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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
Commission file number 1-13397
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 22-3514823
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
6500 SOUTH ARCHER ROAD, BEDFORD PARK, ILLINOIS 60501-1933
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (708) 563-2400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
(currently traded with Common Stock)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III or this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K [ ]
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The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting stock held by
nonaffiliates of the registrant (based upon the per share closing price of
$32.125 on March 23, 1998, and, for the purpose of this calculation only, the
assumption that all registrant's directors and executive officers are
affiliates) was approximately $1,130,018,013.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, as of March 23, 1998, was 35,652,134.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Information required by Part II (Items 6, 7 and 8) and Part IV (Item 14(a)(1))
of this document is incorporated by reference to certain portions of the
registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders.
Information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) of this document is
incorporated by reference to certain portions of the registrant's definitive
Proxy Statement distributed in connection with its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
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PART I.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
Corn Products International, Inc. was formed in March 1997 to assume
the operations of the corn refining business (the "Corn Refining Business") of
Bestfoods, Inc., formerly CPC International Inc. ("Bestfoods") and to effect
the distribution of 100% of the outstanding shares of the Company to the
Bestfoods common stockholders. On December 31, 1997, Bestfoods transferred the
assets and related liabilities of its Corn Refining Business to the Company.
Effective at 11:59:59 p.m. on December 31, 1997, Bestfoods distributed all of
the common stock of the Company to holders of common stock of Bestfoods. Since
that time, the Company has operated as an independent company whose common stock
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Unless the context indicates
otherwise, references to the "Company" and "Corn Products" refer to the Corn
Refining Business of Bestfoods for periods prior to January 1, 1998 and to Corn
Products International, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods on or after
such date.
OVERVIEW
The Corn Refining Business dates back to the original formation of
Bestfoods' predecessor over 90 years ago. In 1906, Corn Products Refining
Company was formed through an amalgamation of virtually all the corn syrup and
starch companies in the United States. International expansion followed soon
thereafter. In 1928, the Corn Refining Business commenced Latin American
operations in Brazil, followed quickly by expansions into Argentina and Mexico.
Corn Products International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries,
produces a large variety of food ingredients and industrial products derived
from the wet milling of corn and other starch-based materials (such as tapioca
and yucca). The Company is one of the largest corn refiners in the world and the
leading corn refiner in Latin America. In addition, it is the world's leading
producer of dextrose and has strong regional leadership in corn starch. The
Company's consolidated operations are located in ten countries with 19 plants
and, in 1997, the Company had consolidated net sales of approximately $1.4
billion. The Company also holds interests in 11 other countries through
unconsolidated joint ventures and allied operations, which operate an additional
19 plants. Approximately 60% of the Company's revenues are generated in North
America with the remainder coming from Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Corn refining is a capital-intensive two-step process that involves the
wet milling and processing of corn. During the front end process, corn is
steeped in water and separated into starch and co-products such as animal feed
and germ, The starch is then either dried for sale or further modified or
refined through various processes to make sweeteners and other starch-based
products designed to serve the particular needs of various industries. The
Company's sweetener
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products include high fructose corn syrups ("HFCS"), glucose corn syrups, high
maltose, corn syrups, dextrose, maltodextrins, and glucose and corn syrup
solids. The Company's starch-based products include both industrial and food
grade starches.
The Company supplies a broad range of customers in over 60 industries.
The Company's most important customers are in the food and beverage,
pharmaceuticals, paper products, corrugated and laminated paper, textiles and
brewing industries and in the animal feed markets worldwide. The Company
believes its customers value its local approach to service.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Corn Products' business strategy is to focus its management, technical
and financial resources on its areas of strength. Specifically, the Company
intends to: (i) maintain and grow its leading market positions; (ii) drive for
delivered cost leadership; (iii) provide high quality products and superior
service valued by customers; and (iv) expand in existing markets and enter new
markets.
Maintain and Grow Leading Market Positions. The Company intends to
continue to leverage its worldwide expertise and seek to grow its position as a
leading corn refiner in markets where it currently has a strong leadership
position by, among other things, expanding capacity to meet current and
anticipated customer needs.
Drive for Delivered Cost Leadership. The Company has implemented and
intends to continue to implement productivity enhancing and cost-saving
programs. This effort includes improving facility reliability by further
developing successful preventative maintenance programs, as well as striving
for consistent logistical excellence.
Provide High Quality Products and Superior Service. The Company
believes that it delivers high quality products and provides superior customer
service. The Company plans to continue to improve its service levels and focus
on customer needs to gain additional preferred supplier relationships.
Expand in Existing Markets and Enter New Markets. The Company believes
it is well positioned through its global alliances and joint ventures to seize
opportunities for expansion in existing markets and entrance into new markets.
The Company also intends to form additional strategic alliances with local corn
refiners as a cost-effective method of expanding into emerging markets.
PRODUCTS
The Company sells sweetener products that account for approximately
55% of the net sales of the Corn Refining Business, starch products that account
for approximately 20% of net sales, and co-products that account for
approximately 25% of net sales.
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Sweetener Products.
High Fructose Corn Syrup: The Company produces two types of high
fructose corn syrup: (i) HFCS-55, which is primarily used as a sweetener in
soft drinks made in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan, and (ii)
HFCS-42, which is used as a sweetener in various consumer products such as
fruit-flavored beverages, yeast-raised breads, rolls, doughs, ready-to-eat
cakes, yogurt and ice cream.
Glucose Corn Syrups: Corn syrups are fundamental ingredients in
many industrial products and are widely used in food products such as baked
goods, snack foods, beverages, canned fruits, condiments, candy and other
sweets, dairy products, ice cream, jams and jellies, prepared mixes and
table syrups. Corn Products offers corn syrups that are manufactured
through an ion-exchange process, a method that creates the highest quality,
purest corn syrups.
High Maltose Corn Syrup: This special type of glucose syrup has
a unique carbohydrate profile, making it ideal for use as a source of
fermentable sugars in brewing beers. High maltose syrups are also used in
the production of confections, canning and some other food processing
applications.
Dextrose: The Company was granted the first U.S. patent for
dextrose in 1923. The Company currently produces dextrose products that are
grouped in three different categories-monohydrate, anhydrous and specialty.
Monohydrate dextrose is used across the food industry in many of the same
products as glucose corn syrups, especially in confectionery applications.
Anhydrous dextrose is used to make solutions for intravenous injection and
other pharmaceutical applications, as well as some specialty food
applications. Specialty dextrose products are used in a wide range of
applications, from confectionery tableting to dry mixes to carriers for
high intensity sweeteners. Dextrose also has a wide range of industrial
applications, including use in wall board and production of biodegradable
surfactants (surface agents), humectants (moisture agents), and as the base
for fermentation products including vitamins, organic acids, amino acids
and alcohols.
Maltodextrins and Glucose and Corn Syrup Solids: These products
have a multitude of food applications, including formulations where liquid
corn syrups cannot be used. Maltodextrins are resistant to browning,
provide excellent solubility, have a low hydroscopicity (do not retain
moisture), and are ideal for their carrier/bulking properties. Corn syrup
solids have a bland flavor, remain clear in solution, are easy to handle
and also provide bluing properties.
Starch Products. Starches are an important component in a wide range of
processed foods, used particularly as a thickener and binder. Corn starch is
also sold to corn starch packers for sale to consumers. Starches are also used
in paper production to produce a smooth surface
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for printed communications and to improve strength in today's recycled papers.
In the corrugating industry, starches are used to produce high quality adhesives
for the production of shipping containers, display board and other corrugated
applications. The textile industry has successfully used starches for over a
century to provide size and finishes for manufactured products. Industrial
starches are used in the production of construction materials, adhesives,
pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as in mining, water filtration and oil
and gas drilling.
Enzymes. Enzymes are produced and marketed for a variety of food and
industrial applications.
Co-Products. Refined corn oil is sold to packers of cooking oil and to
producers of margarine, salad dressings, shortening, mayonnaise and other foods.
Corn gluten feed is sold as animal feed. Corn gluten meal and steepwater are
sold as additives for animal feed.
OPERATIONS
The Company's North American operations, which include the U.S., Canada and
Mexico, operate 11 plants (including four owned by unconsolidated joint
ventures), producing regular and modified starches, dextrose, high fructose and
high maltose corn syrups and corn syrup solids, dextrins and maltodextrins,
caramel color and sorbitol. The Company's plant in Bedford Park, Illinois is a
major supplier of starch and dextrose products for the Company's U.S. and export
customers. A 100 million pound dextrose expansion was completed at the Bedford
Park plant in January of 1996. The Company's other U.S. plants in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina and Stockton, California enjoy strong market shares in their
local areas, as do the Company's Canadian plants in Cardinal, London and Port
Colborne, Ontario. In Mexico, the Company's joint venture with Arancia
Industrial S. A. de C. V. is that country's largest corn refiner. The venture
was the first in Mexico to produce HFCS-55 for sale to the soft drink bottling
industry.
The Company is the largest corn refiner in Latin America, with leading
market shares in Chile, Brazil and Colombia and a strong position in Argentina.
Its Latin American consolidated operations have 9 plants that produce regular,
modified, waxy and tapioca starches, high maltose and corn syrups, dextrins and
maltodextrins, dextrose, caramel color, sorbitol and vegetable adhesives.
The Company has additional subsidiaries in Kenya, Malaysia and Pakistan,
which operate three additional plants. These operations produce modified,
regular, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrins, glucose, dextrose and caramel
color.
In addition to the operations in which it engages directly and through
joint ventures, the Company also has numerous strategic alliances through
technical license agreements with companies in Australia, India, Japan, New
Zealand, Thailand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Serbia and Venezuela. As a group, the
Company's strategic alliance partners operate 15 plants and produce high
fructose, glucose and high maltose syrups (both corn and tapioca), regular,
modified, waxy
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and tapioca starches, dextrose and dextrins, maltodextrins and caramel color.
These products have leading market positions in many of their target markets.
COMPETITION
The corn refining industry is highly competitive. Most of the Company's
products compete with virtually identical products and derivatives manufactured
by other companies in the industry. The U.S. market is the most competitive,
with participation by eleven corn refiners, including ADM Corn Processing
Division ("ADM") (a division of Archer Daniels Midland Company), Cargill, A.E.
Staley Manufacturing Co. ("Staley") (a subsidiary of Tate & Lyle, PLC) and
National Starch and Chemical Company ("National Starch") (a subsidiary of
Imperial Chemicals Industries plc). In Latin America, Cargill has corn refining
operations in Brazil, National Starch has operations in Brazil and Mexico, and
ALMEX a joint venture between ADM and Staley, has operations in Mexico. Several
local corn refiners also operate in Latin America. Competition within markets is
largely based on price, quality and product availability.
Several of the Company's products also compete with products made from raw
materials other than corn. High fructose corn syrup and monohydrate dextrose
compete principally with cane and beet sugar products. Co-products such as corn
oil and gluten meal compete with products of the corn dry milling industry and
with soybean oil and soybean meal. Fluctuations in prices of these competing
products may affect prices of, and profits derived from, the Company's products.
CUSTOMERS
The Company supplies a broad range of customers in over 60 industries.
Historically, Bestfoods' worldwide branded foods business has been one of the
Company's largest customers, accounting for approximately 12.5% of total sales
in 1997. In addition, approximately 15% of the Company's worldwide sales in 1997
represented sales of HFCS to international, regional and local companies engaged
in the soft drink industry, primarily in North America.
RAW MATERIALS
The basic raw material of the corn refining industry is yellow dent
corn. In the United States, the corn refining industry processes about 10% to
15% of the annual U.S. corn crop. The supply of corn in the United States has
been, and is anticipated to continue to be, adequate for the Company's domestic
needs. The price of corn, which is determined by reference to prices on the
Chicago Board of Trade, fluctuates as a result of three primary supply factors
- -- farmer planting decisions, climate and government policies -- and three major
market demand factors -- livestock feeding, shortages or surpluses of world
grain supplies and domestic and foreign government policies and trade
agreements.
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Corn is also grown in other areas of the world, including Canada, South
Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China and Australia. The Company's affiliates outside
the United States utilize both local supplies of corn and corn imported from
other geographic areas, including the United States. The supply of corn for
these affiliates is also generally expected to be adequate for the Company's
needs. Corn prices for the Company's non-U.S. affiliates generally fluctuate as
a result of the same factors that affect U.S. corn prices.
Due to the competitive nature of the corn refining industry and the
availability of substitute products not produced from corn, such as sugar from
cane or beets, end product prices may not necessarily fluctuate in relation to
raw material costs of corn.
Over 55% of the Company's starch and refinery products are sold at prices
established in supply contracts lasting for periods of up to one year. The
remainder of the Company's starch and refinery products are not sold under firm
pricing arrangements and actual pricing for those products is affected by the
cost of corn at the time of production and sale.
The Company follows a policy of hedging its exposure to commodities
fluctuations with commodities futures contracts for certain of its North
American corn purchases. All firm priced business is hedged when contracted.
Other business may or may not be hedged at any given time based on management's
judgment as to the need to fix the costs of its raw materials to protect the
Company's profitability. Realized gains and losses arising from such hedging
transactions are considered an integral part of the cost of those commodities
and are included in the cost when purchased. See "Risk Factors -- Potential
Losses from Commodities Hedging Activities.
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
The Company engages in business in over 20 countries, operating directly
and through affiliates in nine countries with 19 plants and indirectly through
joint ventures and technical licensing agreements elsewhere in Latin America,
Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Company has wholly owned operations
in North America, Latin America and Africa, a 49% interest in a joint venture in
Mexico, and other joint venture interests and licensing and technical agreements
in Latin America, Asia and Africa. In 1997, approximately 60% of the Company's
net sales was derived from its operations in North America and 40% from
operations in other geographic areas, primarily Latin America (representing
over 80% of sales and operating income of other geographic areas). See Note 14
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for certain financial information
with respect to geographic areas.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company's product development activity is focused on developing product
applications for identified customer and market needs. Through this approach,
the Company has developed value-added products for use in the corrugated paper,
food, textile, baking and confectionery industries. The Company usually
collaborates with customers to develop the
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desired product application either in the customers' facilities, the Company's
technical service laboratories or on a contract basis. The Company's marketing,
product technology and technology support staffs devote a substantial portion of
their time to these efforts. Product development is enhanced through technology
transfers pursuant to existing licensing arrangements.
SALES AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company's products are sold directly to manufacturers and distributors
by salaried sales personnel, who are generally dedicated to customers in a
geographic region. In addition, the Company has a staff that provides technical
support to the sales personnel on an industry basis. The Company generally
utilizes contract truckers to deliver bulk products to customer destinations but
also has some of its own trucks for product delivery. In North America, the
trucks generally ship to nearby customers. For those customers located
considerable distances from Company plants, a combination of railcars and trucks
is used to deliver product. Railcars are generally leased for terms of five to
fifteen years.
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
The Company owns a number of patents which relate to a variety of products
and processes and a number of established trademarks under which the Company
markets such products. The Company also has the right to use certain other
patents and trademarks pursuant to patent and trademark licenses. The Company
does not believe that any individual patent or trademark is material. There is
not currently any pending challenge to the use or registration of any of the
Company's significant patents or trademarks that would have a material adverse
impact on the Company or its results of operations.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1997, the Corn Refining Business had approximately 4,300
employees, of which approximately 950 were located in the U.S. Approximately 30%
of U.S. and 22% of non-U.S. employees are unionized. The Company believes its
union and non-union employee relations are good.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
As a manufacturer and maker of food items and items for use in the
pharmaceutical industry, the Company's operations and the use of many Company
products are subject to various U.S., state, foreign and local statutes and
regulations, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, and to regulation by various government
agencies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration, which
prescribe requirements and establish standards for product quality, purity and
labeling. The finding of a failure to comply with one or more regulatory
requirements can result in a variety of sanctions,
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including monetary fines. The Company may also be required to comply with U.S.,
state, foreign and local laws regulating food handling and storage. The Company
believes its competitive position has not been negatively affected by these laws
and regulations.
The operations of the Company are also subject to various U.S., state,
foreign and local laws and regulations with respect to environmental matters,
including air and water quality and underground fuel storage tanks, and other
regulations intended to protect public health and the environment. The Company
believes it is in material compliance with all such applicable laws and
regulations. Based upon current laws and regulations and the interpretations
thereof, the Company does not expect that the costs of future environmental
compliance will be a material expense, although there can be no assurance that
the Company will remain in compliance or that the costs of remaining in
compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition and results of operations.
The Company currently anticipates that it will spend approximately $4.9
million in fiscal 1998 for environmental control equipment to be incorporated
into existing facilities and in planned construction projects. This equipment is
intended to enable the Company to continue its policy of compliance with
existing known environmental laws and regulations. Under the U.S. Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990, air toxics regulations will be promulgated for a number of
industry source categories. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
regulatory timetable specifies the promulgation of standards for vegetable oil
production and for industrial boilers by the year 2000. At that time, additional
pollution control devices may be required at the Company's U.S. facilities to
meet these standards. The ultimate financial impact of the standards cannot be
accurately estimated at this time.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND BESTFOODS
In connection with the spin-off of the Company from Bestfoods at the end of
1997, the Company entered into various agreements with Bestfoods for the purpose
of governing certain of the ongoing relationships between Bestfoods and the
Company in the future.
The Company entered into a tax indemnification agreement that requires the
Company to indemnify Bestfoods against tax liabilities arising from the loss of
the tax-free reorganization status of the spin-off. This agreement could
restrict the Company, for a two year period, from entering into certain
transactions, including limitations on the liquidation, merger or consolidation
with another company, certain issuances and redemptions of common stock and the
distributions or sale of certain assets.
Prior to the spin-off, the Company assumed from Bestfoods and borrowed from
third parties an aggregate of $350 million of debt. The Company transferred the
proceeds of these borrowings to Bestfoods as part of the spin-off.
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The Company and Bestfoods also entered into a Master Supply Agreement,
under which the Company and its affiliates will continue to supply Bestfoods and
its affiliates with certain corn refining products at prices based generally
upon prevailing market prices. Sales of products by the Corn Refining Business
to Bestfoods prior to the spin-off, which are reflected in the financial
statements of the Company for the periods prior to January 1, 1998, were
generally made at prevailing market prices and were otherwise generally
consistent with the terms of the Master Supply Agreement. Pursuant to the Master
Supply Agreement, Bestfoods will purchase certain products exclusively from the
Company and the Company is restricted from engaging in certain activities that
are competitive with Bestfoods. The Master Supply Agreement has a two year term
and is renewable in whole or in part thereafter upon mutual agreement of the
parties. At this time, neither Bestfoods nor the Company has expressed an
intention not to renew the Master Supply Agreement upon its expiration.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Set forth below are the names and ages of all executive officers of the
Company, indicating their positions and offices with the Company.
Name Age All positions and offices with the Company
Konrad Schlatter 62 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Corn
Products. Mr. Schlatter served as Senior Vice
President of Bestfoods from 1990 to 1997 and
Chief Financial Officer of Bestfoods from 1993
to February 1997.
Samuel C. Scott 53 President and Chief Operating Officer of Corn
Products. Mr. Scott has been President of
Bestfoods' worldwide Corn Refining Business
since 1995 and has been President of Bestfoods'
North American Corn Refining Business since
1989. He was elected a Vice President of
Bestfoods in 1991. Mr. Scott is a director of
Motorola, Inc. and Reynolds Metal Company.
Marcia E. Doane 56 Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of Corn Products. Ms. Doane has
served as Vice President, Legal and Regulatory
Affairs of the Corn Products Division of
Bestfoods since 1996. Prior thereto, she served
as Counsel to the Corn Products Division from
1994 to 1996. Ms. Doane joined Bestfoods'
legal department in 1989 as Operations Attorney
for the Corn Products Division.
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Frank J. Kocun 55 Vice President and President, Cooperative
Management Group. Mr. Kocun served as
President of the Cooperative Management Group
of the Corn Products Division of Bestfoods since
1991 and as Vice President of the Cooperative
Management Group since 1985. Mr. Kocun
joined Bestfoods in 1968 and has served in
various executive positions in the Corn Products
Division and in Penick Corporation, a Bestfoods
subsidiary.
Eugene J. Northacker 56 Vice President and President, Latin American
Division. Mr. Northacker was appointed
President of Bestfoods' Latin America Corn
Refining Division and elected a Vice President of
Bestfoods in 1992. Prior to that, he served as
Business Director of Bestfoods' Latin America
Corn Refining Division from 1989 to 1992, as
Corn Refining General Manager of Bestfoods'
then Mexican subsidiary from 1984 to 1986. Mr.
Northacker joined Bestfoods in 1968 in the
financial group of Bestfoods' North American
consumer foods division, and has held executive
assignments in several Bestfoods subsidiaries.
Michael R. Pyatt 50 Vice President and Executive Vice President,
North American Division. Mr. Pyatt has served
as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Canada Starch Co., Inc., a Bestfoods
subsidiary, since 1994 and as President of the
Canadian business of Bestfoods' Corn Products
Division, Vice Chairman of Canada Starch and
as a Vice President of the Corn Products
Division since 1992. Mr. Pyatt joined Bestfoods
in 1982 and has served in various sales and
marketing positions in the Casco business.
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James W. Ripley 54 Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Ripley has served as Comptroller of
Bestfoods since 1995. Prior thereto, he served
as Vice President of Finance for Bestfoods'
North American Corn Refining Division from
1984 to 1995. Mr. Ripley joined Bestfoods in
1968 as chief international accountant, and has
subsequently served as Bestfoods' Assistant
Corporate Comptroller, Corporate General Audit
Coordinator and Assistant Comptroller for
Bestfoods' European Consumer Foods Division.
Richard M. Vandervoort 54 Vice President - Business Development and
Procurement, North American Division. Mr,
Vandervoort has served as Vice President -
Business Management and Marketing for
Bestfoods' Corn Products Division since 1989.
Mr. Vandervoort joined Bestfoods in 1971 and
has served in various executive sales positions in
Bestfoods' Corn Products Division and in
Peterson/Puritan Inc., a Bestfoods subsidiary.
Cheryl K. Beebe 42 Treasurer. Ms. Beebe has served as Director of
Finance and Planning for the Corn Refining
Business worldwide from 1995 to 1997, and as
Director of Financial Analysis and Planning for
Corn Products North America from 1993. Ms.
Beebe joined Bestfoods in 1980 and has served
in various financial positions in Bestfoods.
James J. Hirchak 43 Vice President - Human Resources. Mr. Hirchak
joined Bestfoods in 1976 and held various
Human Resources positions in Bestfoods until
1984, when he joined Bestfoods' Corn Products
Division. In 1987, Mr. Hirchak was appointed
Director, Human Resources for Corn Products
North American operation and has served as
Vice President, Human Resources for the
Corn Products Division since 1992.
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Jack C. Fortnum 41 Comptroller. Mr. Fortnum has served as the
Vice President of Finance for Refinerias de
Maize, Bestfoods, Argentine subsidiary from
1995 to 1997, as the Director of Finance and
Planning for Latin America Corn Refining
Division from 1993 to 1995, and as the Vice
President and Comptroller of Canada Starch Co.,
Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of Bestfoods and
Vice President of Finance of the Canadian Corn
Refining Business from 1989.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company operates, directly and through its subsidiaries, 19
manufacturing facilities, 18 of which are owned and one of which is leased
(Jundiai, Brazil). In addition, the Company owns its corporate headquarters in
Bedford Park, Illinois. The following list details the location of the Company's
manufacturing facilities:
U.S. Latin America
Stockton, California Baradero, Argentina
Bedford Park, Illinois Balsa Nova, Brazil
Winston-Salem, North Carolina Cabo, Brazil
Beloit, Wisconsin Jundiai, Brazil
Mogi-Guacu, Brazil
Canada Llay-Llay, Chile
Barranquilla, Colombia
Cardinal, Ontario Cali, Columbia
London, Ontario Medellin, Colombia
Port Colborne, Ontario
Asia
Africa
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Eldoret, Kenya Faisalabad, Pakistan
In addition to the foregoing, the Company has interests in an additional 19
plants through its interests in unconsolidated joint ventures and allied
operations.
While the Company has achieved high capacity utilization, the Company
believes its manufacturing facilities are sufficient to meet its current
production needs. The Company has preventive maintenance and de-bottlenecking
programs designed to further improve grind capacity and facility reliability.
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The Company has electricity co-generation facilities at all of its U.S. and
Canadian plants, as well as its plants in Argentina and Pakistan, that provide
electricity at a lower cost than is available from third parties. The Company
generally owns and operates such co-generation facilities itself, but has two
large facilities at its Stockton, California and Cardinal, Ontario locations
that are owned by, and operated pursuant to co-generation agreements with, third
parties.
The Company believes it has competitive, up-to-date and cost-effective
facilities. In recent years, significant capital expenditures have been made to
update, expand and improve the Company's facilities, averaging in excess of $150
million per year for the last five years. Capital investments have included the
rebuilding of the Company's plant in Cali, Colombia; an expansion of both grind
capacity and dextrose production capacity at the Company's Argo facility in
Bedford Park, Illinois; entry into the high maltose corn syrup business in
Brazil, Colombia and Argentina; and the installation of energy co-generation
facilities in Canada. The Company believes these capital expenditures will allow
the Company to operate highly efficient facilities for the foreseeable future
with further annual capital expenditures that are significantly below historical
averages. In recent years, steps have also been taken to reduce costs by closing
facilities which could not economically be made efficient, including plants in
Argentina and Honduras.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Under the terms of the agreements relating to the spin-off of the Company
from Bestfoods, the Company agreed to indemnify Bestfoods for certain
liabilities relating to the operation of the Corn Refining Business prior to the
spin-off, including liabilities relating to the proceedings described below.
In July 1995, Bestfoods received a federal grand jury subpoena in
connection with an investigation by the Antitrust Division of the U.S.
Department of Justice of U.S. corn refiners regarding the marketing of high
fructose corn syrup and other "food additives" (the investigation of Bestfoods
relates only to high fructose corn syrup). Bestfoods has produced the documents
sought by the Justice Department. Bestfoods, as a high fructose corn syrup
producer, was also named as one of the defendants in a number of private treble
damage class actions, by direct and indirect customers, and one individual
action, alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws. Following the
certification of the consolidated federal class actions, Bestfoods entered into
a settlement of the federal claims for $7 million. Bestfoods also settled the
one individual action (Gray and Company v. Archer Daniels Midland et. al. Civ.
No. 97-69-AS) in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
(subsequently transferred to the United States District Court for the Central
District of Illinois, Peoria Division for consolidation in MDL, Docket No. 1087
and Matter File No. 95-1477). A stipulated joint dismissal of Bestfoods from the
Gray and Company litigation was received by the court on January 28, 1998.
Bestfoods remains a party to the state law actions filed in Alabama, California,
the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and
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Kansas, each of which was filed in 1995 or 1996. A state law action filed in
Michigan was dismissed on February 4, 1998 for lack of progress after
plaintiffs' motion to certify a class was denied.
The Company is currently subject to claims and suits arising in the
ordinary course of business, including environmental proceedings. The Company
does not believe that the results of such legal proceedings, even if unfavorable
to the Company, will be material to the Company. There can be no assurance,
however, that any claims or suits arising in the future, taken individually or
in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITYHOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of securityholders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended December
31, 1997.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "CPO." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
range of the high and low sales prices of the Company Common Stock as reported
by the Wall Street Journal. At the close of business on March 23, 1998 there
were approximately 23,400 holders of record of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Common Stock. Although the Company's Common Stock is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange, no assurance can be given as to the future price of
or the markets for the Company's Common Stock.
The Company's
Common Stock
High Low
1997
December 11, 1997 through December 31, 1997* 32 28 7/8
1998
January 1, 1998 through March 23, 1998 35 1/8 26 5/16
- --------------
*Prices represent when-issued trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The
Company's Common Stock began regular way trading on January 2, 1998.
To date, the Company has paid no dividends.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Incorporated by reference from the Annual Report, page 32, section
entitled "Selected Financial Information."
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Incorporated by reference from the Annual Report, pages 8-12, section
entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis."
RISK FACTORS
UNCERTAIN ABILITY TO REVERSE RECENT DISAPPOINTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.
The Company's ability to generate operating income and to increase profitability
depends to a large extent upon its ability to price finished products at a level
that will cover manufacturing and raw material costs and provide a profit
margin. The Company's ability to maintain appropriate price levels is determined
by a number of factors largely beyond the Company's control, such as aggregate
industry supply and market demand, which may vary from time to time and by the
geographic region of the Company's operations. For example, the Company's
profits sharply declined in 1996 and 1997. The primary reason for the profit
decline in 1997 was a significant expansion of high fructose corn syrup industry
capacity in North America ahead of demand. The sharp and unusual increase in the
cost of corn during 1996, which could not be fully passed on in increased
prices, was the primary cause of the profit decline in 1996. Other factors also
affect the Company's profitability, including the economic conditions in various
geographic regions and countries in which the Company manufactures and sells its
finished products. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will
successfully reverse these declines in profit.
UNCERTAIN ABILITY TO CONTAIN COSTS OR TO FUND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. The
Company's future profitability and growth also depends on the Company's ability
to reduce operating costs and per-unit product costs, to maintain and/or
implement effective cost control programs and to develop successful value-added
products and new product applications, while at the same time maintaining
competitive pricing and superior quality products, customer service and support.
The Company's ability to maintain a competitive cost structure depends on
continued containment of manufacturing, delivery and administrative costs as
well as the implementation of cost-effective purchasing programs for raw
materials, energy and related manufacturing requirements. The Company expects to
spend approximately $70 to $100 million per year for worldwide capital
expenditures from 1998 through 2000, primarily to implement productivity
improvements and, if supported by customer demand, expand the production
capacity of its facilities. Additional funds may be needed for working capital
as the Company grows and expands its operations. To the extent possible, these
capital expenditures and other expenses are expected to be funded from
operations. If the Company's cash flow is insufficient to fund such expenses,
the Company may either reduce its capital expenditures or utilize certain
general credit facilities. The Company may also seek to generate additional
liquidity through the sale of debt or equity securities in private or public
markets or through the sale of non-productive assets. The Company cannot provide
any assurance that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund
anticipated capital expenditures and working capital requirements or that
additional funds can be obtained from the financial markets or the sale of
assets at terms favorable to the Company. If the Company is unable to generate
sufficient cash flows or raise sufficient additional funds to fund capital
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19
expenditures, it may not be able to achieve its desired operating efficiencies
and expansion plans, which may adversely impact the Company's competitiveness
and, therefore, its results of operations.
COMPETITION; EXPANDING INDUSTRY CAPACITY. The Company operates in a highly
competitive environment. Almost all of the Company's products compete with
virtually identical or similar products manufactured by other companies in the
corn refining industry. In the United States, there are ten other corn refiners,
several of which are divisions of larger enterprises that have greater financial
resources and some of which, unlike the Company, have vertically integrated
their corn refining and other operations. Many of the Company's products also
compete with products made from raw materials other than corn. Fluctuation in
prices of these competing products may affect prices of, and profits derived
from, the Company's products. Competition within markets is largely based on
price, quality and product availability and the Company experiences price
pressures in certain of its markets as a result of competitors' pricing
practices.
PRICE VOLATILITY AND UNCERTAIN AVAILABILITY OF CORN. Corn purchasing costs,
which include the price of the corn plus delivery cost vary between 40% and 65%
of the Company's product costs. The price and availability of corn are
influenced by economic and industry conditions, including supply and demand
factors such as crop disease and severe weather conditions such as drought,
floods or frost that are difficult to anticipate and cannot be controlled by the
Company. In 1996, profitability was adversely impacted by an exceptional
increase in corn costs which the Company was not able to offset with an increase
in the price of its products. In addition, the price of corn sweeteners,
especially high fructose corn syrup, is indirectly impacted by government
programs supporting sugar prices. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to purchase corn at prices that can be adequately passed on to
customers or in quantities sufficient to sustain or increase its profitability.
POTENTIAL LOSSES FROM COMMODITIES HEDGING ACTIVITIES. The Company enters
into corn futures contracts, or takes hedging positions in the corn futures
markets, in an attempt to minimize the effects of the volatility of corn costs
on operating profits. The effectiveness of such hedging activities is dependent
upon, among other things, the cost of corn and the ability of the Company to
sell sufficient products to utilize all of the corn with respect to which it has
futures contracts. Occasionally, such hedging activities can themselves result
in losses, some of which may be material. During the fourth quarter of 1996, the
Company recognized a loss of $40 million in connection with the liquidation of
certain corn futures contracts, No assurance can be given that such
hedging-related losses will not recur. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for information with respect to the Company's hedging
position at December 31, 1997.
UNAVAILABILITY OF BESTFOODS' FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES. Prior January
1, 1998, the Company was operated as an unincorporated division of Bestfoods.
Thus, the Company does not have an operating history as a separate company. As
an independent public company, Corn Products is no longer able to rely on
Bestfoods for financial support or to benefit from its relationship with
Bestfoods to obtain credit.
Page 17
20
ABSENCE OF PRIOR TRADING MARKET FOR CORN PRODUCTS COMMON STOCK. Prior to
December 11, 1997, there was no trading for Corn Products Common Stock. The Corn
Products Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "CPO". There can be
no assurance as to the prices at which Corn Products Common Stock will trade in
the future. The prices at which such shares trade may fluctuate significantly
and may be lower or higher than the price that would be expected. Prices for
shares of Corn Products Common Stock may be influenced by many factors,
including the depth and liquidity of the market for the shares, investor
perception of the Company, changes in economic conditions in the corn refining
industry and general economic and market conditions. In addition, the stock
market often experiences significant price fluctuations that are unrelated to
the operating performance of the specific companies whose stock is traded.
Market fluctuations, as well as economic conditions, could have a materially
adverse impact on the market price of the shares of Corn Products Common Stock.
UNCERTAINTY OF DIVIDENDS. The payment of dividends is at the discretion of
the Corn Products Board and will be subject to the Company's financial results
and the availability of surplus funds to pay dividends. No assurance can be
given that the Company will pay any dividends.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS RISKS. The Company operates a multinational
business and, accordingly, is subject to risks that are inherent in operating in
foreign countries. Approximately 56% of the Company's 1997 revenues were
generated by non-U.S. operations. Due to the significant amount of non-U.S.
revenues, fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U. S.
dollar could increase the volatility of the Company's U.S. dollar-demoninated
operating results. The Company's non-U.S. operations are also subject to
political, economic and other risks inherent in operating in countries outside
the United States, including possible nationalization, expropriation, adverse
government regulation, imposition of import and export duties and quotas,
currency restrictions, price controls, potentially burdensome taxation and/or
other restrictive government actions.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS. Certain provisions of the Company's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Corn Products Charter") and the
Company's By-Laws (the "Corn Products By-Laws") and of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") may have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing a change in control of the Company not approved by the Corn Products
Board. These provisions include (i) a classified Board of Directors, (ii) a
requirement of the unanimous consent of all stockholders for action to be taken
without a meeting, (iii) a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be
called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors, (iv) advance
notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, (v) limitations
on the ability of stockholders to amend, alter or repeal the Corn Products
By-Laws and certain provisions of the Corn Products Charter, (vi) authorization
for the Corn Products Board to issue without stockholder approval preferred
stock with such terms as the Board of Directors may determine and (vii)
authorization for the Corn Products Board to consider the interests of
creditors, customers, employees and other constituencies of the Corporation and
its subsidiaries and the effect upon communities in which the Corporation and
its subsidiaries do business, in evaluating proposed corporate transactions.
With certain exceptions, Section 203 of the
Page 18
21
DGCL ("Section 203") imposes certain restrictions on mergers and other business
combinations between the Company and any holder of 15% or more of the Corn
Products Common Stock. In addition, the Company has adopted a stockholder rights
plan (the "Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan is designed to protect stockholders in
the event of an unsolicited offer and other takeover tactics which, in the
opinion of the Corn Products Board, could impair the Company's ability to
represent stockholder interests. The provisions of the Rights Plan may render an
unsolicited takeover of the Company more difficult or less likely to occur or
might prevent such a takeover.
These provisions of the Corn Products Charter and Corn Products By-Laws,
the DGCL and the Rights Plan could discourage potential acquisition proposals
and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, although such
proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of the Company's
stockholders. Such provisions could also make it more difficult for third
parties to remove and replace the members of the Corn Products Board. Moreover,
these provisions could diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to
participate in certain tender offers, including tender offers at prices above
the then-current market value of Corn Products Common Stock, and may also
inhibit increases in the market price of Corn Products Common Stock that could
result from takeover attempts or speculation.
LIMITED RELEVANCE OF HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The Company's
historical financial information may not necessarily reflect the results of
operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in the future or
the results of operations, financial position and cash flows had the Company
operated as a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
RELIANCE ON MAJOR CUSTOMERS. Historically, Bestfoods' worldwide branded
foods business has been one of the Company's largest customers, accounting for
approximately 12.5% of total sales in 1997. The Company and Bestfoods have
entered into a two-year Master Supply Agreement, which sets forth the terms
under which the Company will sell its products to Bestfoods. In addition,
approximately 15% of the worldwide sales of the Corn Refining Business in 1997
represented sales of high fructose corn syrup to international, regional and
local companies engaged in the soft drink industry, primarily in North America.
If Bestfoods were not to continue to purchase products from the Company or the
Company's soft drink customers were to substantially decrease their purchases,
the business of the Company might be materially adversely affected.
INDEBTEDNESS. The Company is party to a $340 million credit facility with a
number of financial institutions (the "Credit Facility"). In addition, the
Company may incur additional indebtedness from time to time to meet working
capital requirements and for capital expenditures. In addition to creating debt
service obligations for the Company, the terms of the Credit Facility will
contain customary affirmative and negative covenants that will, among other
things, require the Company to satisfy certain financial tests and maintain
certain financial ratios.
The Company's ability to service this anticipated indebtedness will depend
on future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic
conditions and financial and other factors, certain of which are beyond the
Company's control. If the Company were unable to service its
Page 19
22
indebtedness, it would be forced to pursue one or more alternative strategies
such as reducing its capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or
refinancing its indebtedness or seeking additional equity capital (which may
substantially dilute the ownership interest of existing holders of Corn Products
common stock). There can be no assurance that any of these strategies could be
effected on satisfactory terms, if at all.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K includes or may include certain forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. This Form 10-K contains certain
forward-looking statements concerning the Company's financial position, business
strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for
future operations as well as other statements including words such as
"anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and other
similar expressions. Although the Company believes its expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
stockholders are cautioned that no assurance can be given that such expectations
will prove correct and that actual results and developments may differ
materially from those conveyed in such forward-looking statements. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements herein include
fluctuations in worldwide commodities markets and the associated risks of
hedging against such fluctuations; fluctuations in aggregate industry supply and
market demand; general economic, business and market conditions in the various
geographic regions and countries in which the Company manufactures and sells its
products, including fluctuations in the value of local currencies; costs or
difficulties related to the establishment of the Company as an independent
entity; and increased competitive and/or customer pressure in the corn refining
industry. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which
they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
this Form 10-K. If the Company does update or correct one or more
forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that the
Company will make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with
respect to other forward-looking statements. See "Risk Factors" above.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Incorporated by reference from Annual Report, pages 14-31, sections
entitled "Independent Auditors' Report," and "Financial Statements."
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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23
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information contained under the headings "Board of Directors," "Matters
To Be Acted Upon - Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Company's definitive proxy statement for
the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") and
the information contained under the heading "Executive Officers of the
Registrant" in Item 1 hereof is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information contained under the heading "Executive Compensation" in the
Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information contained under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information contained under the heading "Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by
reference.
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24
PART IV.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K
Item 14(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
Incorporated by reference from Annual Report, pages 14-31, sections
entitled "Independent Auditors' Report," and "Financial Statements."
Item 14(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules have been omitted either because the
information is not required or is otherwise included in the financial statements
and notes thereto.
Item 14(a)(3) Exhibits
The Exhibits set forth in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as a
part of this report. The following is a list of each management contract or
compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit to this
report:
Exhibit Number
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
Item 14(b) Reports on Form 8-K
There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended December
31, 1997.
Page 22
25
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 30th day of
March, 1998.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: * Konrad Schlatter
------------------------------------
Konrad Schlatter
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant, in the capacities indicated and on the 30th of March, 1998.
Signature Title
* Konrad Schlatter Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------------
Konrad Schlatter
/s/ James W. Ripley Chief Financial Officer
- ---------------------------------
James W. Ripley
/s/ Jack Fortnum Comptroller
- ---------------------------------
Jack Fortnum
* William C. Ferguson Director
- ---------------------------------
William C. Ferguson
* Bernard H. Kastory Director
- ---------------------------------
Bernard H. Kastory
* Samuel C. Scott Director
- ---------------------------------
Samuel C. Scott
Page 23
26
* Alfred C. DeCrane, Jr. Director
- ---------------------------------
Alfred C. DeCrane, Jr.
* Richard G. Holder Director
- ---------------------------------
Richard G. Holder
* Ignacio Aranguren-Castiello Director
- ---------------------------------
Ignacio Aranguren-Castiello
* William S. Norman Director
- ---------------------------------
William S. Norman
* Clifford B. Storms Director
- ---------------------------------
Clifford B. Storms
*By: /s/ Marcia E. Doane
-----------------------------
Marcia E. Doane
Attorney-in-fact
(Being the principal executive officers, the principal financial and accounting
officers and a majority of the directors of Corn Products International, Inc.)
Page 24
27
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Distribution Agreement dated December 1, 1997, between the Company
and Bestfoods
3.1* Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
10, File No. 1-13397
3.2* Amended By-Laws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 10, File No. 1-13397
4.1* Rights Agreement dated November 19, 1997 between the Company and
First Chicago Trust Company of New York, filed as Exhibit 1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B, File No. 001-
13397
4.2* Certificate of Designation for the Company's Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A12B, File No. 001-13397
4.3 5-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated December 17, 1997 among
the Company and the agents and banks named therein
10.1 Master Supply Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the Company
and Bestfoods
10.2 Tax Sharing Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the Company
and Bestfoods
10.3 Tax Indemnification Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the
Company and Bestfoods
10.4 Debt Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the Company and
Bestfoods
10.5 Transition Services Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the
Company and Bestfoods
10.6 Master License Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the Company
and Bestfoods
Page 25
28
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
10.7* Employee Benefits Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between the
Company and Bestfoods, filed as Exhibit 4.E to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-43525
10.8 Access Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the Company and
Bestfoods
10.9* Stock Incentive Plan of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.E to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-43525
10.10 Deferred Stock Unit Plan of the Company
10.11 Form of Severance Agreement entered into by each of K. Schlatter, S.C.
Scott, E.J. Northacker, J.W. Ripley and F.J. Kocun (the "Named
Executive Officers")
10.12 Letter Agreement dated December 12, 1997 between the Company and
E.J. Northacker
10.13 Letter Agreement dated December 12, 1997 between the Company and
F.J. Kocun
10.14 Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by each
of the members of the Company's Board of Directors and
the Named Executive Officers
10.15 Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors of the Company
10.16 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.17 Executive Life Insurance Plan
10.18 Deferred Compensation Plan
13.1 1997 Annual Report
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
24.1 Powers of Attorney
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
27.2 Financial Data Schedule
27.3 Financial Data Schedule
- --------------
* Incorporated herein by reference.
Page 26
1
Exhibit 2.1
EXECUTION COPY
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is dated as of December 1, 1997, between CPC
International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CPC"), and Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of CPC
("Corn Products").
WHEREAS, CPC, directly and acting through its direct and indirect
subsidiaries and affiliates, currently engages in two principal businesses: (1)
a branded foods business, producing chiefly soups, sauces, bouillons, and
related products; dressings; fresh baked products; starches; desserts; spreads;
and other products marketed through the retail, clubstore, mass merchandising
and foodservice trades (the "Branded Foods Business"); and (2) a corn refining
business, producing a large variety of food ingredients and industrial products
derived from the wet milling of corn and other farinaceous materials for use in
more than 60 industries, and including the entire business of Enzyme
Bio-Systems Ltd. (the "Corn Refining Business");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CPC has determined that it is
appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of CPC, Corn Products, the
holders of shares of common stock, par value $0.25 per share, of CPC (the "CPC
Common Stock") and the respective businesses, to separate from CPC the
worldwide assets relating to the Corn Refining Business, and to cause such
assets to be owned and such business to be conducted, directly or indirectly,
by an independent, publicly-traded company;
WHEREAS, in order to effect such separation, the Board of Directors of CPC
has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of
CPC, Corn Products, the holders of CPC Common Stock and the respective
businesses to transfer the worldwide assets relating to the Corn Refining
Business to Corn Products and then to distribute to the holders of the CPC
Common Stock, without consideration being paid by such holders, all the
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Corn
Products, together with the appurtenant preferred stock purchase rights (the
"Corn Products Common Stock"), in a transaction that qualifies under Section
355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
WHEREAS, CPC and Corn Products desire to allocate and transfer such
assets, and to allocate and assign responsibility for certain liabilities
relating to the Corn Refining Business, between the parties based upon their
needs and activities; and
WHEREAS, CPC and Corn Products desire to set forth the principal corporate
transactions required to effect such Distribution (as defined herein) and to
set forth other agreements that will govern certain other matters following the
Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
2
ARTICLE I. DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED AGREEMENTS
SECTION 1.1. Certain Distribution Transactions.
