improve our revenue growth, after-tax return on sales and
working capital efficiency; our increased dependence on international sales and
the risks attendant to international operations; credit availability and terms,
interest rates and currency movements including, in particular, our exposure to
foreign currency risk; our relationships with our distribution channel
partners, including the financial viability of distributors and dealers; our
ability to successfully achieve our plans for and integrate acquisitions and
manage alliances or joint ventures; the costs and
effects of changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies,
including rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters;
unforeseen product quality or other problems in the development, production and
usage of new and existing products; loss of or changes in executive management
or key employees; ability of management to manage around unplanned events; our
reliance on our intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of
the intellectual property rights of others; the occurrence of litigation
or claims, including the previously disclosed pending litigation against the
company and other defendants that challenges the horsepower ratings of
lawnmowers, of which the company is currently unable to assess whether the
litigation would have a material adverse effect on the companys consolidated
operating results or financial condition, although an adverse result might be
material to operating results in a particular reporting period. In
addition to the factors set forth in this paragraph, market, economic,
financial, competitive, legislative, governmental, weather, production and
other factors identified in Toros quarterly and annual reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the forward-looking statements
in this press release. Toro undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements made in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the
date of this release.
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