(a) Asset Transfers. On or prior to the Distribution Date, or
thereafter as specifically stated on Schedule 1.1(a)(1):
(i) CPC shall, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, transfer or
cause to be transferred to Corn Products or another member
of the Corn Products Group effective prior to or as of the
Effective Time all of CPC's and its Subsidiaries' right, title
and interest in the Corn Products Assets (except for (A) such
Assets to be transferred at a later time as specified on Schedule
1.1(a)(1), which may be updated by mutual agreement of the
parties at any time prior to the Distribution Date, and (B) those
Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(a)(2)).
(ii) Corn Products shall, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries,
transfer or cause to be transferred to CPC or another member of
the CPC Group effective prior to or as of the Effective Time all
of Corn Products' and its Subsidiaries' right, title and
interest, if any, in the CPC Assets.
(b) Charter; By-laws; Rights Plan. The Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws and the Rights Agreement filed by Corn Products with the SEC as
exhibits to the Form 10 shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
and the Rights Agreement in effect on the Distribution Date.
(c) Directors. The individuals identified in the Information
Statement as directors of Corn Products shall be the directors of Corn
Products on the Distribution Date.
(d) Certain Licenses and Permits. Without limiting the generality
of the obligations set forth in Section 1.1(a), on or prior to the
Distribution Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter (except as
specified on Schedule 1.1(a)(1)):
(i) All licenses, permits, approvals, emission reduction credits and
authorizations issued by any Governmental Entity set forth on
Schedule 1.1(d) (collectively, the "Corn Products Permits") shall
be duly and validly transferred or caused to be transferred by
CPC to the appropriate member of the Corn Products Group. To the
extent any Corn Products Permit is not transferable, CPC shall
obtain new licenses, permits or authorizations in the name of an
appropriate member of the Corn Products Group prior to the
Distribution Date or as soon as reasonably practicable
thereafter.
2
3
(ii) Any transferable licenses, permits and authorizations issued by
Governmental Authorities which relate primarily to the CPC
Business but which are held in the name of any member of the Corn
Products Group, or in the name of any employee, officer,
director, stockholder, or agent of any such member, or otherwise,
on behalf of a member of the CPC Group shall be duly and validly
transferred or caused to be transferred by Corn Products to the
appropriate member of the CPC Group.
(e) Transfer of Agreements. Without limiting the generality of the
obligations set forth in Section 1.1(a):
(i) CPC hereby agrees that on or prior to the Distribution Date or
as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, subject to the
limitations set forth in this Section 1.1(e), it will, and it
will cause each member of the CPC Group to, assign, transfer and
convey to the appropriate member of the Corn Products Group all
of CPC's or such member of the CPC Group's respective right,
title and interest in and to any and all Corn Products Contracts
(except for such Corn Products Contracts to be transferred at a
later time as specified on Schedule 1.1(a)(1)).
(ii) Corn Products hereby agrees that on or prior to the Distribution
Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter,
subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 1.1(e), it
will, and it will cause each member of the Corn Products Group
to, assign, transfer and convey to the appropriate member of the
CPC Group all of Corn Products' or such member of the Corn
Products Group's respective right, title and interest in and to
any and all CPC Contracts.
(iii) Subject to the provisions of this Section 1.1(e), any agreement
to which any of the parties hereto or any of their
Subsidiaries is a party that inures to the benefit of both the
CPC Business and Corn Products Business shall, to the extent
possible, be assigned in part so that each party shall be
entitled to the rights and benefits inuring to its business
under such agreement.
(iv) The assignee of any agreement assigned, in whole or in part,
hereunder (an "Assignee") shall assume and agree to pay,
perform, and fully discharge all obligations of the assignor
under such agreement or, in the case of a partial assignment
under paragraph (e) (iii), such Assignee's related portion of
such obligations as determined in accordance with the terms of
the relevant agreement, where determinable on the face thereof,
and otherwise as determined
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in accordance with the practice of the parties prior to the
Distribution.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this
Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign any
agreement, in whole or in part, or any rights thereunder if the
agreement to assign or attempt to assign, without the consent of
a third party, would constitute a breach thereof or in any way
adversely affect the rights of the assignor or Assignee thereof.
Until such consent is obtained, or if an attempted assignment
thereof would be ineffective or would adversely affect the rights
of any party hereto so that the intended Assignee would not, in
fact, receive all such rights, the parties will cooperate with
each other in any arrangement designed to provide for the
intended Assignee the benefits of (or in the case of any
agreement subject to clause (iii) above, the portion of such
benefits), and to permit the intended Assignee to assume the
Liabilities (or the appropriate portion thereof) under, any such
agreement.
(f) Consents. The parties hereto shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain required consents for transfer and/or
assignment of licenses, permits and authorizations of Governmental Authorities
and of agreements hereunder.
(g) Other Transactions. Except as specified on Schedule 1.1(a)(1),
on or prior to the Distribution Date, each of CPC and Corn Products shall
have consummated (i) the transactions specified on the list of pre-Distribution
reorganization steps set forth in Schedule 1.1(g) and (ii) those other
transactions in connection with the Distribution that are described in or
contemplated by the Information Statement and the ruling (the "Ruling") granted
by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the Distribution, as well as
the transactions described in the ruling request submissions by CPC to the
Internal Revenue Service insofar as the Ruling is premised on the completion of
such transactions, and not specifically referred to in subparagraphs (a) - (f)
above.
(h) Pollution Control Bonds; Industrial Revenue Bonds. Pursuant to the
terms of the Lease Assumption, CPC will assign its leasehold interests in
certain real and personal property located in Summit/Argo, Illinois which are
subject to the terms of the Pollution Control Bonds set forth on Schedule
1.1(h)(1). Corn Products shall comply with the terms and conditions of, and
covenants and agreements set forth in, the Lease Assumption. With respect to
the Corn Products Assets that are subject to the Industrial Revenue Bonds and
related documents set forth on Schedule 1.1(h)(2) hereto, Corn Products agrees
that upon transfer of the Projects (as defined in the applicable documents) to
Corn Products, it will comply with the terms and conditions of the documents
described in Schedule 1.1(h)(2); and acknowledges that the interest on the
Industrial Revenue Bonds is intended to be tax-exempt to the bondholders for
purposes of U.S. federal income taxation. In addition, Corn Products covenants
that (i) so long as the applicable Industrial Revenue Bonds are outstanding,
Corn Products will use and operate each
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Project as a "project" within the meaning of the applicable law identified in
the documents described in Schedule 1.1(h)(2), including any amendments and
supplements to such laws, and (ii) Corn Products will not cause the use of the
Project to be changed to a use, or take or authorize or permit any action, that
would result in any interest paid on such bonds to be included in the gross
income of any holder thereof for purposes of U.S. federal income taxation.
Corn Products shall notify CPC 90 days prior to the disposition or change in
ownership of any Project, or the occurrence of any circumstances which may
result in a change in the use of any Project that would cause any interest paid
on such bonds to be included in the gross income of any holder for purposes of
U.S. federal income taxation.
SECTION 1.2. Treatment of Intercompany Accounts. All intercompany
receivables, payables and loans (other than receivables, payables and loans
otherwise specifically provided for hereunder or under any Ancillary Agreement,
including payables created or required hereby or by any Ancillary Agreement),
including, without limitation, in respect of any cash balances, any cash
balances representing deposited checks or drafts for which only a provisional
credit has been allowed or any cash held in any centralized cash management
system, between any member of the Corn Products Group, on the one hand, and any
member of the CPC Group, on the other hand, which exist and are reflected in
the accounting records of the parties shall, to the extent practicable, be paid
or settled prior to the Distribution Date, and otherwise thereafter, in the
ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with the payment or
settlement of similar accounts arising from transactions with third parties.
SECTION 1.3. Liabilities.
(a) Assumptions and Satisfaction of Liabilities. Except as otherwise
specifically set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Effective
Time, (i) CPC shall cause an appropriate member of the CPC Group to assume,
pay, perform and discharge each CPC Liability and (ii) Corn Products shall
cause an appropriate member of the Corn Products Group to assume, pay, perform
and discharge each Corn Products Liability. To the extent reasonably requested
to do so by the other party hereto, each party hereto agrees to sign, or to
cause the appropriate member of the CPC Group or the Corn Products Group to
sign, such documents, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the other party, as
may be reasonably necessary to evidence the assumption of any Liabilities
hereunder.
(b) Transaction Liabilities. For purposes of this Agreement, including
Article III hereof, CPC agrees with Corn Products that (i) any and all
Liabilities arising from or based upon misstatements in or omissions from the
Form 10 or the Information Statement and (ii) except as otherwise provided in
any Ancillary Agreement, any and all Liabilities otherwise arising out of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any stock transfer taxes
or real estate transfer taxes relating to the pre-Distribution separation of
the Corn Refining Business from the CPC Business) in order to effectuate the
Distribution, including the worldwide separation of the Corn Products Business
from the CPC Business (except for any liabilities with respect to any other
Tax, the treatment of which shall be governed by the Tax Indemnification
Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement), shall be deemed to be CPC Liabilities
and not Corn Products Liabilities.
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SECTION 1.4. Resignations. Except as described in the Information
Statement or as otherwise agreed between the parties, CPC shall cause all of
its employees to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions
as officers or directors of any member of the Corn Products Group in which they
serve, and Corn Products shall cause all of its employees to resign, effective
as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any
member of the CPC Group in which they serve.
SECTION 1.5. Further Assurances. In case at any time after the Effective
Time any further action is reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, the proper officers of
each party to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action. Without
limiting the foregoing, CPC and Corn Products shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts promptly to obtain all consents and approvals, to enter into
all amendatory agreements and to make all filings and applications that may be
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including, without limitation, all
applicable governmental and regulatory filings.
SECTION 1.6. Limitation on Representations and Warranties. Each of the
parties hereto agrees that no party hereto is, in this Agreement or in any
other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, making
any representation or warranty whatsoever, as to title or value of Assets being
transferred. It is also agreed that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
otherwise expressly provided in a relevant Conveyancing and Assumption
Instrument, all Assets either transferred to or retained by the parties, as the
case may be, shall be "as is, where is" and that (subject to Section 1.5) the
party to which such Assets are to be transferred hereunder shall bear the
economic and legal risk that such party's or any of the Subsidiaries' title to
any such Assets shall be other than good and marketable and free from
encumbrances. Similarly, each party hereto agrees that, except as otherwise
expressly provided in the relevant Conveyancing and Assumption Instrument, no
party hereto is representing or warranting in any way that the obtaining of any
consents or approvals, the execution and delivery of any amendatory agreements
and the making of any filings or applications contemplated by this Agreement
will satisfy the provisions of any or all applicable agreements or the
requirements of any or all applicable laws or judgments, it being agreed that
the party to which any Assets are transferred shall bear the economic and legal
risk that any necessary consents or approvals are not obtained or that any
requirements of laws or judgments are not complied with.
SECTION 1.7. Guarantees; Security Interests.
(a) Except as otherwise specified in any Ancillary Agreement, CPC and
Corn Products shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to have, on or
prior to the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any
member of the CPC Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Corn
Products Liability, including, without limitation, in respect of those
guarantees set forth on Schedule 1.7(a). CPC and Corn Products shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to remove, or cause the removal of, any liens
on, or other security interests in, CPC Assets, which security interests arise
primarily from Corn Products Liabilities.
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(b) Except as otherwise specified in any Ancillary Agreement, CPC and
Corn Products shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to have, on or
prior to the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any
member of the Corn Products Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any
CPC Liability. Corn Products and CPC shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to remove, or cause the removal of, any liens on, or other security interests
in, Corn Products Assets, which security interests arise primarily from CPC
Liabilities.
(c) If CPC or Corn Products is unable to obtain, or to cause to be
obtained, any such required removal as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this
Section 1.7, the applicable guarantor or obligor shall continue to be bound as
such and, unless not permitted by law or the terms thereof, the relevant
beneficiary shall or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries, as agent or
subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor to pay, perform and discharge fully
all the obligations or other liabilities of such guarantor or obligor
thereunder from and after the date hereof. To the extent any member of the CPC
Group or any member of the Corn Products Group is required to pay or expend any
amount which it would not have been required to pay or expend if the parties
hereto had been able to obtain such required removal as set forth in clauses
(a) and (b) of this Section 1.7, (i) Corn Products shall cause the appropriate
member of the Corn Products Group or (ii) CPC shall cause the appropriate
member of the CPC Group to reimburse the applicable member of the CPC Group or
the Corn Products Group, as the case may be, for such amount.
SECTION 1.8. Witness Services. At all times from and after the
Distribution Date, CPC and Corn Products shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to make available to the other, upon reasonable written
request, its and its Subsidiaries' then current officers, directors, employees
and agents as witnesses to the extent that (i) such persons may reasonably be
required in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Action in which
the requesting party may from time to time be involved and (ii) there is no
conflict in the Action between the requesting party and CPC or Corn Products,
as applicable. A party providing witness services to the other party under
this Section shall be entitled to receive from the recipient of such services,
upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating
to disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses (which shall be deemed to
exclude the costs of salaries and benefits of employees who are witnesses), as
may be reasonably incurred in providing such witness services.
SECTION 1.9. Transfers Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfers
Deemed Effective as of the Distribution Date. To the extent that any transfers
discussed in this Article I shall not have been consummated on or prior to the
Distribution Date, the parties shall cooperate to effect such transfers as
promptly following the Distribution Date as shall be practicable. Nothing
herein shall be deemed to require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption
of any Liabilities which by their terms, operation of law or agreement of the
parties cannot or will not be transferred on or prior to the Distribution Date;
provided, however, that the parties hereto and their respective Subsidiaries
shall cooperate to obtain any necessary consents or approvals for the transfer
of all Assets and Liabilities contemplated to be transferred pursuant to this
Article I. In the event that any such transfer of Assets or Liabilities has
not been
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consummated, from and after the Distribution Date, the party retaining such
Asset or Liability shall hold such Asset in trust for the use and benefit of
the party entitled thereto (at the expense and under the management and
direction of the party entitled thereto) or retain such Liability for the
account of the party by whom such Liability is to be assumed pursuant hereto,
as the case may be, and take such other action as may be reasonably requested
by the party to whom such Asset is to be transferred, or by whom such Liability
is to be assumed, as the case may be, in order to place such party, insofar as
is reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such
Asset or Liability been transferred as contemplated hereby. As and when any
such Asset or Liability becomes transferable, such transfer shall be effected
forthwith. The parties agree that, as of the Distribution Date, each party
hereto shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership
over all of the Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges
incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and
responsibilities incident thereto, which such party is entitled to acquire or
required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 1.10. Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments. In connection
with the transfers of Assets and the assumptions of Liabilities contemplated by
this Agreement, the parties shall execute or cause to be executed by the
appropriate entities Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments in such form as
the parties shall reasonably agree, including the transfer of real property
with deeds as may be appropriate. The transfer of capital stock shall be
effected by means of delivery of stock certificates and executed stock powers
and notation on the stock record books of the corporation or other legal
entities involved, or by such other means as may be required or permitted in
any jurisdiction to transfer title to stock and, to the extent required by
applicable law, by notation on public registries.
SECTION 1.11. Ancillary Agreements. Prior to the Distribution Date, CPC
and Corn Products shall enter into, and/or (where applicable) shall cause
members of their respective Groups to enter into, the Ancillary Agreements and
any other agreements in respect of the Distribution reasonably necessary or
appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.
SECTION 1.12. Corporate Names.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in any Ancillary
Agreement:
(i) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date
but in any event within one year thereafter, Corn Products
will, at its own expense, remove (or, if necessary, on an interim
basis, cover up) any and all exterior signs and other identifiers
located on any of Corn Products' property or premises or on the
property or premises used by Corn Products or its Subsidiaries
(except property or premises to be shared with CPC or its
Subsidiaries after the Distribution) which refer or pertain to
CPC or which include the CPC name, logo or any
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other trademark or the name of any member of the CPC Group or
any other CPC intellectual property; and
(ii) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date
but in any event within one year thereafter, Corn Products
will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, remove from all
packaging materials, letterhead, envelopes, invoices and other
communications media of any kind, all references to CPC,
including the CPC name, logo and any other trademark or name of
any member of the CPC Group or any other CPC intellectual
property (except that Corn Products shall not be required to take
any such action with respect to materials in the possession of
customers and Corn Products may, until the first anniversary of
the Distribution Date, continue to use existing stock and
supplies), and neither Corn Products nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall use or display the CPC name, logo or other trademarks or
name of any member of the CPC Group or any other CPC intellectual
property without the prior written consent of CPC.
(b) Except as otherwise specifically provided in any Ancillary
Agreement:
(i) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date
but in any event within one year thereafter, CPC will, at
its own expense, remove (or, if necessary, on an interim basis,
cover up) any and all exterior signs and other identifiers
located on any of CPC's property or premises or on the property
or premises used by CPC or its Subsidiaries (except property or
premises to be shared with Corn Products or its Subsidiaries
after the Distribution) which refer or pertain to Corn Products
or which include the Corn Products name, logo or any other
trademark or the name of any member of the Corn Products Group or
any other Corn Products intellectual property; and
(ii) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date
but in any event within one year thereafter, CPC will, and
will cause its Subsidiaries to, remove from all packaging
materials, letterhead, envelopes, invoices and other
communications media of any kind, all references to Corn
Products, including the Corn Products name, logo and any other
trademark or name of any member of the Corn Products Group or any
other Corn Products intellectual property (except that CPC shall
not be required to take any such action with respect to materials
in the possession of customers and CPC may, until the first
anniversary of the Distribution Date, continue to use existing
stock and supplies), and neither CPC nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall use or display the Corn Products name, logo or other
trademarks or name of any member of the Corn Products
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Group or any other Corn Products intellectual property without
the prior written consent of Corn Products.
(c) Corn Products shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
Arancia to (i) change its name to delete reference to CPC; (ii) remove (or, if
necessary, on an interim basis, cover up) any and all exterior signs and other
identifiers located on any of Arancia's property or premises or on the property
or premises used by Arancia or its Subsidiaries (except property or premises to
be shared with CPC or its Subsidiaries after the Distribution) which refer or
pertain to CPC or which include the CPC name, logo or any other trademark or
the name of any member of the CPC Group or any other CPC intellectual property
and (iii) remove from all letterhead, envelopes, invoices and other
communications media of any kind, all references to CPC, including the CPC
name, logo and any other trademark or name of any member of the CPC Group or
any other CPC intellectual property.
(d) Each party acknowledges that it has no interest in nor any right
to use or display the name or any trademark or intellectual property of
the other party in any way, except to the extent specifically provided herein
or in any Ancillary Agreement.
SECTION 1.13. Insurance.
(a) Effective as of the Effective Time, Corn Products shall be
responsible for having in place and maintaining an insurance program for the
Corn Products Group.
(b) To the extent any Insurance Proceeds are actually received by
CPC or any member of the CPC Group after the Effective Time with respect to a
loss of, or damage to, Corn Products Assets prior to the Effective Time
(including any Insurance Proceeds with respect to continuing business
interruption experienced by the Corn Products Business after the Effective
Time), CPC shall, or shall cause the appropriate member of the CPC Group to,
remit such Insurance Proceeds (less any Taxes on the excess of the Insurance
Proceeds over the Tax deduction, if any, in respect of the loss or damage
resulting in the receipt of such Insurance Proceeds and less any expenses
incurred by CPC or any member of the CPC Group to obtain such Insurance
Proceeds, to the extent not reimbursed by the appropriate insurance carrier) to
Corn Products or the member of the Corn Products Group designated by Corn
Products; provided, however, that CPC shall not be required to remit any
Insurance Proceeds to any member of the Corn Products Group with respect to
business interruption to the Corn Products Business prior to the Effective
Time. To the extent CPC receives Insurance Proceeds with respect to loss of,
or damage to, both Corn Products Assets and CPC Assets prior to the Effective
Time and the allocation thereof is not identified by the insurance carrier, CPC
and Corn Products shall share such Insurance Proceeds in proportion to the
relative value of the lost or damaged Assets (taking into account the business
interruption resulting from such loss or damage). CPC shall, or shall cause an
appropriate member of the CPC Group to, take commercially reasonable steps to
recover any Insurance Proceeds payable with respect to loss of, or damage to,
Corn Products Assets.
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ARTICLE II. THE DISTRIBUTION
SECTION 2.1. Issuance of Shares to CPC. Corn Products shall, in
consideration for the contribution by CPC of the assets of the Corn Refining
Business to the Company pursuant hereto, issue to CPC, for further distribution
to the stockholders of CPC, a number of shares of Corn Products Common Stock
equal to (A) the quotient of (x) the number of shares of CPC Common Stock
outstanding on the Distribution Record Date minus the sum of (i) the number of
restricted shares of CPC Common Stock outstanding on the Distribution Record
Date and (ii) the number of shares of CPC Common Stock held by the Rabbi Trusts
on the Distribution Record Date divided by (y) four (4), minus (B) one hundred
(100).
SECTION 2.2. Record Date and Distribution Date. Subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Board of
Directors of CPC, in its sole discretion and consistent with this Agreement,
shall establish the Distribution Record Date and the Distribution Date and any
appropriate procedures in connection with the Distribution.
SECTION 2.3. The Agent. Prior to the Distribution Date, CPC shall enter
into an agreement with the Agent providing for, among other things, the payment
of the Distribution to the holders of CPC Common Stock in accordance with this
Article II.
SECTION 2.4. Delivery of Share Certificates to the Agent. Prior to the
Distribution Date, CPC shall inform the Agent of the number of shares of Corn
Products Common Stock to be distributed in connection with the payment of the
Distribution and, at or prior to the Effective Time, CPC shall deliver to the
Agent a share certificate representing all of the then outstanding shares of
Corn Products Common Stock owned by CPC. Corn Products shall provide the Agent
with all share certificates and any information that the Agent shall require in
order to effect the Distribution. All shares of Corn Products Common Stock
issued in the Distribution shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
SECTION 2.5. The Distribution.
(a) Subject to Sections 2.5(b) and 2.5(c) and to the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement, CPC shall instruct the Agent to distribute, as of
the Distribution Date, one share of Corn Products Common Stock in respect of
every four shares of CPC Common Stock held by holders of record of CPC Common
Stock on the Distribution Record Date.
(b) No distribution of Corn Products Common Stock shall be made with
respect to shares of restricted CPC Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock
Plans. As permitted by the Stock Plans, in lieu of such distribution, the
number of shares of restricted CPC Common Stock held by each person who is an
employee of the CPC Group on the day following the Effective Date shall be
adjusted by multiplying the number of shares held by such employee on the
Distribution Record Date by a fraction, the numerator of which is the average
of the high and low prices of CPC Common Stock on the NYSE for each of the ten
trading days immediately prior to the first day on which there is trading in
CPC Common Stock on a post-Distribution basis and the denominator of which is
the average of the high and low prices of CPC Common Stock on the NYSE for each
of the ten trading days beginning on the first day on which there is trading in
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CPC Common Stock on a post-Distribution basis; provided, however, that no
adjustment shall be made if the foregoing fraction yields a result which is
less than one (1). Shares of restricted CPC Common Stock held by each person
who is an employee of the Corn Products Group on the day after the Effective
Date shall be converted into restricted shares of Corn Products Common Stock
pursuant to the Employee Benefits Agreement.
(c) No distribution of Corn Products Common Stock shall be made with
respect to shares of CPC Common Stock owned by the Rabbi Trusts if the Rabbi
Trusts shall have waived the right to receive such distribution. In lieu of
such distribution, and in consideration for such waiver, CPC shall issue and
deliver additional shares of CPC Common Stock to the extent necessary such that
the number of shares of CPC Common Stock held by the Rabbi Trusts after the
Distribution shall be equal to the number obtained by multiplying the number of
shares held by the Rabbi Trusts on the Distribution Record Date by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the average of the high and low prices of CPC Common
Stock on the NYSE for each of the ten trading days immediately prior to the
first day on which there is trading in CPC Common Stock on a post-Distribution
basis and the denominator of which is the average of the high and low prices of
CPC Common Stock on the NYSE for each of the ten trading days beginning on the
first day on which there is trading in CPC Common Stock on a post-Distribution
basis; provided, however, that no adjustment shall be made if the foregoing
fraction yields a result which is less than one (1).
SECTION 2.6. Fractional Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no
fractional shares of Corn Products Common Stock shall be issued in connection
with the Distribution, and any such fractional share interests to which a
holder of CPC Common Stock would otherwise be entitled will not entitle such
stockholder to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Corn Products. In
lieu of any such fractional shares, each stockholder who, but for the
provisions of this Section, would be entitled to receive a fractional share
interest of Corn Products Common Stock shall be paid cash, without any interest
thereon, as hereinafter provided. CPC shall instruct the Agent to determine
the number of whole shares and fractional interests of Corn Products Common
Stock allocable to each holder of CPC Common Stock (a) to determine the number
of whole shares and fractional shares of Corn Products Common Stock allocable
to each holder of record of CPC Common Stock outstanding on the Distribution
Record Date; (b) to aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares and
sell on a when issued basis the whole shares obtained thereby in the open
market as soon as practicable following the Distribution Record Date and (c) as
soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, to distribute to each
holder of CPC Common Stock to which fractional shares of Corn Products Common
Stock have been allocated such holder's ratable share of the net proceeds from
such sale, after making appropriate deductions of the amount required, if any,
for federal income tax withholding purposes and after deducting any applicable
transfer taxes. All brokers' fees and commissions incurred in connection with
such sales shall be paid by CPC.
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(b) Solely for purposes of computing fractional share interests pursuant
to this Section 2.6, the beneficial owner of shares of CPC Common Stock held of
record in the name of a nominee will be treated as the holder of record of such
shares.
ARTICLE III. INDEMNIFICATION AND RELEASE OF PRE-CLOSING CLAIMS
SECTION 3.1. Indemnification by CPC. Except as otherwise specifically
set forth in any provision of this Agreement or of any Ancillary Agreement, CPC
shall cause the appropriate member of the CPC Group to indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Corn Products Indemnitees from and against any and all
Indemnifiable Losses of the Corn Products Indemnitees arising out of, by reason
of or otherwise in connection with the CPC Liabilities or alleged CPC
Liabilities, including any breach by CPC of any provision of this Agreement or
any Ancillary Agreement (less any Insurance Proceeds received by the Corn
Products Indemnitees in respect thereof).
SECTION 3.2. Indemnification by Corn Products. Except as otherwise
specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement or of any Ancillary
Agreement, Corn Products shall cause the appropriate member of the Corn
Products Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the CPC Indemnitees from
and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the CPC Indemnitees arising out
of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the Corn Products Liabilities
or alleged Corn Products Liabilities, including any breach by Corn Products of
any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (less any Insurance
Proceeds received by the CPC Indemnitees in respect thereof).
SECTION 3.3. Procedures for Indemnification.
(a) Third Party Claims. If a claim or demand is made against a CPC
Indemnitee or a Corn Products Indemnitee (each, an "Indemnitee") by any person
who is not a party to this Agreement or any Subsidiary of such person (a "Third
Party Claim") as to which such Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the party which is or
may be required pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof to make such
indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing, and in reasonable
detail, of the Third Party Claim promptly (and in any event within 15 business
days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third Party
Claim; provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not
affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the
Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such
failure (except that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any
expenses incurred during the period in which the Indemnitee failed to give such
notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party,
promptly (and in any event within five business days) after the Indemnitee's
receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers)
received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim.
If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense thereof and, if it so
chooses and acknowledges
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in writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the
defense thereof with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably
acceptable to the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume
the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30
days (or sooner if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires), notify the
Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying Party shall thereafter
not be liable to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided,
that the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel if, in the
Indemnitee's reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest between the Indemnitee
and the Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such claim which would make
representation of both parties by one counsel inappropriate, and in such event
the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the
Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the
Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to
employ counsel, subject to the proviso of the preceding sentence, at its own
expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being
understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. The
Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel
employed by the Indemnitee for any period during which the Indemnifying Party
has failed to assume the defense thereof (other than during the period prior to
the time the Indemnitee shall have given notice of the Third Party Claim as
provided above). If the Indemnifying Party so elects to assume the defense of
any Third Party Claim, all of the Indemnitees shall cooperate with the
Indemnifying Party in the defense or prosecution thereof, including by
providing or causing to be provided, Records and witnesses as soon as
reasonably practicable after receiving any request therefor from or on behalf
of the Indemnifying Party.
If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing its obligation to
indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to a Third Party Claim, then in no event
will the Indemnitee admit any liability with respect to, or settle, compromise
or discharge, any such Third Party Claim without the Indemnifying Party's prior
written consent; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the right to
settle, compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the consent of
the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying Party from
its indemnification obligation hereunder with respect to such Third Party Claim
and such settlement, compromise or discharge would not otherwise adversely
affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in
writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to a Third
Party Claim, the Indemnitee will agree to any settlement, compromise or
discharge of a Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may recommend and
that by its terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of
the liability in connection with such Third Party Claim and releases the
Indemnitee completely in connection with such Third Party Claim and that would
not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnitee; provided, however, that the
Indemnitee may refuse to agree to any such settlement, compromise or discharge
if the Indemnitee agrees that the Indemnifying Party's indemnification
obligation with respect to such Third Party Claim shall not exceed the amount
that would be required to be paid by or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party in
connection with such settlement, compromise or discharge. If an Indemnifying
Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, or fails to
notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided herein, such
Indemnitee may compromise, settle or defend such Third Party Claim.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be
entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim (and shall be liable
for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in
defending such Third Party Claim) if the Third Party Claim seeks an order,
injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages
against the Indemnitee which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after
conferring with its counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for
money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the Third
Party Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money
damages.
(b) In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any
Indemnitee in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party
shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to
any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any
right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or
plaintiff asserting such Third Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate
with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and
expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or
claim.
(c) The remedies provided in this Article III shall be cumulative and
shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the
seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.
SECTION 3.4. Indemnification Payments. Indemnification required by this
Article III shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the
course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense is incurred.
ARTICLE IV. ACCESS TO INFORMATION
SECTION 4.1. Provision of Corporate Records.
(a) Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought
pursuant to Article III (in which event the provisions of such Article will
govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by Corn
Products for specific and identified agreements, documents, books, records,
data, files or other information (collectively, "Records") which relate to (x)
Corn Products or the conduct of the Corn Products Business, as the case may be,
prior to the Effective Time, or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which CPC and
Corn Products are parties, as applicable, CPC shall arrange, as soon as
reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, for the provision
of appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if Corn
Products has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control
of CPC or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are not
already in the possession or control of Corn Products.
(b) Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought
pursuant to Article III (in which event the provisions of such Article will
govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by CPC for
specific and identified Records
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which relate to (x) CPC or the conduct of the CPC Business, as the case may be,
prior to the Effective Time, or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which Corn
Products and CPC are parties, as applicable, Corn Products shall arrange, as
soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, for the
provision of appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if
CPC has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of
Corn Products or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are
not already in the possession or control of CPC.
SECTION 4.2. Access to Information by CPC and Corn Products. Other than
in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article III (in
which event the provisions of such Article will govern), from and after the
Distribution Date, each of CPC and Corn Products shall afford to the other and
its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to appropriate
restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information, to the
personnel, properties, books and records of such party and its Subsidiaries
insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other party and relates to
(x) such other party or the conduct of its business prior to the Effective Date
or (y) any Ancillary Agreement to which each of the party requesting such
access and the party requested to grant such access are parties.
SECTION 4.3. Reimbursement; Other Matters. Except to the extent
otherwise contemplated by any Ancillary Agreement, a party providing Records or
access to information to the other party under this Article IV shall be
entitled to receive from the recipient, upon the presentation of invoices
therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and
other out-of-pocket expenses, as may be reasonably incurred in providing such
Records or access to information.
SECTION 4.4. Confidentiality. Except as required in connection with the
Information Statement and Corn Products' Registration Statement on Form 10,
each of (i) CPC and its Subsidiaries and (ii) Corn Products and its
Subsidiaries, shall not, for seven years following the Distribution Date, use
or permit the use of (without the prior written consent of the other) and shall
keep, and shall cause its consultants and advisors to keep, confidential all
information concerning the other parties in its possession, its custody or
under its control (except to the extent that (A) such information has been in
the public domain through no fault of such party or (B) such information has
been later lawfully acquired from other sources by such party or (C) this
Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement entered into
pursuant hereto permits the use or disclosure of such information) to the
extent such information (w) relates to or was acquired during the period prior
to the Effective Time, (x) relates to any Ancillary Agreement, (y) is obtained
in the course of performing services for the other party pursuant to any
Ancillary Agreement, or (z) is based upon or is derived from information
described in the preceding clauses (w), (x) or (y) and each party shall not
(without the prior written consent of the other) otherwise release or disclose
such information to any other person, except such party's auditors and
attorneys. In the event any member of the CPC Group or any member of the Corn
Products Group is requested or required (by oral questions, interrogatories,
requests for information or documents, subpoena, or judicial, administrative or
similar process) to disclose any confidential information, CPC or Corn
Products, as the case may be, will, or will
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cause such member to, provide Corn Products or CPC, as applicable, with prompt
notice of such request(s) so that it may seek an appropriate protective order
or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this
Section 4.4. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not
obtained, or a waiver is granted hereunder, the party required to provide
confidential information shall disclose that information (and only that
information) which, in the written opinion of counsel, it is legally compelled
to disclose and will exercise its reasonable best efforts to obtain reliable
assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the information so
furnished.
SECTION 4.5. Privileged Matters. The parties hereto recognize that legal
and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to
the Distribution Date have been and will be rendered for the benefit of each of
the members of the CPC Group and of the Corn Products Group, and that each of
the members of the CPC Group and of the Corn Products Group should be deemed to
be the client for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be
asserted under applicable law. To allocate the interests of each party in the
information as to which any party is entitled to assert a privilege, the
parties agree as follows:
(a) CPC shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or
waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information which
relates solely to the CPC Business, whether or not the privileged information
is in the possession of or under the control of CPC or Corn Products. CPC
shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of
all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to
the subject matter of any claims constituting CPC Liabilities, now pending or
which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings
initiated against or by CPC, whether or not the privileged information is in
the possession of or under the control of CPC or Corn Products.
(b) Corn Products shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the
assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information
which relates solely to the Corn Products Business, whether or not the
privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Corn
Products or CPC. Corn Products shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to
control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged
information which relates solely to the subject matter of any claims
constituting Corn Products Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in
the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by Corn
Products, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or
under the control of Corn Products or CPC.
(c) The parties hereto agree that they shall have a shared privilege,
with equal right to assert, subject to the restrictions in this Section 4.5,
with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Sections
4.5(a) and (b); provided, that the written consent of both parties is required
to waive any privilege deemed to be a shared privilege hereunder. All
privileges relating to any claims, proceedings, litigation, disputes, or other
matters which involve both CPC and Corn Products in respect of which both
parties retain any responsibility or liability under this Agreement, shall be
subject to a shared privilege among them.
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(d) No party hereto may waive any privilege which could be asserted
under any applicable law, and in which any other party hereto has a shared
privilege, without the consent of the other party, except to the extent
reasonably required in connection with any litigation with third parties or as
provided in subsection (e) below. Consent shall be in writing, or shall be
deemed to be granted unless written objection is made within twenty (20) days
after notice from the party requesting such consent.
(e) In the event of any litigation or dispute exclusively between or
among the parties hereto, any party and a Subsidiary of the other party hereto,
or a Subsidiary of one party hereto and a Subsidiary of the other party hereto,
either such party may waive a privilege in which the other party has a shared
privilege, without obtaining the consent of the other party, provided that such
waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of
information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the relevant
parties and/or their Subsidiaries, and shall not operate as a waiver of the
shared privilege with respect to third parties.
(f) If a dispute arises between or among the parties hereto or their
respective Subsidiaries regarding whether a privilege should be waived to
protect or advance the interest of any party, each party agrees that it shall
negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights
of the other parties, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any
request for waiver by another party. Each party hereto specifically agrees
that it will not withhold consent to waiver for any purpose except to protect
its own legitimate interests.
(g) Upon receipt by any party hereto or by any Subsidiary thereof of
any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the
production or disclosure of information subject to a shared privilege or as to
which another party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege, or if
any party obtains knowledge that any of its or any of its Subsidiaries' current
or former directors, officers, agents or employees has received any subpoena,
discovery or other requests which arguably calls for the production or
disclosure of such privileged information, such party shall promptly notify the
other party or parties of the existence of the request and shall provide the
other party or parties a reasonable opportunity to review the information and
to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 4.5 or otherwise to
prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.
(h) The transfer of all Records and other information pursuant to this
Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of CPC and Corn Products, as set
forth in Sections 4.4 and 4.5, to maintain the confidentiality of confidential
or privileged information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges.
The access to information being granted pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2
hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Sections
1.8 and 3.3 hereof, the furnishing of notices and documents and other
cooperative efforts contemplated by Section 3.3 hereof, and the transfer of
privileged information between and among the parties and their respective
Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any
privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.
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SECTION 4.6. Ownership of Information. Any information owned by one
party or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting party
pursuant to Article III or this Article IV shall be deemed to remain the
property of the providing party. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights
of license or otherwise in any such information.
SECTION 4.7. Limitation of Liability.
(a) Except as specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement or
in an Ancillary Agreement, no party shall have any liability to any other
party in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this
Agreement which is an estimate or forecast, or which is based on an estimate or
forecast, is found to be inaccurate.
(b) No party or any Subsidiary thereof shall have any liability or
claim against any other party or any Subsidiary of any other party based
upon, arising out of or resulting from any agreement, arrangement, course of
dealing or understanding existing on or prior to the Distribution Date (other
than this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) and any such liability or
claim, whether or not in writing, is hereby irrevocably canceled, released and
waived.
SECTION 4.8. Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information. The
rights and obligations granted under this Article IV are subject to any
specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing,
exchange or confidential treatment of information set forth in any Ancillary
Agreement.
SECTION 4.9. Retention of Records.
(a) CPC shall deliver to Corn Products all Records known, after
reasonable inquiry, to be in its control or possession relating to the assets,
liabilities or operations of the Corn Products Group and the
Minority-Investment Companies. Except as otherwise provided in any Ancillary
Agreement or when a longer retention period is otherwise required by law, each
party hereto agrees to retain for a period consistent with the records
retention policy heretofore applicable as described in Schedule 4.9 hereto, all
Records in its control or possession relating to the assets, liabilities or
operations of the other party hereto or its Subsidiaries; provided, however,
that in the case of any Records relating to Taxes or to environmental
liabilities, such retention period shall be extended to the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof (and
the parties shall notify each other of any such extensions)). After the
expiration of the period during which retention is required, each party may
destroy any such Records.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in lieu of retaining any specific
Records, CPC or Corn Products may offer in writing to deliver such Records to
the other and, if such offer is not accepted within 90 days, the offered
Records may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of at any time. If a recipient
of such offer shall request in writing prior to the scheduled date for such
destruction or disposal that any of the Records proposed to be destroyed or
disposed of be delivered to the requesting party, the party proposing the
destruction or disposal
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shall promptly arrange for the delivery of such of the Records as was requested
(at the cost of the requesting party).
ARTICLE V. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SECTION 5.1. Performance of Services. Beginning on the Distribution
Date, each party will provide, or cause one or more of its Subsidiaries to
provide, to the other party and its Subsidiaries such services on such terms as
may be set forth in the Transition Services Agreement. Except as otherwise set
forth in the Transition Services Agreement or any Schedule thereto, the party
that is to provide the services (the "Provider") will use (and will cause its
Subsidiaries to use) commercially reasonable efforts to provide such services
to the other party (the "Recipient") and its Subsidiaries in a satisfactory and
timely manner and as further specified in such Transition Services Agreement.
SECTION 5.2. Independence. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, none of
the individuals providing the scheduled services to the Recipient will be
deemed to be employees of the Recipient for any purpose.
SECTION 5.3. Non-Exclusivity. Nothing in this Agreement precludes any
party from obtaining, in whole or in part, services of any nature that may be
obtainable from the other party from its own employees or from providers other
than the other party.
ARTICLE VI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SECTION 6.1. Negotiation.
(a) The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any Agreement
Dispute by negotiation between Samuel C. Scott (or his successor) on behalf of
Corn Products and an executive vice-president or senior vice-president on
behalf of CPC; provided such negotiations shall not, unless otherwise agreed by
the parties in writing, exceed 45 days from the date on which the relevant
party gave notice of such Agreement Dispute; provided further that in the event
of any mediation or arbitration in accordance with Section 6.2 hereof, the
relevant parties shall not assert the defenses of statute of limitations and
laches arising for the period beginning after the date the relevant party gave
notice of such Agreement Dispute, and any contractual time period or deadline
under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to which such Agreement Dispute
relates shall not be deemed to have passed until such Agreement Dispute has
been resolved.
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SECTION 6.2. Mediation and Arbitration.
(a) If an Agreement Dispute involves an amount in controversy up to $1
million and has not been resolved within 45 days of the date on which notice
thereof was first given (or such longer period as agreed pursuant to Section
6.1), the parties shall select a neutral third party to resolve such Agreement
Dispute, whose decision shall be binding; provided, that if the parties cannot
agree on a neutral third party, the parties agree to submit the Agreement
Dispute to a neutral third party designated by the president of the CPR
Institute for Dispute Resolution from the CPR Panels of Neutrals, whose
decision shall be binding. Either party may declare, in good faith, that the
amount in controversy is in excess of $1 million and such declaration shall
govern regardless of whether the amount is ultimately so determined.
(b) If an Agreement Dispute involves an amount in controversy in excess
of $1 million and has not been resolved within 45 days of the date on which
notice thereof was first given (or such longer period as agreed pursuant to
Section 6.1), the parties shall endeavor to settle the Agreement Dispute by
mediation under the then current CPR Model Mediation Procedure for Business
Disputes. Unless otherwise agreed, the parties will select a mediator from the
CPR Panels of Neutrals and shall notify CPR to initiate the selection process.
Any Agreement Dispute involving an amount in controversy in excess of $1
million which has not been resolved by mediation as provided herein within 45
days of the initiation of such mediation, shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the then current CPR Non-Administered Arbitration Rules (the
"Rules") by three independent and impartial arbitrators, of whom each party
shall appoint one. The arbitration shall be governed by the United States
Arbitration Act, Title 9 U.S.C., and judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. In the
event the arbitration is initiated by CPC, the place of arbitration shall be
Cook County, Illinois. In the event the arbitration is initiated by Corn
Products, the place of arbitration shall be in Bergen County in the State of
New Jersey.
In resolving any dispute, the parties intend that the arbitrators apply
the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to the choice of
law principles thereof. The parties intend that the provisions to arbitrate
set forth herein be valid, enforceable and irrevocable. The undersigned agree
to comply with any award made in any such arbitration proceedings that has
become final in accordance with the Rules and agree to enforcement of or entry
of judgment upon such award, in accordance with Section 7.17 hereof, by (i) the
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Newark) or if
entry of judgment may not be made in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in
the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen County, in the event the
arbitration was initiated by Corn Products or (ii) the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Illinois or if entry of judgment may not be
made in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Illinois Circuit Court,
Cook County Judicial Circuit (Chicago), in the event the arbitration was
initiated by CPC. The arbitrators shall be entitled, if appropriate, to award
any remedy in such proceedings, including, without limitation, monetary
damages, specific performance and all other forms of legal and equitable
relief; provided, however, the arbitrators shall not be entitled to award
non-compensatory damages, including punitive or exemplary damages and the
parties hereto irrevocably waive entitlement to any such damages. Without
limiting the provisions of the Rules, unless otherwise agreed in writing by or
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among the relevant parties or permitted by this Agreement, the undersigned
shall keep confidential all matters relating to the arbitration or the award,
provided such matters may be disclosed (i) to the extent reasonably necessary
in any proceeding brought to enforce the award or for entry of a judgment upon
the award and (ii) to the extent otherwise required by law. Notwithstanding
Section 15.3 of the Rules, the party other than the prevailing party (as
determined by the arbitrators) in the arbitration shall be responsible for all
of the costs of the arbitration, including legal fees and other costs specified
by Rule 15. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be construed to
prevent any party, in accordance with Rule 12 or otherwise, from applying to
any court of competent jurisdiction solely for a temporary restraining order or
preliminary injunction ("Injunctive Relief") in connection with the subject
matter of any Agreement Disputes; provided, however, that no party may couple
any request, to a court or otherwise, for Injunctive Relief with a request for
non-injunctive, permanent or non-provisional relief.
SECTION 6.3. Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless otherwise
agreed in writing, the parties will continue to provide service and honor all
other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the
course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article VI with
respect to all matters not subject to such dispute, controversy or claim.
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including
the Exhibits and Schedules, the agreements and arrangements listed on Schedule
1.1(g) and the Ancillary Agreements constitute the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous
negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In
the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule hereto,
the Schedule shall prevail. Other than Section 1.6, Section 4.5 and Article
VI, which shall prevail over any inconsistent or conflicting provisions in any
Ancillary Agreement notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to
the contrary, in the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict
between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Ancillary
Agreement, such Ancillary Agreement shall control.
SECTION 7.2. Ancillary Agreements. Subject to the last sentence of
Section 7.1, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be
interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the
Ancillary Agreements.
SECTION 7.3. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and
shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other party.
SECTION 7.4. Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by
this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this
Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date.
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SECTION 7.5. Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement
or any Ancillary Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the
Distribution Date (whether or not paid on or prior to the Distribution Date) in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this
Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the Information Statement (including any
Registration Statement on Form 10 of which such Information Statement may be a
part) and the Distribution and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby shall be charged to and paid by CPC. Except as otherwise
set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, each party shall bear
its own costs and expenses incurred after the Distribution Date. Any amount or
expense to be paid or reimbursed by any party hereto to any other party hereto
shall be so paid or reimbursed promptly after the existence and amount of such
obligation is determined and demand therefor is made.
SECTION 7.6. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested) or sent by any means of electronic message
transmission with delivery confirmed (by voice or otherwise) to the parties at
the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be
specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such
notice is received:
If to CPC:
CPC International Inc.
International Plaza, P.O. Box 8000
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632-9076
Facsimile: (201) 894-2193
Attention: Hanes A. Heller, General Counsel
If to Corn Products:
Corn Products International, Inc.
P.O. Box 345
6500 South Archer Road
Bedford Park, IL 60501-1933
Facsimile: (708) 563-6592
Attention: Marcia E. Doane, General Counsel
SECTION 7.7. Waivers. The failure of any party to require strict
performance by any other party of any provision in this Agreement will not
waive or diminish that party's right to demand strict performance thereafter of
that or any other provision hereof.
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SECTION 7.8. Amendments. Subject to the terms of Section 7.11 hereof,
this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing
signed by each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 7.9. Assignment.
(a) This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part,
directly or indirectly, by any party hereto without the prior written
consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempt to assign any rights or
obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void.
(b) Corn Products will not distribute to its stockholders any
interest in any Corn Products Business Entity, by way of a spin-off
distribution, split-off or other exchange of interests in a Corn Products
Business Entity for any interest in Corn Products held by Corn Products
stockholders, or any similar transaction or transactions, unless the
distributed Corn Products Business Entity undertakes to CPC to be jointly and
severally liable for all Corn Products Liabilities hereunder.
SECTION 7.10. Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement
shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
SECTION 7.11. Termination. This Agreement (including, without
limitation, Article III hereof) may be terminated and the Distribution may be
amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by and
in the sole discretion of CPC without the approval of Corn Products or the
stockholders of CPC. In the event of such termination, no party shall have any
liability of any kind to any other party or any other person. After the
Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in
writing signed by the parties; provided, however, that Article III shall not be
terminated or amended after the Distribution in respect of the third party
beneficiaries thereto without the consent of such persons.
SECTION 7.12. Subsidiaries. Each of the parties hereto shall cause to be
performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements
and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary of such
party or by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such party on
and after the Distribution Date.
SECTION 7.13. Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Article
III relating to Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should not
be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability,
reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing
without reference to this Agreement.
SECTION 7.14. Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein
are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
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SECTION 7.15. Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules shall
be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent
as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
SECTION 7.16. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 7.17. Consent to Jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions
of Article VI hereof, each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of (a) the United States District Court for the District of New
Jersey (Newark) or the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen
County, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding brought by
Corn Products and arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
hereby or (b) the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois or the Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Chicago)
for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding brought by CPC and
arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Corn
Products agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating hereto that
is not required to be submitted to arbitration pursuant to Article VI hereof
either in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
(Newark) or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such
court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Superior Court of the State of New
Jersey, Bergen County. CPC agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding
relating hereto that is not required to be submitted to arbitration pursuant to
Article VI hereof either in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be
brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Illinois Circuit
Court, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Chicago). Each of the parties further
agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S.
registered mail to such party's respective address set forth above shall be
effective service of process for any such action, suit or proceeding in New
Jersey or Illinois with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to
jurisdiction in this Section 7.17. Each of the parties irrevocably and
unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit
or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby in (i) the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen County,
(ii) the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Newark),
(iii) the Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Chicago) or
(iv) the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and
hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead
or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in
any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION 7.18. Severability. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith
negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with
valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to
that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
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SECTION 7.19. Specific Performance. In the event of any actual or
threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and
provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the party or parties
who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific
performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this
Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights
and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be
cumulative. The parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or
threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for
any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing
or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.
SECTION 7.20. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
"Action" shall mean any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry,
proceeding or investigation by or before any court, any Governmental Authority
or any arbitration tribunal.
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with
the Person specified. As used herein, "control" means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities
or other interests, by contract or otherwise.
"Agent" shall mean the distribution agent, which may be CPC's stock
transfer agent, to be appointed by CPC to distribute the shares of Corn
Products Common Stock in the Distribution.
"Agreement Dispute" shall mean any controversy, dispute or claim
arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation,
performance, nonperformance, validity or breach of this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this
Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, including, without limitation, any claim based on contract, tort or
statute (but excluding any controversy, dispute or claim if any third party is
a party to such controversy, dispute or claim).
"Ancillary Agreements" shall mean all of the written agreements,
instruments, assignments or other arrangements (other than this Agreement)
entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limitation, the Argo Access Agreement, the Conveyancing and
Assumption Instruments, the Debt Agreement, the Employee Benefits Agreement,
the Lease Assumption, the Master Supply Agreement, the Master License
Agreement, the Tax Indemnification Agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement, the
Transition Services Agreement and any other agreements executed by both CPC and
Corn Products which provide that they shall be considered "Ancillary
Agreements" pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
"Arancia" means Arancia-CPC S.A. de C.V.
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"Argo Access Agreement" shall mean the Argo Access Agreement between
CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Assets" shall mean assets, properties and rights (including goodwill),
wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third parties
or elsewhere), whether real, personal, mixed, immovable, tangible, intangible
or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to
be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of
any person, including, without limitation, the following:
(i) all accounting and other books, records and files whether in
paper, microfilm, microfiche, computer tape or disc, magnetic
tape or any other form;
(ii) all apparatus, computers and other electronic data processing
equipment, fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, office
equipment, automobiles, trucks, aircraft and other
transportation equipment, special and general tools, test
devices, prototypes and models and other tangible personal
property;
(iii) all inventories of materials, parts, raw or packaging materials,
supplies, work-in-process and finished goods and products;
(iv) all interests in real property of whatever nature, including
easements, whether as owner, mortgagee or holder of a
Security Interest in real property, lessor, sublessor, lessee,
sublessee or otherwise;
(v) all interests in any capital stock or other equity interests of
any Subsidiary or any other Person, all bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities issued by any Subsidiary or any
other Person, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit
or capital contributions to any Subsidiary or any other Person
and all other investments in securities of any Person;
(vi) all license agreements, leases of personal property, open
purchase orders for raw or packaging materials, supplies,
parts or services, unfilled orders for the manufacture and sale
of products and other contracts, agreements or commitments;
(vii) all deposits, letters of credit and performance and surety
bonds;
(viii) all written technical information, data, specifications,
research and development information, engineering drawings,
operating and maintenance manuals, and materials and analyses
prepared by consultants and other third parties;
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(ix) all domestic and foreign patents, copyrights, trade names,
trademarks, service marks and registrations and applications
for any of the foregoing, knowhow, formulae, recipes,
formulations, trade secrets, inventions, data bases, other
proprietary information and licenses from third persons
granting the right to use any of the foregoing;
(x) all computer applications, programs and other software;
(xi) all cost information, sales and pricing data, customer
prospect lists, supplier records, customer and supplier
lists, customer and vendor data, correspondence and lists,
product literature, artwork, design, development and
manufacturing files, vendor and customer drawings, formulations
and specifications, quality records and reports and other
books, records, studies, surveys, reports, plans and documents;
(xii) all prepaid expenses, trade accounts and other accounts and
notes receivables;
(xiii) all rights under contracts or agreements, all claims or rights
against any Person arising from the ownership of any asset,
all rights in connection with any bids or offers and all
claims, choses in action or similar rights, whether accrued or
contingent;
(xiv) all rights under insurance policies and all rights in the
nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution;
(xv) all licenses, permits, approvals, emission reduction credits
and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental
Authority;
(xvi) cash or cash equivalents, bank accounts, lock boxes and other
deposit arrangements; and
(xvii) interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap
or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements.
"Assignee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(e).
"Branded Foods Business" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
"Business Entity" shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, company or other entity, foreign or domestic, which may
legally hold title to Assets.
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"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, including any successor
legislation.
"Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments" shall mean, collectively, the
various agreements, instruments and other documents heretofore entered into and
to be entered into to effect the transfer of Assets and the assumption of
Liabilities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise arising
out of or relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in such
form or forms as the parties agree and as may be required by the laws of the
appropriate jurisdictions.
"Corn Products" shall mean Corn Products International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
"Corn Products Assets" shall mean:
(i) any and all Assets that have been or are expressly contemplated
to be transferred to Corn Products or any other member of
the Corn Products Group in connection with the Distribution
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement
or the list of pre-Distribution reorganization steps set forth
in Schedule 1.1(g) hereto (including any Assets set forth on
Schedule 7.20(A) or on any other Schedule hereto or to an
Ancillary Agreement); or
(ii) the ownership interests in (x) those Business Entities listed
on Schedule 7.20(B) (which shall describe the direct and
indirect ownership interests held by CPC in each such Business
Entity) and (y) the Minority-Investment Companies;
(iii) any Corn Products Contracts or Corn Products Permits, any rights
or claims arising thereunder, and any other rights or
claims or contingent rights or claims primarily relating to or
arising from any Corn Products Asset or the Corn Products
Business;
(iv) any Assets reflected on the Corn Products Balance Sheet or the
accounting records supporting such balance sheet and any
Assets acquired by or for any member of the Corn Products Group
subsequent to the date of such balance sheet which, had they
been so acquired on or before such date and owned as of such
date, would have been reflected on such balance sheet if
prepared on a consistent basis, subject to any dispositions of
any of such Assets subsequent to the date of such balance sheet;
(v) any rights to licensing fees arising under or related to any
Corn Products Permits;
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(vi) the Corn Products patents and trademarks set forth on Schedule
7.20(C); and
(vii) any and all Assets owned or held immediately prior to the
Distribution Date by CPC or any of its Subsidiaries primarily
relating to the Corn Products Business. The intention of this
clause (vii) is only to rectify any inadvertent omission of
transfer or conveyance of any Asset that, had the parties given
specific consideration to such Asset as of the date hereof,
would have otherwise been classified as a Corn Products Asset.
No Asset shall be deemed to be a Corn Products Asset solely as a
result of this clause (vii) if such Asset is within the category
or type of Asset expressly covered by an Ancillary Agreement.
In addition, no Asset shall be deemed a Corn Products Asset
solely as a result of this clause (vii) unless a claim with
respect thereto is made by Corn Products on or prior to the
third anniversary of the Distribution Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corn Products Assets
shall not in any event include:
(x) the Assets listed or described on Schedule 1.1(a)(2); or
(y) any Assets primarily relating to or used in any terminated
or divested Business Entity, business or operation formerly
owned or managed by or associated with Corn Products or any
Corn Products Business, except for those Assets primarily
relating to or used exclusively in those Business Entities,
businesses or operations listed on Schedule 7.20(B); or
(z) any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules
hereto or thereto) as Assets to be retained by any member
of the CPC Group.
In the event of any inconsistency or conflict which may arise
in the application or interpretation of any of the foregoing
provisions, for the purpose of determining what is and is not a
Corn Products Asset, any item explicitly included on a Schedule
referred to in this definition of "Corn Products Assets" shall
take priority over any provision of the text hereof.
"Corn Products Balance Sheet" shall mean the combined balance sheet
of the Corn Products Group, including the notes thereto, as of September 30,
1997 included in the Information Statement.
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"Corn Products Business" shall mean (i) the Corn Refining Business,
(ii) the businesses of the members of the Corn Products Group and the
portion of the business of the Minority-Investment Companies primarily related
to the Corn Refining Business, (iii) any other business conducted primarily
through the use of the Corn Products Assets, and (iv) the businesses of
Business Entities acquired or established by or for Corn Products or any of its
Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement.
"Corn Products Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
"Corn Products Contracts" shall mean the following contracts and
agreements to which CPC or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or
not in writing, except for any such contract or agreement that is expressly
contemplated not to be transferred or assigned by any member of the CPC Group
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:
(i) any contracts or agreements with a value in excess of $1 million
or with a term of greater than one year and technical
licensing agreements listed or described on Schedule 7.20(D);
(ii) any contract or agreement entered into in the name of, or
expressly on behalf of, any division, business unit or
member of the Corn Products Group;
(iii) any contract or agreement that relates primarily to the Corn
Products Business;
(iv) federal, state and local government and other contracts and
agreements that relate primarily to the Corn Products Business;
(v) any contract or agreement representing capital or operating
equipment lease obligations reflected on the Corn Products
Balance Sheet;
(vi) any contract or agreement that is otherwise expressly
contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any of the
Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to Corn Products or any
member of the Corn Products Group; and
(vii) any guarantee, indemnity, representation or warranty of any
member of the Corn Products Group.
"Corn Products Group" shall mean Corn Products and each Business Entity
which is contemplated to become a Subsidiary of Corn Products hereunder,
including those identified on Schedule 7.20(B) hereto. "Corn Products Group"
shall not be deemed to
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include the Minority-Investment Companies, unless the relevant provision
explicitly includes such entities.
"Corn Products Indemnitees" shall mean Corn Products, each member of
the Corn Products Group, each of their respective present, former or future
directors, officers, employees and agents, as such, and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
"Corn Products Insured Claim" shall mean any claim, asserted against
(x) CPC or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Corn Products Assets
or the Corn Products Business (including, without limitation, where CPC or its
Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other Persons) or (y) Corn Products or
any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, where Corn Products or
its Subsidiaries are joint defendants with other Persons), in each case with
respect to any claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage
or expense incurred or claimed to have been incurred (i) prior to the Effective
Time or (ii) in connection with the conduct of the Corn Products Business prior
to the Effective Time, which claim, suit, action, proceeding, injury, loss,
liability, damage or expense arises out of an insured occurrence under one or
more Policies, except that if such occurrence is also covered under any
insurance policies issued to Corn Products or its Subsidiaries it shall be
deemed a Corn Products Uninsured Claim.
"Corn Products Liabilities" shall mean:
(i) any and all Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or
thereto, including Schedule 7.20(E) hereto) as Liabilities to be
assumed by Corn Products or any member of the Corn Products
Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any
member of the Corn Products Group under this Agreement or any of
the Ancillary Agreements;
(ii) all Liabilities (other than Taxes and any employee-related
Liabilities), primarily relating to, arising out of or resulting
from:
(A) the operation of the Corn Products Business, as
conducted at any time (i) prior to the Effective Time (but
excluding any Liability relating to, arising out of or resulting
from any act or failure to act by any director, officer,
employee, agent or representative (whether or not such act or
failure to act is or was within such person's authority)) or (ii)
after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to,
arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any
director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or
not such act or failure to act is or was within such person's
authority));
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(B) the operation of any business conducted by Corn
Products or any Subsidiary of Corn Products at any time
after the Effective Time (including any Liability relating to,
arising out of or resulting from any act or failure to act by any
director, officer, employee, agent or representative (whether or
not such act or failure to act is or was within such person's
authority)); or
(C) any Corn Products Assets;
whether arising before, on or after the Distribution Date; and
(iii) all Liabilities reflected as liabilities or obligations on the
Corn Products Balance Sheet or the accounting records
supporting such balance sheet, and all Liabilities arising or
assumed by or for any member of the Corn Products Group
subsequent to the date of such balance sheet which, had they
arisen or been assumed on or before such date and been retained
as of such date, would have been reflected on such balance
sheet, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent
to the date of the Corn Products Balance Sheet.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corn Products Liabilities shall not
include:
(x) any Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules
hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed
by CPC or any member of the CPC Group, including those
listed on Schedule 7.20(F);
(y) any Liabilities primarily relating to, arising out of or
resulting from any terminated or divested Business Entity,
business or operation formerly owned or managed by or
associated with Corn Products or any Corn Products
Business; any Liabilities which are excluded by this clause
(y) from the definition of Corn Products Liabilities shall
be deemed to be CPC Liabilities; or
(z) all agreements and obligations of any member of the CPC
Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Agreements.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
"Corn Products Liabilities" shall (i) specifically include any Corn Products
Uninsured Claims and (ii) specifically exclude any Corn Products Insured
Claims, any deductible payable by CPC under any Policy in connection with a
Corn Products Insured Claim and any liability in excess of
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the applicable coverage limits of the applicable Policies with respect to any
Corn Products Insured Claim.
"Corn Products Permits" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.1(d) hereof.
"Corn Products Uninsured Claim" shall mean any claim asserted against
CPC, Corn Products or any of their respective Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, where CPC, Corn Products or any of their respective Subsidiaries
are joint defendants with other Persons) with respect to any claim, suit,
action, proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense incurred or
claimed to have been incurred in connection with the conduct of the Corn
Products Business prior to the Effective Time, which claim, suit, action,
proceeding, injury, loss, liability, damage or expense arises out of an
occurrence (i) of a type for which insurance is not available under any Policy
(without giving effect to coverage limits or deductibles of any such Policy) or
(ii) that is expressly deemed to be a Corn Products Uninsured Claim under this
Agreement.
"Corn Refining Business" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
"CPC" shall mean CPC International Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any
successor thereto other than Corn Products or any Subsidiary of Corn Products.
"CPC Assets" shall mean, collectively, all the rights and Assets
owned or held by CPC or any Subsidiary of CPC, except the Corn Products Assets.
"CPC Business" shall mean each and every business conducted at any
time by CPC or any Subsidiary of CPC except a Corn Products Business.
"CPC Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
"CPC Contracts" shall mean all the contracts and agreements to which
CPC or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is a party or by which it or any of
its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is bound, except the Corn Products Contracts.
"CPC Group" shall mean CPC and each person (other than any member of
the Corn Products Group) that is a Subsidiary of CPC.
"CPC Indemnitees" shall mean CPC, each member of the CPC Group, each of
their respective present, former or future directors, officers, employees and
agents as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any
of the foregoing, except the Corn Products Indemnitees.
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"CPC Liabilities" shall mean collectively, all obligations and
Liabilities of CPC or any Subsidiary of CPC, except the Corn Products
Liabilities. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the "CPC Liabilities" shall (i) specifically include any Corn Products Insured
Claims, any deductible borne by any member of the CPC Group (but not by any
member of the Corn Products Group) under any Policy in connection with a Corn
Products Insured Claim and any liability in excess of the applicable coverage
limits of the applicable Policies with respect to any Corn Products Insured
Claim and (ii) specifically exclude any Corn Products Uninsured Claim;
provided, however, that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to constitute
(or to reflect) an assignment of any Policy to Corn Products or any member of
the Corn Products Group.
"Debt Agreement" shall mean the Debt Agreement between CPC and Corn
Products relating to the Distribution.
"Distribution" shall mean the distribution on the Distribution Date to
holders of record of shares of CPC Common Stock as of the Distribution Record
Date of the Corn Products Common Stock owned by CPC on the basis of one share
of Corn Products Common Stock for every four shares of CPC Common Stock
outstanding on the Distribution Record Date.
"Distribution Date" shall mean the date determined by CPC's Board of
Directors as the date as of which the Distribution shall be effected.
"Distribution Record Date" shall mean the date determined by CPC's
Board of Directors as the record date for the Distribution.
"Effective Time" shall mean 11:59:59 p.m. New York City Time on the
Distribution Date.
"Employee Benefits Agreement" shall mean the Employee Benefits
Agreement between CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Form 10" shall mean the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed by
Corn Products with the SEC.
"Governmental Authority" shall mean any federal, state, local,
foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board,
bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental
authority.
"Indemnifiable Losses" shall mean any and all losses, liabilities,
claims, damages, demands, costs or expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably
incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any Actions or
potential Actions or in settling any Action or potential Action or in
satisfying any judgment, fine or penalty rendered in or resulting from any
Action.
"Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
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"Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
"Information Statement" shall mean the Information Statement sent to
the holders of shares of CPC Common Stock and filed as an exhibit to Corn
Products' Form 10 in connection with the Distribution, including any amendment
or supplement thereto.
"Injunctive Relief" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
"Insurance Proceeds" shall mean those monies (i) received by an insured
from an insurance carrier or (ii) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of any
insured, in either case net of any applicable premium adjustment,
retrospectively-rated premium, deductible, retention, or cost of reserve paid
or held by or for the benefit of such insured.
"Lease Assumption" shall mean the Assignment and Assumption of
Portion of Lessee's Interest in Lease between CPC and Corn Products
relating to the Distribution.
"Liabilities" shall mean any and all losses, claims, charges, debts,
demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, obligations, payments,
costs and expenses, accounts, reckonings, bonds, specialties, indemnities and
similar obligations, exonerations, covenants, contracts, controversies,
agreements, promises, omissions, variances, guarantees, make whole agreements
and similar obligations, and other liabilities, including all contractual
obligations, whether absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated
or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, and
including those arising under any law, rule, regulation, Action, threatened or
contemplated Action (including the costs and expenses of demands, assessments,
judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and attorneys' fees and
any and all costs and expenses, whatsoever reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any such Actions or threatened or
contemplated Actions), order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or
any award of any arbitrator or mediator of any kind, and those arising under
any contract, commitment or undertaking, including those arising under this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, in each case, whether or not recorded or
reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or
financial statements of any Person.
"Master Supply Agreement" shall mean the Master Supply Agreement
entered into between CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Master License Agreement" shall mean the Master License Agreement
entered into between CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Minority-Investment Companies" or "Minority-Investment Company" shall
mean those Business Entities set forth on Schedule 7.20(G).
"NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
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"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust,
joint venture, limited liability company, association, company, partnership or
government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Policies" shall mean insurance policies and insurance contracts of any
kind (other than life and benefits policies or contracts) issued to CPC or any
of its Subsidiaries (other than Subsidiaries that become Subsidiaries of Corn
Products after the Effective Time), including, without limitation, primary,
excess and umbrella policies, comprehensive general liability policies,
director and officer liability, fiduciary liability, automobile, aircraft,
property and casualty, workers' compensation and employee dishonesty insurance
policies, bonds and self-insurance and captive insurance company arrangements,
together with the rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.
"Provider" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
"Rabbi Trusts" shall mean the trusts established pursuant to the CPC
International Inc. Latin America Pension Plan Trust Agreement, dated as of June
1, 1988, by and between CPC and The Northern Trust Company, as amended; the CPC
International Inc. Pension Plan for International Employees Trust Agreement,
dated as of June 1, 1988, as amended; the CPC International Inc. Management
Incentive Plan Trust Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1988, by and between CPC
and The Northern Trust Company, as amended; the CPC International Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan for Outside Directors Trust Agreement, dated as of June 1,
1988, by and between CPC and The Northern Trust Company, as amended; and the
CPC International Inc. Special Retirement Benefits Trust Agreement, dated as of
June 1, 1988, by and between CPC and The Northern Trust Company, as amended.
"Recipient" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
"Records" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
"Rules" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
"Ruling" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(g).
"SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Security Interest" shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge,
lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction,
right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on
transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.
"Stock Plans" shall mean the CPC International Inc. 1984 Stock and
Performance Plan and the CPC International Inc. 1993 Stock and Performance
Plan.
"Subsidiary" of any entity shall mean any corporation, partnership or
other entity of which such entity (i) owns, directly or indirectly, or has
beneficial ownership of,
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ownership interests sufficient to elect a majority of the Board of Directors
(or persons performing similar functions) (irrespective of whether at the time
any other class or classes of ownership interests of such corporation,
partnership or other entity shall or might have such voting power upon the
occurrence of any contingency) or (ii) is a general partner or an entity
performing similar functions.
"Tax" shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement.
"Tax Indemnification Agreement" shall mean the Tax Indemnification
Agreement between CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Tax Sharing Agreement" shall mean the Tax Sharing Agreement between
CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
"Third Party Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
"Transition Services Agreement" shall mean the Transition Services
Agreement between CPC and Corn Products relating to the Distribution.
SECTION 7.21. References; Interpretation. References in this Agreement
to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular
include references to the plural and vice versa. The words "include",
"includes" and "including" when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase "without limitation". Unless the context otherwise
requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and
Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits
and Schedules to, such Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the
words "hereof", "hereby" and "herein" and words of similar meaning when used in
this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any
particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement. The term
"commercially reasonable efforts" shall not be deemed to require any party to
take any action that would require it to pay, in the aggregate with respect to
a specific circumstance, an amount in excess of $5,000 (after subtracting from
such aggregate expenditures any amounts reimbursed by the other party).
* * *
38
39
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
39
1
EXHIBIT 4.3
EXECUTION COPY
U.S. $340,000,000
5-YEAR REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 17, 1997
Among
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Borrower,
THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
as Lenders,
CITIBANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent,
CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
as Arranger,
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
as Documentation Agent
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
as Co-Agent
and
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
as Interim Guarantor,
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms ...................................... 1
SECTION 1.02. Computation of Time Periods ................................ 19
SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms ........................................... 19
ARTICLE II
AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES
SECTION 2.01. The A Advances ............................................. 19
SECTION 2.02. Making the A Advances ...................................... 20
SECTION 2.03. The B Advances ............................................. 21
SECTION 2.04. Fees ....................................................... 26
SECTION 2.05. Termination or Reduction of the Commitments ................ 26
SECTION 2.06. Repayment of A Advances .................................... 26
SECTION 2.07. Interest on A Advances ..................................... 26
SECTION 2.08. Interest Rate Determination ................................ 27
SECTION 2.09. Optional Conversion of A Advances .......................... 29
SECTION 2.10. Prepayments of A Advances .................................. 29
SECTION 2.11. Increased Costs and Increased Capital ...................... 30
SECTION 2.13. Payments and Computations .................................. 32
SECTION 2.14. Taxes ...................................................... 34
SECTION 2.15. Sharing of Payments, Etc ................................... 36
SECTION 2.16. Use of Proceeds ............................................ 37
SECTION 2.17. Extension of Termination Date .............................. 37
SECTION 2.18. Increase in the Aggregate Commitments ...................... 40
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS OF LENDING
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Initial Advances ................... 42
SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing ................... 43
SECTION 3.03. Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing ................... 44
SECTION 3.04. Conditions Precedent to Release of Interim Guaranty ........ 45
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower .............. 45
SECTION 4.02. Representations and Warranties of the Interim Guarantor ..... 47
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants ...................................... 50
SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants ......................................... 54
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default .......................................... 56
ARTICLE VII
THE AGENTS
SECTION 7.01. Authorization and Action ................................... 59
SECTION 7.02. Administrative Agent's Reliance, Etc ....................... 60
SECTION 7.03. Citibank, First Chicago, Chase Manhattan and Affiliates .... 60
SECTION 7.04. Lender Credit Decision ..................................... 61
SECTION 7.05. Indemnification ............................................ 61
SECTION 7.06. Successor Administrative Agent ............................. 62
SECTION 7.07. Documentation Agent, Co-Agent and Arranger ................. 62
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01. Amendments, Etc ............................................ 62
SECTION 8.02. Notices, Etc ............................................... 63
SECTION 8.03. No Waiver; Remedies ........................................ 63
SECTION 8.04. Costs and Expenses .......................................... 64
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SECTION 8.05. Right of Set-off ........................................... 65
SECTION 8.06. Binding Effect ............................................. 66
SECTION 8.07. Assignments, Designations and Participations ............... 66
SECTION 8.08. Acknowledgements ........................................... 70
SECTION 8.09. Consent to Jurisdiction .................................... 70
SECTION 8.10. GOVERNING LAW .............................................. 71
SECTION 8.11. Execution in Counterparts .................................. 71
SECTION 8.12. Waiver of Jury Trial ....................................... 71
SECTION 8.13. Certain Actions ............................................ 72
ARTICLE IX
INTERIM GUARANTY
SECTION 9.01. Interim Guaranty ........................................... 72
Schedule I List of Applicable Lending Offices
Schedule 5.02(a) Existing Liens
Exhibit A-1 Form of A Note
Exhibit A-2 Form of B Note
Exhibit B-1 Form of Notice of A Borrowing
Exhibit B-2 Form of Notice of B Borrowing
Exhibit C Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit D Form of Designation Agreement
Exhibit E Form of Confidentiality Agreement
Exhibit F-1 Form of Opinion of In-House Counsel for the
Borrower
Exhibit F-2 Form of Opinion of New York Counsel for
the Borrower
Exhibit F-3 Form of Opinion of In-House Counsel for the
Interim Guarantor
Exhibit G Form of Opinion of Special New York
Counsel to the Administrative Agent
5
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 17, 1997 (this
"Agreement") among CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower"), the banks (the "Banks") listed on the signature pages hereof,
CITIBANK, N.A. ("Citibank"), as administrative agent (the "Administrative
Agent"), CITICORP SECURITIES, INC., as arranger (the "Arranger"), THE FIRST
NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO ("First Chicago"), as documentation agent (the
"Documentation Agent"), The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase Manhattan"), as
co-agent ("Co-Agent") for the Lenders hereunder and CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Interim Guarantor").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
1. The Borrower was formed in March 1997 for the purpose of
effecting the Distribution (as defined in the Form 10 defined below) and
assuming the operations of the corn refining business of the Interim Guarantor
as more fully described in the Form 10.
2. The Borrower has requested, and the Lenders have agreed, to
enter into this Agreement to provide financing to the Borrower for general
corporate purposes.
3. The Interim Guarantor has agreed to enter into this
Agreement and to guaranty the Borrower's Obligations (as defined below) until
the Interim Guaranty Release Date only on the terms and subject to the
conditions and limitations set forth in Section 9.01 below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. As used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings
to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined):
"A Advance" means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower as
part of an A Borrowing and refers to a Base Rate Advance or a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, each of which shall be a "Type" of A Advance.
"A Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous A
Advances of the same Type made by each of the Lenders pursuant to
Section 2.01.
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"A Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the order of any Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1
hereto, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of the Borrower to such
Lender resulting from the A Advances made by such Lender.
"Advance" means an A Advance or a B Advance.
"Administrative Agent" has the meaning specified in the
recital of parties to this Agreement.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person that,
directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common
control with such Person or is a director or officer of such Person.
For purposes of this definition, the term "control" (including the
terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with")
of a Person means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
vote 5% or more of the Voting Stock of such Person or to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or
otherwise.
"Anniversary Date" means December 17, 1998 and December 17 in
each succeeding calendar year occurring during the term of this
Agreement.
"Applicable Facility Fee" means, for each day, the rate of
interest per annum (expressed in basis points, i.e., 1/100 of 1%) set
forth below opposite the Applicable Performance Level in effect on the
immediately preceding last day of May, August, November or February, as
the case may be.
APPLICABLE PERFORMANCE APPLICABLE FACILITY
LEVEL FEE
1 6.50
2 7.00
3 8.00
4 10.00
5 12.50
6 17.50
"Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each
Lender, such Lender's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base
Rate Advance, such Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a
Eurodollar Rate Advance and, in the case of a B Advance,
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3
the office of such Lender notified by such Lender to the Administrative
Agent as its Applicable Lending Office with respect to such B Advance.
"Applicable Margin" means, at any time, the rate of interest
per annum (expressed in basis points, i.e., 1/100 of 1%) set forth
below opposite the Applicable Performance Level in effect on the first
day of the Interest Period therefor, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate
Advance or in effect, from time to time, in the case of a Base Rate
Advance.
APPLICABLE
PERFORMANCE APPLICABLE MARGIN
LEVEL
Eurodollar
Base Rate Rate
1 0.00 13.50
2 0.00 15.00
3 0.00 17.00
4 0.00 20.00
5 0.00 25.00
6 0.00 30.00
"Applicable Performance Level" shall mean the applicable level
for adjusting the Applicable Facility Fee and Applicable Margin before
and after the Public Debt Rating Date as follows:
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APPLICABLE PRIOR TO PUBLIC DEBT RATING
PERFORMANCE PUBLIC DEBT FROM AND AFTER
LEVEL RATING DATE PUBLIC DEBT RATING DATE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Interest Coverage Ratio greater Higher than or equal to A from
than or equal to 8.0 and Debt to S&P or higher than or equal
Capitalization Ratio less than or to A2 from Moody's
equal to 30.0%
2 Interest Coverage Ratio greater Higher than or equal to A-
than or equal to 6.9 but less (but lower than A) from S&P or
than 8.0 and Debt to higher than or equal to A3
Capitalization Ratio greater than (but lower than A2) from
30.0% but less than or equal to Moody's
33.0%
3 Interest Coverage Ratio greater Higher than or equal to BBB+
than or equal to 6.0 but less (but lower than A-) from S&P
than 6.9 and Debt to or higher than or equal to
Capitalization Ratio greater than Baa1 (but lower than A3) from
33.0% but less than or equal to Moody's
36.0%
4 Interest Coverage Ratio greater Higher than or equal to BBB
than or equal to 5.0 but less (but lower than BBB+) from S&P
than 6.0 and Debt to or higher than or equal to
Capitalization Ratio greater than Baa2 (but lower than Baa1)
36.0% but less than or equal to from Moody's
39.0%
5 Interest Coverage Ratio greater Higher than or equal to BBB-
than or equal to 4.4 but less (but lower than BBB) from S&P
than 5.0 and Debt to or higher than or equal to
Capitalization Ratio greater than Baa3 (but lower than Baa2)
39.0% but less than or equal to from Moody's
41.0%
6 Interest Coverage Ratio less Lower than BBB- from S&P and
than 4.4 and Debt to lower than Baa3 from Moody's,
Capitalization Ratio greater or Unrated
than 41.0%
provided that (A) the Applicable Facility Fee and Applicable Margin
shall be set in accordance with Applicable Performance Level 4 until
the earlier of the delivery of financial statements for the fiscal
quarter ended June 30, 1998 pursuant to Section 5.01(d)(i)(B) or the
Public Debt Rating Date, (B) prior to the
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Public Debt Rating Date, no change in the Applicable
Facility Fee or the Applicable Margin shall be effective until three
Business Days after the date on which the Administrative Agent receives
financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(d)(i)(B) or (ii)(B) and a
certificate of an Authorized Financial Officer of the Borrower
demonstrating the Borrower's Debt to Capitalization Ratio and Interest
Coverage Ratio and (C) if the Borrower has not submitted to the
Administrative Agent the information described in clause (B) of this
proviso as and when required under Section 5.01(d)(i)(B) or (ii)(B), as
the case may be, the Applicable Facility Fee and Applicable Margin
shall be at Applicable Performance Level 6 for so long as such
information has not been received by the Administrative Agent. Solely
with respect to the Applicable Performance Level determined by
reference to the Public Debt Rating, if at any time the ratings from
Moody's and S&P are in Applicable Performance Levels which are more
than one Applicable Performance Level apart, the Applicable Performance
Level shall be that level which is determined by the average of the two
ratings (and if the average of such ratings falls between two
Applicable Performance Levels, the higher of such two Applicable
Performance Levels will apply). Moreover, for purposes of this
definition if following the Public Debt Rating Date either S&P or
Moody's (or any Substitute Rating Agency) ceases to have in effect a
Public Debt Rating, the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Facility
Fee will be determined by reference to Applicable Performance Level 6.
"Arranger" has the meaning specified in the recital of parties to this
Agreement.
"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance entered
into by a Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) and an Eligible Assignee,
acknowledged and consented to by the Borrower and accepted by the Administrative
Agent, in accordance with Section 8.07 and in substantially the form of Exhibit
C hereto.
"Assuming Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(c).
"Assumption Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(c).
"Authorized Financial Officer" means any one of the Vice President and
Treasurer of the Borrower or any other duly authorized corporate officer of the
Borrower who is responsible for and familiar with the financial affairs of the
Borrower.
"B Advance" means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a B
Borrowing resulting from the auction bidding procedure described in Section
2.03.
"B Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous B Advances
from each of the Lenders whose offer to make one or more B Advances as part of
such
10
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borrowing has been accepted by the Borrower under the auction bidding
procedure described in Section 2.03.
"B Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order
of any Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, evidencing the
indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from a B Advance made by
such Lender.
"B Reduction" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
"Bank" has the meaning specified in the recital of parties to
this Agreement.
"Base Rate" means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in
effect from time to time which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the
highest of:
(a) the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank in
New York, New York, from time to time, as Citibank's base rate;
(b) the sum (adjusted to the nearest 1/16 of 1% or, if there
is no nearest 1/16 of 1%, to the next higher 1/16 of 1%) of (i) 1/2 of
1% per annum, plus (ii) the rate obtained by dividing (A) the latest
three-week moving average of secondary market morning offering rates
in the United States for three-month certificates of deposit of major
United States money market banks, such three-week moving average
(adjusted to the basis of a year of 360 days) being determined weekly
on each Monday (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next
succeeding Business Day) for the three-week period ending on the
previous Friday by Citibank on the basis of such rates reported by
certificate of deposit dealers to and published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York or, if such publication shall be suspended or
terminated, on the basis of quotations for such rates received by
Citibank from three New York certificate of deposit dealers of
recognized standing selected by Citibank, by (B) a percentage equal to
100% minus the average of the daily percentages specified during such
three-week period by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve
requirement (including, but not limited to, any emergency, supplemental
or other marginal reserve requirement) for Citibank with respect to
liabilities consisting of or including (among other liabilities)
three-month U.S. dollar non-personal time deposits in the United
States, plus (iii) the average during such three-week period of the
annual assessment rates estimated by Citibank for determining the then
current annual assessment payable by Citibank to the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (or any successor) for insuring U.S. dollar
deposits of Citibank in the United States; and
11
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(c) 1/2 of one percent per annum above the Federal Funds Rate.
"Base Rate Advance" means an A Advance which bears interest at a rate
per annum determined on the basis of the Base Rate, as provided in Section
2.07(a)(i).
"Borrowed Debt" means all indebtedness for borrowed money and
obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments.
"Borrower's Obligations" has the meaning specified in Section 9.01(a).
"Borrowing" means an A Borrowing or a B Borrowing.
"Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not required
or authorized to close in New York City and, if the applicable Business Day
relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, on which dealings are carried on in the
London interbank market.
"Co-Agent" has the meaning specified in the recital of parties to this
Agreement.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
"Commitment" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
"Commitment Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b).
"Commitment Increase" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).
"Consenting Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).
"Consolidated" refers to the consolidation of the accounts of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, including principles of consolidation, consistent with those applied
in the preparation of the Consolidated financial statements referred to in
Section 4.01(e).
"Convert", "Conversion" and "Converted" each refers to a conversion of
A Advances of one Type into A Advances of the other Type pursuant to
Section 2.08 or 2.09.
"Corn Refining Business" has the meaning specified in the Form 10.
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"Debt" means (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) obligations
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii)
obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, (iv)
obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital
leases, (v) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and
obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or
otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or
obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i) through (iv)
above, (vi) liabilities of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in respect of any
Insufficiency, (vii) withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of
ERISA incurred by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any Multiemployer Plan,
(viii) liabilities incurred by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC
upon the termination under Section 4041 or Section 4042 of ERISA of any Plan and
(ix) any increase in the amount of contributions required to be made by the
Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates in each fiscal year of the Borrower to
Multiemployer Plans over the amount of such contributions required to be made on
the date hereof due to the reorganization or termination of any such
Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
"Debt to Capitalization Ratio" means, at any time, the amount of
Consolidated Borrowed Debt of the Borrower expressed as a percentage of the sum
of Consolidated Borrowed Debt of the Borrower plus minority stockholders' equity
interests, deferred taxes on income and total stockholders' equity, in each
case, as determined in accordance with GAAP by reference to the Consolidated
balance sheets of the Borrower required to be delivered pursuant to Section
5.01(d)(i)(B) or (ii)(B).
"Designated Bidder" means (a) an Affiliate of a Lender or (b) a special
purpose corporation that is engaged in making, purchasing or otherwise investing
in commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business that issues (or the
parent of which issues) commercial paper rated at least "Prime-1" by Moody's or
"A-1" by S&P or a comparable rating from the successor of either of them, that,
in either case, (x) is organized under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof, (y) shall have become a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.07(e),
(f) and (g), and (z) is not otherwise a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
other than in the case of an Affiliate of a Lender, each Designated Bidder shall
be subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
"Designation Agreement" means a designation agreement entered into by a
Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) and a Designated Bidder, and accepted by
the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto.
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"Distribution Agreement" means that certain Distribution Agreement
dated as of December 1, 1997 between the Interim Guarantor and the Borrower
relating to the Spin-off.
"Documentation Agent" has the meaning specified in the recital of
parties to this Agreement.
"Domestic Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the office
of such Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" opposite its name on
Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it
became a Lender, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from
time to time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
"EBITDA" means, for any period, an amount equal to Consolidated net
income (or net loss) of the Borrower plus the sum of (a) interest expense (b)
income tax expense, (c) depreciation expense and (d) amortization expense, in
each case determined in accordance with GAAP by reference to the Consolidated
balance sheets of the Borrower required to be delivered pursuant to Section
5.01(d)(i)(B) or (ii)(B).
"Eligible Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States, or any State thereof, having total assets of not less
than $5,000,000,000; (ii) a commercial bank having total assets of not less than
$5,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency), and organized under the
laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development ("OECD") or has concluded special lending
arrangements with the International Monetary Fund associated with its General
Arrangements to Borrow, or a political subdivision of any such country, provided
that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United
States; (iii) the central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD;
(iv) such other financial institutions as the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower may agree on from time to time; and (v) an Affiliate of a Lender.
"Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or foreign statute,
law, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree or judicial or
agency interpretation, policy or guidance relating to the environment, health,
safety or Hazardous Materials.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued
thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any Person that for purposes of Title IV of
ERISA is a member of the Borrower's or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim
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Guarantor's, controlled group or under common control with such Person, as
the case may be, within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
"ERISA Default" means
(a) that either
(i) any Termination Event with respect to a Plan
shall have occurred and be continuing, or
(ii) either the Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor or any of its ERISA Affiliates, shall have
been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such
Person or such ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, has
incurred Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan or
that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being
terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and
(b) that at the time of such occurrence or notice the
sum of
(i) the Insufficiency of such Plan for which a
Termination Event has occurred together with the Insufficiency
of any and all other Plans with respect to which a Termination
Event shall have occurred and then exist (or, in the case of a
Plan with respect to which a Termination Event described in
clause (ii) of the definition of Termination Event shall have
occurred and then exist, the liability related thereto), plus
(ii) the Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer
Plan, determined as of the notification date referred to in
clause (a)(ii) above, together with the aggregate amount then
outstanding and required to be paid to all other Multiemployer
Plans for which there is then a Withdrawal Liability, plus
(iii) the excess of (A) aggregate annual
contributions of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates, or
prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim
Guarantor and its ERISA Affiliates, to all Multiemployer Plans
for the plan years in which such notice of reorganization has
been received over (B) the aggregate annual contributions of
such Person and its ERISA Affiliates to such Multiemployer
Plans for the plan year which includes the date hereof,
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shall equal or exceed $5,000,000.
"Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in
effect from time to time.
"Eurodollar Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the
office of such Lender specified as its "Eurodollar Lending Office" opposite its
name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
it became a Lender (or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic Lending
Office), or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to
time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for the Interest Period for each Eurodollar
Rate Advance comprising part of the same A Borrowing or the same B Borrowing, as
the case may be, an interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum obtained
by dividing (a) the average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of
1/16 of 1% per annum, if such average is not such a multiple) of the rate per
annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered by the principal office of
each of the Reference Banks in London, England to prime banks in the London
interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days before the first
day of such Interest Period in an amount substantially equal to such Reference
Bank's Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of such Borrowing (or in the case
of a B Borrowing, equal to $10,000,000) and for a period equal to such Interest
Period by (b) a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve
Percentage for such Interest Period. The Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period
for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be
determined by the Administrative Agent on the basis of applicable rates
furnished to and received by the Administrative Agent from the Reference Banks
two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period, subject,
however, to the provisions of Section 2.08.
"Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an A Advance which bears interest at a
rate per annum determined on the basis of the Eurodollar Rate, as provided in
Section 2.07(a)(ii), or a B Advance which bears interest at a rate per annum
determined on the basis of the Eurodollar Rate, as provided in Section 2.03(a).
"Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage" of any Lender for any Interest
Period for all Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing
means the reserve percentage applicable two Business Days before the first day
of such Interest Period under regulations issued from time to time by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining
the
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maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency,
supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System in New York City with respect to liabilities or assets
consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities (or with respect to any
other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the
interest rate on Eurodollar Rate Advances is determined) having a term equal to
such Interest Period.
"Events of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
"Extension Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate
per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the
rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
"Fixed Rate" means, for the period for each Fixed Rate Advance
comprising part of the same B Borrowing, the fixed interest rate per annum
determined for such Advance, as provided in Section 2.03.
"Fixed Rate Advance" means a B Advance which bears interest at a fixed
rate per annum determined as provided in Section 2.03(a).
"Form 10" means the Registration Statement on Form 10 first filed by
the Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 19, 1997,
in the form declared effective on December 4, 1997.
"Hazardous Materials" means petroleum and petroleum products,
byproducts or breakdown products, radioactive materials, asbestos-containing
materials, radon gas and any other chemicals, materials or substances
designated, classified or regulated as being "hazardous" or "toxic," or words of
similar import, under any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law,
ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree or judicial or agency
interpretation, policy or guidance.
"Increase Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).
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"Increasing Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b).
"Insufficiency" means, with respect to any Plan, the amount, if any, of
its unfunded benefit liabilities within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of
ERISA.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means for any Measurement Period, the ratio
of Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such
Measurement Period to interest payable on, and amortization of debt discount in
respect of, all Debt during such Measurement Period by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.
"Interest Period" means, (a) for each Eurodollar Rate Advance
comprising part of the same A Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of
such Eurodollar Rate Advance or the date of Conversion of any Base Rate Advance
into such Eurodollar Rate Advance and ending on the last day of the period
selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and, thereafter, each
subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding
Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the
Borrower pursuant to the provisions below, and (b) for each B Advance which is a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, the period commencing on the date of such B Advance and
ending on the maturity date for repayment of such B Advance as determined
pursuant to Section 2.03(a). The duration of each such Interest Period referred
to in subsection (a) above shall be one, two, three or six months, and if
available to all Lenders, nine or twelve months, in each case as the Borrower
may, upon notice received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M.
(New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such
Interest Period, select; provided, however, that:
(w) the duration of any Interest Period which commences before
the Termination Date and would otherwise end after the Termination Date
shall end on the Termination Date (subject to Section 8.04(b));
(x) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for
Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising part of the same A Borrowing shall
be of the same duration;
(y) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would
otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of
such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding
Business Day, provided, however, that, if such extension would cause
the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following
calendar month, the last
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day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business
Day; and
(z) whenever the first day of any Interest Period occurs on a
day of an initial calendar month for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month that succeeds such initial
calendar month by the number of months equal to the number of months in
such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last
Business Day of such succeeding calendar month.
"Interim Guarantor" has the meaning specified in the recital
of parties to this Agreement.
"Interim Guaranty Release Date" has the meaning specified in
Section 3.04.
"Lenders" means the Banks, each Assuming Lender that shall
become a party hereto pursuant to Section 2.17 or 2.18 and each
Eligible Assignee that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section
8.07 and, except when used in reference to an A Advance, an A
Borrowing, an A Note, a Commitment or a term related to any of the
foregoing, each Designated Bidder.
"Lien" shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.01(l).
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement and the Notes.
"Majority Lenders" means at any time Lenders having at least
51% of the outstanding A Advances at such time, or, if no such
principal amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least 51% of
the Commitments; provided, that if at any time the Commitments have
been terminated pursuant to Section 6.01 and no A Advances are then
outstanding, "Majority Lenders" will mean Lenders having at least 51%
of outstanding B Advances.
"Margin Stock" has the meaning given that term in Regulation U
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect
from time to time.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
(a) the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations,
performance, properties or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, or prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole,
(b) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
under this Agreement or any Note or (c) the ability of the Borrower or,
prior to the
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Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, to
perform its obligations under this Agreement or, in the case of the
Borrower, under any Note.
"Measurement Period" means, as of any date of determination,
the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of the
Borrower ending on or immediately prior to such date.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investor Services, Inc.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan", as defined
in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any of its
ERISA Affiliates, or prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor or any of its ERISA Affiliates, is making or accruing
an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding
five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.
"Multiple Employer Plan" means a single employer plan, as
defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for
employees of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or, prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of its
ERISA Affiliates, and at least one Person other than such Person and
its ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which
such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates could have liability under
Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were
to be terminated.
"Non-Consenting Lender" has the meaning specified in Section
2.17(b).
"Note" means an A Note or a B Note.
"Notice of A Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section
2.02(a).
"Notice of B Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(a).
"Obligation" means, with respect to any Person, any obligation
of such Person of any kind, including, without limitation, any
liability of such Person on any claim, whether or not the right of any
creditor to payment in respect of such claim is reduced to judgment,
liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, disputed,
undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured, and whether or not
such obligation is discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any
proceeding referred to in Section 6.01(e). Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Borrower under the
Loan Documents include (a) all principal, interest, charges, expenses,
fees, attorneys' fees and disbursements,
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indemnities and any other amounts payable by the Borrower
under any Loan Document and (b) any amount in respect of any of the
foregoing payable by the Borrower under or in respect of any Loan
Document, that any Lender, in its sole discretion and upon five
Business Days' notice to the Borrower may elect to pay or advance on
behalf the Borrower.
"Other Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(b).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation
(including a business trust), limited liability company, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other
entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
"Plan" means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer
Plan.
"Public Debt Rating" means, as of any date, the better of (a)
the lowest rating of any class of long-term public unsecured senior
debt issued by the Borrower as most recently announced by Moody's and
(b) the lowest rating of the Borrower's long-term public unsecured
senior debt as most recently announced by S&P, as the case may be, or,
if either Moody's or S&P is no longer in existence on such date, a
Substitute Rating Agency, provided, however, that (i) if any rating
established by S&P or Moody's (or any Substitute Rating Agency) shall
be changed, such change shall be effective as of the date on which such
change is first announced publicly by the rating agency making such
change; and (ii) if S&P or Moody's (or any Substitute Rating Agency)
shall change the basis on which ratings are established, each reference
to the Public Debt Rating announced by S&P or Moody's (or any
Substitute Rating Agency), as the case may be, shall refer to the then
equivalent rating by S&P or Moody's (or any Substitute Rating Agency),
as the case may be.
"Public Debt Rating Date" means the first date as of which
Public Date Ratings have been issued by each of Moody's and S&P, or, if
either Moody's or S&P is no longer in existence on such date, a
Substitute Rating Agency.
"Reference Banks" means Citibank, First Chicago and Chase
Manhattan or, in the event that less than two such Lenders furnish
timely information to the Administrative Agent for determining the
Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any requested A
Borrowing or B Borrowing, any other Lender which is selected by the
Administrative Agent and which furnishes such information.
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"Register" has the meaning specified in Section 8.07(c).
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of
McGraw-Hill, Inc.
"Single Employer Plan" means a single employer plan, as
defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (i) is maintained for
employees of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates, or prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of its
ERISA Affiliates, and no Person other than such Person and its ERISA
Affiliates, or (ii) was so maintained and in respect of which the
Borrower or its ERISA Affiliates or, prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or its ERISA Affiliates, as the
case may be, could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the
event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
"Spin-off" means the distribution by the Interim Guarantor to
its shareholders of the common stock of the Borrower, as contemplated
by the Form 10.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or
in which) more than 50% of (a) the issued and outstanding capital stock
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), (b)
the interest in the capital or profits of such partnership, joint
venture or limited liability company or (c) the beneficial interest in
such trust or estate 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 Person's other Subsidiaries.
"Substitute Rating Agency" means a nationally recognized
credit rating organization designated by the Borrower and approved by
the Administrative Agent.
"Taxes" has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).
"Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) December 17, 2002,
subject to the extension thereof pursuant to Section 2.17, and (b) the
date of termination in whole of the aggregate Commitments pursuant to
Section 2.05 or 6.01, provided, however, that the Termination Date of
any Lender that is a Non-Consenting Lender to any requested extension
pursuant to Section 2.17 shall be the
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Termination Date in effect immediately prior to the applicable
Extension Date for all purposes of this Agreement.
"Termination Event" means (i) the occurrence of a "reportable
event", as such term is described in Section 4043 of ERISA, with
respect to any Plan (other than a "reportable event" not subject to the
provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC), or an event described in
Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (ii) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any
of its ERISA Affiliates, or prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date,
the Interim Guarantor or any of its ERISA Affiliates, from a Multiple
Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial
employer", as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or
the incurrence of liability by any such Person or any ERISA Affiliate
under Section 4064 of ERISA upon the termination of a Multiple Employer
Plan, or (iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate a
Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan
amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (iv) the
conditions set forth in Section 302(f)(l)(A) and (B) of ERISA to the
creation of a lien upon property or rights to property of such Person
or any ERISA Affiliate for failure to make a required payment to a Plan
are satisfied, or (v) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan requiring
the provision of security to such Plan, pursuant to Section 307 of
ERISA, or (vi) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by
the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (vii) any other event or
condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA
for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer,
any Plan.
"Unrated" means, as of any date, that either Moody's or S&P on
such date has not announced a rating, or has terminated a prior rating,
for each class of long-term public unsecured senior debt issued by the
Borrower or that the Borrower does not have outstanding any long-term
public unsecured senior debt issued by it.
"Voting Stock" means capital stock issued by a corporation, or
equivalent interests in any other Person, the holders of which are
ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the
election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such
Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the
happening of such a contingency.
"Withdrawal Liability" shall have the meaning given such term
under Part 1 of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.02. Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement
in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified
date, the word
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"from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each means "to
but excluding".
SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not
specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistent with those applied in the preparation
of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e) ("GAAP").
ARTICLE II
AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES
SECTION 2.01. The A Advances. Each Lender severally agrees, on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make A Advances to the
Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date
hereof until the Termination Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any
time outstanding the amount set opposite such Lender's name on the signature
pages hereof under the caption "Commitments" or, if such Lender has entered into
an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 8.07, set forth for such
Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 8.07(c), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.05 or
increased pursuant to Section 2.18 (such Lender's "Commitment"), provided that
the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be deemed used from
time to time to the extent of the aggregate amount of the B Advances then
outstanding and such deemed use of the aggregate amount of the Commitments shall
be applied to the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments to
reduce the amount of Advances available from each Lender (such deemed use of the
aggregate amount of the Commitments being a "B Reduction"). Each A Borrowing
shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and shall consist of A Advances of the
same Type made on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their
respective Commitments. Within the limits of each Lender's Commitment, the
Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay pursuant to Section 2.10(b),
and reborrow under this Section 2.01.
SECTION 2.02. Making the A Advances. (a) Each A Borrowing
shall be made on notice, given not later than (A) 11:00 A.M. (New York City
time) on the third Business Day prior to the date of the proposed A Borrowing if
the Borrower selects a Eurodollar Rate Advance or (B) 11:00 A.M. (New York City
time) on the date of the proposed A Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) if
the Borrower selects a Base Rate Advance, by the Borrower to the Administrative
Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice thereof by telex or
telecopier. Each such notice of an A Borrowing
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(a "Notice of A Borrowing") shall be by telex or telecopier, confirmed
immediately in writing, in substantially the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto,
specifying therein the requested (i) date of such A Borrowing, (ii) Type of A
Advances comprising such A Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such A Borrowing
and (iv) in the case of an A Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances,
the initial Interest Period for each such A Advance. In the case of a proposed A
Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section
2.07(a)(ii). Each Lender shall, before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time), (x) on
the date of such A Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Eurodollar Rate Advance
or (y) on the date of such A Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Base Rate
Advance, make available for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the
Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 8.02, in same day
funds, such Lender's ratable portion of such A Borrowing. After the
Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the
applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative Agent will
make such funds available to the Borrower at the Administrative Agent's
aforesaid address.
(b) Anything in subsection (a) above to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Rate Advances for any A
Borrowing if the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Rate Advances
shall then be suspended pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.12.
(c) Each Notice of A Borrowing shall be irrevocable and
binding on the Borrower. In the case of any A Borrowing which the related Notice
of A Borrowing specifies is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the
Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred
by such Lender as a result of any failure to fulfill, on or before the date
specified in such Notice of A Borrowing for such A Borrowing, the applicable
conditions set forth in Article III, including, without limitation, any loss
(including loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of
the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such
Lender to fund the A Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such A
Borrowing when such A Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such
date.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice
from a Lender prior to the date of any A Borrowing that such Lender will not
make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's ratable portion of such
A Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such A Borrowing in
accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.02 and the Administrative Agent
may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such
date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not
have so made such ratable portion available to the Administrative Agent, such
Lender and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the
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Administrative Agent on demand such corresponding amount together with interest
thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the
Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at
(i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the
A Advances comprising such A Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the
Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will demand such repayment from
such Lender prior to demanding such repayment from the Borrower. If such Lender
shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount
so repaid shall constitute such Lender's A Advance as part of such A Borrowing
for purposes of this Agreement.
(e) The failure of any Lender to make the A Advance to be made
by it as part of any A Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligation, if any, hereunder to make its A Advance on the date of such A
Borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other
Lender to make the A Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any
A Borrowing.
SECTION 2.03. The B Advances. (a) Each Lender severally agrees
that the Borrower may make B Borrowings under this Section 2.03 from time to
time on any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the date
occurring 30 days prior to the Termination Date, in the case of B Advances
consisting of Fixed Rate Advances, or one month prior to the Termination Date,
in the case of B Advances consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances, in the manner
set forth below; provided that, following the making of each B Borrowing, the
aggregate amount of all Advances then outstanding shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of the Commitments of the Lenders (computed without regard to any B
Reduction).
(i) The Borrower may request a B Borrowing under this Section
2.03 by delivering to the Administrative Agent, by telex or telecopier,
confirmed immediately in writing, not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York
City time) (A) at least two Business Days prior to the date of the
proposed B Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Fixed Rate Advance or
(B) at least four Business Days prior to the date of the proposed B
Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Eurodollar Rate Advance, a notice
of a B Borrowing (a "Notice of B Borrowing"), in substantially the form
of Exhibit B-2 hereto, specifying the date and aggregate amount of the
proposed B Borrowing, the maturity date for repayment of each B Advance
to be made as part of such B Borrowing (which maturity date (I) may not
be earlier than the date occurring 1 month after the date of such B
Borrowing or later than the earlier of (x) 6 months after the date of
such B Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Fixed Rate Advance and
(y) the Termination Date or (II) may not be earlier than the date
occurring 30 days after the date of such B Borrowing or later than the
earlier of (x) 180 days after the date of such B Borrowing if the
Borrower selects a Eurodollar Rate Advance and (y) the Termination
Date), the interest payment date
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or dates relating thereto, and any other terms to be
applicable to such B Borrowing (including, without limitation, the
basis to be used by the Lenders in determining the rate or
rates of interest to be offered by them as provided in paragraph (ii)
below). A Notice of B Borrowing shall not specify more than three such
maturity dates or more than one such maturity date for each B Advance.
The Administrative Agent shall in turn promptly notify each Lender of
each request for a B Borrowing received by it from the Borrower by
sending such Lender a copy of the related Notice of B Borrowing.
(ii) Each Lender may, if, in its sole discretion, it elects to
do so, irrevocably offer to make one or more B Advances to the Borrower
as part of such proposed B Borrowing at a Fixed Rate or Rates or a
margin or margins relative to the Eurodollar Rate, as requested by the
Borrower. Each Lender electing to make such an offer shall do so by
notifying the Administrative Agent via telecopier (which shall give
prompt notice thereof to the Borrower), after 9:00 A.M. but before
10:00 A.M. (New York City time) (A) at least one Business Day before
the date of such proposed B Borrowing specified in the Notice of B
Borrowing delivered with respect thereto pursuant to clause (A) of
paragraph (i) above or (B) at least three Business Days before the date
of such proposed B Borrowing specified in the Notice of B Borrowing
delivered with respect thereto pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i)
above, of the minimum amount and maximum amount of each B Advance which
such Lender would be willing to make as part of such proposed B
Borrowing (which amounts may, subject to the proviso to the first
sentence of this Section 2.03(a), exceed such Lender's Commitment), the
Fixed Rate or Rates or a margin or margins relative to the Eurodollar
Rate, as requested by the Borrower, which such Lender would be willing
to accept for such B Advance and such Lender's Applicable Lending
Office with respect to such B Advance; provided that if the
Administrative Agent in its capacity as a Lender shall, in its sole
discretion, elect to make any such offer, it shall notify the Borrower
of such offer before 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date on
which notice of such election is to be given to the Administrative
Agent by the other Lenders. If any Lender shall elect not to make such
an offer, such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, after
9:00 A.M. but before 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) (x) at least one
Business Day before the date of such proposed B Borrowing specified in
the Notice of B Borrowing delivered with respect thereto pursuant to
clause (A) of paragraph (i) above or (y) at least three Business Days
before the date of such proposed B Borrowing specified in the Notice of
B Borrowing delivered with respect thereto pursuant to clause (B) of
paragraph (i) above, and such Lender shall not be obligated to, and
shall not, make any B Advance as part of such B Borrowing; provided
that the failure by any Lender to give such notice shall not cause such
Lender to be obligated to make any B Advance as part of such proposed B
Borrowing.
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(iii) The Borrower shall, in turn, before 11:30 A.M. (New York
City time) (A) at least one Business Day before the date of such
proposed B Borrowing specified in the Notice of B Borrowing delivered
with respect thereto pursuant to clause (A) of paragraph (i) above or
(B) at least three Business Days before the date of such proposed B
Borrowing specified in the Notice of B Borrowing delivered with respect
thereto pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (i) above, either
(1) cancel such B Borrowing by giving the
Administrative Agent notice to that effect, or
(2) accept one or more of the offers made by any
Lender or Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii) above, in its
sole discretion, by giving notice to the Administrative Agent
of the amount of each B Advance (which amount shall be equal
to or greater than the minimum amount, and equal to or less
than the maximum amount, notified to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lender for such B
Advance pursuant to paragraph (ii) above) to be made by each
Lender as part of such B Borrowing, and reject any remaining
offers made by Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii) above by
giving the Administrative Agent notice to that effect.
The acceptance of offers by the Borrower pursuant to clause (2) of this
paragraph (iii) shall be on the basis of ascending rates of interest
contained in the offers made by the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (ii)
above; provided that, in the event that two or more such offers contain
the same rate of interest for a greater aggregate principal amount than
the amount specified in such Notice of B Borrowing less the aggregate
principal amount of all such offers containing lower rates of interest
that have been accepted by the Borrower pursuant to clause (2) of this
paragraph (iii), the amount to be borrowed from such Lenders as part of
such B Borrowing shall be allocated among such Lenders pro rata on the
basis of the maximum amount offered by such Lenders at such rate of
interest in connection with such B Borrowing.
(iv) If the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that
such B Borrowing is cancelled pursuant to clause (1) of paragraph (iii)
above, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the
Lenders and such B Borrowing shall not be made.
(v) If the Borrower accepts one or more of the offers made by
any Lender or Lenders pursuant to clause (2) of paragraph (iii) above,
the Administrative Agent shall in turn promptly notify (A) each Lender
that has made an offer as described in paragraph (ii) above, of the
date and aggregate amount of
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such B Borrowing and whether or not any offer or offers made
by such Lender pursuant to paragraph (ii) above have been accepted by
the Borrower, (B) each Lender that is to make a B Advance as part of
such B Borrowing, of the amount of each B Advance to be made by such
Lender as part of such B Borrowing, and (C) each Lender that is to make
a B Advance as part of such B Borrowing, upon receipt, that the
Administrative Agent has received forms of documents appearing to
fulfill the applicable conditions set forth in Article III.
(vi) Each Lender that is to make a B Advance as part of such B
Borrowing shall, before 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date of
such B Borrowing specified in the notice received from the
Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (A) of the preceding subsection
(v) or any later time when such Lender shall have received notice from
the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (C) of the preceding
subsection (v), make available for the account of its Applicable
Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to
in Section 8.02, in same day funds, such Lender's ratable portion of
such B Borrowing. Upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set
forth in Article III and after receipt by the Administrative Agent of
such funds, the Administrative Agent will make such funds available to
the Borrower at the Administrative Agent's aforesaid address. Promptly
after each B Borrowing, the Administrative Agent will notify each
Lender of the amount of the B Borrowing, the consequent B Reduction and
the dates upon which such B Reduction commenced and will terminate.
(b) Each B Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of not
less than $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
Following the making of each B Borrowing, the Borrower shall be in compliance
with the limitations set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of
subsection (a) above.
(c) Within the limits and on the conditions set forth in this
Section 2.03, the Borrower may from time to time borrow under this Section 2.03,
repay pursuant to subsection (d) below, and reborrow under this Section 2.03,
provided that a B Borrowing shall not be made within four Business Days of the
date of any other B Borrowing.
(d) The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Lender which has made, or holds the right of repayment of, a
B Advance on the maturity date of each B Advance (such maturity date being that
specified by the Borrower for repayment of such B Advance in the related Notice
of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above and provided in the
B Note evidencing such B Advance) the then unpaid principal amount of such B
Advance. The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any
B Advance unless, and then only on
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the terms, specified by the Borrower for such B Advance in the related Notice of
B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i) above.
(e) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of each B Advance from the date of such B Advance to the date the
principal amount of such B Advance is repaid in full, at the rate of interest
for such B Advance specified by the Lender making such B Advance in its notice
with respect thereto delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) above, payable on
the interest payment date or dates specified by the Borrower for such B Advance
in the related Notice of B Borrowing delivered pursuant to subsection (a)(i)
above, as provided in the B Note evidencing such B Advance.
(f) The indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each B
Advance made to the Borrower as part of a B Borrowing shall be evidenced by a
separate B Note of the Borrower payable to the order of the Lender making such B
Advance.
(g) Upon the request of any Lender that has made an offer to
make a B Advance as part of the most recent B Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent shall, as soon as practicable, provide telephonic notification to such
Lender of (A) the highest rate offered for the B Advance accepted by the
Borrower as part of such B Borrowing, and (B) the lowest rate offered for the B
Advance accepted by the Borrower as part of such B Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04. Fees. (a) Facility Fee. The Borrower agrees to
pay each Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) a facility fee on the aggregate
amount of such Lender's Commitment (whether used or unused and without giving
effect to any B Reduction), from the date hereof until the Termination Date,
payable in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December,
during the term of such Lender's Commitment, commencing on March 31, 1998, and
on the Termination Date, at a rate for each day during such period equal to the
Applicable Facility Fee for such day.
(b) Agency Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for its own account such fees as may from time to time be
agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 2.05. Termination or Reduction of the Commitments. The
Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days' notice to the
Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part, in each
case permanently, the unused portions of the respective Commitments of the
Lenders, provided that the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders
shall not be reduced to an amount which is less than the aggregate amount of the
A Advances and the B Advances then outstanding and provided further that each
partial reduction shall be in
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the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof.
SECTION 2.06. Repayment of A Advances. The Borrower shall
repay to each Lender on the Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of
the A Advances owing to such Lender on such date.
SECTION 2.07. Interest on A Advances. (a) Scheduled Interest.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each A Advance
made by each Lender from the date of such A Advance until such principal amount
shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
(i) Base Rate Advances. During such periods as such A Advance
is a Base Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times to the sum
of (x) the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus (y) the
Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable monthly in
arrears on the last day of each month during such periods and on the
date such Base Rate Advance shall be Converted or paid in full.
(ii) Eurodollar Rate Advances. During such periods as such A
Advance is a Eurodollar Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all
times during each Interest Period for such A Advance to the sum of
(x) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period for such Advance plus
(y) the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable in
arrears on the last day of such Interest Period and, if such Interest
Period has a duration of more than three months, on each day that
occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first
day of such Interest Period and on the date such Eurodollar Rate
Advance shall be Converted or paid in full.
(b) Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), the Borrower shall pay
interest on (i) the unpaid principal amount of each Advance owing to each
Lender, payable in arrears on the dates referred to in clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii)
above, at a rate per annum equal at all times to 2% per annum above the rate per
annum required to be paid on such Advance pursuant to clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii)
above, and (ii) the amount of any interest, fee or other amount payable
hereunder that is not paid when due, from the date such amount shall be due
until such amount shall be paid in full, payable in arrears on the date such
amount shall be paid in full and on demand, at a rate per annum equal at all
times to 2% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on Base Rate
Advances pursuant to clause (a)(i) above.
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SECTION 2.08. Interest Rate Determination. (a) Each Reference
Bank agrees to furnish to the Administrative Agent timely information for the
purpose of determining each Eurodollar Rate. If any one or more of the Reference
Banks shall not furnish such timely information to the Administrative Agent for
the purpose of determining any such interest rate, the Administrative Agent
shall determine such interest rate on the basis of timely information furnished
by the remaining Reference Banks.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders of the applicable interest rate determined by the
Administrative Agent for purposes of Section 2.07(a)(i) or (ii), and the
applicable rate, if any, furnished by each Reference Bank for the purpose of
determining the applicable interest rate under Section 2.07(a)(ii).
(c) If fewer than two Reference Banks furnish timely
information to the Administrative Agent for determining the Eurodollar Rate for
any Eurodollar Rate Advances,
(i) the Administrative Agent shall forthwith notify the
Borrower and the Lenders that the interest rate cannot be determined
for such Eurodollar Rate Advances,
(ii) each such A Advance will automatically, on the last day
of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate
Advance (or if such A Advance is then a Base Rate Advance, will
continue as a Base Rate Advance), and
(iii) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert A
Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
(d) If, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, the
Majority Lenders notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for
any Interest Period for such Advances will not adequately reflect the cost to
such Majority Lenders for making, funding or maintaining their respective
Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent
shall forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders, whereupon
(i) each Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the
last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a
Base Rate Advance, and
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(ii) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert
Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
(e) If the Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the
provisions contained in the definition of "Interest Period" in Section 1.01, the
Administrative Agent will forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and
such Advances will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest
Period therefor, Convert into Base Rate Advances.
(f) On the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any A Borrowing shall be reduced, by
payment or prepayment or otherwise, to less than $10,000,000 such Advances shall
automatically Convert into Base Rate Advances, and on and after such date the
right of the Borrower to Convert such A Advances into Eurodollar Rate Advances
shall terminate.
(g) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), (i) each Eurodollar Rate Advance will
automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor,
Convert into a Base Rate Advance and (ii) the obligation of the Lenders to make,
or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended.
SECTION 2.09. Optional Conversion of A Advances. The Borrower
may on any Business Day, upon notice given to the Administrative Agent not later
than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the date
of the proposed Conversion and subject to the provisions of Sections 2.08, 2.12
and 2.13, Convert all A Advances of one Type comprising the same Borrowing into
A Advances of the other Type; provided, however, that any Conversion of
Eurodollar Rate Advances into Base Rate Advances shall be made only on the last
day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advances. Each such notice of
a Conversion shall, within the restrictions specified above, specify (i) the
date of such Conversion, (ii) the A Advances to be Converted, and (iii) if such
Conversion is into Eurodollar Rate Advances, the duration of the Interest Period
for each such A Advance. Each notice of Conversion shall be irrevocable and
binding on the Borrower.
SECTION 2.10. Prepayments of A Advances. (a) The Borrower
shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any A Advance other than
as provided in (b) below.
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(b) The Borrower may (i) upon at least three days after the
date of Borrowing and upon notice given to the Administrative Agent not later
than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of the proposed prepayment
(which date shall be a Business Day), stating the proposed date and aggregate
principal amount of the prepayment in the case of Base Rate Advances or (ii)
upon at least two Business Days' notice given to the Administrative Agent
stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the prepayment in
the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, and if such notice is given the Borrower
shall, prepay the outstanding principal amounts of the A Advances comprising
part of the same A Borrowing in whole or ratably in part, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and, in
the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, any additional losses, costs or expenses,
if any, required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.04(b);
provided, however, that each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate
principal amount of not less than $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 2.11. Increased Costs and Increased Capital. (a) If,
due to either (i) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation
of any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request
from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the
force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing
to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances, then the
Borrower shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of
such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such
Lender for such increased cost; provided that, before making any such demand,
each Lender agrees to use its best efforts (consistent with its internal policy
and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Applicable
Lending Office if the making of such a designation would avoid the need for, or
reduce the amount of, such increased costs and would not be disadvantageous to
such Lender. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost, submitted to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) If any Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) determines
that compliance with any law or regulation or any guideline or request from any
central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of
law) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be
maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender and that
the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such
Lender's commitment to lend hereunder and other commitments of this type, then,
upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative
Agent), the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or such corporation in
the light of such circumstances, to the extent that such Lender reasonably
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determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the existence of such
Lender's commitment to lend hereunder. A certificate as to such amounts
submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(c) Within 20 days following the date of a demand by a Lender
pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or (b), as the case may be, such Lender and the
Borrower shall enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing to
an adjustment to the amounts payable by the Borrower sufficient to compensate
such Lender as contemplated in such Section. If, at the expiration of 45 days
from the giving of such demand, such Lender and the Borrower shall not have
agreed to any such adjustment, the Borrower shall within five days elect (and
shall notify such Lender and the Administrative Agent of such election) to
either:
(i) pay such Lender, from time to time commencing on the date
of such demand by such Lender and as specified by such Lender, the
additional amounts so demanded,
(ii) terminate in whole such Lender's Commitment on a date
specified in the notice sent by the Borrower, and such Lender's
Commitment shall terminate on such date, or
(iii) require that such Lender assign to the Borrower's
designated assignee or assignees in accordance with Section 8.07 all
Advances then owing to such Lender and all rights and obligations
provided that (A) each such assignment shall be either an assignment of
all of the rights and obligations of the assigning Lender under this
Agreement or an assignment of a portion of
such rights and obligations made concurrently with another such
assignment or assignments which together cover all of the rights and
obligations of the assigning Lender under this Agreement, (B) no Lender
shall be obligated to make any such assignment as a result of a demand
by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) unless and until such
Lender shall have received one or more payments from either the
Borrower or one or more assignees in an aggregate amount at least equal
to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Advances owing to
such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of
payment of such principal amount, all commitment fees and other fees
payable to such Lender and all other amounts payable to such Lender
under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, any increased
costs or other additional amounts as so demanded (computed in
accordance with this Section 2.11), and any Taxes, incurred by such
Lender prior to the effective date of such assignment and amounts
payable under Section 8.04(a)), (C) each such assignment shall be made
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance and (D) in connection with
each such assignment to
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any Person that immediately prior to such assignment was not a Lender,
the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the processing and
recordation fee of $3000 referred to in Section 8.07;
provided, however, that a termination under clause (ii) above shall not be
effective, and an assignment under clause (iii) above shall not be effective,
if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of the Commitments so
terminated and assigned during the term of this Agreement would exceed 20% of
the amount of the Commitments as of the date hereof or such terminations and
assignments would have become effective for more than three Lenders during the
term of this Agreement, and provided further that no such termination may be
made, and no such assignment may be required, if an Event of Default, or event
which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would be an Event of
Default, has occurred and is continuing either on the date the Borrower notifies
such Lender and the Administrative Agent of such termination or requested
assignment, or on the date on which such termination or assignment is scheduled
to become effective. Upon termination of a Lender's Commitment under Section
2.11(c)(ii), the Borrower shall on the date such termination becomes effective
pay, prepay or cause to be prepaid the aggregate principal amount of the
Advances owing to such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon to the
date of payment of such principal amount, all commitment fees and other fees
payable to such Lender and all other amounts payable to such Lender under this
Agreement (including, but not limited to, any increased costs or other
additional amounts as so demanded (computed in accordance with this Section
2.11), and any Taxes, incurred by such Lender prior to the effective date of
such assignment and amounts payable under Section 8.04(a)). Upon such payments
and prepayments, the obligations of such Lender hereunder, by the provisions
hereof, shall be released and discharged. Such Lender's rights under Sections
2.11 and 8.04(b), and its obligations under Section 7.05, shall survive such
release and discharge as to matters occurring prior to the date of such
termination.
SECTION 2.12. Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent that the
introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental
authority asserts that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending
Office to perform its obligations hereunder to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or
to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, (i) the obligation of
the Lenders to make, or to Convert A Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances
shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and
the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and
(ii) the Borrower shall forthwith prepay in full all Eurodollar Rate Advances of
all Lenders then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, unless the
Borrower, within five Business Days of notice from the Administrative Agent,
Converts all
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Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Lenders then outstanding into Base Rate Advances
in accordance with Section 2.09.
SECTION 2.13. Payments and Computations. (a) The Borrower shall make
each payment hereunder not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the day
when due in U.S. dollars to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative
Agent's Account in same day funds. The Administrative Agent will promptly
thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of
principal or interest or fees ratably (other than amounts payable pursuant to
Section 2.03, 2.04(b), 2.11, 2.14 or 8.04(b)) to the appropriate Lenders for the
account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating
to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the
account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon any Assuming Lender becoming a
Lender hereunder as a result of a Commitment Increase pursuant to Section 2.18
or an extension of the Termination Date pursuant to Section 2.17, and upon the
Administrative Agent's receipt of such Lender's Assumption Agreement and
recording of the information contained therein in the Register, from and after
the applicable Increase Date or Extension Date, as the case may be, the
Administrative Agent shall make all payments hereunder and under any Notes
issued in connection therewith in respect of the interest assumed thereby to the
Assuming Lender. Upon its acceptance of an Assignment and Acceptance and
recording of the information contained therein in the Register pursuant to
Section 8.07(c), from and after the date of such Assignment and Acceptance, the
Administrative Agent shall make all payments hereunder in respect of the
interest assigned thereby to the Lender assignee thereunder, and the parties to
such Assignment and Acceptance shall make all appropriate adjustments in such
payments for periods prior to such effective date directly between themselves.
(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender, if and to the
extent payment owed to such Lender is not made when due hereunder, to charge
from time to time against any or all of the Borrower's accounts with such Lender
any amount so due.
(c) All computations of interest based on the Base Rate shall
be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days,
as the case may be, and all computations of interest based on the Fixed Rate,
the Eurodollar Rate or the Federal Funds Rate and of fees shall be made by the
Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the
actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day)
occurring in the period for which such interest is payable. Each determination
by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(d) Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due
on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next
succeeding
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Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the
computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided,
however, if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of
Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next following calendar month, such
payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.
(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice
from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to any Lender
hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full
to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in
reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each such Lender on
such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender. If and to the
extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the
Administrative Agent, each such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent
forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Lender together with
interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such
Lender until the date such Lender repays such amount to the Administrative
Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate.
SECTION 2.14. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower
or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, hereunder
or under the Notes shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.13, free and
clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent,
taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of income
taxes, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political
subdivision thereof and, in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its income
and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction of such Lender's
Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision thereof (all such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and
liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If either the Borrower
or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, shall be
required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable by
such party hereunder or under any Note to any Lender or the Administrative
Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after
making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional
sums payable under this Section 2.14) such Lender or the Administrative Agent
(as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or, prior to the Interim
Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, shall make
such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, shall pay the full
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amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in
accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, each of the Borrower and, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, agrees to pay any present
or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes,
charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or under
the Notes or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with
respect to, this Agreement or the Notes (hereinafter referred to as "Other
Taxes").
(c) The Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim Guarantor, will indemnify each Lender and the Administrative
Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without
limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts
payable under this Section 2.14) paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent
(as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes
or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be
made within 30 days from the date such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as
the case may be) makes written demand therefor.
(d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes by
the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, such Person will
furnish to the Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 8.02,
the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof. In the
case of any payment hereunder or under the Notes by or on behalf of the Borrower
or the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, through an account or branch
outside the United States or on behalf of the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor,
as the case may be, by a payor that is not a United States person, if the
Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, determines that no Taxes
are payable in respect thereof, the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, as the
case may be, shall furnish, or shall cause such payor to furnish, to the
Administrative Agent, at such address, a certificate from each appropriate
taxing authority, or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Administrative
Agent, in either case stating that such payment is exempt from or not subject to
Taxes. For purposes of this subsection (d), the terms "United States" and
"United States person" shall have the meaning specified in Section 7701 of the
Code.
(e) Each Lender organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
outside the United States shall, on or prior to the date of its execution and
delivery of this Agreement in the case of each Bank, and each such Lender that
is not a party hereto on the date hereof shall on or prior to the date on which
such Lender becomes a Lender pursuant to Sections 2.17, 2.18 or 8.07 (as the
case may be), and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but only so long
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thereafter as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so), provide the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower with Internal Revenue Service form 1001 or
4224, as appropriate, or any successor or other form prescribed by the Internal
Revenue Service, certifying that such Lender is exempt from or entitled to a
reduced rate of United States withholding tax on payments of interest pursuant
to this Agreement or the Notes. If the form provided by a Lender at the time
such Lender first becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States
interest withholding tax rate in excess of zero, in the case of each Bank, or in
excess of the rate applicable to the Lender assignor on the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender or as of the date
such party becomes a Lender pursuant to Sections 2.17 and 2.18, in the case of
each other Lender, withholding tax at such rate shall be considered excluded
from Taxes as defined in Section 2.14(a). If any form or document referred to in
this subsection (e) requires the disclosure of information, other than
information necessary to compute the tax payable and information required on the
date hereof by Internal Revenue service form 1001 or 4224, that the Lender
reasonably considers to be confidential, the Lender shall give notice thereof to
the Borrower and shall not be obligated to include in such form or document such
confidential information.
(f) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed
to provide the Borrower with the appropriate form described in subsection (e)
(other than if such failure is due to a change in law occurring after the date
on which a form originally was required to be provided or if such form otherwise
is not required under the first sentence of subsection (e) above), such Lender
shall not be entitled to indemnification under subsection (a) with respect to
Taxes imposed by the United States; provided, however, that should a Lender
become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required
hereunder, the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, as the case may be, shall take
such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to
recover such Taxes.
(g) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with its
internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the
jurisdiction of its Eurodollar Lending Office if the making of such a change
would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts
that may thereafter accrue and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such
Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
(h) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement
of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor hereunder, the agreements and
obligations of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor contained in this Section
2.14 shall survive the payment in full of principal and interest hereunder and
under the Notes; provided that the Obligations of the Interim Guarantor shall be
limited to payments made by the Interim Guarantor under the Interim Guaranty.
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SECTION 2.15. Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Lender shall
obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the A Advances owing to it (other
than pursuant to Section 2.11, 2.14 or 8.04(b)) in excess of its ratable share
of payments on account of the A Advances obtained by all the Lenders, such
Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in
the A Advances made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing
Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; provided, however,
that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from
such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and
such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the
extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable
share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lender's required
repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of
any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect
of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.15
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as
if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.
SECTION 2.16. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Advances
shall be available (and the Borrower agrees that it shall use such proceeds) for
general corporate purposes, including commercial paper backstop and including
payments or dividends to the Interim Guarantor as described in the Form 10.
SECTION 2.17. Extension of Termination Date. (a) At least 30
days but not more than 60 days prior to any Anniversary Date, the Borrower, by
written notice to the Administrative Agent, may request an extension of the
Termination Date in effect at such time by one calendar year from the then
scheduled Termination Date. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each
Lender of such request, and each Lender shall in turn, in its sole discretion,
not later than 15 days after the date of such extension request, notify the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing as to whether such Lender will
consent to such extension. If any Lender shall fail to notify the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower in writing of its consent to any such request for
extension of the Termination Date within 15 days after the date of such
extension request, such Lender shall be deemed to be a Non-Consenting Lender
with respect to such request. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower
not later than 15 days prior to such Anniversary Date of the decision of the
Lenders regarding the Borrower's request for an extension of the Termination
Date.
(b) If all of the Lenders consent in writing to any such
request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.17, the Termination
Date shall, effective as at such next Anniversary Date (the "Extension Date"),
be extended for one calendar
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year from the then scheduled Termination Date; provided that on each Extension
Date, no Event of Default, or event that with the giving of notice or passage of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing, or shall occur as a consequence thereof. If Lenders holding at least
a majority in interest of the aggregate Commitments at such time consent in
writing to any such request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section
2.17, the Termination Date in effect at such time shall, effective as at the
applicable Extension Date, be extended as to those Lenders that so have
consented (each a "Consenting Lender") but shall not be extended as to any other
Lender (each a "Non-Consenting Lender"). To the extent that the Termination Date
is not extended as to any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.17 and the
Commitment of such Lender is not assumed in accordance with subsection (c) of
this Section 2.17 on or prior to the applicable Extension Date, the Commitment
of such Non-Consenting Lender shall automatically terminate in whole on such
unextended Termination Date without any further notice or other action by the
Borrower, such Lender or any other Person; provided that such Non-Consenting
Lender's rights under Sections 2.11, 2.14, 8.04 and 8.09, and its obligations
under Section 7.05, shall survive the Termination Date for such Lender as to
matters occurring prior to such date. It is understood and agreed that no Lender
shall have any obligation whatsoever to agree to any request made by the
Borrower for any requested extension of the Termination Date.
(c) If Lenders holding at least 51% of the aggregate
Commitments at any time consent to any such request pursuant to subsection (a)
of this Section 2.17, the Borrower may arrange for one or more Consenting
Lenders or, to the extent that the Consenting Lenders decline to assume any
Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment, other Eligible Assignees (each such Eligible
Assignee that accepts an offer to assume a Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment as
of the applicable Extension Date and each Eligible Assignee that accepts an
offer to participate in a requested Commitment Increase in accordance with
Section 2.18(c) being an "Assuming Lender") to assume, effective as of the
Extension Date, any Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment and all of the
obligations of such Non-Consenting Lender under this Agreement thereafter
arising, without recourse to or warranty by, or expense to, such Non-Consenting
Lender; provided, however, that if the Borrower makes an offer to any Consenting
Lender to assume any Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment, it shall make such
offer to all Consenting Lenders on a pro rata basis based on their respective
Commitments and such Non-Consenting Lender's Commitment shall be allocated among
those Consenting Lenders which accept such offer on a pro rata basis based on
their respective Commitments, provided further however, that the amount of the
Commitment of any such Assuming Lender as a result of such substitution shall in
no event be less than $10,000,000 unless the amount of the Commitment of such
Non-Consenting Lender is less than $10,000,000, in which case such Assuming
Lender shall assume all of such lesser amount; and provided further that:
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(i) any such Consenting Lender or Assuming Lender shall have
paid to such Non-Consenting Lender (A) the aggregate principal amount
of, and any interest accrued and unpaid to the effective date of the
assignment on, the outstanding Advances, if any, of such Non-Consenting
Lender plus (B) any accrued but unpaid facility fees owing to such
Non-Consenting Lender as of the effective date of such assignment;
(ii) all additional costs reimbursements, expense
reimbursements and indemnities payable to such Non-Consenting Lender,
and all other accrued and unpaid amounts owing to such Non-Consenting
Lender hereunder, as of the effective date of such assignment shall
have been paid to such Non-Consenting Lender; and
(iii) with respect to any such Assuming Lender, the applicable
processing and recordation fee required under Section 8.07(a) for such
assignment shall have been paid;
provided further that such Non-Consenting Lender's rights under Sections 2.11,
2.14, 8.04 and 8.09, and its obligations under Section 7.05, shall survive such
substitution as to matters occurring prior to the date of substitution. At least
three Business Days prior to any Extension Date, (A) each such Assuming Lender,
if any, shall have delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent an
assumption agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent (an "Assumption Agreement"), duly executed by such Assuming
Lender, such Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent,
(B) any such Consenting Lender shall have delivered confirmation in writing
satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent as to the increase in
the amount of its Commitment, (C) each Non-Consenting Lender being replaced
pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent
any Note or Notes held by such Non-Consenting Lender and (D) the Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent a new A Note payable to the order of
each Assuming Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of Commitment
assumed by such Assuming Lender. Upon the payment or prepayment of all amounts
referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the immediately preceding
sentence, each such Consenting Lender or Assuming Lender, as of the Extension
Date, will be substituted for such Non-Consenting Lender under this Agreement
and shall be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement, without any further
acknowledgment by or the consent of the other Lenders, and the obligations of
each such Non-Consenting Lender hereunder shall, by the provisions hereof, be
released and discharged.
(d) If all of the Lenders (after giving effect to any
assignments pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 2.17) consent in writing
to a requested extension (whether by execution or delivery of an Assumption
Agreement or otherwise)
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not later than one Business Day prior to such Extension Date, the Administrative
Agent shall so notify the Borrower, and, so long as no Event of Default, or
event that with the giving of notice or passage of time or both would constitute
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing as of such Extension
Date, or shall occur as a consequence thereof, the Termination Date then in
effect shall be extended for the additional one year period described in
subsection (a) of this Section 2.17, and all references in this Agreement, and
in the Notes, if any, to the "Termination Date" shall, with respect to each
Consenting Lender and each Assuming Lender for such Extension Date, refer to the
Termination Date as so extended. Promptly following each Extension Date, the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders (including, without limitation,
each Assuming Lender) of the extension of the scheduled Termination Date in
effect immediately prior thereto and shall thereupon record in the Register the
relevant information with respect to each such Consenting Lender and each such
Assuming Lender.
SECTION 2.18. Increase in the Aggregate Commitments. (a) The
Borrower may, at any time after the Interim Guaranty Release Date or upon the
consent of the Interim Guarantor prior thereto, but in any event not more than
once in any calendar year prior to the Termination Date and provided that the
Borrower has not elected to reduce the Commitments during such calendar year
pursuant to Section 2.05, by notice to the Administrative Agent, request that
the aggregate amount of the Commitments be increased by an amount of $50,000,000
or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (each a "Commitment
Increase") to be effective as of a date that is at least 90 days prior to the
scheduled Termination Date then in effect (the "Increase Date") as specified in
the related notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that (i) in
no event shall the aggregate amount of the Commitments at any time exceed
$500,000,000, (ii) on the date of any request by the Borrower for a Commitment
Increase and at all times thereafter to and including the related Increase Date,
the Applicable Performance Level shall be at level 4 or better and (iii) no
Event of Default, or event that with the giving of notice or passage of time or
both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing
as of the date of such request or as of the applicable Increase Date, or shall
occur as a result of such Commitment Increase.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders
of a request by the Borrower for a Commitment Increase, which notice shall
include (i) the proposed amount of such requested Commitment Increase, (ii) the
proposed Increase Date and (iii) the date by which Lenders wishing to
participate in the Commitment Increase must commit to an increase in the amount
of their respective Commitments (the "Commitment Date"). Each Lender that is
willing to participate in such requested Commitment Increase (each an
"Increasing Lender") shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent on or
prior to the Commitment Date of the amount by which it is willing to increase
its Commitment. If the Lenders notify the Administrative Agent that
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they are willing to increase the amount of their respective Commitments by an
aggregate amount that exceeds the amount of the requested Commitment Increase,
the requested Commitment Increase shall be allocated among the Lenders willing
to participate therein based on a ratio of each existing Lender's proposed
Commitment increase, if any, to the aggregate of all of the existing Lenders'
proposed Commitment increases.
(c) Promptly following each Commitment Date, the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower as to the amount, if any, by
which the Lenders are willing to participate in the requested Commitment
Increase. If the aggregate amount by which the Lenders are willing to
participate in any requested Commitment Increase on any such Commitment Date is
less than the requested Commitment Increase, then the Borrower may extend offers
to one or more Eligible Assignees to participate in any portion of the requested
Commitment Increase that has not been committed to by the Lenders as of the
applicable Commitment Date.
(d) On each Increase Date, each Eligible Assignee that accepts
an offer to participate in a requested Commitment Increase in accordance with
Section 2.18(c) as an Assuming Lender shall become a Lender party to this
Agreement as of such Increase Date and the Commitment of each Increasing Lender
for such requested Commitment Increase shall be so increased by such amount (or
by the amount allocated to such Lender pursuant to the last sentence of Section
2.18(b)) as of such Increase Date; provided, however, that the Administrative
Agent shall have received on or before such Increase Date the following, each
dated such date:
(i) (A) certified copies of an Authorized Financial Officer of
the Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor, approving the Commitment Increase and the
corresponding modifications to this Agreement and (B) an opinion of
counsel for the Borrower and, if applicable, the Interim Guarantor
(which may be in-house counsel), in substantially the form of Exhibit
F-1 hereto;
(ii) an Assumption Agreement from each Assuming Lender, if
any, in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent, duly executed by such Eligible Assignee, the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower; and
(iii) confirmation from each Increasing Lender of the increase
in the amount of its Commitment in a writing satisfactory to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
On each Increase Date, upon fulfillment of the conditions set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence of this Section 2.18(d), the Administrative Agent
shall notify the
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Lenders (including, without limitation, each Assuming Lender)
and the Borrower, on or before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time), by telecopier or
telex, of the occurrence of the Commitment Increase to be effected on such
Increase Date and shall record in the Register the relevant information with
respect to each Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender on such date.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS OF LENDING
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Initial Advances. The
obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of the initial
Borrowing (which shall be an A Borrowing) is subject to the conditions precedent
that (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the day of
such initial Borrowing the following, each dated such day, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (except for the Notes) in
sufficient copies for each Lender:
(i) The Notes to the order of the Lenders, respectively;
(ii) Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of each of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor approving
the Spin-off and related transactions contemplated by the Form 10 and
duly authorizing each of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor to
execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement
and the Notes and to make Borrowings or guaranty Obligations, as the
case may be, and of all documents evidencing other necessary corporate
action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to this
Agreement and the Notes;
(iii) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of each of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor certifying the names
and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower or the Interim
Guarantor, as the case may be, authorized to sign this Agreement, the
Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder;
(iv) A favorable opinion of Marcia E. Doane, Vice President
and General Counsel for the Borrower, substantially in the form of
Exhibit F-1 hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender through
the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
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(v) A favorable opinion of Sidley & Austin, New York counsel
for the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 hereto and
as to such other matters as any Lender through the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request;
(vi) A favorable opinion of Hanes A. Heller, Vice President
and General Counsel for the Interim Guarantor, substantially in the
form of Exhibit F-3 hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender
through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, provided that
such Vice President and General Counsel of the Interim Guarantor is
qualified under New York State law;
(vii) A favorable opinion of Shearman & Sterling, counsel for
the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit G
hereto;
and (b) the Borrower shall have paid all accrued fees and expenses of the
Administrative Agent and the Arranger (including the accrued fees and expenses
of counsel to Administrative Agent and the Arranger then due and payable).
SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to Each A Borrowing. The
obligation of each Lender to make an A Advance on the occasion of each A
Borrowing (including the initial Borrowing) shall be subject to the further
conditions precedent that on the date of such Borrowing (a) the following
statements shall be true (and the Administrative Agent shall have received for
the account of such Lender a certificate signed by an Authorized Financial
Officer of the Borrower, dated the date of such Borrowing, stating that):
(i) The representations and warranties contained in Article IV
(excluding, except in the case of the initial Borrowing, those
contained in Section 4.01(e)(ii) and Section 4.02(e)(ii)) are correct
on and as of the date of such A Borrowing, before and after giving
effect to such A Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds
therefrom, as though made on and as of such date; provided that after
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, this paragraph (i) shall not apply
to any representation or warranty of the Interim Guarantor, and
(ii) No event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from such A Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or would constitute an
Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time
elapse or both;
and (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received such other approvals,
opinions or documents as any Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) through the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
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SECTION 3.03. Conditions Precedent to Each B Borrowing. The
obligation of each Lender which is to make a B Advance on the occasion of a B
Borrowing (including the initial B Borrowing) to make such B Advance is subject
to the conditions precedent that (a) at least (A) two Business Days before the
date of such B Borrowing if the Borrower selects a Fixed Rate Advance or (B) at
least four Business Days before the date of such B Borrowing if the Borrower
selects a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Administrative Agent shall have received
the written confirmatory Notice of B Borrowing with respect thereto, (b) on or
before the date of such B Borrowing but prior to such B Borrowing, the
Administrative Agent shall have received a B Note payable to the order of such
Lender for each of the one or more B Advances to be made by such Lender as part
of such B Borrowing, in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the
B Advance to be evidenced thereby and otherwise on such terms as were agreed to
for such B Advance in accordance with Section 2.03, (c) on the date of such B
Borrowing, the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the
applicable Notice of B Borrowing and the acceptance by the Borrower of the
proceeds of such B Borrowing shall constitute a representation and warranty by
the Borrower that on the date of such B Borrowing such statements are true):
(i) The representations and warranties contained in Article IV
(excluding those contained in Section 4.01(e)(ii) and Section
4.02(e)(ii) thereof) are correct on and as of the date of such B
Borrowing, before and after giving effect to such B Borrowing and to
the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of
such date; provided that after the Interim Guaranty Release Date, this
paragraph (i) shall not apply to any representation or warranty of the
Interim Guarantor,
(ii) No event has occurred and is continuing, or would result
from such B Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom, which constitutes an Event of Default or which would
constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be
given or time elapse or both, and
(iii) No event has occurred and no circumstances exist as a
result of which information concerning the Borrower that has been
provided to the Administrative Agent and each Lender by the Borrower in
connection herewith would include an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact or any fact necessary to make
the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading;
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and (d) the Administrative Agent shall have received such other approvals,
opinions or documents as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request.
SECTION 3.04. Conditions Precedent to Release of Interim
Guaranty. The Interim Guarantor's Obligations under this Agreement will remain
in full force and effect until the date (the "Interim Guaranty Release Date")
that the Spin-off shall have been consummated in accordance with the Form 10,
and the Interim Guarantor shall have transferred all assets constituting the
Corn Refining Business to the Borrower except for those assets to be transferred
at a later time as contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and except to the
extent that failure to transfer any asset or comply with any statement in the
Form 10 would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect. Immediately following completion of the Spin-off, the Interim Guarantor
shall provide written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.
The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of
this Agreement and the Notes, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, are within the Borrower's corporate powers, have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not
contravene (i) the Borrower's charter or by-laws or (ii) any law or
contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrower of this Agreement or the Notes.
(d) This Agreement is, and each of the Notes when delivered
hereunder will be, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their
respective terms.
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(e) (i) The pro forma combined balance sheets of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as at September 30, 1997 and the related pro forma
combined statements of income and retained earnings of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for the nine months then ended reflecting the
historical actions of the Corn Refining Business as set forth in Item
15 of the Form 10, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender,
fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at such date and the results of the operations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, in
each case as described in the Form 10, all in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The historical
actions of the Corn Refining Business, including the Interim
Guarantor's accounting policies, are attributable to the Borrower. The
financial results in these financial statements are not necessarily
indicative of the results that would have occurred if the Borrower had
been an independent public company during the periods presented. The
Borrower has previously delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of
the Borrower's pro forma combined balance sheets and the related
combined statements of income and retained earnings for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997 as reflected in the Form 10.
(ii) Since September 30, 1997 there has been no material
adverse change in such financial condition or operations or the
Borrower's prospects except as reflected in the Form 10.
(f) There is no pending or threatened action or proceeding
affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court,
governmental agency or arbitrator, which may materially adversely
affect the financial condition or operations of the Borrower or the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which purports to
affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this
Agreement or any Note.
(g) No Termination Event has occurred or, to the knowledge of
the Borrower, is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan
that has resulted or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is reasonably
likely to result in a liability of the Borrower that exceeds
$5,000,000.
(h) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate of the
Borrower has incurred or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is
reasonably expected to incur any Withdrawal Liability exceeding
$5,000,000 to any Multiemployer Plan.
(i) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate of the
Borrower has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that
such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated,
within the meaning of Title IV of
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ERISA, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no Multiemployer Plan is
reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, within
the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
(j) No single lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance (including liens or retained security titles of conditional
vendors) of any nature whatsoever on any properties of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries (a "Lien") as of the date hereof secured any
Debt in excess of $25,000,000 and that the aggregate of such Liens did
not secure any Debt in excess of $100,000,000.
(k) Following application of the proceeds of each Advance, not
more than 25 percent of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower
only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis)
which are subject to the provisions of Sections 5.02(a) or 5.02(e) or
subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument
between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender
relating to Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is
outstanding in a principal amount of at least $25,000,000 will be
Margin Stock.
(l) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an
"investment company," or an "affiliated person" of, or a "promoter" or
"Principal underwriter" for, an "investment company," as such terms are
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(m) Except as publicly disclosed prior to the date of this
Agreement, the operations and properties of the Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries do not violate any Environmental Laws in a manner that
will cause a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.02. Representations and Warranties of the Interim
Guarantor. The Interim Guarantor, until the Interim Guaranty Release Date,
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The Interim Guarantor and each of its Subsidiaries is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Interim
Guarantor of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, are within the Interim Guarantor's corporate
powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action,
and do not contravene (i) the Interim
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Guarantor's charter or by-laws or (ii) any law or contractual
restriction binding on or affecting the Interim Guarantor.
(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the
Interim Guarantor of this Agreement.
(d) This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Interim Guarantor enforceable against the Interim Guarantor in
accordance with its terms.
(e) (i) The Consolidated balance sheets of the Interim
Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1996 and the related
Consolidated statements of income and retained earnings of the Interim
Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, fairly
present the financial condition of the Interim Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries as at such date and the results of the operations of the
Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such
date, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied. The Interim Guarantor has previously delivered to
the Administrative Agent (who will send a copy to each Lender) copies
of the Interim Guarantor's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996.
(ii) Since December 31, 1996 there has been no material
adverse change in such financial condition or operations or the Interim
Guarantor's prospects except as publicly disclosed prior to this
Agreement.
(f) There is no pending or threatened action or proceeding
affecting the Interim Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries before any
court, governmental agency or arbitrator, which may materially
adversely affect the financial condition or operations of the Interim
Guarantor or the Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or which purports to affect the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of this Agreement.
(g) No Termination Event has occurred or, to the knowledge of
the Interim Guarantor, is reasonably expected to occur with respect to
any Plan that has resulted or, to the knowledge of the Interim
Guarantor, is reasonably likely to result in a liability of the Interim
Guarantor that exceeds $10,000,000.
(h) Neither the Interim Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate of
the Interim Guarantor has incurred or, to the knowledge of the Interim
Guarantor, is reasonably expected to incur any Withdrawal Liability
exceeding $5,000,000 to any Multiemployer Plan.
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(i) Neither the Interim Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate of
the Interim Guarantor has been notified by the sponsor of a
Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and, to
the knowledge of the Interim Guarantor, no Multiemployer Plan is
reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, within
the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
(j) No single lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance (including liens or retained security titles of conditional
vendors) of any nature whatsoever on any properties of the Interim
Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries (a "Lien") as of the date hereof
secured any Debt in excess of $50,000,000 and that the aggregate of
such Liens did not secure any Debt in excess of $200,000,000.
(k) Not more than 25 percent of the value of the assets
(either of the Interim Guarantor only or of the Interim Guarantor and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) which are subject to the
provisions of Sections 5.02(a) or 5.02(e) or subject to any restriction
contained in any agreement or instrument between the Interim Guarantor
and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Debt of the
Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries which is outstanding in a
principal amount of at least $50,000,000 will be Margin Stock.
(l) Neither the Interim Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries
is an "investment company," or an "affiliated person" of, or a
"promoter" or "Principal underwriter" for, an "investment company," as
such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
(m) Except as publicly disclosed prior to the date of this
Agreement, the operations and properties of the Interim Guarantor and
each of its Subsidiaries do not violate any Environmental Laws in a
manner that will cause a Material Adverse Effect.
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ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants. So long as any Advance
shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the
Borrower, with respect to itself, and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim Guarantor, with respect to itself, unless the Majority Lenders
shall otherwise consent in writing, will, subject to Section 8.13, each:
(a) Compliance with Laws, Payment of Taxes, Etc. Comply, and
cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with
all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, such compliance to
include, without limitation, compliance with ERISA, and paying before
the same become delinquent (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property and (ii) all lawful claims
that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its property except to
the extent otherwise permitted under Section 5.02(a) or to the extent
contested in good faith, and to comply, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws in a
manner so that the violation of such laws does not have a Material
Adverse Effect on such Person.
(b) Maintenance of Books and Records. Maintain proper
Consolidated books of record and account, in which full and correct
entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the
Consolidated assets and business of such Person and its Subsidiaries in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied.
(c) Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Preserve and
maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain,
its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises,
except to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 5.02(e)
provided, however, that each such Person and its Subsidiaries may
consummate any merger or consolidation permitted under Section 5.02(b)
and may wind up, liquidate or dissolve any of their respective inactive
Subsidiaries, and provided further, that neither such Person nor any of
its Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any right or franchise
if the Board of Directors of such Person or such Subsidiary shall
determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the business of such Person or such Subsidiary, as the case
may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any
material respect to such Person, such Subsidiary or the Lenders.
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(d) Reporting Requirements. Furnish to the Administrative
Agent (who promptly will send a copy to each Lender); provided,
however, that the Interim Guarantor shall not be required to comply
with this Section 5.02(d) unless the Interim Guaranty Release Date
shall not have occurred prior to January 1, 1998:
(i) (A) Prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date,
as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the
end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of
the Interim Guarantor, the Consolidated balance sheet of the
Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such
quarter and the Consolidated statement of income and retained
earnings of the Interim Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the
period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and
ending with the end of such quarter, certified in its
customary manner by an Authorized Financial Officer;
(B) From and after the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, as soon as available and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each of the first
three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and
the Consolidated statement of income and retained
earnings of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal
year and ending with the end of such quarter,
certified in its customary manner by an Authorized
Financial Officer, and
(C) At the time of delivery of the financial
statements referred to in clause (A) or (B) above,
for each quarter in which an Advance shall at any
time be outstanding, a certificate signed by an
Authorized Financial Officer of the Borrower or, if
applicable, the Interim Guarantor, stating that no
event has occurred and is continuing which
constitutes an Event of Default or would constitute
an Event of Default but for the requirement that
notice be given or time elapse or both; and
(ii) (A) Prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date,
as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year of the Interim Guarantor, a copy of
the annual report for such year for the Interim Guarantor and
its Subsidiaries, containing financial statements for such
year certified in a manner acceptable to the Majority Lenders
by KPMG Peat Marwick & Co., LLP or other independent public
accountants
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acceptable to the Majority Lenders, such acceptance
not to be unreasonably withheld,
(B) From and after the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, as soon as available and in any event
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of
the Borrower, a copy of the annual report for such
year for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
containing financial statements for such year
certified in a manner acceptable to the Majority
Lenders by KPMG Peat Marwick & Co., LLP or other
independent public accountants acceptable to the
Majority Lenders, such acceptance not to be
unreasonably withheld, and
(C) At the time of delivery of the financial
statements referred to in clause (A) or (B) above, a
certificate signed by an Authorized Financial Officer
of the Borrower or, if applicable, the Interim
Guarantor, stating that no event has occurred and is
continuing which constitutes an Event of Default or
would constitute an Event of Default but for the
requirement that notice be given or time elapse or
both; and
(iii) as soon as possible and in any event within
five days after the occurrence of each Event of Default and
each event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time,
or both, would constitute an Event of Default, continuing on
the date of such statement, a statement of an Authorized
Financial Officer setting forth details of such Event of
Default or event and the action which the Borrower has taken
and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(iv) promptly after the sending or filing thereof,
copies of all reports which the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, sends to
any of its security holders, and copies of all reports and
registration statements which such Person or any Subsidiary
files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
national securities exchange;
(v) as soon as the Borrower knows, and in any event
immediately upon the occurrence, of a change in a Public Debt
Rating, a statement of an Authorized Financial Officer setting
forth the new Public Debt Rating and the date of such change
in the Public Debt Rating;
(vi) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice
of all actions and proceedings before any court, governmental
agency or
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arbitrator affecting the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any
of its Subsidiaries of the type described in Section 4.01(f);
(vii) as soon as possible and in any event (A) within
15 days after the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliate
knows or has reason to know that any Termination Event
described in clause (i) of the definition of Termination Event
with respect to any Plan of the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any
ERISA Affiliate has occurred, and (B) within 10 days after the
Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor,or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason
to know that any other Termination Event with respect to any
Plan of the Borrower, or, prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliate
has occurred, a statement of an Authorized Financial Officer
describing such Termination Event and the action, if any,
which the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim Guarantor, or such ERISA Affiliate proposes
to take with respect thereto;
(viii) promptly and in any event within five Business
Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any
ERISA Affiliate, copies of each notice received by the
Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor, or such ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC
stating its intention to terminate any Plan of the Borrower
or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim
Guarantor or such ERISA Affiliate or to have a trustee
appointed to administer any such Plan;
(ix) promptly and in any event within 30 days after
the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies
of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual
report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Plan of the
Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliate;
(x) promptly and in any event within five Business
Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or any
ERISA Affiliate from the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan, a
copy of each notice received by the Borrower or, prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, or such
ERISA Affiliate concerning (A) the imposition of Withdrawal
Liability by a Multiemployer Plan, (B) the determination that
a Multiemployer Plan is,
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or is expected to be, in reorganization within the
meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (C) the termination of a
Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or
(D) the amount of liability incurred, or expected to be
incurred, by such Person or such ERISA Affiliate in connection
with any event described in clause (A), (B) or (C) above; and
(xi) such other information respecting the condition
or operations, financial or otherwise, of such Person or any
of its Subsidiaries as any Lender through the Administrative
Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
(e) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance (including, without limitation,
liability insurance) with responsible and reputable insurance companies
or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar
properties in the same general areas in which such Person or such
Subsidiary operates.
(f) Visitation Rights. In the case of the Borrower, at any
reasonable time and from time to time, at the request of the Majority
Lenders, permit the Administrative Agent and any of the Lenders or any
agents or representatives thereof, to examine and make copies of and
abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the
properties of, the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss
the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any of its
Subsidiaries with any of their officers or directors and with their
independent certified public accountants.
SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants. So long as any Advance shall
remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower
and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, without
the written consent of the Majority Lenders, will not, subject to Section 8.13:
(a) Liens, Etc. Create or suffer to exist, or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to create or suffer to exist, any lien, security
interest or other charge or encumbrance, or any other type of
preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to its properties,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign, or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to assign, any right to receive income, in each case
to secure or provide for the payment of any Debt of any Person, other
than (i) liens or security interests existing on the date hereof and,
in the case of the Borrower, set forth on Schedule 5.02(a), (ii)
purchase money liens or purchase money security interests upon or in
any property acquired or held by such Person or any Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such
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property or to secure indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of
financing the acquisition of such property, (iii) liens or security
interests existing on such property at the time of its acquisition
(other than any such lien or security interest created in contemplation
of such acquisition), or (iv) liens, security interests or other
charges or encumbrances (other than those referred to in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above) at any time outstanding securing an aggregate
principal amount of Debt not exceeding in the case of the Interim
Guarantor prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, $200,000,000, and
in the case of the Borrower at all times, $100,000,000, (or, in each
case, its equivalent in another currency), provided that the aggregate
principal amount of the Debt secured by the liens or security interests
referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall not exceed in the
case of the Interim Guarantor prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, $150,000,000, and in the case of the Borrower at all times,
$75,000,000, (or in each case its equivalent in another currency) at
any time outstanding.
(b) Mergers, Etc. Merge or consolidate with or into, or
convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of
its assets, (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so, except that any Subsidiary
of such Person may merge or consolidate with or into, or transfer
assets to, or acquire assets of, any other Subsidiary of such Person
and except that any Subsidiary of such Person may merge into or
transfer assets to such Person and such Person may merge or
consolidate, and any Subsidiary of such Person may merge or
consolidate, with or into any other Person, provided in each case that,
immediately after giving effect to such proposed transaction, no Event
of Default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time,
or both, would constitute an Event of Default would exist and in the
case of any such merger or consolidation to which such Person is a
party, the Person into which such Person shall be merged or formed by
any such consolidation shall first or simultaneously assume such
Person's obligations hereunder and, in the case of the Borrower, under
the Notes, in each case, in an agreement or instrument satisfactory in
form and substance to the Majority Lenders.
(c) Financial Covenants. From and after the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, (i) permit the Debt to Capitalization Ratio of the
Borrower to exceed 45 percent or (ii) permit the Interest Coverage
Ratio to be less than 3.50.
(d) Change in Nature of Business. Make, or permit one or more
of its Subsidiaries to make, any material change in the nature of the
business of such Person and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole as
carried on at the date hereof.
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(e) Disposition of Assets. Lease, sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of, and cause its Subsidiaries to lease, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any assets except
for consideration in an amount not less than the fair market value of
such asset as determined in good faith by such Person's Board of
Directors and only if such Person promptly notifies the Administrative
Agent of such lease, sale, transfer, or other disposition, excluding,
however, (i) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) sales, transfers and other dispositions of equipment determined to
be obsolete or no longer useful, (iii) sales, transfers or other
dispositions of Margin Stock and (iv) sales, transfers or other
dispositions of other assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries to the
extent that the aggregate fair market value of all such other assets so
leased, sold (including, without limitation, sale and leaseback
transactions), transferred and disposed after the date hereof shall not
exceed $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency); provided
that the Borrower may transfer the proceeds of the initial Borrowing to
the Interim Guarantor pursuant to the Debt Agreement described in the
Form 10, the Interim Guarantor may transfer the Corn Refining Business
to the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor may distribute the capital
stock of the Borrower to its shareholders, in each case as contemplated
by the Spin-off and the Form 10.
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. If any of the following
events ("Events of Default") shall occur and be continuing:
(a) (i) The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any
Advance when it becomes due and payable, (ii) the Borrower shall fail
to pay any interest on any Advance within three Business Days of when
it becomes due and payable or (iii) either the Borrower or, prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, shall fail to
make any other payment under this Agreement or, in the case of the
Borrower, under any other Loan Document if such failure shall remain
unremedied for five days after a demand for payment is given to such
Person by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(b) Any representation or warranty made herein by either the
Borrower or any of its officers, or prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of its officers, in each
case in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been
incorrect in any material respect when made; or
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(c) Either the Borrower, or prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor, shall fail to perform or observe
(i) any term, covenant or agreement required to be performed or
observed by it contained in Section 5.01(c), 5.01(d)(iii), 5.01(f) or
5.02, or (ii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement on its part to be performed or observed if such failure shall
remain unremedied for 10 days after written notice thereof shall have
been given to such Person by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
(d) (i) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Debt which is
outstanding in a principal amount of at least $25,000,000 (or its
equivalent in another currency) in the aggregate or (ii) prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of its
Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest
on any Debt which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least
$50,000,000 in the aggregate, (but, in each case excluding Debt
evidenced by the Notes or otherwise arising under this Agreement), in
each case when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled
maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and
such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any,
specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Debt; or any
other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or
instrument relating to any such Debt and shall continue after the
applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or
instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate,
or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Debt; or any
such Debt shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be
prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment),
redeemed, purchased or defeased, or an offer to prepay, redeem,
purchase or defease such Debt shall be required to be made, in each
case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(e) Either the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, prior
to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of
its Subsidiaries, shall generally not pay its debts as such debts
become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts
generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against such
Person or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt
or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or
its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order
for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its
property; or such Person or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any
corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in
this subsection (e); or
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(f) Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess
of in the case of the Borrower, $25,000,000, or, in the case of the
Interim Guarantor and prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date,
$50,000,000 (or in each case, its equivalent in another currency) shall
be rendered against such Person or any of its Subsidiaries and either
(i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor
upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 10
consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or
order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect; or
(g) (i) Any Person, other than the Interim Guarantor prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, or two or more Persons acting in
concert shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of Voting
Stock of the Borrower (or other securities convertible into such Voting
Stock) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of all
Voting Stock of the Borrower; or (ii) during any period of up to 24
consecutive months, commencing after the date of this Agreement,
individuals who at the beginning of such 24-month period were directors
of the Borrower shall cease for any reason (other than due to death or
disability) to constitute a majority of the board of directors of the
Borrower (except to the extent that individuals who at the beginning of
such 24-month period were replaced by individuals (x) elected by
66-2/3% of the remaining members of the board of directors of the
Borrower or (y) nominated for election by a majority of the remaining
members of the board of directors of the Borrower and thereafter
elected as directors by the shareholders of the Borrower); or (iii)
any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall have
acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a
contract or arrangement that, upon consummation, will result in its or
their acquisition of, the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a
controlling influence over the management or policies of the Borrower;
or
(h) An ERISA Default shall occur and be continuing or a lien
under Section 4068 of ERISA shall be imposed against the assets of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request,
or may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower,
declare the obligation of each Lender to make Advances to be terminated,
whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or
may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower,
declare the Notes and all A Advances and B Advances then outstanding, all
interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be
forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Notes and all A Advances and B Advances
then outstanding, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be
forthwith
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due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided,
however, that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief
with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or prior to the Interim
Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, in each
case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (A) the obligation of each Lender to
make Advances shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Notes and all such
Advances then outstanding, all such interest and all such amounts shall
automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
each of the Borrower and the Interim Guarantor.
ARTICLE VII
THE AGENTS
SECTION 7.01. Authorization and Action. Each Lender hereby
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on
its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under this Agreement as
are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with
such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any
matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, enforcement or collection of the Debt resulting from the Advances),
the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or
take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and
shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the
instructions of the Majority Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding
upon all Lenders and all holders of the Notes; provided, however, that the
Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the
Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this
Agreement or applicable law. The Administrative Agent agrees to give to each
Lender prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrower or the Interim
Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.02. Administrative Agent's Reliance, Etc. Neither
the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees
shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under
or in connection with this Agreement, except for its or their own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the generality of the
foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (i) may treat the Lender that made any
Advance as the holder of the Debt resulting therefrom until the Administrative
Agent receives and accepts an Assumption Agreement entered into by an Assuming
Lender as provided in Sections 2.17 and 2.18 or an Assignment and Acceptance
entered into by such Lender, as assignor, and an Eligible Assignee, as assignee
as provided in Section 8.07; (ii) may consult with legal counsel (including
counsel for the Borrower and counsel for the Interim Guarantor), independent
public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for
any
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action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the
advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (iii) makes no warranty or
representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any
statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made in or
in connection with this Agreement; (iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or
to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or
conditions of this Agreement on the part of the Borrower or the Interim
Guarantor or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the
Borrower or the Interim Guarantor; (v) shall not be responsible to any Lender
for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto; and (vi) shall incur no liability under or in respect
of this Agreement by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other
instrument or writing (which may be by telecopier, telegram, cable or telex)
believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.
SECTION 7.03. Citibank, First Chicago, Chase Manhattan and
Affiliates. With respect to their Commitments, the Advances made by them and the
Notes issued to them, Citibank, First Chicago and Chase Manhattan shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise
the same as though they were not the Administrative Agent, Documentation Agent
and Co-Agent respectively; and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless
otherwise expressly indicated, include Citibank, First Chicago or Chase
Manhattan in its individual capacity. Citibank, First Chicago, Chase Manhattan
and their respective Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as
trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business with,
the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, any of their respective Subsidiaries and
any Person who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or the
Interim Guarantor or any such Subsidiary, all as if Citibank were not the
Administrative Agent, Citicorp Securities, Inc. were not the Arranger, First
Chicago were not the Documentation Agent and Chase Manhattan were not the
Co-Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
SECTION 7.04. Lender Credit Decision. Each Lender acknowledges
that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or
any other Lender and based on the financial statements referred to in Section
4.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender
also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement.
SECTION 7.05. Indemnification. The Lenders (other than the
Designated Bidders) agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent
not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to the respective principal
amounts of the A Advances then owing to each of them (or if no such A Advances
are at the time outstanding or if any such A Advances
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are then owing to Persons which are not Lenders, ratably according to the
respective amounts of their Commitments), from and against any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which
may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in
any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any action taken
or omitted by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, provided that no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements resulting from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or
willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender (other
than the Designated Bidders) agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent
promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses
(including counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection
with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification,
amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or
otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under,
this Agreement, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed
for such expenses by the Borrower.
SECTION 7.06. Successor Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to
the Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time with or without
cause by the Majority Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the
Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative
Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Majority Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the
Majority Lenders' removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the
retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws
of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative
Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring
Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent,
the provisions of this Article VII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this
Agreement.
SECTION 7.07. Documentation Agent, Co-Agent and Arranger. The
Documentation Agent, Co-Agent and Arranger shall have no duties or obligations
under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in their respective capacities
as Documentation Agent, Co-Agent and Arranger.
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ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or the A Notes, nor consent to any departure by
either of the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor, therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Lenders, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent
shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders (other than the
Designated Bidders), do any of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions
specified in Section 3.01 or 3.02, (b) increase the Commitments of the Lenders
(other than as provided in Section 2.18) or subject the Lenders to any
additional obligations, (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the A Notes
or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for
any payment of principal of, or interest on, the A Notes or any fees or other
amounts payable hereunder, (e) change the percentage of the Commitments or of
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the A Notes, or the number of Lenders,
which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action
hereunder, (f) amend this Section 8.01 or (g) reduce or limit the obligations of
the Interim Guarantor under Section 9.01(a) prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date; provided further that no amendment, waiver or consent shall,
unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders, waive any of the conditions
specified in Section 3.03, provided further, that no amendment, waiver or
consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the holders of B Notes at
such time (a) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the B Notes, (b) postpone
any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the B Notes of
(c) change the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the B Notes, and provided
further that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed
by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take
such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this
Agreement or any Note.
SECTION 8.02. Notices, Etc. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including
telegraphic, telecopy or telex) and mailed (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested), telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or delivered, if to the Borrower,
at its address at Corn Products International, Inc., 6500 South Archer Road,
Bedford Park, Illinois 60501-1933, Attention: Treasurer; if to the Interim
Guarantor, at its address at CPC International Inc., P.O. Box 8000, Englewood
Cliffs, NJ 07632, Attn: Vice President and Treasurer; if to any Bank, at its
Domestic Lending Office specified opposite its name on Schedule I hereto; if to
any other Lender, at its Domestic Lending Office specified in the Assignment and
Acceptance or Designation Agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender; and if
to the Administrative Agent, at its address at Two Penns Way, Suite 200, New
Castle, DE 19720, Fax No. (302) 894-6032, Attention: Mr. Tim White; or, as to
each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties. All such notices and communications shall,
when mailed, telegraphed, telecopied or telexed, be effective
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when deposited in the mails, telecopied, delivered to the telegraph company or
confirmed by telex answerback, respectively, except that notices and
communications to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article II, III or VII
shall not be effective until received by the Administrative Agent, notices to
the Borrower pursuant to Article VI shall not be effective until received by the
Borrower and notices to the Interim Guarantor under Article IX shall not be
effective until received by the Interim Guarantor.
SECTION 8.03. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of
any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising,
any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
SECTION 8.04. Costs and Expenses. (a) The Borrower agrees to
pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses of both the Administrative Agent
and the Arranger in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement, the Notes and the
other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, (A)
all due diligence, syndication (including printing, distribution and bank
meetings), transportation, computer, duplication, appraisal, consultant, and
audit expenses and (B) the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel
for the Administrative Agent and the Arranger with respect thereto and with
respect to advising the Administrative Agent and the Arranger as to each such
party's respective rights and responsibilities under this Agreement. The
Borrower further agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any (including, without limitation,
reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent and each
Lender), in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of this Agreement, the Notes and the other documents
to be delivered hereunder including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees
and expenses for the Administrative Agent and each Lender in connection with the
enforcement of rights under this Section 8.04(a).
(b) If any payment of principal of, or Conversion of, any
Eurodollar Rate Advance is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a
Lender other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance or the
maturity date for such Advance as specified in accordance with Section 2.03(d),
as a result of a payment or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.08(f), 2.09, 2.10
or 2.12 or acceleration of the maturity of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.01 or
for any other reason, the Borrower shall, upon demand by any Lender (with a copy
of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for
any additional losses, costs or expenses which it may reasonably incur as a
result of such payment or Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss
(including loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of
the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any
Lender to fund or maintain such Advance. A certificate setting forth with
reasonable specificity the basis
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for and amount of such losses, costs or expenses shall be submitted to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender and shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(c) Without prejudice to any other rights which the Lenders
may have hereunder or under applicable law, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, each Lender, any of their
Affiliates and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors
and agents (each, an "Indemnified Party") from and against any and all claims,
damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, fees
and disbursements of counsel), that may be incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent, the Arranger, such Lender or any of their Affiliates or
any such director, officer, employee, advisor or agent which would not have been
incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party but for the
Administrative Agent or such Lender being a party to this Agreement, in each
case arising out of or in connection with or by reason of, or in connection with
the preparation for a defense of, any investigation, litigation, or proceeding
arising out of, related to or in connection with (i) the Notes or this
Agreement, or related to any transaction or proposed transaction (whether or not
consummated) in which any proceeds of any Borrowing are applied or proposed to
be applied, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower (including, without
limitation, any such application or proposed application by the Borrower related
to any acquisition or proposed acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
affiliate of the Borrower of all or any portion of the stock or substantially
all of the assets of any Person), or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds
of the Advances, whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, such
Lender or any of their Affiliates or any such director, officer, employee,
advisor or agent is a party to such transaction or (ii) the Borrower's entering
into this Agreement or the Notes, or to any actions or omissions of the
Borrower, any of its respective Subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its or
their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, affiliates or agents
in connection therewith, in each case whether or not such investigation,
litigation or proceeding is brought by the Borrower, its directors, shareholders
or creditors or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified
Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated, except to the extent such claim, damage,
loss, liability or expense (A) is found in a final, non-appealed judgment by a
court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party's
gross negligence or willful misconduct or (B) arising from disputes among two or
more Lenders (but not including any such dispute that involves a Lender to the
extent that such Lender is acting in any different capacity (such as an
Administrative Agent or Arranger)). The Borrower also agrees not to assert any
claim against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any Lender, any of their
Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors
and agents, on any theory of liability, for consequential or punitive damages
arising out of or otherwise relating to the Notes, this Agreement, any of the
transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds
of the Advances. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (c) shall
survive the Termination Date, provided that this subsection (c) shall not apply
to derivative
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claims of the stockholders of any Lender against such Lender if such claims are
based upon occurrences subsequent to the Termination Date.
(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement
of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower
contained in Sections 2.14, 7.05 and 8.04 shall survive the payment in full of
principal, interest and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the Notes.
SECTION 8.05. Right of Set-off. Upon (a) the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default and (b) the making of the request
or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.01 to authorize the
Administrative Agent to declare the Notes due and payable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 6.01, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any
time owing by such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account
of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or
hereafter existing under this Agreement and the Notes, whether or not such
Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such Note and although
such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the
Borrower after any such set-off and application, provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
The rights of each Lender and each of its Affiliates under this Section are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other
rights of set-off) which such Lender and each of its Affiliates may have.
SECTION 8.06. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become
effective (other than Sections 2.01 and 2.03 which shall only become effective
upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01, 3.02
and 3.03) when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
by each Lender, the Documentation Agent, the Co-Agent and the Arranger that such
Lender, Documentation Agent, Co-Agent or Arranger, as the case may be, has
executed it and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and their respective successors
and assigns, provided that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its
rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the
Lenders except as a result of a merger or consolidation permitted by Section
5.02(e).
SECTION 8.07. Assignments, Designations and Participations.
(a) Each Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) may (and shall if requested to
do so by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.11(c)) assign to any Person, all or
a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes
(including, without limitation, all of its Commitment, the A Advances (other
than any B Advances or B Notes) owing to it and the A Note or Notes held by it);
provided, however, that (i) other than in the case of an assignment to a Person,
that immediately
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prior to such assignment was a Lender, or an Affiliate of a Lender (whereupon
notice thereof shall promptly be given to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent), each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee to which the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent have consented (with respect to an
assignment of all of such Lender's rights and obligations hereunder, such
consents may not be unreasonably withheld), and (ii) the parties to each such
assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its
acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance, together
with any A Note or Notes subject to such assignment and a processing and
recordation fee of $3,000 if the assignee is not already a Lender. Upon such
execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date
specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date shall be at
least five Business Days after the execution and delivery thereof to the
Administrative Agent, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it
pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender hereunder and (y) the Lender assignor thereunder shall, to the extent
that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party
hereto).
(b) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance,
the Lender assignor thereunder and the assignee thereunder confirm to and agree
with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in, or in connection with, this
Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its
obligations under this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of
this Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such
Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent, such assigning Lender or any other
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee confirms that it is an Eligible
Assignee; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to
take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this
Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such
assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by
it as a Lender.
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(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address
referred to in Section 8.02 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance and each
Designation Agreement delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of each of the Lenders and, with respect
to Lenders other than Designated Bidders, the Commitment of, and principal
amount of the A Advances owing to, each Lender from time to time (the
"Register"). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a
Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by an assigning Lender and an assignee representing that it is an Eligible
Assignee the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has
been completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto, (i) accept
such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in
the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower. Within five
Business Days after its receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent in exchange for the surrendered A Note or
Notes a new A Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to
the Commitment assumed by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if
the assigning Lender has retained a Commitment hereunder, a new A Note to the
order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the Commitment retained by
it hereunder. Such new A Note or Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of such surrendered A Note or Notes,
shall be dated the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance and shall
otherwise be in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto.
(e) Each Lender may assign to one or more banks or other
entities any B Note or Notes held by it, and each Lender (other than a
Designated Bidder) may designate one or more banks or other entities to have a
right to make B Advances as a Lender pursuant to Section 2.03; provided that
(i) other than in the case of a designation by a Lender of an Affiliate of such
Lender, such Lender shall have obtained the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed, (ii) no such Lender shall be entitled to make more than two
such designations, (iii) each such Lender making one or more of such
designations shall retain the right to make B Advances as a Lender pursuant to
Section 2.03, (iv) each such designation shall be to a Designated Bidder and
(v) the parties to each such designation shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, a
Designation Agreement. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording,
from and after the effective date specified in each Designation Agreement, the
designee thereunder shall be a party hereto with a right to make B Advances as a
Lender pursuant to Section 2.03 and the obligations related thereto.
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(f) By executing and delivering a Designation Agreement, the
Lender making the designation thereunder and its designee thereunder confirm and
agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such Lender
makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect
to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) such Lender makes no representations or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its
obligations under this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto; (iii) such designee confirms that it has received a copy of
this Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into the
Designation Agreement; (iv) such designee will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent, such designating Lender or any other
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under this Agreement; (v) such designee confirms that it is a Designated
Bidder; (vi) such designee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to
take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this
Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such
designee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by
it as a Lender.
(g) Upon its receipt of a Designation Agreement executed by a
designating Lender and a designee representing that it is a Designated Bidder,
the Administrative Agent shall, if such Designation Agreement has been completed
and is substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, (i) accept such
Designation Agreement, (ii) record the information contained therein in the
Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower.
(h) Each Lender (other than a Designated Bidder) may sell
participations to one or more banks or other entities in or to all or a portion
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment, the Advances owing to it and the
A Note or Notes held by it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment
to the Borrower hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain
solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
obligations, (iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such A Note or
Notes for all purposes of this Agreement, (iv) the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such
Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
Agreement, and (v) no participant under any such participation shall have any
right to approve any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or
any Note, or any consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, except to
the extent that such amendment, waiver or consent would reduce the
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principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to such participation, or postpone
any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to
such participation. If the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall request the
written consent of such participant to any of the actions set forth in this
paragraph (h), and shall not receive either the consent thereto or denial
thereof in writing within five Business Days of making such request, such
participant shall be deemed to have given its consent.
(i) Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment,
designation or participation or proposed assignment, designation or
participation pursuant to this Section 8.07, disclose to the assignee, designee
or participant or proposed assignee, designee or participant, any information
relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the
Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee, designee or
participant or proposed assignee, designee or participant shall agree to
preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the
Borrower received by it from such Lender by executing and delivering to the
Administrative Agent in the case of an assignment or designation, and to such
Lender in the case of a participation, a letter in substantially the form of
Exhibit E hereto.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this
Agreement, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
Advances owing to it and the Notes held by it) in favor of any Federal Reserve
Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
SECTION 8.08. Acknowledgements. Each of the Borrower and the
Interim Guarantor hereby acknowledges that: (a) it has been advised by counsel
in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and, in the case of
the Borrower, the other Loan Documents; (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor
any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or fiduciary duty to the Borrower
or the Interim Guarantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or,
in the case of the Borrower, any of the other Loan Documents, and the
relationship between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the one hand,
and the Borrower or the Interim Guarantor, on the other hand, in connection
herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and (c) no joint
venture is created hereby or, in the case of the Borrower, by the other Loan
Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby
among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders or among the Borrower,
the Interim Guarantor and the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8.09. Consent to Jurisdiction. (a) The Borrower and,
prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor each hereby
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State or Federal court
sitting in New York City and any appellate court from any thereof in any action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and the Borrower
and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor each
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hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or in such Federal
court. The Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim
Guarantor each hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent that it may
effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of
any such action or proceeding. The Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor each hereby irrevocably appoints CT
Corporation System (the "Process Agent"), with an office on the date hereof at
1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, as its agent to receive on behalf of
the Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim
Guarantor and their respective property, service of copies of the summons and
complaint, and any other process which may be served in any such action or
proceeding. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such
process to the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent's above
address with a copy to the Borrower or, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release
Date, the Interim Guarantor at its address referred to in Section 8.02, and the
Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor
each hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such
service on its behalf. As an alternative method of service, the Borrower and,
prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor each also
irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or
proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to the Borrower or, prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor at its address
specified in Section 8.02. The Borrower and, prior to the Interim Guaranty
Release Date, the Interim Guarantor each agrees that a final judgment in any
such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
(b) Nothing in this Section 8.09 shall affect the right of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner
permitted by law or affect the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
to bring any action or proceeding against the Borrower or, prior to the Interim
Guaranty Release Date, the Interim Guarantor or their respective property in the
courts of any other jurisdictions including the Federal and State courts sitting
in the State of Illinois or the State of New Jersey, respectively.
SECTION 8.10. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 8.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopier
shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.
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SECTION 8.12. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Borrower, the
Interim Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby irrevocably
waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim
(whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, the Notes or the actions of the Administrative Agent, the
Arranger or any Lender in the negotiation, administration, performance or
enforcement thereof.
SECTION 8.13. Certain Actions. No action taken by the Interim
Guarantor or the Borrower in connection with the Spin-off or any transaction
contemplated by the Form 10, the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary
Agreement (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) and no action taken by the
Interim Guarantor with respect to the merger of the Interim Guarantor with a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Interim Guarantor for the sole purpose of
changing the Interim Guarantor's name to "Bestfoods" shall be deemed to violate
any of the representations, warranties, covenants or other provisions contained
in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Article IV,
Article V, and Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE IX
INTERIM GUARANTY
SECTION 9.01. Interim Guaranty. (a) In consideration of
Advances made to the Borrower prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, the
Interim Guarantor, as a guarantor and not as principal debtor, hereby guarantees
to the Administrative Agent and each Lender the punctual repayment when due
(subject to the last sentence of this clause (a)) of all Obligations owed by the
Borrower under this Agreement and under the Notes (the "Borrower's Obligations")
until the Interim Guaranty Release Date less any prior payments made by the
Borrower or the Interim Guarantor on the Borrower's Obligations prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date. In no event will the liability of the Interim
Guarantor exceed the aggregate amount of the Borrower's Obligations, together
with any and all expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
in enforcing their rights under this Agreement. Subject to the limitations
above, the Interim Guarantor agrees that if the Borrower does not pay the
Borrower's Obligations under this Agreement or under the Notes when due, Interim
Guarantor shall, within five Business Days after demand by and receipt of
written notice from the Administrative Agent as set forth in clause (h) of this
Section 9.01 below, pay the same to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders.
(b) Any and all payments by the Interim Guarantor prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date hereunder shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.14.
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(c) In the event that the Interim Guarantor is called upon to
make a payment of any Borrower's Obligation under this Section 9.01 pursuant to
the last sentence of clause (a) above, the Interim Guarantor will make such
payment to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in United
States dollars at the Administrative Agent's Account.
(d) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of clause
(a) above, the Interim Guarantor guarantees that the Borrower's Obligations will
be paid to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement or any Loan Document, express or implied, with
the Borrower, regardless of any law, regulation or order of any jurisdiction
affecting any term of any Borrower's Obligation or the Lender's rights with
respect thereto (including, without limitation, any sovereign act or
circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or
equitable discharge of, the Borrower). Subject to the provisions of the last
sentence of clause (a) above, the obligations of the Interim Guarantor under
this Section 9.01 are independent of the Borrower's Obligations, and, prior to
the Interim Guaranty Release Date, a separate action or actions may be brought
and prosecuted against the Interim Guarantor to enforce this Section 9.01,
irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Borrower or whether
the Borrower is joined in any such action or actions.
(e) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of clause
(a) above, the Interim Guarantor hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of
acceptance, presentment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor with respect to
any Borrower's Obligation and this Section 9.01 and any requirement that the
Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders exhaust any right or take any action
against the Borrower, other than the requirement that the relevant party first
demands payment (pursuant to notice as permitted by the terms of this Agreement)
by the Borrower under the terms of this Agreement. The guaranty under this
Section 9.01 shall, prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date, continue to be
effective, or reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time prior to the
Interim Guaranty Release Date any payment of any Borrower's Obligation is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or
otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
(f) The Interim Guarantor's liability under this Section 9.01
shall until the Interim Release Guaranty Date be unconditional irrespective of
(i) any amendment or waiver or consent to departure from the terms of any
Borrower's Obligation including any extension of the time or change in the
manner or place of payment only if agreed in writing by the Borrower or the
Interim Guarantor, and (ii) any other circumstance which might otherwise
constitute a defense available to, or discharge of, the Borrower, provided,
however, that the relevant party first demands payment by the Borrower in
accordance with the last sentence of clause (a) above.
(g) Upon payment to the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the Lenders in full in cash of all the Borrower's Obligations under the Loan
Documents pursuant to the terms of this Section 9.01, Interim Guarantor shall be
subrogated to any and all rights the
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Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against Borrower in connection with
such Borrower's Obligations, and the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall
execute all documents reasonably requested by the Interim Guarantor to evidence
or confirm such subrogation. Prior to the Interim Guaranty Release Date the
guaranty under this Section 9.01 shall continue to be effective or be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment in respect of any
Borrower's Obligation made by the Borrower is rescinded or must otherwise be
returned by the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders prior to the Interim
Guaranty Release Date upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the
Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.
(h) All notices to the Interim Guarantor required hereunder
shall be sent to it at the address specified in Section 8.02 in the manner
specified therein.
(i) All obligations, covenants, agreements and amendments of
the Interim Guarantor hereunder shall terminate at the Interim Guaranty Release
Date and, at such time the Interim Guarantor shall have no further obligations
hereunder (except as set forth in Section 2.14(h)), and under no circumstances
shall the obligations of the Interim Guarantor under this Agreement be
reinstated after the Interim Guaranty Release Date.
(j) Each of the Lenders acknowledges that this interim
guarantee is provided solely on an interim basis and for the sole purpose of
enabling the Borrower to borrow hereunder prior to the Spin-off. By execution of
this Agreement or the acceptance of an assignment or participation as
contemplated by Section 8.07 of this Agreement, each Lender hereby acknowledges
and agrees that the Obligations of the Interim Guarantor are limited as set
forth in this Section 9.01.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., as
Borrower
By__________________________
Title:
By__________________________
Title:
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CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By__________________________
Title:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
as Documentation Agent
By__________________________
Title:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Co-Agent
By__________________________
Title:
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COMMITMENTS BANKS
$75,000,000 CITIBANK, N.A.
By____________________________
Title:
$75,000,000 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By___________________________
Title:
$50,000,000 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
By___________________________
Title:
$25,000,000 THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By___________________________
Title:
$25,000,000 CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ
By___________________________
Title:
By___________________________
Title:
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COMMITMENTS BANKS
$25,000,000 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
By___________________________
Title:
$25,000,000 THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
By___________________________
Title:
$25,000,000 SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA
By___________________________
Title:
$15,000,000 THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED
By___________________________
Title:
$340,000,000 Total of the Commitments
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CPC INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
as Interim Guarantor
By__________________________
Title:
By__________________________
Title:
1
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
MASTER SUPPLY AGREEMENT
This MASTER SUPPLY AGREEMENT dated as of January 1, 1998 by and between
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation ("CPC") and CORN PRODUCTS
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("CPI").
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, the business of CPI was a division of
CPC;
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, CPC (and its Affiliates in the
Territories) purchased the Products listed in the Schedules hereto from CPI
(and its Affiliates in the Territories) on an intercompany basis;
WHEREAS, on December 31, 1997 CPI was spun-off from CPC and is now an
independent corporation, and the Affiliates of CPI are no longer under common
ownership with the Affiliates of CPC; and
WHEREAS, CPC and CPI desire to formalize the supply relationships set
forth in the Schedules hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any entity which is controlled by, in
control of, or under common control with, the party to which the
reference is made.
(b) "Applicable Law" shall mean any law, rule, regulation, statute,
ordinance, decree, treaty or directive applicable to any of the
Purchasers or Suppliers.
(c) "Commodity Consumer Products" shall mean corn starch, corn oil,
corn syrup and dextrose which are branded and packaged for
sale to the retail trade, club stores, mass merchandisers and the
foodservice sector. Each Schedule identifies the Commodity
Consumer Products sold in each Territory.
(d) "Commodity Industrial Products" shall mean bulk corn starch,
corn oil (crude or refined), corn syrup (glucose), and
dextrose purchased solely for the production of Commodity Consumer
Products. Each Schedule identifies the Commodity Industrial
Products sold to the purchaser in each Territory.
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(e) "Consumer Products" shall mean all branded and
packaged products (including Commodity Consumer Products)
produced by the Purchasers for sale to the retail trade, club
stores and mass merchandisers utilizing any Products as
ingredients.
(f) "Purchaser" shall mean any of the Purchasers.
(g) "Purchasers" shall mean collectively CPC and all of
its Affiliates who purchase under this Agreement.
(h) "Products" shall mean all products sold by the
Suppliers to the Purchasers (including the Commodity Industrial
Products) set forth in the Schedules hereto for each Territory.
(i) "Supplier" shall mean any of the Suppliers.
(j) "Suppliers" shall mean collectively CPI and all of
its Affiliates who supply under this Agreement.
(k) "Territories" shall mean all of the countries for
which there is a Schedule.
(l) "Territory" shall mean any country for which there is
a Schedule.
2. SCOPE.
2.1. This Agreement shall apply to all purchases by
Purchasers from Suppliers of the Products listed in the
Schedules in the corresponding Territories. The provisions of
Section 5 shall apply to Commodity Consumer Products and
Commodity Industrial Products and the provisions of Sections 6.1
and 6.2 shall only apply to Commodity Industrial Products.
2.2. This Agreement does not constitute a purchase order.
Purchases under this Agreement shall be made by purchase orders
issued by Purchasers as provided in Section 7 hereof.
3. TERM.
3.1. This Agreement shall have an initial term of two
years from the date hereof (the "Initial Term"), unless
terminated earlier in accordance with Section 3.4 below.
3.2. Six (6) months prior to the end of the Initial Term,
the Purchasers and Suppliers from each Territory shall review
the terms of their respective Schedules. If any of the
Purchasers and Suppliers are
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unable to agree upon future terms for their respective
Schedules, this Agreement shall terminate as to those
Territories at the end of the Initial Term. For those
Purchasers and Suppliers that are able toagree upon future
terms for their respective Schedules, this Agreement shall
automatically be renewed, as modified, as to those Territories
for successive renewal terms of one year each, unless notice of
termination is given by either party in writing, not later than
six (6) months prior to the end of the one year term then in
effect.
3.3 After the Initial Term, any Supplier or Purchaser may
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.2 or 3.4
hereof as to some of the Products in the corresponding
Territories. In the event of such a partial termination, this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to those
Products in the corresponding Territories for which this
Agreement has not been terminated.
3.4. This Agreement may be terminated automatically at any
time in the event of the following:
(a) In the event of a breach or failure to perform this
Agreement by one party, the non-breaching party may
terminate this Agreement for those Products in
corresponding Territories where the breach or failure
occurred, if the breach or failure has continued for a
period of sixty days after written notice thereof has been
received by the breaching party.
(b) In the event of a change in control of either party, the
other party shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement in whole as to (i) or in part as to (ii)
immediately after giving written notice upon the
occurrence of such change in control. For purposes of
this Agreement:
(i) change in control of CPC or CPI shall mean: (y) the
acquisition by any person (as such term is
defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended)
(excluding the party to which the change in control
relates or any of its Affiliates or a fiduciary
holding its securities in any type of benefit plan),
directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership of
20% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally at the election of directors, or (z) the
merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation,
involving the sale or transfer of substantially all
of the assets of the party; and
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(ii) change in control of any Affiliate of CPC or CPI
shall mean any change in the ownership of any
Affiliate of CPC or CPI such that CPC or CPI
ceases to hold voting control of its respective
Affiliate(s).
3.5. In the event that this Agreement is terminated in
whole or in part in accordance with Section 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4
above, the obligations of CPI and its Affiliates contained in
Section 5 shall nevertheless continue to remain in full force
and effect for a period of six months from the date of such
termination as to all Commodity Industrial Products in
corresponding Territories for which this Agreement has been
terminated.
4. PRICING.
Products shall be sold hereunder at prices to be determined in accordance
with the pricing mechanism currently utilized by the relevant Purchasers and
Suppliers. All pricing mechanisms to be used for purposes of this Agreement are
described in the Schedules hereto.
5. NON-COMPETITION.
5.1. For so long as this Agreement remains in force and
effect with respect to any Commodity Industrial Products in any
Territory, and for a period of six months after any termination
hereof, CPI agrees that it will not, nor will its Affiliates:
(i) sell Commodity Consumer Products in the Territories for
which this Agreement is in effect as to the
corresponding Commodity Industrial Products;
(ii) sell, manufacture or package Commodity Consumer Products
to or for third parties if, to the knowledge of CPI or
its Affiliates after reasonable inquiry of such third
parties, such Commodity Consumer Products are intended
for sale in Territories for which this Agreement is in
effect as to the corresponding Commodity Industrial
Products; or
(iii) acquire a controlling interest in any person or entity
which engages in (i) or (ii) above (an "Acquired
Business") unless, if a portion of the Acquired Business
consists of (i) or (ii) above, CPI or its Affiliates
offers to sell the portion of the Acquired Business that
engages in (i) or (ii) above to CPC or its Affiliates on
reasonable terms and conditions; provided, however, that
if CPI and CPC (or their respective Affiliates) cannot
agree on such terms and conditions and CPI (or its
Affiliate) proceeds to
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acquire the Acquired Business then CPC (or its Affiliate)
shall have the automatic right to terminate this Agreement
as to such Commodity Industrial Products in the
corresponding Territory upon written notice.
5.2. Nothing in this Section 5 shall be deemed to prohibit
CPI from performing any toll packaging agreement with CPC or its
Affiliates or from selling any Products (including Commodity
Industrial Products) to third parties in any Territory that may
sell, manufacture or package Commodity Consumer Products in any
Territory.
6. EXCLUSIVITY AND PRODUCT VOLUME.
6.1. For so long as this Agreement is in effect, Suppliers shall be
the sole and exclusive suppliers to Purchasers and Purchasers
shall purchase 100% of their requirements for Commodity
Industrial Products from Suppliers in the Territories for which
this Agreement is in effect, except as provided in Sections 6.2
and 8.2(b).
6.2 Notwithstanding Section 6.1, if at any time during
the term of this Agreement a Purchaser requires Commodity
Industrial Product in excess of a Supplier's production capacity
at the relevant supply location, the Supplier shall notify the
Purchaser that it is unable to fill the entire purchase order
within five business days of Supplier's receipt of the purchase
order, and such Purchaser shall be permitted to purchase
Commodity Industrial Product from a third party only for so long
as such Purchaser's requirements exceed such Supplier's
production capacity, and thereafter the Supplier shall promptly
notify the Purchaser when it becomes able to fulfill the
Purchaser's requirements. Nothing in this Section 6 shall be
deemed to require any Supplier to increase its production
capacity. In the event of such purchases from third parties,
Suppliers shall not be liable for the costs of such purchases,
including but not limited to the differential in the price of
such purchases.
6.3. Purchasers will provide as much forecasting information as
possible to assist Suppliers. Two months prior to the start of
the fiscal year of each Purchaser for each year that this
Agreement will be in effect for the following year, Purchasers
shall provide Suppliers with estimates of their volume
requirements for the following year.
6.4. Nothing in this Section 6 shall be deemed to require
Purchasers to purchase all of their requirements for Products,
other than Commodity Industrial Products, from Suppliers and
nothing in this Section 6 shall prohibit Purchasers from
purchasing test quantities of
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Commodity Industrial Products from third parties as long as
Purchasers neither sell such test quantities nor sell Commodity
Consumer Products containing such test quantities.
7. PURCHASE ORDERS AND INVOICES.
7.1. Purchases hereunder will be made on the basis of
purchase orders issued by Purchasers. Purchase orders will
contain the following information:
(a) location for delivery;
(b) shipment date;
(c) volume; and
(d) Product specifications.
7.2. Invoices will be submitted by Suppliers to Purchasers
which will contain the following information:
(a) payment terms;
(b) title and risk of loss; and
(c) responsibility for insurance, freight and taxes.
7.3. Suppliers and Purchasers shall agree upon a form of
purchase order and invoice to be used in their Territory.
7.4. In the event of any conflict between a purchase order
or an invoice and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement
shall prevail.
8. WARRANTIES.
8.1 Suppliers warrant that all Products sold hereunder
shall: (a) comply with the specifications agreed to by the
parties, (b) be produced in accordance with the quality
assurance standards described in Section 10 hereof, and (c):
(i) for Products sold within the U.S.A.: (I) shall not be
adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the
U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations
thereunder, and (II) shall be produced in accordance with
good manufacturing practices, as such term is defined in
21 U.S.C. Part 110 ("GMPs"); and
(ii) for Products sold outside the U.S.A.: (I) shall be in
compliance with all Applicable Laws, and (II) shall be
produced in accordance with Applicable Law governing
manufacturing practices.
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Suppliers make no other warranties, either express or implied,
including but not limited to fitness for a particular purpose,
except those set forth above.
8.2 (a) In the event that any Products sold hereunder do not
comply with the warranties set forth in this Section 8 or
in Section 10, Purchaser shall notify Supplier of such
breach and of its timing requirements for such Products
within five business days of Purchaser's discovery of the
breach.
(b) If Supplier is unable to replace the
non-complying Product in sufficient time to meet
Purchaser's timing requirements for such Products pursuant
to the notice given under Section 8.2(a) above, Supplier
shall refund to Purchaser the purchase price of the
non-complying Product and Purchaser shall have the right
to purchase replacement Product from a third party,
notwith-standing Section 6.1.
(c) Supplier's liability under this Section 8
and under Section 10 shall be limited to: (i) replacement
of the Products or a refund in the amount of the purchase
price of the Products in accordance with Section 8.2(b),
(ii) the cost of manufacturing and packaging the Consumer
Products (less the purchase price of the Products), (iii)
the reasonable costs of processing customer complaints as
to Consumer Products rendered unusable, and (iv) the
reasonable costs of recalling and disposing of any
defective Consumer Products.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.
9.1 Each party (the "Indemnifying Party") shall defend,
indemnify and hold harmless the other party (the "Indemnified
Party") and its respective employees and representatives from
and against all liability, loss, damage and expense, (including
reasonable attorney's fees) actions and claims for injury and/or
death to persons and damage to property arising out of the
negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of the Indemnifying
Party, but only to the extent that such injury or damage is
attributable to the Indemnifying Party's negligent or wrongful
acts or omissions.
9.2 In the event that an Indemnified Party is subject to
any indemnifiable action or claim in accordance with Section
9.1, the procedures for indemnification in Article VI of the
Distribution Agreement dated December 1, 1997 between CPC and
CPI (the "Distribution Agreement") shall apply.
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9.3 Suppliers and Purchasers shall procure and maintain, at their
respective costs and expenses, for so long as this Agreement is
in effect, occurrence based commercial general liability
insurance and automobile liability insurance coverage. The
policies, including excess policies, shall have limits of not
less than $25,000,000 per occurrence and $25,000,000 in the
aggregate (combined single limit) for each policy year and
shall be obtained from insurers rated A- or better by A.M. Best
Company, and with a financial size category of VIII or larger.
The policies shall be endorsed to name the Indemnified Party as
an additional insured with respect to liabilities arising out
of the foregoing indemnification agreements and shall provide
that the insurance of the Indemnifying Party will be primary to
any other insurance of the additional insured. Purchasers and
Suppliers agree that their respective insurers shall not be
subrogated to the rights of the Indemnified Party against the
Indemnifying Party with respect to any claim arising under this
Agreement and neither party shall assign any such right of
subrogation to their insurers. In addition to the foregoing
insurance, Suppliers and Purchasers shall procure and maintain,
at their respective cost and expense, any additional insurance
as may be required by Applicable Laws. Each party shall
deliver to the other Certificates of Insurance and endorsements
evidencing the issuance of the required coverage and stating
that the policies are in effect and that such policies will not
be canceled or non-renewed without 30 days' prior written
notice to the additional insured. In the event of a claim,
copies of the policies shall be supplied to the party claiming
indemnification upon request.
10. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL.
10.1. All Products supplied under this Agreement shall be produced
in accordance with Supplier's quality assurance standards and
program in effect as of the date hereof. Suppliers reserve the
right to reasonably modify their quality assurance standards
from time to time; provided, however, that any significant
changes shall be implemented by Suppliers only after full and
open discussion with Purchasers with regard to their impact on
manufacturing of the Products.
10.2. From time to time, upon prior notice to Suppliers, Purchasers
shall have the right to examine Suppliers' facilities used for
the manufacture of the Products hereunder.
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11. CONFIDENTIALITY.
11.1. The process, formulations, data and information (collectively
"Information") which has been or may be furnished by one
party to the other in order to perform this Agreement, is the
property of the providing party and has been or will be
furnished solely to enable the receiving party to perform this
Agreement, with the understanding that:
(a) the receiving party will not use or reproduce such
Information for any other purpose;
(b) the receiving party will take all reasonable care to
ensure that such Information is not disclosed to other
parties; and
(c) upon request by the providing party, the receiving party
will promptly return all such Information at any time
during the term of this Agreement or thereafter, except
that either party may continue to use such Information of
the other party as it may require in order to perform this
Agreement.
11.2. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to any
information and data which is:
(a) already in possession of the receiving party at the time
of first receipt from the providing party;
(b) independently developed by employees of the receiving
party who did not have access to the Information;
(c) becomes part of the public domain without breach of this
Agreement by the receiving party; or
(d) rightfully obtained by the receiving party from third
persons without restriction or breach by this Agreement
by any receiving party.
12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
Any dispute, controversy or claim in connection with this Agreement
shall be resolved in accordance with Article VI of the Distribution
Agreement. The parties acknowledge that disputes arising under Section 9.2 (or
the applicability thereof) may raise difficult factual questions relating to
proportional responsibility, proximate cause and duties to mitigate damages;
such questions and similar issues as to allocating responsibility and damages
shall be considered in the resolution of disputes.
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13. REMOVAL OF EQUIPMENT.
In the event that any Purchaser removes packaging equipment owned by
it from the plant of a Supplier either during the term of this Agreement or
following termination hereof, the Purchaser shall, at its own expense, restore
the area of the plant where the equipment was located, to reasonable working
condition.
14. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.
Suppliers shall act under this Agreement solely as independent
contractors. Nothing herein shall constitute any Supplier or Purchaser as an
agent of the other, nor shall it constitute any member of one party's staff as
an agent or employee of the other party.
15. ASSIGNMENT.
None of the rights or obligations of either party hereunder is
assignable either by voluntary act or operation of law, nor transferable
by it without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
16. FORCE MAJEURE.
If performance by either party of any of its duties or obligations
under or pursuant to this Agreement is prevented, hindered, delayed or
otherwise made impracticable by reason of any strike, flood, riot, fire,
explosion, war or any other casualty which cannot be overcome by reasonable
diligence and without unusual expense, such party shall be excused from such
performance to the extent that it is so prevented, hindered or delayed thereby
during the continuance of any such happening or event and for so long as such
event shall continue to prevent, hinder or delay such performance.
17. NOTICES.
Any notice to be given hereunder by either party shall be in writing
and shall be deemed given when: (i) sent by registered mail, return receipt
requested upon receipt by the sender of confirmation of receipt; (ii) sent by
telecopy upon receipt by the sender of confirmation of transmittal; or (iii)
delivered to the addressee as follows:
In the case of Purchaser to: CPC International Inc.
P.O. Box 8000, International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
Attn: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (201) 894-2381
Facsimile: (201) 894-2192
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In the case of Supplier to: Corn Products International, Inc.
P.O. Box 345, 6500 Archer Road
Argo, Illinois 60501-0345
Attn: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (708) 563-6958
Facsimile: (708) 563-6851
Any party may from time to time designate by written notice to the other
revised address or telecopy information.
18. SEVERABILITY.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this
Agreement shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Agreement
shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable
provision were omitted.
19. HEADINGS.
The headings of this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties,
and shall not be construed as having any legal or binding meaning or effect.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT.
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
cancels and supersedes any prior negotiations, and merges all understandings,
and agreements, whether verbal or written, with respect thereto. This
Agreement can be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties
hereto.
21. BINDING EFFECT.
This Agreement shall be executed by CPC and CPI on their own behalf
and on behalf of their respective Affiliates. Each of CPC and CPI agrees to
cause their respective Affiliates to perform each and every one of the
obligations hereunder to be performed by such Affiliates.
22. NO WAIVER.
The failure by either party to insist upon strict performance of any
covenant or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall
not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such covenant or
condition in the future, but the same shall be and remain in full force and
effect.
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23. SURVIVAL.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement the provisions of
Section 5 shall survive such termination for the period stated therein.
24. CHOICE OF LAW.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL, IN ALL RESPECTS, BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF
CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, EFFECT AND PERFORMANCE, EXCEPT FOR SUCH LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WHICH REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------------
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Exhibit 10.2
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
AND
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DATED DECEMBER 1, 1997
2
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS..................................................... 2
SECTION 1.01. GENERAL...................................................... 2
ARTICLE 2 - TAX RETURN FILING............................................... 7
SECTION 2.01. CPC CONSOLIDATED RETURNS..................................... 7
SECTION 2.02. CORN F.I.T. RETURNS.......................................... 8
SECTION 2.03. CPC STATE OR LOCAL RETURNS................................... 8
SECTION 2.04. CORN STATE OR LOCAL RETURNS.................................. 9
SECTION 2.05. CPC SALARIED EMPLOYEE RETURNS................................ 9
SECTION 2.06. CPC HOURLY EMPLOYEE RETURNS.................................. 10
SECTION 2.07. CORN EMPLOYEE RETURNS........................................ 10
SECTION 2.08. CPC SALES, USE AND PROPERTY TAX RETURNS...................... 11
SECTION 2.09. CORN SALES, USE AND PROPERTY TAX RETURNS..................... 12
SECTION 2.10. OTHER CPC RETURNS............................................ 12
SECTION 2.11. OTHER CORN RETURNS........................................... 13
SECTION 2.12. FOREIGN DISTRIBUTING ENTITY RETURNS.......................... 13
SECTION 2.13. CORN FOREIGN RETURNS......................................... 14
SECTION 2.14. DESIGNATION OF AGENT......................................... 14
SECTION 2.15. POST-DISTRIBUTION DATE RETURNS AND
POSITION--NO INCONSISTENT POSITIONS.......................... 15
ARTICLE 3 - TAX LIABILITY................................................... 16
SECTION 3.01. CPC LIABILITY................................................ 16
SECTION 3.02. CORN LIABILITY............................................... 16
ARTICLE 4 - POST-DISTRIBUTION CARRYBACKS OF TAX BENEFITS.................... 17
SECTION 4.01. CARRYBACK PROVISIONS......................................... 17
ARTICLE 5 - POST-DISTRIBUTION CARRYOVERS OF TAX BENEFITS AND ATTRIBUTES..... 18
SECTION 5.01. CPC GROUP ITEMS.............................................. 18
SECTION 5.02. EARNINGS AND PROFITS......................................... 19
ARTICLE 6 - ADJUSTMENTS..................................................... 19
SECTION 6.01. CPC RETURNS AND FOREIGN DISTRIBUTING ENTITY RETURNS.......... 19
SECTION 6.02. CORN RETURNS................................................. 21
SECTION 6.03. EXPENSES..................................................... 21
ARTICLE 7 - CONTESTS........................................................ 22
SECTION 7.01. CPC, CPC COMPANY, AND FOREIGN DISTRIBUTING ENTITY CONTESTS;
NOTIFICATION AND COMMUNICATION............................... 22
SECTION 7.02. GROUP CONTESTS; CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF CLAIMS............. 22
ARTICLE 8 - INFORMATION AND COOPERATION; BOOKS AND RECORDS.................. 24
SECTION 8.01. GENERAL...................................................... 24
ARTICLE 9 - GENERAL PROVISIONS.............................................. 26
SECTION 9.01. EFFECTIVENESS................................................ 26
SECTION 9.02. NOTICES...................................................... 26
SECTION 9.03. COMPLETE AGREEMENT; CONSTRUCTION............................. 27
SECTION 9.04. COUNTERPARTS................................................. 27
SECTION 9.05. WAIVER....................................................... 27
SECTION 9.06. AMENDMENTS................................................... 28
SECTION 9.07. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS....................................... 28
SECTION 9.08. SUBSIDIARIES................................................. 28
SECTION 9.09. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.................................... 28
SECTION 9.10. HEADINGS..................................................... 29
SECTION 9.11. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE......................................... 29
SECTION 9.12. GOVERNING LAW................................................ 29
SECTION 9.13. ARBITRATION.................................................. 30
SECTION 9.14. SEVERABILITY................................................. 30
i
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TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
This TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of ________,
1997, by and between CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation ("CPC") and
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Corn").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, CPC is the common parent of an affiliated group of corporations
which includes Corn and which group and the members thereof file U.S.
consolidated federal income tax returns;
WHEREAS, CPC, as well as its foreign and domestic subsidiaries file
certain other Tax returns relating to U.S. and foreign Taxes;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CPC has determined that it is
appropriate and desirable to effect the Distribution as described in the
Distribution Agreement between CPC and Corn dated, , 1997 (the
"Distribution Agreement"), subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CPC has determined that it is
appropriate and desirable to take all corporate action and to cause its
subsidiaries to take all corporate action necessary to effect the division of
certain foreign direct and indirect subsidiaries of CPC as of specified dates
to be determined (each such date shall sometimes hereinafter be referred to as
the "Applicable Foreign Distribution Date"); and
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WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth their agreements with
regard to their respective liabilities for federal, state, local and foreign
Taxes herein (and with respect to Taxes of certain Pakistani entities, in the
Annex to this Agreement) for Tax periods before and after the Distribution Date
and the Applicable Foreign Distribution Dates, and to provide for certain other
Tax matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. General. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
will control, or will be controlled by or will be under common control with the
Person specified immediately following the Distribution Date.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning described in the above preamble.
"Annex" shall mean that certain document attached to this Agreement
executed by the parties on even date herewith setting forth the agreements of
the parties with respect to Taxes of certain Pakistani entities.
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"Applicable Foreign Distribution Date" shall have the meaning described in
the above preamble.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Corn" shall have the meaning described in the above preamble.
"Corn Companies" shall mean, collectively, Corn and each subsidiary of
Corn, including without limitation any entity owned directly or beneficially by
Corn after the Distribution Date (or, if later, the Applicable Foreign
Distribution Date).
"Corn Division" shall mean the division of CPC that operates CPC's U.S.
corn refining business before the Distribution Date.
"Corn Domestic Companies" shall mean, collectively, each Corn Company
incorporated or organized under the laws of one of the respective States of the
United States.
"Corn Employee Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section 2.07
below.
"Corn F.I.T. Return" shall mean any federal income tax return or amendment
thereof of Corn or any member of the Corn Group, including any consolidated
federal income tax return or amendment thereof of the Corn Group.
"Corn Foreign Returns" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13
below.
"Corn Group" shall mean the affiliated group of corporations as defined in
Section 1504(a) of the Code of which Corn is the common parent.
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"Corn Return" shall mean any of a Corn F.I.T. Return, any of the Corn
State or Local Returns, a Corn Employee Return, any Corn Foreign Return, any of
the Corn Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns, and any Other Corn Return.
"Corn Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns" shall have the meaning
described in Section 2.09 below.
"Corn State or Local Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section
2.04 below.
"CPC" shall have the meaning described in the above preamble.
"CPC Companies" shall mean, collectively, CPC and each subsidiary of CPC.
"CPC Consolidated Return" shall mean any consolidated federal income tax
return or amendment thereof of the CPC Group which includes one or more of the
Corn Domestic Companies.
"CPC Consolidated Return Period" shall mean a tax period for which a CPC
Consolidated Return is filed.
"CPC Group" shall mean the affiliated group of corporations as defined in
Section 1504(a) of the Code of which CPC is the common parent.
"CPC Hourly Employee Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section
2.06 below.
"CPC Return" shall mean any of a CPC Consolidated Return, any of the CPC
State or Local Returns, a CPC Salaried Employee Return, a CPC Hourly Employee
Return, any of the CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns, or any Other CPC
Return.
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"CPC Salaried Employee Returns" shall have the meaning described in
Section 2.05 below.
"CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns" shall have the meaning described
in Section 2.08 below.
"CPC State or Local Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section
2.03 below.
"CPC Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary of CPC other than any of the
Corn Companies.
"Distribution" shall mean the distribution by CPC to its public
shareholders of the stock of Corn as more particularly described in the
Distribution Agreement and any transactions relating thereto.
"Distribution Agreement" shall have the meaning described in the above
preamble.
"Distribution Date" shall be the date on which the Distribution occurs.
"Foreign Distributed Entity" shall mean a newly created foreign company
that will conduct corn refining business operations after the Applicable
Foreign Distribution Date, and that will be owned by Corn after the later of
the Distribution Date or the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date.
"Foreign Distributing Entities" shall mean the foreign CPC Subsidiaries
that prior to the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date conduct both corn
refining business operations and consumer foods business operations in a single
entity.
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"Foreign Distributing Entity Return" shall mean any foreign Tax return or
amendment thereof of a Foreign Distributing Entity.
"IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
"IRS Penalty Rate" shall mean the rate of interest imposed from time to
time on underpayments of income Tax pursuant to Code section 6621.
"IRS Ruling" shall mean the ruling issued by the IRS which states the tax
treatment of the Distribution and related transactions.
"Other Corn Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section 2.11
below.
"Other CPC Returns" shall have the meaning described in Section 2.10
below.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Tax" shall mean all federal, state, local and foreign gross or net
income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, VAT, GST, franchise, profits,
license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, transfer, recording,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, environmental, custom duty, or
other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind
whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalty, addition to tax or
additional amount imposed by any governmental authority responsible for the
imposition of any tax.
"Tax Indemnification Agreement" shall mean the Tax Indemnification
Agreement dated of even date herewith between CPC and Corn.
"Taxing Authority" shall mean any governmental authority responsible for
the imposition of any Tax.
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"Temporary Differences" attributable to any entity shall mean (a) any
single item of income or deduction in a CPC Return or any Foreign Distributing
Entity Return in respect of any Tax period that should reverse in one or more
subsequent Tax periods assuming proper Tax treatment and no change in law or in
the Tax accounting policies of such entity (each an "Originating Temporary
Difference") or (b) the partial or complete reversal of an Originating
Temporary Difference.
ARTICLE 2
TAX RETURN FILING
SECTION 2.01. CPC Consolidated Returns. CPC shall prepare and file with
the IRS all CPC Consolidated Returns required to be filed by CPC after the
Distribution Date. CPC shall make all decisions relating to the preparation
and filing of such returns (including, without limitation, the manner in which
any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be reported) and
shall inform Corn of any such decisions that might materially affect a Corn
Return. CPC shall have the sole right to determine the elections that will be
made pursuant to the Code on behalf of any member of CPC Group and shall inform
Corn of any such elections that may materially affect a Corn Return. Corn
further agrees that it will, and will compel the Corn Domestic Companies to,
file or join in the filing of such authorizations, elections, consents and
other documents, and take such other actions as may be necessary or
appropriate, in the opinion of CPC, to carry out the purposes and intent of
this Section 2.01, provided that such actions are not inconsistent with this
Agreement or the Tax Indemnification Agreement. Corn shall furnish CPC at
least thirty (30) days before the due date (excluding extensions) of any such
CPC Consolidated Return all information necessary for CPC to complete the CPC
Consolidated
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Return. Any such information requested by CPC shall be consistent with current
practices and applicable law and regulations. Corn shall also furnish CPC work
papers and other such information and documentation as may be reasonably
requested by CPC with respect to the Corn Companies.
SECTION 2.02. Corn F.I.T. Returns. Corn shall prepare and file with the
IRS all Corn F.I.T. Returns required to be filed by Corn or any member of the
Corn Group (whether said returns are filed on a consolidated basis or
otherwise) for all Tax periods beginning on or after the Distribution Date
(including any short-period returns). Subject to the provisions of Section
2.15 hereof, Corn shall make all decisions relating to the preparation and
filing of such returns (including, without limitation, the manner in which any
item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be reported). Subject to
the provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, Corn shall have the right to determine
the elections that will be made pursuant to the Code on behalf of any member of
Corn Group.
SECTION 2.03. CPC State or Local Returns. CPC will prepare and file all
state and local income or franchise Tax returns and any amendments thereto
which are required to be filed by CPC after the Distribution Date and which
include the Corn Division (together with such returns filed prior to the
Distribution Date, "CPC State or Local Returns"). CPC shall make all decisions
relating to the preparation and filing of such returns, and shall inform Corn
of any such decisions that may materially affect a Corn Return. Corn shall
furnish CPC at least thirty (30) days before the due date (excluding
extensions) of any such CPC State or Local Return with a final copy of the
information necessary for CPC to complete such CPC State or Local Return.
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Corn shall also furnish CPC work papers and other such information and
documentation as may be reasonably requested by CPC.
SECTION 2.04. Corn State or Local Returns. Each Corn Domestic Company
will prepare and file all respective state and local income or franchise Tax
returns and any amendments thereto which are required to be filed by such party
after the Distribution Date, and not otherwise described in Section 2.03 above
(herein, together with such returns filed prior to the Distribution Date, "Corn
State or Local Returns"), except that CPC shall prepare all such Corn State or
Local Returns required to be filed after the Distribution Date for Tax periods
ending on or before, or beginning before and ending after, the Distribution
Date. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, each Corn Domestic
Company shall make all decisions relating to the preparation and filing of such
returns.
SECTION 2.05. CPC Salaried Employee Returns. CPC shall prepare and file
all employment Tax returns required to be filed by CPC after the Distribution
Date, and any amendments thereto, relating to salaried employees of CPC who
provided services directly to the Corn Division on or prior to the Distribution
Date, for all Tax periods ending on or before, or beginning before and ending
after, the Distribution Date (herein, together with such returns filed prior to
the Distribution Date, the "CPC Salaried Employee Returns"). CPC shall make
all decisions relating to the preparation and filing of such returns, and shall
inform Corn of any such decisions that may materially affect a Corn Return.
Corn shall furnish CPC at least thirty (30) days before the due date (excluding
extensions) of any such CPC Salaried Employee Return all information necessary
for CPC to complete the CPC Salaried Employee Return. Corn shall also furnish
CPC work papers and other such information and documentation as may be
reasonably
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requested by CPC with respect to the completion of any CPC Salaried Employee
Return for any Tax period or portion thereof preceding the Distribution Date.
SECTION 2.06. CPC Hourly Employee Returns. Corn, subject to the
provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, shall prepare and CPC shall file all
employment Tax returns and any amendments thereto that are required to be filed
by CPC after the Distribution Date for Tax periods ending on or before, or
beginning before and ending after, the Distribution Date relating to hourly
employees of CPC who provided services directly to the Corn Division on or
prior to the Distribution Date (herein, together with such returns filed prior
to the Distribution Date, the "CPC Hourly Employee Returns"). CPC shall have
ultimate authority to make all decisions relating to the preparation and filing
of such returns, and Corn shall comply with all such decisions of CPC relating
to the preparation of such returns. CPC shall inform Corn of any such decision
that may materially affect a Corn Return. Corn shall furnish CPC at least
thirty (30) days before the due date (including extensions) completed copies of
any such CPC Hourly Employee Returns. Corn shall also furnish CPC work papers
and other such information and documentation as may be reasonably requested by
CPC with respect to the completion of any CPC Hourly Employee Returns for any
such Tax period.
SECTION 2.07. Corn Employee Returns. Each Corn Domestic Company will
prepare and file all respective employment Tax returns and any amendments
thereto that are required to be filed by such entities after the Distribution
Date, (herein, together with such returns filed prior to the Distribution Date,
"Corn Employee Returns"), except that with respect to any Corn Employee Returns
which were prepared by CPC for periods prior to the Distribution Date. CPC
shall prepare such Corn Employee Returns due after the Distribution Date for
Tax
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periods ending on or before, or beginning before and ending after, the
Distribution Date. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, each Corn
Domestic Company shall make all decisions relating to the preparation and
filing of its returns.
SECTION 2.08. CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns. Corn, subject to
the provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, shall prepare and CPC shall file all
sales, use and property Tax returns and any amendments thereto that are
required to be filed by CPC after the Distribution Date for all Tax periods
ending on or before, or beginning before and ending after, the Distribution
Date relating to sales, use and property Taxes levied upon property or
transactions of the Corn Division (herein, together with such returns filed
prior to the Distribution Date, the "CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns").
CPC shall have ultimate authority to make all decisions relating to the
preparation and filing of such returns, and Corn shall comply with all such
decisions of CPC relating to the preparation of such returns. CPC shall inform
Corn of any such decisions that may materially affect a Corn Return. Corn
shall furnish CPC at least thirty (30) days before the due date (including
extensions) completed copies of any such CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax
Returns. Corn shall also furnish CPC work papers and other such information
and documentation as may be reasonably requested by CPC with respect to the
completion of any CPC Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns for any Tax period
preceding or including the Distribution Date.
SECTION 2.09. Corn Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns. Each Corn
Domestic Company will prepare and file all respective sales, use and property
Tax returns and any amendments thereto that are required to be filed by such
party after the Distribution Date relating to sales, use and property Taxes
levied upon such entity's property or transactions involving such
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entity's property (herein, together with such returns filed prior to the
Distribution Date, "Corn Sales, Use and Property Tax Returns"). Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, each Corn Domestic Company shall make all
decisions relating to the preparation and filing of its returns.
SECTION 2.10. Other CPC Returns. CPC shall prepare and file with the
applicable Taxing Authorities all other Tax returns and any amendments thereto
required to be filed by CPC after the Distribution Date with respect to the
business and operations of the Corn Division for all Tax periods ending on or
before, or beginning before and ending after, the Distribution Date and that
are not otherwise described in this Article 2 (herein, together with all such
returns filed prior to the Distribution Date, the "Other CPC Returns"), except
that Corn shall prepare, and CPC shall file, any Other CPC Return required to
be filed by CPC after the Distribution Date with respect to such Tax periods,
that, prior to the Distribution Date, had been prepared by the Corn Division.
CPC shall make all decisions relating to the preparation and filing of all such
returns, and Corn shall comply with all such decisions of CPC relating to the
preparation of such returns. CPC shall inform Corn of any such decision that
may materially affect a Corn Return. Corn shall furnish CPC at least thirty
(30) days before the due date (excluding extensions) of any such Other CPC
Return all information necessary for CPC to complete any Other CPC Returns.
Additionally, Corn will furnish completed copies of any Other CPC Return
prepared by Corn. Corn shall also furnish CPC work papers and other such
information and documentation as may be reasonably requested by CPC with
respect to the completion of any Other CPC Return for any Tax period or portion
thereof preceding the Distribution Date.
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SECTION 2.11. Other Corn Returns. Each Corn Domestic Company will
prepare and file all other Tax returns and any amendments thereto that are
required to be filed by such party after the Distribution Date that are not
otherwise described in this Article 2 (herein, together with such returns filed
prior to the Distribution Date, "Other Corn Returns"). Subject to the
provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, each Corn Domestic Company shall make all
decisions relating to the preparation and filing of such returns.
SECTION 2.12. Foreign Distributing Entity Returns. Except as otherwise
provided in an agreement between a Foreign Distributing Entity and a Foreign
Distributed Entity, the Foreign Distributing Entity will prepare and file all
foreign Tax returns and any amendments thereto which are required to be filed
by the Foreign Distributing Entity after the Applicable Foreign Distribution
Date for all Tax periods which include the operations conducted before or as of
the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date of the corn refining division of the
Foreign Distributing Entity (herein, together with such returns filed prior to
the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date, "Foreign Distributing Entity
Returns"). The Foreign Distributing Entity shall make all decisions relating
to the preparation and filing of such returns and shall inform the Foreign
Distributed Entity of any such decision that may materially affect a return
filed by such entity after the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date. The
Foreign Distributed Entity shall furnish the Foreign Distributing Entity at
least thirty (30) days before the due date (excluding extensions) of any such
Foreign Distributing Entity Return with a final copy of the information
necessary for the Foreign Distributing Entity to complete such Foreign
Distributing Entity Return. The Foreign Distributed Entity shall also furnish
the Foreign Distributing Entity
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work papers and other such information and documentation as may be reasonably
requested by the Foreign Distributing Entity.
SECTION 2.13. Corn Foreign Returns. Each foreign Corn Company will
prepare and file all respective foreign Tax returns and any amendments thereto
which are (i) not otherwise described in Section 2.12 above and (ii) with
respect to each Foreign Distributed Entity, required to be filed by such party
for all Tax periods beginning on or after the Applicable Foreign Distribution
Date or, with respect to every other foreign Corn Company, required to be filed
by such party for all Tax periods ending before, on or after the Distribution
Date ("Corn Foreign Returns"). A foreign Corn Company (other than a Foreign
Distributed Entity) may request a foreign CPC Company, if such foreign CPC
Company is better suited, to prepare the foreign Tax returns due after the
Distribution Date for any Tax periods of the foreign Corn Company that end on
or before, or begin before and end after, the Distribution Date. Subject to
the provisions of Section 2.15 hereof, the foreign Corn Company shall make all
decisions relating to the preparation and filing of all Corn Foreign Returns.
SECTION 2.14. Designation of Agent. Corn hereby irrevocably designates
CPC, and will cause each applicable Corn Company to irrevocably designate, CPC,
or, as applicable, the respective Foreign Distributing Entity, as its agent,
coordinator, and administrator for the purpose of taking any and all actions
(including the execution of waivers of applicable statutes of limitation)
necessary or incidental to the filing of (i) a CPC Return, or a Foreign
Distributing Entity Return or (ii) an amended CPC Return or Foreign
Distributing Entity Return or (iii) an amended Corn Return, filed with respect
to a Corn Return (other than a Corn Foreign Return), filed prior to the
Distribution Date, in order to make any claim for refund (even though an item
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or Tax attribute giving rise to an amended return or refund claim arises after
the Distribution Date or, as appropriate, the Applicable Foreign Distribution
Date), credit or offset of Tax or any other proceedings relating to any Tax
period or portion thereof ending prior to the Distribution Date or as
appropriate, the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the
previous sentence, Corn shall not designate CPC as its agent with respect to
any amended CPC Return, or claim for refund, relating to any assessment of
property taxes on real property of the Corn Division for any period prior to
the Distribution Date. CPC, as agent, or when applicable, the Foreign
Distributing Entity, as agent, shall be responsible to see that all such
administrative matters relating thereto shall be handled promptly and
appropriately. CPC, or, when applicable, the Foreign Distributing Entity shall
inform and consult with Corn or the Foreign Distributed Entity prior to taking
any action on behalf of, or which will have any material impact on, any of the
Corn Companies, including, without limitation, strategies relating to waivers
of any statute of limitations.
SECTION 2.15. Post-Distribution Date Returns and Position--No
Inconsistent Positions. No Corn Company will knowingly treat any item in a
Corn Return filed by a Corn Company, or CPC Return prepared by a Corn Company
after the Distribution Date, in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of the
same item in a CPC Return, a Foreign Distributing Entity Return or any Tax
return filed by a CPC Company (including a CPC Company that will become solely
a Corn Company after the Distribution Date). CPC will inform Corn of any
changes or amendments after the Distribution Date to any CPC Return or any
Foreign Distributing Entity Return or other Tax return filed by a CPC Company
that would affect any item in a Corn Return. CPC will, or if applicable, cause
a CPC Company to, provide any assistance reasonably
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requested by a Corn Company in satisfying its obligations under this Section
2.15. If requested by Corn, CPC will review any Corn F.I.T. Return prepared by
a Corn Company with respect to its first Tax period ending after the
Distribution Date; provided that said review shall be a desk review on CPC's
premises consistent in manner and scope with the review that CPC's senior Tax
Department management performs in respect of CPC Returns. It is understood
that any such review of a Corn F.I.T. Return pursuant to this Section 2.15
would be undertaken strictly as a courtesy to Corn, and CPC shall have no
liability to Corn or any Corn Company as a result of any such review. No such
review of any Corn F.I.T. Return will waive any obligations or liabilities of
any Corn Company to CPC under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
TAX LIABILITY
SECTION 3.01. CPC Liability. Except to the extent otherwise provided
herein and in the Tax Indemnification Agreement, the CPC Companies shall be
liable for and indemnify Corn and each Corn Company against all costs, Taxes
and other liabilities incurred in respect of (i) all CPC Returns, (ii) all
Foreign Distributing Entity Returns, (iii) each Corn Return for which Corn or a
Corn Company, pursuant to Section 2.14, has designated CPC, as its agent in
filing an amended Corn Return, (iv) any other Tax return (other than a Corn
Return) required to be filed by CPC, a Foreign Distributing Entity or any other
CPC Company (provided that such company would not be a Corn Company following
the Distribution Date), with respect to any Tax period beginning before, on or
after the Distribution Date.
SECTION 3.02. Corn Liability. Except to the extent otherwise provided
herein and in the Tax Indemnification Agreement, the Corn Companies shall be
liable for and
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indemnify CPC and each CPC Company against (i) all costs, Taxes and other
liabilities incurred in respect of all Corn Returns other than Corn Returns for
which Corn or a Corn Company, pursuant to Section 2.14, has designated CPC as
its agent in filing an amended Corn Return (ii) notwithstanding any other
provision hereof, all costs, Taxes and other liabilities incurred by CPC or any
CPC Company as a result of a violation by Corn or any Corn Company of Section
2.15 and (iii) notwithstanding any other provision hereof, all costs, Taxes and
other liabilities incurred by CPC, Corn, any CPC Company or any Corn Company,
after the Distribution Date in respect of any assessment of property tax
referred to in Section 7.02(c)(ii) or any refund thereof referred to in Section
6.01(b).
ARTICLE 4
POST-DISTRIBUTION CARRYBACKS OF TAX BENEFITS
SECTION 4.01. Carryback Provisions. Corn shall be entitled to any refund
for any Tax obtained by CPC (or any member of the CPC Group) as a result of the
carryback of losses or credits of any member of the Corn Group from any Tax
period beginning on or after the Distribution Date to a CPC Consolidated Return
for any CPC Consolidated Return Period, provided that CPC approves in writing
such carryback. Such refund is limited to the net amount received (by refund,
offset against other Taxes or otherwise), net of any net Tax cost incurred by
CPC or a CPC Company resulting from such refund, and shall be paid whenever
payment is received from a Taxing Authority. If such approval is not granted
by CPC, Corn may elect to carryback such losses or credit in which event CPC
shall pay Corn the amount to which it would be entitled under the preceding
sentence reduced by an amount equal to any CPC Tax detriment which may be
incurred in any Tax period resulting from such carryback; provided that CPC
will
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not be obligated to make any payment to Corn in respect of any carryback that,
in the aggregate, is less than $50,000. When and if any CPC Tax detriment is
reduced, CPC shall pay the amount of such reduction to Corn. If CPC shall have
paid a refund to Corn in respect of a carryback permitted hereunder, and in a
subsequent Tax period, CPC shall suffer a Tax detriment by reason of such
carryback (that was not contemplated in the computation of the amount refunded
to Corn), Corn shall compensate CPC, on demand, for the full amount of such Tax
detriment. The application of any such carrybacks by Corn and/or any other
current or former member of the CPC Group shall be in accordance with the Code
and the consolidated return regulations promulgated thereunder. Corn shall
indemnify CPC for any costs and liabilities including interest and penalties
arising out of an audit by the IRS of the carryback of any item under this
paragraph. Upon request by Corn, CPC shall advise Corn of any estimate of the
Tax detriment it projects will be associated with any carryback of losses or
credits of a member of the Corn Group. Notwithstanding this Section 4.01, Corn
and any member of the Corn Group shall have the right, in its sole discretion,
to make any election, including the election under Section 172(b)(3) of the
Code, which would eliminate or limit the carryback of any loss or credit to any
Tax period ending before or including the Distribution Date.
ARTICLE 5
POST-DISTRIBUTION CARRYOVERS OF TAX BENEFITS AND ATTRIBUTES
SECTION 5.01. CPC Group Items. CPC shall notify Corn as soon as
practicable after the Distribution Date of any carryover item which may be
partially or totally attributed to and carried over by a Corn Company and will
notify Corn of subsequent adjustments which may affect such carryover item.
CPC and Corn each agree to compute their respective Tax liabilities,
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and the Tax liabilities of their Affiliates, for Tax years after the
Distribution Date consistent with these determinations.
SECTION 5.02. Earnings and Profits. Based on CPC's determination, CPC
shall notify Corn as soon as practicable after the Distribution Date of the
amount of earnings and profits and associated Tax attributes, if any, which are
allocated to a Corn Company and will notify Corn of subsequent adjustments
which may affect the amount of earnings and profits and associated Tax
attributes, if any, of a Corn Company. CPC and Corn each agree to compute
their respective Tax liabilities, and the Tax liabilities of their Affiliates,
for Tax years after the Distribution Date consistent with this determination.
ARTICLE 6
ADJUSTMENTS
SECTION 6.01. CPC Returns and Foreign Distributing Entity Returns. (a)
Except as provided in the Tax Indemnification Agreement, if any Tax liability
or refund in respect of any CPC Company (or a Corn Company that prior to the
Distribution Date was a CPC Company) arises as a result of an amended filing, a
protest, an audit by the IRS or other Taxing Authority, or for any other
reason, and such Tax liability or refund relates to (i) a CPC Return filed in
respect of any Tax period commencing before or including the Distribution Date,
(ii) a Foreign Distributing Entity Return in respect of any Tax period
commencing before or including the Applicable Foreign Distribution Date, or
(iii) a Corn Return for which Corn or a Corn Company, pursuant to Section 2.14,
has designated CPC as its agent in filing an amended Corn Return, and such
liability:
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(x) does not relate to Temporary Differences attributable to a Corn
Company, then CPC or a Foreign Distributing Entity, as applicable, shall be
liable for and shall pay any Tax liabilities and any interest and penalties
associated therewith and CPC or a Foreign Distributing Entity, as applicable,
shall receive any Tax refunds and any interest associated therewith.
(y) does relate to Temporary Differences attributable to a Corn Company
and such Taxing Authority:
(i) acknowledges directly or indirectly to the satisfaction of
CPC or, as applicable, the Foreign Distributing Entity that CPC or,
as applicable, the Foreign Distributing Entity may solely utilize such
Temporary Differences in computing Tax liability, benefit or refunds in
respect of post-Distribution Date (or Applicable Foreign Distribution Date)
Tax periods, CPC or the Foreign Distributing Entity, as applicable, shall
be liable for and shall pay any such Tax liability and any interest and
penalties associated with such Tax liability and shall receive any such
benefit or refunds and any interest associated therewith; or
(ii) does not acknowledge directly or indirectly to the
satisfaction of CPC or, as applicable, the Foreign Distributing Entity
that CPC or as applicable, the Foreign Distributing Entity may solely
utilize such Temporary Differences in computing Tax liability, benefit or
refunds in respect of post-Distribution Date (or Applicable Foreign
Distribution Date) Tax periods, the party hereto against which the issue
giving rise to such Tax liability is directed shall be liable for and shall
pay any such Tax liability and any interest and penalties associated with
such Tax
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liability and shall receive any such benefit or refunds and any interest
associated therewith;
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, Corn shall be entitled
to, and shall receive, all refunds of property tax assessed on real property of
the Corn Division, provided that Corn shall be liable for and shall indemnify
and hold CPC harmless against any Tax in respect of such refunds.
SECTION 6.02. Corn Returns. Except as described in the Tax
Indemnification Agreement, if any Tax liability or refunds in respect of any
Corn Company arises as a result of an amended filing, a protest, an audit by
the IRS or other Taxing Authority, or for any other reason, and such Tax
liability or refund relates to a Corn Return other than for a Corn Return for
which Corn or a Corn Company, pursuant to Section 2.14, has designated CPC as
its agent in filing an amended Corn Return, Corn or a Corn Company shall be
liable for and shall pay any Tax liabilities and any interest and penalties
associated therewith and Corn or a Corn Company shall receive any such Tax
refunds and any interest associated therewith.
SECTION 6.03. Expenses. Any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., travel
expenses, accountants' fees, attorneys' fees, experts' fees, etc.) incurred by
a CPC Company in connection with proposed or actual liabilities or refunds of
the type contemplated in this Article 6 shall be paid by the entities to which
such liabilities or refunds are allocated hereunder. In cases where such
expenses relate to more than one CPC Company or more than one party hereto, the
parties affected shall allocate such expenses in proportion to the amount of
proposed liabilities or refunds allocable to each, or by some other reasonable
method which results in an equitable allocation of such expenses.
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ARTICLE 7
CONTESTS
SECTION 7.01. CPC, CPC Company, and Foreign Distributing Entity Contests;
Notification and Communication. If either party, or an Affiliate of either
party, receives a notice of audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to (i)
the Corn Division with regard to any CPC Return, (ii) a Corn Company with
regard to a CPC Consolidated Return or any Corn Return for which CPC is
designated as agent, (iii) a foreign Corn Company with regard to any Foreign
Distributing Entity Return, or (iv) a Corn Foreign Return, other than a Corn
Foreign Return which is filed after the Distribution Date and in respect of
which the matter under audit would not affect a Corn Foreign Return filed prior
to the Distribution Date, such party shall promptly notify the other party of
such event. Thereafter, CPC or Corn, as the case may be, shall keep the
others, on a timely basis, informed of all material developments in connection
with audits, administrative proceedings, litigation and other similar matters
that may affect their respective Tax liabilities. Failure or delay in
providing notification hereunder shall not relieve any party hereto of any
obligation hereunder in respect of any particular Tax liability, except to the
extent that such failure or delay restricts the ability of such party to
contest such liability administratively or in the courts and otherwise
materially and adversely prejudices such party.
SECTION 7.02. Group Contests; Control and Management of Claims. (a) As
among the parties hereto, CPC shall control the prosecution of any audits and
any contests in respect of any claim made by a Taxing Authority on audit or in
a related administrative or judicial proceeding or in respect of any refund or
credit of Taxes, and shall make and prosecute other claims for refunds with
respect to any Tax liability, that relates to a CPC Return (other than
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in respect of an assessment of property taxes referred to in Section
7.02(c)(ii) or a Foreign Distributing Entity Return or any Corn Return for
which CPC is designated as an agent). Corn may participate in such audits or
contests to the extent that CPC in its sole discretion shall deem appropriate,
provided, however, that CPC shall have the sole right to control, at CPC's
expense, the prosecution of any audit, refund claim or related administrative
or judicial proceeding with respect to those matters which could affect the CPC
Group's Tax liability. CPC shall be entitled to participate in any audit not
described in this section 7.02(a) (and related contests) for which it is
entitled to receive notice under Section 7.01, including without limitation any
matter referred to in Section 7.02(c)(ii).
(b) With respect to a Tax liability or refund that, pursuant to the
provisions hereof, may be attributable to (i) the Corn Division with regard to
any CPC Return, (ii) a Corn Company with regard to a CPC Consolidated Return,
or a Corn Return for which CPC is designated as an agent, or (iii) a foreign
Corn Company with respect to any Foreign Distributing Entity Return, if CPC
elects not to exercise its rights of control under subsection (a) hereof, and
if Corn so requests, CPC shall contest, control and allow Corn to participate
to the extent that CPC in its sole discretion shall deem appropriate, all at
Corn's expense, or in the alternative shall permit Corn at its own expense to
contest and control a claim made by a Taxing Authority on audit or in a related
administrative or judicial proceeding or by appropriate claim for refund or
credit of Taxes (or to make and prosecute other claims for refund). Corn shall
pay all out-of-pocket and other costs relating to such contests, including but
not limited to fees for attorneys, accountants, expert witnesses or other
consultants.
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(c) With respect to a Tax liability or refund that, pursuant to the
provisions hereof, may be attributable to (i) Corn or a Corn Company with
regard to a Corn Return, other than a Corn Return with respect to which CPC is
designated as an agent, (ii) the Corn Division with respect to an assessment of
property tax on real property of the Corn Division for any period prior to the
Distribution Date, or (iii) a foreign Corn Company with respect to any Corn
Foreign Return, Corn, a Corn Company or a foreign Corn Company shall control at
its own expense the prosecution of any audits and any contests in respect of
any claim made by a Taxing Authority on audit or in a related administrative or
judicial proceeding or by appropriate claim for refund or credit of Taxes (or
to make and prosecute other claims for refund).
(d) If asserted liabilities unrelated to the matters contemplated
herein become grouped with contests arising hereunder, the parties shall use
their respective best efforts to cause the contest arising hereunder to be the
subject of a separate proceeding.
(e) With respect to matters arising hereunder controlled by CPC, and
where deemed necessary by CPC, Corn shall compel the relevant Corn Company to
authorize by appropriate powers of attorney such Persons as CPC shall designate
to represent such Corn Company with respect to such matters. The parties
hereto shall reasonably cooperate with one another in a timely manner with
respect to any matter arising hereunder.
ARTICLE 8
INFORMATION AND COOPERATION; BOOKS AND RECORDS
SECTION 8.01. General. (a) Corn shall deliver to CPC, as soon as
practicable after CPC's request, and CPC shall deliver to Corn as soon as
practicable after Corn's request such information and data concerning the
operations conducted by the Corn Companies or the
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CPC Companies, respectively and make available such knowledgeable employees of
the Corn Companies or the CPC Companies respectively as CPC or Corn, as the
case may be, may reasonably request, including providing the information and
data required by CPC's or Corn's customary internal Tax and accounting
procedures, in order to enable each of CPC or Corn, as the case may be, to
complete and file all Tax forms or reports that it may be required to file with
respect to the activities of the Corn Companies for Tax periods ending on,
prior to or including the Distribution Date, to respond to audits by any Taxing
Authorities with respect to such activities, to prosecute or defend any
administrative or judicial proceeding, and to otherwise enable CPC or Corn, as
the case may be, to satisfy its accounting and Tax requirements. Corn shall
provide office space to IRS and other Tax Authorities when they are conducting
on-site audits, and to employees and representatives of CPC or Corn, as the
case may be, for so long as the Tax period for which a CPC Return, a Foreign
Distributing Entity Return or a Corn Return for which CPC has been designated
as an agent, is open to assessment of additional Taxes or an assessment with
respect to such period is being contested. CPC shall deliver to Corn as soon
as practical after Corn's request, such information and data concerning any Tax
attributes which were allocated to a Corn Company that is reasonably necessary
in order to enable Corn to complete and file all Tax forms or reports that it
may be required to file with respect to such activities of the Corn Companies
from and after the Distribution Date, to respond to audits by any Tax
Authorities with respect to such activities, to prosecute or defend claims for
Taxes in any administrative or judicial proceeding, and to otherwise enable
Corn to satisfy its accounting and Tax requirements. In addition, CPC shall
make available to Corn, and Corn shall make available to CPC, its knowledgeable
employees for such purpose.
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(b) Until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations
(including any extension or waiver thereof), each Corn Company shall retain all
books, records, documentation or other information in its possession relating
to any CPC Return, any Foreign Distributing Entity Return, and any Corn Return,
and each CPC Company shall retain all books, records, documentation or other
information in its possession relating to any Corn Return. Upon the expiration
of any statute of limitations, the foregoing information may be destroyed or
disposed of provided that (i) the party in possession of such books, records,
documentation or other information has provided sixty (60) days' prior written
notice to the other party, describing in reasonable detail the documentation to
be destroyed or disposed of and (ii) such other party has not removed or made
arrangements for removing of such materials.
ARTICLE 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 9.01. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement and the
obligations and rights created hereunder are subject and conditioned upon the
completion of the Distributions.
SECTION 9.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in
person, by courier service (including overnight delivery), by cable, by
telecopy confirmed by return telecopy, by telegram, by telex or by registered
or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective
parties at the addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.02) listed below:
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(a) To CPC:
P.O. Box 8000
International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Telecopy: (201) 894-2210
Attn: Vice President-Taxes
with a copy to: General Counsel
(b) To Corn:
P.O. Box 345
6500 Archer Road
Argo, Illinois 60501
Telecopy: (708) 563-6561
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to: General Counsel
SECTION 9.03. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement is
intended to provide rights, obligations and covenants in respect of Taxes and,
together with the Tax Indemnification Agreement, shall supersede all prior
agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. In the event provisions of
this Agreement are inconsistent with provisions in a Tax Indemnification
Agreement, the provisions in the Tax Indemnification Agreement shall control,
except in cases where this construction would provide a duplicate benefit.
SECTION 9.04. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but
all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 9.05. Waiver. The parties to this Agreement may (a) extend
the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other party or parties, (b) waive
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any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party or
parties contained herein or in any document delivered by the other party or
parties pursuant hereto or (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions of the other party or parties contained herein. Any such extension
or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed
by the party to be bound thereby. Any waiver of any term or condition shall
not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of
the same term or condition, or a waiver of any other term or condition, of this
Agreement. The failure of any party to assert any of its rights hereunder
shall not constitute a waiver of any such rights.
SECTION 9.06. Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified
except (a) by an instrument in writing signed by, or on behalf of, the parties
or (b) by a waiver in accordance with Section 9.05.
SECTION 9.07. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement
cannot be assigned by CPC or Corn without the consent of the other party.
SECTION 9.08. Subsidiaries. Each of the parties hereto shall cause to be
performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements
and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any subsidiary of such
party or by any entity that is contemplated to be a subsidiary of such party on
and after the Distribution Date.
SECTION 9.09. Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
subsidiaries, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall
confer upon any third parties any legal
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or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.10. Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.11. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or equity.
SECTION 9.12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York. Without limiting
the provisions of Section 9.13 hereof, each of the parties irrevocably submits
to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the Superior Court of the State of New
Jersey, Bergen County, and (b) the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey, for the purposes of any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
hereby. Each of the parties agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding
relating hereto that is not required to be submitted to arbitration pursuant to
Section 9.13 hereof either in the United States District Court for the District
of New Jersey or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in
such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Superior Court of the State of
New Jersey, Bergen County. Each of the parties further agrees that service of
any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such
party's respective address set forth above shall be effective service of
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process for any such action, suit or proceeding in New Jersey with respect to
any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 9.12.
Each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the
laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) the Superior Court of the State
of New Jersey, Bergen County, or (ii) the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally
waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action,
suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum.
SECTION 9.13. Arbitration. Any conflict or disagreement arising out of
the interpretation, implementation, or compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement shall be finally settled pursuant to the dispute resolution
procedures set forth in the Distribution Agreement, which provisions are
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 9.14. 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 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.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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Annex
This Annex, which is an attachment to the Tax Sharing Agreement, sets
forth the agreement of the parties with respect to Taxes of CPC Rafhan Ltd.
("Rafhan"), a Pakistan corporation and Rafhan Best Foods Ltd. ("Best Foods"), a
Pakistan corporation. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Tax Sharing Agreement.
As part of a plan of reorganization, Rafhan will undergo a demerger under
Pakistan law, upon which all of the assets and liabilities of the consumer
foods business conducted by Rafhan will be transferred to Best Foods, and the
shares of Best Foods shall be distributed to the existing shareholders of
Rafhan, including CPC. In connection therewith, CPC will, as of December 31,
1997, transfer to CPI beneficial ownership of its share interest in Rafhan, as
it relates to the corn refining business conducted by Rafhan. On the date that
the demerger is effective under Pakistan law ("the Effective Date"), or as soon
as practicable thereafter, CPC will transfer to Corn legal ownership of its
shares of Rafhan pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.
The parties intend that from and after the Effective Date, the Tax
liabilities and obligations of Rafhan and Best Foods shall be as follows:
1. Rafhan shall be liable for the filing of all Tax returns and the
payment of all Taxes:
(a) with respect to all businesses conducted by Rafhan for all
periods ending on or before September 30, 1997
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(b) with respect to all businesses conducted by Rafhan, other than
the consumer foods business to be transferred to Best Foods on or before
the Effective Date, for all tax periods ending after September 30, 1997
(c) due on or before the Effective Date, which are related to the
consumer foods business conducted by Rafhan for periods beginning on or
after October 1, 1997. All Taxes due or payable with respect to such
returns shall be paid from the profits of the consumer foods business
2. Best Foods shall be liable for the filing of all Tax returns and
payment of all Taxes due after the Effective Date with respect to the
operations of the consumer foods business (whether conducted by Rafhan or
Best Foods), and all operations of Best Foods, for all Tax periods
beginning on or after October 1, 1997.
3. Rafhan shall indemnify and hold Best Foods harmless against all
Taxes referred to in paragraph 1, except as otherwise provided in
paragraph 4.
4. Best Foods shall indemnify and hold Rafhan harmless against all of
the following Taxes:
(a) all Taxes referred to in paragraph 2
(b) all Taxes referred to in section c of paragraph 1 (provided that
Rafhan shall not be entitled to reimbursement of any such Taxes paid by
Rafhan from the profits of the consumer foods business)
5. Rafhan and Best Foods, respectively, shall be entitled to file (or
cause the other party to file, as the case may be) any amended Tax returns
with respect to, control any audits or contests with respect to, and
receive any refunds of, all Taxes for which such party is liable to
indemnify and hold harmless the other party hereunder.
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6. All relevant provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement shall apply
hereto, provided that this Annex shall control in the case of any
provision of the Tax Sharing Agreement which is inconsistent with any
provision of this Annex. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, section
2.14 of the Tax Sharing Agreement shall not apply hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Annex to be executed as
of even date with the Tax Sharing Agreement by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC. CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: By:
Its: Its:
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Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTION COPY
TAX INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This TAX INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into
as of the first day of December, 1997, by and between CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a
Delaware corporation ("CPC"), and CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("CORN").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, CPC is the common parent of an affiliated group of corporations
within the meaning of Code Section 1504 which includes CORN (all capitalized
terms not otherwise defined shall be as defined in Section 5.07 hereof); and
WHEREAS, CPC intends to transfer to CORN its corn refining business,
including all stock owned by it in domestic and foreign corporations engaged in
the corn refining business, in exchange for stock of CORN, and distribute to
its shareholders stock constituting control of CORN, within the meaning of Code
Section 368(c) (the "Spinoff"); and
WHEREAS, in connection therewith, it will be necessary for certain foreign
corporations owned by CPC to engage in Foreign Spinoffs; and
WHEREAS, the IRS has issued the IRS Rulings which state the United States
federal income tax treatment of the Spinoff and the Foreign Spinoffs, which tax
treatment also shall be relied upon and reported by CPC for all applicable
United States state and local Tax purposes
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(such United States federal income tax and state and local Tax treatment to be
referred to hereinafter as the "Tax Treatment"); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto are entering into this Agreement to indemnify
CPC as hereinafter provided in the event the Spinoff or any of the Foreign
Spinoffs shall fail to qualify for the Tax Treatment due to actions by CORN or
its Affiliates.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
SECTION 1.01. Representations.
(a) CORN hereby makes the following representations to CPC: (i) CORN has
reviewed the submissions to the IRS in connection with the IRS Rulings and, to
the best of CORN's knowledge, all statements and representations therein
concerning CORN, its business, operations, capital structure or organization,
are complete and accurate in all material respects; (ii) CORN shall, and shall
cause each of its Affiliates to, comply with each statement concerning CORN and
its Affiliates that is designated as a "representation" in the submissions or
the IRS Rulings; (iii) CORN concurs with all representations and statements
made in the submissions.
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All of the above representations shall survive the Spinoff Date until the
expiration of all statute of limitations (inclusive of extensions) in respect
of taxable periods for which Taxes might be imposed or otherwise assessed in
respect of the Spinoff and all of the Foreign Spinoffs.
(b) CORN hereby represents and warrants to CPC that neither CORN nor any
Foreign Spinco nor any of their respective Affiliates has any present intention
to cease to engage in its Active Business (as defined in Section 1.02(a)(i)),
undertake, or permit to be undertaken, any action that would result in a
violation of any of CORN's covenants in Section 1.02(a)(ii), or undertake,
authorize, approve, recommend, permit, facilitate, enter into any contract with
respect to, or consummate, any transaction described in Section 1.02(a)(iii).
SECTION 1.02. Covenants.
(a) CORN covenants and agrees with CPC that during the Restricted Period:
(i) CORN and each Foreign Spinco will continue to engage in the active
conduct, within the meaning of section 1.355-3(b) of the Regulations, of the
corn refining business, as described in the Ruling Request, which business, as
actively conducted, shall be referred to hereinafter as such corporation's
Active Business.
(ii) CORN and each Foreign Spinco will (A) continue to manage and to own
directly assets which represent at least fifty percent (50%) of the Gross
Assets which such corporation
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managed and owned directly immediately after the Spinoff or the
applicable Foreign Spinoff, as the case may be; (B) continue to manage and own
(directly and indirectly through one or more entities) assets which represent
at least 50% of the Gross Assets which such corporation managed and owned
(directly and indirectly through one or more entities) immediately after the
Spinoff or the applicable Foreign Spinoff, as the case may be; and (C) not take
any action (including the acquisition or entering into of businesses other than
extensions of its Active Business) which would cause the fair market value of
its Active Business to be less than five percent (5%) of its total Gross
Assets.
(iii) Neither CORN, nor any Foreign Spinco, nor any of their respective
directors, officers or other representatives, will undertake, authorize,
approve, recommend, permit, facilitate, enter into any contract with respect
to, or consummate, any of the following transactions:
(A) the issuance of Common Stock (whether or not subject to
restrictions), or the issuance of any options, warrants, rights or securities
exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock (collectively, the "New
Stock"), whether in a single transaction or in a series of related or unrelated
transactions or otherwise, which in the aggregate if issued (and in the case of
options, warrants, rights or securities, exercised or converted) immediately
prior to the Spinoff or the applicable Foreign Spinoff, as the case may be,
would exceed twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(including the New Stock) immediately following the Spinoff or the applicable
Foreign Spinoff, as the case may be;
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(B) the issuance of any class or series of capital stock or any other
instrument (other than Common Stock (whether or not subject to restrictions) or
options, warrants, rights or securities exercisable for, or convertible into,
Common Stock) that would constitute equity of CORN or any Foreign Spinco for
United States federal income tax purposes (such classes or series of capital
stock and other instruments being referred to herein as "Disqualified Stock")
other than pursuant to the CORN Rights Plan;
(C) the issuance of any options, rights, warrants, securities or similar
arrangements exercisable for, or convertible into, Disqualified Stock other
than pursuant to the CORN Rights Plan;
(D) any redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions from shareholders of
greater than 20% of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests in
CORN or any Foreign Spinco in a single transaction or a series of related or
unrelated transactions, except redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions by
CORN, any Foreign Spinco or any of their respective Affiliates, of the capital
stock or other equity interests of CORN or any Foreign Spinco that satisfy all
of the following requirements: (1) there is a "sufficient business purpose"
(within the meaning of section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30) for the
transaction, (2) the stock to be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired is
widely held, (3) the stock redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions will be
made on the open market, and (4) the amount of stock redemptions, purchases or
other acquisitions in a single transaction or in a series of related or
unrelated
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transactions will not exceed an amount of stock representing twenty percent
(20%) of the outstanding stock of CORN or the applicable Foreign Spinco
immediately following the Spinoff;
(E) the dissolution, merger, or complete or partial liquidation of CORN or
any Foreign Spinco or any announcement of such action; or
(F) the waiver, amendment, termination or modification of any provision of
the CORN Rights Plan, or redemption of Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, in
connection with, or in order to permit or facilitate, any acquisition or
proposed acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of capital stock or other equity
interest in CORN.
(b) In addition to the other representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements set forth in this Agreement, CORN and its Affiliates will take, or
refrain from taking, as the case may be, such actions as CPC may reasonably
request during the Ruling Period as necessary to ensure that the Spinoff and
the Foreign Spinoffs qualify for the Tax Treatment, including, without
limitation, such actions as CPC determines may be necessary to obtain and
preserve the IRS Rulings or any subsequent IRS ruling relating to the tax
treatment of the Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs on which the parties
can rely. For purposes hereof, the "Ruling Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the Spinoff Date and ending on the first anniversary of the date
on which there shall have expired all statutes of limitations (inclusive of
extensions) in respect of taxable periods for which Taxes might be imposed or
otherwise assessed in respect of the Spinoff and all of the Foreign Spinoffs,
but in no event ending sooner than the third
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anniversary of the close of the taxable year of CPC in which the Spinoff
occurs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, CORN and its
Affiliates shall cooperate with CPC if CPC determines to obtain additional IRS
rulings pertaining to whether any actual or proposed change in facts and
circumstances affects the United States federal income tax status of the
Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs. This Section 1.02(b) shall not apply
after the termination of the Restricted Period with respect to any of the
actions described in Section 1.02(a), unless (i) at the termination of the
Restricted Period, the federal income tax year of CPC that includes the Spinoff
is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service or any successor federal
income tax authority or, at or prior to the termination of the Restricted
Period, CPC has received notice that such an examination is to commence and
(ii) CPC delivers to CORN concurrent with any request after the termination of
the Restricted Period pertaining to an action described in Section 1.02(a), an
opinion of independent tax counsel of recognized national standing who is
experienced in the issues to be addressed and otherwise is reasonably
acceptable to CORN, that such request is reasonable; provided that this Section
1.02(b) will not apply if the possible adverse effect on CORN and its business
from the actions requested by CPC pursuant to this Section 1.02(b) is greater
than the possible adverse effect on CPC and its business from not taking such
actions.
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ARTICLE 2
CORN INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 2.01. Tax Indemnities.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.01(b), if CORN, any Foreign
Spinco, or any of their respective Affiliates (collectively the "Indemnifying
Party"), whether through any of their respective directors, officers, other
representatives or otherwise, shall violate, or cause or permit to be violated,
any representation or covenant contained in Article 1, and as a result
thereof (singly or in combination with other actions of the Indemnifying
Party), the Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs shall fail to qualify for
the Tax Treatment, the Indemnifying Party shall (jointly and severally)
indemnify and hold harmless CPC and each member of the CPC Group (collectively
the "Indemnified Party") against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as
defined in Section 3.01(a) arising therefrom.
(b) If, following the six-month anniversary of the Spinoff Date, CORN, any
Foreign Spinco or any of their respective Affiliates takes any action or
engages in conduct prohibited by, or resulting in the violation of any covenant
in, Section 1.02(a) (other than any action or conduct that results in an event
described in Section 2.01(c)), and prior to such action or conduct, CORN
delivers to CPC (i) a ruling from the IRS in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to CPC, and upon which CPC can rely, to the effect that the
proposed action or conduct will not cause the Spinoff or any of the Foreign
Spinoffs to fail to qualify for the tax treatment stated in the IRS
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Ruling or otherwise to be taxable for federal income tax purposes, or
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel, Section 2.01(a) will not apply with respect to such
action or conduct.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement,
if, during the Restricted Period, any Person or Group acquires Beneficial
Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Common Stock (or any other
class of capital stock or other equity interest) of CORN or any Foreign Spinco
or commences a tender or other purchase offer for the capital stock or other
equity interest of CORN or any Foreign Spinco, upon consummation of which such
Person or Group would acquire Beneficial Ownership of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the Common Stock (or any other class of stock or other equity interest)
of CORN or any Foreign Spinco, and, as a result thereof, the Spinoff or any
of the Foreign Spinoffs shall fail to qualify for the Tax Treatment, the
Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party
against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as defined in Section 3.01(a))
arising therefrom. The Indemnified Party shall be so indemnified and held
harmless under this Section 2.01(c) without regard to whether the Indemnified
Party has received or delivered to CPC a supplemental ruling from the IRS or an
Opinion of Counsel, and without regard to whether an acquisition of Beneficial
Ownership results from a transaction which is not prohibited under Article 1.
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ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES
SECTION 3.01. Definition and Calculation of Indemnified Liabilities. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Indemnified Liabilities" shall mean any and all
demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, damages,
liabilities, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, interest,
penalties and reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, imposed or incurred,
directly or indirectly on an Indemnified Party, by reason of or resulting from
the failure of the Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs to qualify for the
Tax Treatment, including (i) any and all Taxes imposed upon or incurred by the
Indemnified Party as a result of said failure, (ii) any liability of the
Indemnified Party arising from Taxes imposed on shareholders of CPC to the
extent any shareholder or shareholders of CPC successfully seek recourse
against the Indemnified Party on account of said failure, and (iii) any and all
costs, fees and expenses incurred in regard to any Indemnified Liability
(including, subject to Section 4.02(e), costs relating to the contest of any
Indemnified Liability). The amount of any Indemnified Liability for a tax
based on or determined with reference to income ("Income Tax") shall be deemed
to be the amount of the tax on the gain or income of the Indemnified Party
which is subject to tax and indemnified against under Article 2, computed at
the taxing jurisdiction's highest marginal tax rate applicable to taxable
income of corporations such as the Indemnified Party on income of the character
subject to tax and indemnified against under Article 2 for the taxable period
in which the Spinoff or the affected Foreign Spinoff, as the case may be,
occurs. If an Indemnified Party should be subject to an Income Tax on the
Indemnified Liability, the amount payable by the
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Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party shall be increased by (and
the Indemnified Liability shall be deemed to include) such additional amount
necessary to place the Indemnified Party in the same cash position it would
have been in had the Indemnified Liability not occurred, taking into account
for this purpose all Income Taxes paid or payable by the Indemnified Party with
respect to such Indemnified Liability (including such additional amount) and
any related Income Tax deductions to the Indemnified Party.
ARTICLE 4
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
SECTION 4.01. General. The parties hereto undertake and agree that from
and after such time as either shall obtain knowledge that any representative of
a taxing authority has begun to investigate or inquire into the Spinoff or any
of the Foreign Spinoffs (whether or not such investigation or inquiry is a
formal or an informal investigation or inquiry), the party obtaining such
knowledge shall (i) notify the other party thereof, provided that any delay by
the Indemnified Party in so notifying the Indemnifying Party shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability hereunder (except to the extent
such delay restricts the ability of the Indemnifying Party to contest the
resulting Indemnified Liability administratively or in the courts in accordance
with Section 4.02 and the Indemnifying Party is materially and adversely
prejudiced by such delay), (ii) consult with the other party from time to time
as to the conduct of such investigation or inquiry, (iii) provide the other
party with copies of all correspondence with such taxing authority or any
representative thereof pertaining to such investigation or inquiry, and (iv)
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arrange for a representative of the other party to be present at all meetings
with such taxing authority or any representative thereof pertaining to such
investigation or inquiry.
SECTION 4.02. Contests.
(a) If any taxing authority shall propose in writing an adjustment (a
"Relevant Adjustment") that, if upheld, would result in an Indemnified
Liability, the party receiving such proposed adjustment shall promptly notify
the other party thereof, provided that any delay by the Indemnified Party in so
notifying the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of
any liability hereunder (except to the extent such delay restricts the ability
of the Indemnifying Party to contest the resulting Indemnified Liability
administratively or in the courts in accordance herewith and the Indemnifying
Party is materially and adversely prejudiced by such delay), and provide the
other party with copies of the portions of all written material between such
party and the taxing authority to the extent relating solely to such Relevant
Adjustment. Provided that the Indemnifying Party shall timely (i) furnish the
Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party and its independent certified public accountants of the Indemnifying
Party's ability to pay the full amount of the Indemnified Liability on the
basis of its financial position or the provision of a letter of credit for the
full amount of the liability or other similar adequate security and (ii)
acknowledge in writing that the asserted liability is an Indemnified Liability,
the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its expense, to contest the
Relevant Adjustment in its own name, or if the Indemnifying Party does not have
standing to contest the Relevant Adjustment, in the name of the Indemnified
Party, at the administrative level.
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(b) In the event that the issues giving rise to a Relevant Adjustment are
not resolved at the administrative level and an Indemnified Liability is
imposed by the taxing authority, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to
contest the Indemnified Liability beyond the administrative level, provided
that the Indemnifying Party shall acknowledge in writing that the asserted
liability is an Indemnified Liability and (i) pay the full amount of the
asserted liability to the taxing authority (in which case, the Indemnifying
Party would be entitled to pursue a claim for refund in the appropriate
judicial forum) or (ii) furnish the Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Party of its ability to pay the full amount of
the Indemnified Liability which may result at the conclusion of such contest.
If requested by the Indemnified Party, such evidence shall consist of a letter
of credit in favor of the Indemnified Party for the amount of the Indemnified
Liability (or a lesser amount agreed to by the Indemnified Party) or another
comparable means of directly providing for the payment of the Indemnified
Liability. The Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to pursue a contest
beyond the first judicial level unless, in addition to meeting the above
requirements, the Indemnifying Party submits to the Indemnified Party an
opinion of Independent Tax Counsel (which shall mean an independent tax counsel
of recognized national standing and experienced in the issues to
be addressed and otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party) upon
which the Indemnified Party may rely, to the effect that it is more likely than
not that the Indemnifying Party will prevail on the merits in such contest, and
in no event shall the Indemnifying Party be permitted to contest the asserted
liability to the United States Supreme Court.
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(c) Subject to Section 4.02(d) and Section 4.02(f) and the conditions of
this Section 4.02(c), the Indemnifying Party shall control any administrative
level contest, but only insofar as it relates to the Relevant Adjustment, and
any contest at the judicial level relating to an Indemnified Liability,
provided that the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in said
contest and any outside party engaged in connection with said contest shall be
subject to the prior approval of the Indemnified Party, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld. The Indemnifying Party shall (i) consult with
the Indemnified Party regarding the conduct of any said contest, (ii) keep the
Indemnified Party reasonably informed of the progress of such contest, (iii)
permit the Indemnified Party and its authorized representatives to be present
during the conduct of such contest and (iv) submit to the Indemnified Party for
its approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) any written protests,
challenges, pleadings, briefs, memoranda or other documents prepared prior to
or during to course of such contest by the Indemnifying Party or its counsel,
and provide to the Indemnified Party a copy of any written ruling, order or
other document resulting from said contest.
(d) If at any time during a contest controlled by the Indemnifying Party
pursuant to this Section 4.02 the Indemnifying Party shall, after a request by
the Indemnified Party, fail to provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party of its continued ability to pay the full amount of the
Indemnified Liability or the Indemnified Party reasonably determines, after due
investigation, that the Indemnifying Party could not pay the full amount of the
Indemnified Liability, then the Indemnified Party may assume control of the
contest upon seven (7) days written notice.
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(e) The Indemnifying Party shall pay all out-of-pocket expenses and other
costs related to the Indemnified Liability, including but not limited to fees
for attorneys, accountants, expert witnesses or other consultants retained by
the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party, other than costs and expenses
incurred solely in the discretion of the Indemnified Party as a participant in
a contest that, at the time such costs and expenses are incurred, is being
controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 4.02(c), and would not
otherwise be incurred by the Indemnifying Party. To the extent that any such
expenses and other costs have been or are paid by an Indemnified Party, the
Indemnifying Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnified Party therefor.
(f) The Indemnifying Party shall not pay (unless otherwise required by a
proper notice of levy and after prompt notification to the Indemnified Party of
receipt of notice and demand for payment), settle, compromise or concede any
portion of the Indemnified Liability without the written consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(g) Any contest relating to an Indemnified Liability which is not
controlled or which is no longer controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant
to Section 4.02 shall be controlled and directed exclusively by the Indemnified
Party, and any related out-of-pocket expenses and other costs incurred by the
Indemnified Party, including but not limited to, fees for attorneys,
accountants, expert witnesses or other consultants, shall be reimbursed by the
Indemnifying Party. The Indemnified Party shall keep the Indemnifying Party
reasonably informed of the
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progress of such contest, including the scheduling and results of meetings
with the tax authorities. The Indemnified Party will not be required to pursue
the claim in a federal district court, the United States Court of Federal
Claims or any state court, if as a prerequisite to such court's jurisdiction,
the Indemnified Party is required to pay the asserted liability, unless the
funds necessary to invoke such jurisdiction are provided by the Indemnifying
Party.
SECTION 4.03. Time and Manner of Payment. The Indemnifying Party shall
pay to the Indemnified Party the amount of the Indemnified Liability and any
expenses or other costs indemnified against (less any amount paid directly by
the Indemnifying Party to the taxing authority) not less than (7) business days
prior to the date payment of the Indemnified Liability is to be made by any
party to the taxing authority. Such payment shall be paid by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by the Indemnified Party
by written notice to the Indemnifying Party prior to the due date of such
payment. If the Indemnifying Party delays making payment beyond the due date
hereunder, such party shall pay interest on the amount unpaid at the IRS
Penalty Rate for each day and the actual number of days for which any amount
due hereunder is unpaid.
SECTION 4.04 Refunds. In connection with this Agreement, should an
Indemnified Party receive a refund in respect of amounts paid by an
Indemnifying Party to any taxing authority on its behalf, or should any such
amounts that would otherwise be refundable to the Indemnifying Party be
applied by the taxing authority to obligations of the Indemnified Party
unrelated to an Indemnified Liability, then such Indemnified Party shall,
promptly following
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receipt (or notification of credit), remit such refund (inclusive of any
interest thereon paid by the taxing authority) to the Indemnifying Party, net
of any tax paid or payable by the Indemnified Party with respect to the receipt
of such amount.
SECTION 4.05. Cooperation. The parties shall cooperate with one another
in a timely manner in any administrative or judicial proceeding involving any
matter that may result in an Indemnified Liability.
ARTICLE 5
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 5.01. Notices. All notices, requests, claims and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in
person, by courier service, by cable, by telecopy, by telegram, by telex or any
means of electronic transmission with delivery confirmed (by voice or
otherwise) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to the respective parties at the addresses listed below, or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance
with this Section 5.01:
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To CPC or any Indemnified Party:
P.O. Box 8000
International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Telecopy: 1-201-894-2210
Attn: Vice President-Taxes
with a copy to: General Counsel
To CORN or any Indemnifying Party:
P.O. Box 345
6500 Archer Road
Argo, Illinois 60501
Telecopy: 1-708-563-6561
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to: General Counsel
SECTION 5.02. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall constitute the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and shall supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and
oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by
the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be
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deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same agreement. This Agreement may not be amended, or modified except
by an instrument in writing signed by, or on behalf of, the parties or by a
waiver in accordance with Section 5.03. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
subsidiaries, and nothing herein, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall
confer upon any third parties any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy
of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.03. Waiver. The parties to this Agreement may extend the time
for the performance of any of the obligations hereunder, and either party may
waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party
contained herein or in any document delivered by the other party pursuant
hereto or waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the
other party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid only
if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be
bound thereby. The waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or
condition, or a waiver of any other term or condition, of this Agreement. The
failure of any party to assert any of its rights hereunder shall not constitute
a waiver of any such rights.
SECTION 5.04. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding
the previous sentence, CORN shall not
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assign this Agreement or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder, or
delegate performance of any of its obligations hereunder, without the prior
written consent of CPC.
SECTION 5.05. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or equity.
SECTION 5.06. Dispute Resolution. Article VI of the Distribution
Agreement shall apply hereto and shall be deemed incorporated herein by
reference with respect to any dispute arising out of the interpretation,
implementation or compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.07. Governing Law and Severability.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York, other than its conflicts of laws.
Without limiting Section 5.06, each of the parties irrevocably submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey for
the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this
Agreement. Each of the parties agrees to commence any action, suit or
proceeding relating hereto that is not required to be submitted to arbitration
pursuant to Section 5.06 either in the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be
brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Superior Court of
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the State of New Jersey, Bergen County. Each of the parties further agrees
that service of any process, summons, notice or document by United States
registered mail to such party's respective address set forth above shall be
effective service of process for any such action, suit or proceeding in New
Jersey with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction
pursuant to this Section 5.07. Each of the parties irrevocably and
unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit
or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby in (i) the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen County, or
(ii) the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and
hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead
or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in
any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) 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 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.
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SECTION 5.08. Affiliates. Each party hereto shall cause to be performed,
and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and
obligations set forth herein to be performed by any of its Affiliates.
SECTION 5.09. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall
have the meanings set forth below, and such meanings shall be equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.
"Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such Person.
"Beneficial Owner" (including, with its correlative meanings,
"Beneficially Own" and "Beneficial Ownership"), with respect to any securities,
shall mean any Person who has, or any of whose Affiliates or Associates has (a)
directly or indirectly, the right to acquire, vote or dispose of, such
securities (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the
passage of time), whether pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing), upon the exercise of conversion
rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, (b) "beneficial
ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date hereof, but including
all such securities which a Person has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of, whether or not such
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right is exercisable within the 60-day period specified therein), including
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in
writing), or (c) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in
writing) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any
securities which are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof). For this purpose, "Associate"
shall mean, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any
corporation or organization of which such Person is an officer or partner or
is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 10 percent or more of any
class of capital stock or other equity interest; (b) any trust or other estate
in which such Person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such
Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any
relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the
same home as such Person.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including
any comparable successor legislation.
"Code Section" shall mean a section of the Code.
"Common Stock" shall mean, with respect to (a) CORN, common stock thereof
having a par value of $0.01 per share and including the Preferred Stock
Purchase Rights ("CORN Common Stock"), (b) New Canada Cornco, common stock
thereof, (c) BrazilCo Corn, quotas thereof and (d) ChilCo Corn, common stock
thereof.
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"Control" (including its correlative meanings, "Controlled by" and "under
common Control with") shall mean, with respect to a Person, possession by such
Person of the power, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, to (a) elect a majority of the board of directors (or the
equivalent governing body) of another Person, or (b) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of or with respect to another Person,
whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise.
"CORN Rights Plan" shall mean the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Plan of
CORN as governed by the Rights Agreement, dated as of November 19, 1997,
between CORN and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent.
"CPC Group" shall mean the affiliated group of corporations as defined in
Code Section 1504(a) of which CPC (or any successor thereto) is the common
parent, excluding for tax periods of the CPC Group commencing subsequent to the
Spinoff Date, CORN and the other members of the CORN Group. For purposes
hereof, the "CORN Group" shall mean affiliated group of corporations as defined
in Code Section 1504(a) of which CORN (or any successor thereto) is the common
parent.
"Foreign Spinco" shall mean each of New Canada Cornco, BrazilCo Corn and
ChilCo Corn, as described and defined in the Ruling Request.
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"Foreign Spinoffs" shall mean, collectively, the distributions to CPC by
Canada Amalco of Canada Cornco, by Refinacoes de Milho, Brasil Ltda. of
BrazilCo Corn and by Industrias de Maiz y Alimentos S.A. of ChilCo Corn, all as
described in the Ruling Request. All capitalized terms not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Ruling Request.
"Gross Assets" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
the fair market value of such Person's assets unencumbered by any liabilities.
"Group" shall mean two or more Persons acting as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate, or otherwise acting in concert for the purpose of
acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of any Person.
"IRS" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"IRS Penalty Rate" shall mean the rate of interest imposed from time to
time on underpayments of income tax pursuant to Code Section 6621.
"IRS Rulings" shall mean the private letter rulings (together with any
supplements) issued by the IRS in respect of the Ruling Request.
"Opinion of Counsel" shall mean an Unqualified Tax Opinion addressed to
CPC, in form and substance satisfactory to CPC and upon which CPC can rely. In
no event shall CPC be
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required to conclude that an opinion is satisfactory if there is any risk,
however remote, that the action or conduct which is the subject of the opinion
will cause the Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs to be taxable to any
extent under the Code. For this purpose, an "Unqualified Tax Opinion" shall
mean an unqualified "will" opinion of independent tax counsel of recognized
national standing who is experienced in the issues to be addressed and
otherwise is reasonably acceptable to CPC, to the effect that the action or
conduct which is the subject thereof does not disqualify the Spinoff or any of
the Foreign Spinoffs for tax-free treatment for the Indemnified Party and the
shareholders of CPC under Code Sections 355, 368(a)(1)(D) and any other
applicable Code Sections, assuming that the Spinoff and the Foreign Spinoffs
would have qualified for such tax-free treatment if the subject action or
conduct had not occurred. An Unqualified Tax Opinion may rely upon, and assume
the accuracy of, any representations contained in the Ruling Request.
"Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock Purchase Rights" shall mean the rights to purchase
preferred stock of CORN specified in the CORN Rights Plan.
"Regulations" shall mean the income tax regulations issued, published or
promulgated under the Code.
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"Restricted Period" shall mean the period beginning on the date of the
first to occur of the Spinoff or any of the Foreign Spinoffs and ending on the
second anniversary of the Spinoff Date.
"Ruling Request" shall mean the request for rulings under Code Sections
355 and 368(a)(1)(D) filed in respect of the Spinoff and the Foreign Spinoffs
on behalf of CPC on April 11, 1997, and all amendments and supplements thereto
filed subsequent to such date.
"Section" shall refer to a section of this Agreement.
"Spinoff Date" shall mean the date determined by CPC's Board of Directors
as the date on which the Spinoff shall occur.
"Taxes" shall mean all United States federal, state or local gross or net
income, gross receipts, withholding, franchise, transfer, estimated or other
taxes or similar charges and assessments, including all interest, penalties and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the date first written above.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC. CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By By
------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
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Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTION COPY
DEBT AGREEMENT
This DEBT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 1, 1997, (this "Agreement"), by
and between CPC International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CPC"), and Corn
Products International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Corn Products").
WHEREAS, as contemplated in the Distribution Agreement, the parties have
entered into this Agreement regarding the indebtedness to be borne by Corn
Products and the Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS, CPC intends to reduce the indebtedness of CPC and the CPC
Consolidated Subsidiaries by the proceeds of New Debt, and any proceeds of New
Assumed Debt, mutually agreed to be incurred or assumed by Corn Products and
the Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiaries;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Certain Definitions. All capitalized terms not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings set forth below (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of the terms defined).
Any reference by name to any entity owned directly or indirectly by CPC shall
be deemed to include any successor entity thereto.
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"Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble.
"Brazilian Distribution" shall mean the distribution by Refinacoes de
Milho, Brasil Ltda. (a wholly owned subsidiary of CPC organized and operating
under the laws of Brazil) to CPC of all of the outstanding equity of Brazilian
Newco.
"Brazilian Newco" shall mean the Brazilian entity engaged solely in the
corn refining business which will result from the transfer of all of the assets
and liabilities of the corn refining business of Refinacoes de Milho, Brasil
Ltda. to said Brazilian entity.
"Canadian Distribution" shall mean the distribution by Canada Starch
Operating Company, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of CPC organized and
operating under the laws of Canada) to CPC of all of the outstanding stock of
Canadian Newco.
"Canadian Newco" shall mean the Canadian entity engaged solely in the corn
refining business which will result from the transfer of all of the assets and
liabilities of the corn refining business of Canada Starch Operating Company,
Inc. to said Canadian entity.
"Chilean Distribution" shall mean the distribution by Industrias de Maiz y
Alimentos S.A. (a wholly owned subsidiary of CPC organized and operating under
the laws of Chile) to CPC of all of the outstanding stock of Chilean Newco.
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"Chilean Newco" shall mean the Chilean entity engaged solely in the corn
refining business which will result from the transfer of all of the assets and
liabilities of the corn refining business of Industrias de Maiz y Alimentos
S.A. to said Chilean entity.
"Corn Products" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble.
"Corn Products Consolidated Existing Debt" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 2(a).
"Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 2(a).
"Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiaries" shall mean all entities,
wherever organized, that, in accordance with GAAP, are included in the
consolidated financial statements of Corn Products as of the Distribution Time.
"Corn Products Tax Balance Sheet" shall mean the Final Corn Products
Balance Sheet, as adjusted to reflect United States federal income tax
differences determined by CPC in accordance with past practices consistently
applied (which such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties).
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"Corn Products Total Consolidated Debt Amount" shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in Section 2(a).
"CPC" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble.
"CPC Adjustment Date" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
4(a).
"CPC Base Amount" shall mean the aggregate amount of CPC's unrecovered
investment for United States federal income tax purposes in all of the assets
(including the stock of domestic and foreign corporations), net of liabilities
(including liabilities to which said assets are subject, but excluding
contingent and unknown liabilities), contributed by CPC directly to Corn
Products in contemplation of the Distribution and reflected on the Corn
Products Tax Balance Sheet, which amount shall be determined by CPC, in
accordance with past practices consistently applied (which such determination
shall be final and binding upon the parties), as of the date of the
contribution of each such asset to Corn Products.
"CPC Consolidated Subsidiaries" shall mean all entities, wherever
organized, that, in accordance with GAAP, are included in the consolidated
financial statements of CPC as of the Distribution Time.
"CPC Foreign Distributing Company" shall mean each of (i) Canada Starch
Operating Company, Inc., (ii) Refinacoes de Milho, Brasil Ltda. and (iii)
Industrias de Maiz y Alimentos S.A.
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"CPC Foreign Distributing Company Base Amount" shall mean the aggregate
amount of the unrecovered investment for United States federal income tax
purposes of (i) Canada Starch Operating Company, Inc. in all of the assets, net
of all liabilities (including liabilities to which said assets are
subject, but excluding contingent and unknown liabilities) other than New
Assumed Debt, transferred to Canadian Newco in contemplation of the Canadian
Distribution, (ii) Refinacoes de Milho, Brasil Ltda. in all of the assets, net
of all liabilities (including liabilities to which said assets are subject, but
excluding contingent and unknown liabilities) other than New Assumed Debt,
transferred to Brazilian Newco in contemplation of the Brazilian Distribution,
and (iii) Industrias de Maiz y Alimentos S.A. in all of the assets, net of all
liabilities (including liabilities to which said assets are subject, but
excluding contingent and unknown liabilities) other than New Assumed Debt,
transferred to Chilean Newco in contemplation of the Chilean Distribution,
determined in each case by CPC, in accordance with past practices consistently
applied (which such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties),
as of the date of each of the respective contributions, and reflected on the
respective Foreign Newco Tax Balance Sheet.
"Distribution" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the
Distribution Agreement.
"Distribution Agreement" shall mean that certain Distribution Agreement
dated as of December 1, 1997, by and between CPC and Corn Products, and to
which this Agreement is an Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Distribution
Agreement).
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"Distribution Time" shall mean the close of business on the Distribution
Date, immediately after the Distribution. For this purpose, "Distribution
Date" shall mean such date as may be determined by the board of directors of
CPC as the date on which the Distribution shall occur.
"Final Corn Products Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 4(a).
"Final Foreign Newco Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 4(b).
"Foreign Adjustment Date" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
section 4(b).
"Foreign Distribution" shall mean each of the Brazilian Distribution, the
Canadian Distribution and the Chilean Distribution.
"Foreign Distribution Time" shall mean with respect to each Foreign
Distribution, the close of business on the Foreign Distribution Date,
immediately after the Foreign Distribution. For this purpose, "Foreign
Distribution Date" shall mean with respect to each Foreign Distribution, such
date as may be determined by the board of directors (or equivalent governing
body) of the respective CPC Foreign Distributing Company as the date on which
such Foreign Distribution shall occur.
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"Foreign Newco" shall mean each of Brazilian Newco, Canadian Newco and
Chilean Newco.
"Foreign Newco Tax Balance Sheet" shall mean the respective Final Foreign
Newco Balance Sheet, as adjusted for United States federal income tax
differences determined by CPC in accordance with past practices consistently
applied (which such determination shall be final and binding upon the parties).
"GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles and
practices, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, as promulgated by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors.
"Indebtedness" shall mean all interest bearing debt for money borrowed
whether or not evidenced by securities, without regard to whether such debt is
accounted for as a current or long-term liability on the balance sheet of the
borrower, except that Indebtedness shall not include (i) any debt to CPC, any
CPC Consolidated Subsidiary, Corn Products or any Corn Products Consolidated
Subsidiary, (ii) any trade or non-trade accounts payable or similar liabilities
or (iii) any leases (whether accounted for as a capital lease or an operating
lease).
"New Assumed Debt" shall mean Indebtedness incurred by CPC or a CPC
Consolidated Subsidiary, with respect to which the lender agrees that (i) such
Indebtedness will be transferred
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to Corn Products or a Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiary on or prior to
the Distribution Date, (ii) such Indebtedness will, upon such transfer, become
the liability of Corn Products or a Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiary, and
(iii) CPC and the CPC Consolidated Subsidiaries will be discharged from any
liability related thereto. All Indebtedness of a CPC Foreign Distributing
Company that is to be transferred to a Foreign Newco as part of a Foreign
Distribution shall also be regarded as New Assumed Debt.
"New Debt" shall mean Indebtedness, other than Corn Products Consolidated
Existing Debt or New Assumed Debt, for money borrowed from banks, financial
institutions or other similar lenders, but shall not include any debt to CPC,
any CPC Consolidated Subsidiary, Corn Products or any Corn Products
Consolidated Subsidiary.
"Notice" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6(h).
"Section" shall mean a section of this Agreement.
SECTION 2. Debt Undertaking.
(a) Corn Products Total Consolidated Debt. The parties agree that at the
Distribution Time, (i) the Corn Products Total Consolidated Debt Amount shall
be an amount equal to $350 million, and (ii) the Corn Products Consolidated New
Debt Amount shall be the excess of the Corn Products Total Consolidated Debt
Amount over the Corn Products Consolidated Existing
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Debt. For purposes hereof, the Corn Products Consolidated Existing Debt
shall be the total amount of Indebtedness, as of September 30, 1997 (or such
other date as the parties may mutually agree), of all Corn Products
Consolidated Subsidiaries. The amount of Corn Products Consolidated Existing
Debt held by each of the relevant Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiaries is
set forth in the Schedule A.
(b) Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount. After September 30, 1997
(or such other date as the parties may mutually agree), but not later than
December 31, 1997, (i) Corn Products shall incur New Debt and pay the proceeds
of such New Debt to CPC; and (ii) each Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiary
designated by Corn Products and agreed to by CPC shall assume New Assumed Debt
from CPC or a CPC Consolidated Subsidiary. The total of said New Debt to be
incurred by CPC and New Assumed Debt to be assumed by Corn Products
Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be equal to the Corn Products Consolidated New
Debt Amount. The allocation of the Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount
among Corn Products and each of the Corn Products Consolidated Subsidiaries
designated by Corn Products and agreed to by CPC, for the purpose of
determining the amount of New Debt or New Assumed Debt to be incurred or
assumed by each, shall be as set forth in Schedule A. Such allocation shall
take into account the agreements set forth in Sections 2(c) and 2(d). The
parties may agree that, in lieu of incurring New Debt, Corn Products will
assume New Assumed Debt in respect of all or any portion of the amount of the
Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount allocable to Corn Products. All
proceeds of New Debt, and the proceeds, if any, of all New Assumed Debt
referred
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to herein shall be used exclusively to retire Indebtedness of CPC and
the CPC Consolidated Subsidiaries.
(c) Corn Products Debt. The parties agree that the portion of the Corn
Products Consolidated New Debt Amount to be allocated to Corn Products shall
not exceed the CPC Base Amount.
(d) Foreign Newco Debt. The parties agree that the portion of the Corn
Products Consolidated New Debt Amount to be allocated to any Foreign Newco
shall not exceed the CPC Foreign Distributing Company Base Amount.
SECTION 3. Preliminary Balance Sheets. [Intentionally left blank.]
SECTION 4. Final Balance Sheets.
(a) As soon as practicable after the Distribution Time, but in any event
within sixty (60) days following the Distribution Time (the "CPC Adjustment
Date"), CPC shall deliver to Corn Products (i) a book balance sheet prepared by
CPC in cooperation with Corn Products reflecting the final determination of the
assets, liabilities and net equity as of the Distribution Time of Corn Products
on a stand-alone basis (the "Final Corn Products Balance Sheet") and (ii) the
Corn Products Tax Balance Sheet, computed from the Final Corn Products Balance
Sheet.
(b) As soon as practicable after each Foreign Distribution Time, but in
any event within sixty (60) days following the respective Foreign Distribution
Time (each, a "Foreign Adjustment Date"), CPC shall deliver to Corn Products
(i) book balance sheets prepared by CPC in
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cooperation with Corn Products reflecting the final determination of the
assets, liabilities and net equity as of the respective Foreign Distribution
Time of each Foreign Newco ("Final Foreign Newco Balance Sheets") and (ii) the
corresponding final Foreign Newco Tax Balance Sheets, computed from the Final
Foreign Newco Balance Sheets.
(c) Each of the book balance sheets described in Sections 4(a) and 4(b)
are or shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent
with CPC's past practices.
SECTION 5. Adjustments.
(a) If the portion of the Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount
allocated directly to Corn Products exceeds the CPC Base Amount indicated by
the Corn Products Tax Balance Sheet computed from the Final Corn Products
Balance Sheet, CPC shall pay to Corn Products an amount of cash equal to such
excess. In such an event, Corn Products will cause a Corn Products
Consolidated Subsidiary to (i) assume New Assumed Debt in the amount of such
excess, or if agreed to by the parties, (ii) incur New Debt in the amount of
such excess and pay to CPC or the relevant CPC Foreign Distributing Company the
proceeds of such New Debt.
(b) If the portion of the Corn Products Consolidated New Debt Amount
allocated to any Foreign Newco exceeds the corresponding CPC Foreign
Distributing Company Base Amount indicated by the Foreign Newco Tax Balance
Sheet computed from the respective Final Foreign Newco Balance Sheet, the
respective CPC Foreign Distributing Company shall pay to the
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applicable Foreign Newco an amount of cash equal to such excess. In such
an event, Corn Products will, or will cause a Corn Products Consolidated
Subsidiary to, (i) assume New Assumed Debt in the amount of such excess or, if
agreed to by the parties, (ii) incur New Debt in the amount of such excess and
pay to CPC or the relevant CPC Foreign Distributing Company the proceeds of
such New Debt.
SECTION 6. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Termination. This Agreement may not be terminated except by an
agreement in writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
(b) Further Actions. If at any time after the Distribution Time any
further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement, either of the parties shall, on the written request of the other,
take all such reasonably necessary or desirable action.
(c) Cooperation. The parties hereto agree to use their reasonable best
efforts to cooperate with respect to the various matters contemplated by this
Agreement.
(d) Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, no party hereto may assign or delegate, whether by operation of law or
otherwise, any of such party's rights or obligations under or in connection
with this Agreement without the written consent of the other party hereto, and
any attempt to so assign or delegate any of said rights or obligations without
such consent shall be void. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all
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covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any
of the parties hereto will be binding upon and enforceable against the
respective successors and assigns of such party and will be enforceable by and
will inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of
such party.
(e) Modification; Waiver; Severability. This Agreement may be amended,
supplemented or waived only by a subsequent writing signed by all of the
parties hereto. The failure of any party hereto to require strict performance
by any other party of any provision of this Agreement will not waive or
diminish that party's right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or
any other provision hereof. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the
application of such provision in circumstances other than those as to which it
has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect
and in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the
economic or legal substance of the transaction contemplated hereby is not
affected in any manner adverse to any party.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed with counterpart
signature pages or in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be one and
the same Agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts
have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to all the parties
hereto.
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(g) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of the Agreement are
inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) Notices. All notices, consents, requests, waivers or other
communications required or permitted under this Agreement (each a "Notice")
shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if (a) hand
delivered or sent by telecopy or any means of electronic transmission with
delivery confirmed (by voice or otherwise), (b) sent by nationally recognized
overnight courier, or (c) sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, and in each case addressed as follows:
If to CPC at: P.O. Box 8000
International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
Telecopy: 1-201-894-2210
Attn: Vice President-Taxes
with a copy to: General Counsel
If to Corn Products at: P.O. Box 345
6500 Archer Road
Argo, Illinois 60501
Telecopy: 1-708-563-6561
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to: General Counsel
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or such other address as shall be furnished by any of the parties in a Notice.
Any Notice shall be deemed given upon receipt.
(i) Survival. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all
covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement shall
survive the Distribution Time.
(j) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be executed by CPC and Corn
Products on their own behalf and on behalf of their respective affiliates,
which in the case of CPC shall mean the CPC Consolidated Subsidiaries, and in
the case of Corn Products shall mean the Corn Products Consolidated
Subsidiaries, including each Foreign Newco. Each of CPC and Corn Products
agrees to cause its respective affiliates to perform, and hereby guarantees the
performance of, each and every one of the obligations hereunder to be performed
by such affiliates.
(k) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective affiliates, and shall not be
deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, right of
reimbursement, action or other right in excess of those existing without
reference to this Agreement.
(l) Dispute Resolution. Article VI of the Distribution Agreement shall
apply hereto and shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference with respect
to any dispute arising out of the interpretation, implementation or compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement.
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(m) Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the law of the
State of New York without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws
thereunder. Without limiting Article VI of the Distribution Agreement, each of
the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior
Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen County, or the United States District
Court for the District of New Jersey, for purposes of any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of this Agreement. Each of the parties agrees to
commence any action, suit or proceeding relating hereto that is not required to
be submitted to arbitration pursuant to Article VI of the Distribution
Agreement either in the United States District Court for the District of New
Jersey or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such
court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Superior Court of the State of New
Jersey, Bergen County. Each of the parties further agrees that service of any
process, summons, notice or document by United States registered mail to such
party's respective address set forth above shall be effective service of
process for any such action, suit or proceeding in New Jersey with respect to
any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction. Each of the parties
irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of
any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement in the Superior
Court of the State of New Jersey, Bergen County, or the United States District
Court for the District of New Jersey, and hereby further irrevocably and
unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that
any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought
in an inconvenient forum.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC. CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By By
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
17
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Exhibit 10.5
EXECUTION COPY
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of December 1, 1997, is
between CPC International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CPC"), and Corn
Products International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Corn Products").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, CPC and Corn Products have entered into a Distribution Agreement
dated as of the date hereof (the "Distribution Agreement") pursuant to which,
among other matters, each party has agreed to provide, or cause one or more of
its subsidiaries to provide, to the other party, and its respective
subsidiaries certain transitional administrative and support services on the
terms set forth in this Agreement and the appendices hereto; and
WHEREAS, CPC and Corn Products intend for this Agreement to be an
Ancillary Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
SERVICES PROVIDED
1.1 Transition Services. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in an appendix hereto, each of which is made a part of this Agreement,
each party will provide to the other the services indicated to be provided by
such party in such appendix (a "Transition Service" or "Transition Services")
during the time period set forth in such appendix (the "Time Periods").
1.2 Personnel. In providing the Transition Services, each party, in its
capacity as a provider and as it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole
discretion, shall, unless otherwise agreed, use its own personnel. Unless
otherwise agreed in writing, none of the individuals providing Transition
Services to the recipient will be deemed to be employees of the recipient for
any purpose.
1.3 Level of Transition Services. (a) Each party providing Transition
Services shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such services in
a satisfactory and timely manner and exercising the same degree of care as it
exercises in performing the same or similar services for its own account as of
the date of this Agreement, with priority equal to that provided to its own
businesses or those of any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions.
Nothing in this Agreement shall require any
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party to favor the businesses of the other over its own businesses or those of
any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or divisions.
1.4 Force Majeure. Any failure or omission by a party in the performance
of any obligation under this Agreement shall not be deemed a breach of this
Agreement or create any liability, if the same arises from any cause or causes
beyond the control of such party, including, but not limited to, the following,
which, for purposes of this Agreement shall be regarded as beyond the control
of each of the parties hereto: acts of God, fire, storm, flood, earthquake,
governmental regulation or direction, acts of the public enemy, war, rebellion,
insurrection, riot, invasion, strike or lockout; provided, however, that such
party shall resume performance whenever such causes are removed if the
applicable Time Period has not expired.
1.5 Modification of Procedures. Each party may make changes from time to
time in its standards and procedures for providing the Transition Services for
which it is responsible hereunder to the degree it changes such Services for
its own use.
1.6 No Obligation to Continue to Use Services. Neither party shall have
any obligation to continue to use any Transition Service. Either party may
elect to stop receiving any Transition Service from the other party at any time
by giving the other party not less than 30 days written notice.
1.7 Provider Access. To the extent reasonably required for personnel to
perform the Transition Services, the other party shall provide reasonable
access, on an as needed basis, to its equipment, office space, plants,
telecommunications and computer equipment and systems, and any other areas and
equipment.
1.8 Cooperation. Each party shall provide to the other on a timely basis
any and all information which is necessary to provide the applicable Transition
Services. The party shall be solely responsible for the timely delivery of
such information, and the accuracy and completeness thereof.
1.9 Ancillary Agreement. This agreement is an Ancillary Agreement to the
Distribution Agreement and shall be governed by the provisions set forth
therein except as specifically otherwise provided herein. Capitalized terms
used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in the Distribution Agreement.
ARTICLE II
COMPENSATION
2.1 Consideration. For each Transition Service provided pursuant hereto,
the receiving party shall pay the other the amount specified in the appendix
relating to such Transition Service (with the understanding that there shall be
no charge for informal telephone consultation); provided, that, in the event
the appendix does not
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describe such amount, the receiving party shall pay an amount equal to 105% of
the provider's fully allocated cost to provide such Transition Service.
Payment shall be made monthly based on an invoice from the provider to the
recipient.
ARTICLE III
TERM AND TERMINATION
3.1 Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the Distribution Date
and shall remain in force until the expiration of the longest Time Period
specified in any appendix hereto, including any extension thereof, unless a
recipient has elected to stop receiving all of the Transition Services in
accordance with Section 1.6 above, or this Agreement is otherwise terminated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Transition
Services Agreement to be executed the day and year first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
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Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT 10.6
MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of January 1998 by and between each
entity referred to as the Licensor on each Schedule annexed hereto (each
hereinafter referred to as "Licensor"), and each entity referred to as the
Licensee on such Schedule (each hereinafter referred to as "Licensee").
References to "Licensor" and "Licensee" are to each Licensor and Licensee
Individually.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Licensor is the sole and exclusive proprietor of certain
trademarks as hereafter defined; and
WHEREAS, Licensor possesses and owns certain technology as hereafter
defined; and
WHEREAS, Licensee desires the right to use the trademarks and the
technology and Licensor is willing to grant such rights on the terms and
conditions hereinafter provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and obligations set
forth herein, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS;
As hereinafter used,
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1.1 The term "Affiliate" of a party shall be deemed to be any entity
which is controlled by, in control of, or under common control with, the party
to which the reference is made.
1.2 The term "Designee" shall mean such person or entity as may be
appointed by Licensor, upon notice to License, to perform any of Licensors
obligations or to exercise any of Licensor's rights hereunder, including but not
limited to, supervision of quality control procedures and approval of Licensed
Trademark Products (as hereinafter defined) and Packaging Materials (as
hereinafter defined).
1.3 The term "Licensed Know-How" shall mean formulations, recipes,
manufacturing information and other technical information.
1.4 The term "Licensed Patents" shall mean patents, patent applications
and idea disclosures which relate to Licensed Technology Products (as
hereinafter defined).
1.5 The term "Licensed Technology" shall include Licensed Know-How and
Licensed Patents owned by or available to Licensor as of the date of this
Agreement which Licensor has the right to license under this Agreement without
breaching any obligations to a third party or the laws of any country having
jurisdiction and which relates to Licensed Technology Products (as hereinafter
defined).
1.6 The term "Licensed Technology Products" shall mean, with respect to
each Licensor and Licensee, the specific products identified on each Technology
Schedule for each Licensed Technology.
1.7 The term "Licensed Trademarks" shall mean the trademarks listed on
the relevant Trademark Schedule annexed hereto with respect to each Licensor and
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Licensee for use in the Territory (as hereinafter defined) on the Licensed
Trademark Products (as hereinafter defined).
1.8 The term "Licensed Trademark Products" shall mean, with respect to
each Licensor and Licensee, the specific products identified on each Trademark
Schedule for each Licensed Trademark.
1.9 The term "Packaging Materials" shall mean anything used in
connection with the packaging of Licensed Trademark Products, including, but not
limited to, labels, jars, bags, closures, boxes, packages, cartons and
containers, as approved by Licensor for use only in connection with Licensed
Trademark Products.
1.10 The term "Property" shall mean the Licensed Know-How, the
Licensed Patents, the Licensed Trademarks and the copyrights and package trade
dress associated with the Licensed Trademarks which Licensor or any of its
Affiliates owns and has used or may in the future use in connection with the
manufacture, advertisement, and sale of Licensed Trademark Products and Licensed
Technology Products, and any trademarks, copyrights and package trade dress
developed by Licensee deriving from the Licensed Trademarks or from related
copyrights or trade dress. The term "Property" shall not include any trademark,
copyright or package trade dress licensed by a third party to Licensor or
otherwise controlled by another party, which Licensor does not have the right to
sublicense to Licensee.
1.11 The term "Term" shall mean, with respect to each item of
Property, the time period set forth in the relevant Schedule annexed hereto.
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1.12 The term "Territory" shall mean, with respect to each item of
Property, the countries set forth in each relevant Schedule annexed hereto, and
any other countries as may from time to time be added on mutual agreement of the
parties.
II. TRADEMARK LICENSE:
2.1 Grant. Beginning with the date of this Agreement, Licensor grants
to Licensee upon the terms and conditions specified herein, including all terms
and conditions specified in each relevant Trademark Schedule annexed hereto, an
exclusive, royalty-free license except for third party licensees existing as of
the date of this Agreement, to use the Licensed Trademarks on and in connection
with the manufacturing, packaging, advertising, promotion and sale of Licensed
Trademark Products only, offered for sale or sold within the Territory, but only
so long as Licensed Trademark Products conform to Licensor's quality standards
(as hereinafter set forth) and the other terms and provisions of this Agreement.
Unless otherwise set forth on the relevant Schedule, Licensor retains the right
to license others to use the Licensed Trademarks on and in connection with the
manufacturing, packaging, advertising, promotion and sale of any products other
than Licensed Trademark Products.
2.2 Limitations on Use of Licensed Trademarks By Licensee. Licensee
shall not use any Licensed Trademark on or in connection with any goods other
than the specified Licensed Trademark Products for which they are herein
licensed for sale in the Territory. Unless Licensor consents in writing to the
contrary, all products listed on the relevant Trademark Schedule which are
manufactured by or on behalf of Licensee for sale as Licensed Trademark Products
shall be sold only under the corresponding
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Licensed Trademarks, and no trademark other than the relevant Licensed
Trademarks shall be used in connection with such products or related Packaging
Materials or advertising and promotional materials.
2.3 Licensed Trademarks Owned by Licensor. Licensee recognizes
Licensor's ownership of and title to the Licensed Trademarks and shall not do or
suffer to be done any act or thing which will in any way impair the rights of
Licensor in and to the Licensed Trademarks. Licensee shall not claim any right
or interest in and to the Licensed Trademarks, except such limited rights of use
as are expressly granted herein, and shall not contest the validity of the
Licensed Trademarks, or the right and title of Licensor in and to the Licensed
Trademarks, or do any act or thing calculated or tending to aid others to
infringe the Licensed Trademarks or to challenge such right and title of
Licensor.
2.4 Use of Licensed Trademarks. Licensee shall use the Licensed
Trademarks in the Territory strictly in accordance with the requirements of all
laws and regulations thereof, and only in connection with the manufacturing,
packaging, sale, advertising and promotion of Licensed Trademark Products. All
uses of the Licensed Trademarks by Licensee shall be in the manner and form
provided or approved in advance by Licensor or its Designee, and shall inure
solely to the benefit of Licensor. Upon Licensor's request, Licensee will
execute such documents as may be necessary or advisable under the laws of the
Territory in order to preserve the rights of Licensor in and to the Licensed
Trademarks.
2.5 Quality of Licensed Products and Packaging Material. All Licensed
Trademark Products bearing the Licensed Trademarks manufactured by Licensee
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hereunder and all Packaging Materials used in connection therewith shall be of
at least the same quality as comparable products and materials currently
manufactured and used by Licensee, with which Licensor is familiar. Licensor or
its Designee may periodically, but no more than three (3) times within any
twelve (12) month period, request samples of Licensed Trademark Products and
Packaging Materials for purposes of inspection as part of appropriate quality
control, and Licensee shall provide such requested items to Licensor or its
Designee.
2.6 Approvals. Any product or other item submitted to Licensor or its
Designee for approval pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed approved unless
Licensor or its Designee notifies Licensee of its disapproval of such product or
other item within twenty (20) business days of its submission by Licensee. No
such approval shall be deemed to be an admission by Licensor or its Designee
that the product or item approved complies with applicable laws and regulations.
In the event Licensee receives notice of disapproval as provided herein with
respect to any product or other item, it shall not offer such product for sale
as a Licensed Trademark Product or use such other item until the reason for
disapproval has been remedied to the satisfaction of Licensor or its Designee.
Once a product or other item has been approved by Licensor or its Designee,
Licensee shall make no material change in such product or other item without the
prior written approval of Licensor or its Designee.
2.7 Quality To Be Consistent with Samples. Once a sample of a Licensed
Trademark Product has been approved by Licensor or its Designee, Licensee shall
insure that the quality of all such Licensed Trademark Products shall be
consistent with the samples approved.
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2.8 Legends. In conjunction with the use of the Licensed Trademarks by
Licensee, Licensee shall employ on Packaging Materials and on advertising and
promotional materials and the like, such legend or legends as Licensor may
specify from time to time, indicating that Licensor is the owner of the Licensed
Trademarks and/or that Licensee is the licensee thereof in the Territory.
2.9 Licensor Not to License Others. Licensor will not, during the Term
of this Agreement, license anyone other than Licensee to use the Licensed
Trademarks in connection with Licensed Trademark Products in the Territory or to
manufacture and sell Licensed Trademark Products bearing the Licensed Trademarks
within the Territory.
2.10 Licensed Trademarks and Products Widely Known. Licensee
acknowledges the fact that the Licensed Trademarks and the Licensed Trademark
Products are known and accepted in the Territory, and Licensee covenants to
acknowledge this fact in any disputes between the parties and not to contest or
challenge said fact.
III. TECHNOLOGY LICENSE:
3.1. Grant. Beginning with the date of this Agreement, Licensor grants
to Licensee upon the terms and conditions hereinafter specified, including all
terms and conditions specified in each relevant Technology Schedule annexed
hereto, a non-exclusive (except as otherwise indicated on the Schedules),
royalty-free license, except for third party licensees existing as of the date
of this Agreement, to use the Licensed Technology to manufacture and sell
Licensed Technology Products in the Territory.
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3.2. Transfer of Licensed Know-How. Licensor will provide Licensee
with any Licensed Know-How not in Licensee's possession in a manner mutually
agreed to by the parties.
3.3. Reservation of Rights. Licensor reserves the right to use and
license others to use the Licensed Technology in the Territory in connection
with products other than Licensed Technology Products, and outside the Territory
in connection with any and all products, including Licensed Technology Products.
IV. MAINTENANCE OF LICENSED TRADEMARKS AND LICENSED PATENTS
During the Term, Licensor will have the sole right at its discretion
and expense to maintain the registration of any of its Licensed Trademarks and
Licensed Patents. Notwithstanding this provision, prior to abandoning any
Licensed Trademarks or Licensed Patents in any jurisdiction, Licensor will give
Licensee at least ninety (90) days written notice. If Licensee wishes to
maintain any such Licensed Trademarks or Licensed Patents, within sixty (60)
days of such notice, Licensee will so advise Licensor and Licensee will then be
responsible for all costs associated with the Licensed Trademarks or Licensed
Patents, or at either party's request, such Licensed Trademark or Licensed
Patent will be assigned to Licensee in such jurisdiction if legally feasible.
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V. CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1 Confidential Information. Licensee will keep secret and
confidential at all times and will not disclose, divulge, or communicate the
Licensed Technology received from Licensor to any third parties, except where
that information:
(a) is or later becomes publicly known under circumstances
involving no breach of this Agreement by Licensee;
(b) was already known to Licensee at the time it was received
from Licensor;
(c) is made available to Licensee by a third party without
secrecy obligations and without breach of an obligation to
Licensor; or
(d) is contained in patents or published patent applications.
5.2 Employees. Licensee may disclose the Licensed Technology received
from Licensor only to those of its directors, officers, and employees who
legitimately require it for the purposes permitted by this Agreement.
5.3 Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the obligations
of Licensee under this Article V shall continue in force. In the event of such
termination Licensee shall return to Licensor all copies in its possession of
any plans, drawings specification sheets, reports, charts, manuals or other
items of Licensed Technology received from Licensor and shall destroy all
computer entries relating thereto.
VI. INFRINGEMENT
Infringement by Others. Licensee shall notify Licensor in writing of
any use or imitations in the Territory by others of any element of the Property
which may come to
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Licensee's attention and Licensor shall have the initial right to determine
whether or not any action shall be taken, on account of any such use or
imitations. In the event Licensor shall not have taken steps to initiate action
against the infringer or imitator within forty-five (45) business days after
such notice from Licensee (during which period the parties shall consult as to
appropriate action to be taken), then, subject to Licensor's prior written
approval, Mich shall not be unreasonably withheld, Licensee may, if it so
desires, commence or prosecute any claims or suits in its own name as exclusive
Licensee hereunder, or join Licensor as a party thereto. Licensor agrees to
cooperate in any such suit subject to being reimbursed for its out-of-pocket
expenses and being hold harmless by Licensee from any claim, loss, suit or
damage arising out of said action. In the event suit is brought under this
paragraph, no settlement shall be entered without the prior consent of Licensor
and Licensee. All damages recovered shall be retained by Licensor if it has
initiated such lawsuit or otherwise by Licensee. Unless otherwise agreed by the
Parties, all costs of any action taken under this Paragraph by Licensee shall be
borne by such party.
VII. CLAIMS AGAINST LICENSOR OR LICENSEE
If claims are made against Licensor, Licensee or any of its permitted
sublicensees by a party asserting the infringement or ownership of rights in any
subject matter which is the same as or similar to any element of the Property,
or if the parties hereto learn that another party has or claims rights in
subject matter which would or might conflict with the proposed or actual use of
any element of the Property by Licensee or its permitted sublicensees, Licensor
and Licensee agree in any such case
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to consult with each other on a suitable course of action. In no event shall
Licensee or its permitted sublicensees have the right, without the prior consent
of Licensor, to acknowledge the validity of the claim of such party, to obtain
or seek a license from such party or to take any other action Mich might impair
the ability of Licensor to contest the claim of such party if Licensor so
elects. Licensee agrees, at the request of Licensor, to make and have made
reasonable modifications in Licensee's and its permitted sublicensees' use of
any elements of the Property in question or to discontinue their use in the
Territory, if Licensor, in its sole discretion, reasonably exercised, determines
that such action is necessary to resolve or settle a claim or suit or to
eliminate or reduce the threat of a claim or suit. The parties shall negotiate
in good faith as to the bearing of expenses of such modification, taking into
account the relative equities of the parties surrounding the dispute. Licensor
shall have the right to participate fully at its own expense in the defense of
any claim or suit instituted against Licenses or its permitted sublicensees with
respect to the use by Licensee or its permitted sublicensees of any element of
the Property.
VIII. PRODUCT LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Nothing contained in this Agreement may be construed as:
(a) a warranty or representation by Licensor to enable Licensee to
produce and manufacture Licensed Technology Products or
Licensed Trademark Products of any particular quality,
standard, specification or the like;
(b) a warranty or representation by Licensor that any manufacture,
sale or use of the Licensed Technology Products or Licensed
Trademark
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Products under this Agreement will be free from infringement
of patents, or other industrial and intellectual property
rights of any parties other than Licensor;
(c) conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise upon License
any license or other rights except the rights expressly
granted under this Agreement to License;
(d) a warranty or representation as to the validity of any
Licensed Trademark or Licensed Patent held by Licensor; or
(e) a warranty or representation as to the right of the Licensee
to use Licensed Technology under this Agreement without
infringement of any patents held by third parties.
Licensee agrees to indemnify Licensor and hold Licensor free and
harmless from and against any demand, claim, action, suit or other proceedings
which may be made or Instituted by any third party against Licensor and/or any
parent, subsidiary or associated person, firm or company thereof regarding the
Licensed Technology Products and Licensed Trademark Products manufactured and
sold by Licensee including any alleged infringement of any intellectual property
rights of any third party and from and against any and all loss, damage,
damages, costs, charges and expenses arising, paid, incurred or suffered by
Licensor and/or any parent, subsidiary or associate person, firm or company
thereof arising out of this Agreement ("Losses"), provided that any such Losses
apportioned to the invalidity of any Licensed Trademark or Licensed Patent shall
not be indemnified, and provided for further clarity that any
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such losses as to which Licensor is hold jointly and severally liable,
calculated based upon the infringement of Licensee, shall be indemnified.
IX. TERM AND TERMINATIQN
9.1 Term. This Agreement shall, with respect to each item of the
Property, have a term as set forth on the relevant Schedule annexed hereto (the
"Term").
9.2 Termination for Default or Breach. If, during the Term of this
Agreement, either party shall default in the performance of or breach any of its
material obligations hereunder, and if any such default or breach shall not be
corrected within thirty (30) business days after the same shall have been called
to the attention of the defaulting or breaching party by the other party by
notice, then the notifying party, at its option, may thereupon terminate this
Agreement by notice effective on the date given, and/or avail itself of such
rights or remedies as it may have under the laws of the United States,
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any breach or default by Licensee relates to
any violation of any of the provisions herein relating to quality control, or to
a health hazard or potential health hazard resulting from the sale of Licensed
Trademark Products, all further distribution and sales of Licensed Trademark
Products shall cease immediately upon receipt of faxed or written notice of such
breach or default.
9.3 Other Termination. This Agreement may be terminated:
(a) automatically by Licensor on notice to Licensee if corporate
action for the voluntary liquidation of Licensee shall be instituted, or a court
order of dissolution shall be made against Licensee, or a receiver of any of the
assets of Licensee shall be appointed and such appointment shall not be vacated
within sixty (60) business days,
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or Licensee shall become insolvent or bankrupt or shall enter into an assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or shall make a composition with its creditors, or
(b) automatically in whole or in part by Licensor in the event of a
change in control of Licensee. For purposes of this Agreement, "change in
controls shall mean: (i) in the case of CPC International Inc. ("CPC") or Corn
Products International, Inc. ("CPI"), (A) the acquisition by any person (as such
term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) (excluding the party
to which the change in control relates or any of its Affiliates or a fiduciary
holding its securities in any type of benefit plan), directly or indirectly, of
beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally at the election of
directors, if such person is a competitor in the business to which this
Agreement relates, or (B) the merger, consolidation, reorganization or
liquidation involving the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of
the Licensee to a third party who is a competitor in the business to which this
Agreement relates, or (ii) in the case of any Affiliate of CPC or CPI, any
change in ownership of such Affiliate, such that CPC or CPI ceases to hold
voting control of its respective Affiliate(s) and the now owner is a competitor
in the business to which this Agreement relates; or
(c) at any time upon the mutual written agreement of the parties.
9.4 Effect of Expiration or Termination. In the event this Agreement
expires, or is terminated, all rights, licenses and privileges granted under
this Agreement shall immediately cease and Licensee shall immediately cease all
use of the Property, making and selling no additional Licensed Trademark
Products and Licensed Technology Products using the Property, except for the
disposition of finished Licensed
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Trademark Products and Licensed Technology Products on hand as of the date of
expiration or termination. If, however, the reason for termination or
non-renewal relates to the quality of Licensed Trademark Products or to a health
hazard or potential health hazard resulting from the sale of Licensed Trademark
Products, Licensee shall not sell, offer for sale or otherwise offer for human
consumption the finished Licensed Trademark Products on hand as of the date of
expiration or of receipt of notice of termination, but shall either destroy such
finished Licensed Trademark Products or shall turn them over to Licensor or its
Designee for destruction. Licensee shall not thereafter adopt or use any
trademark or other material which is similar to or otherwise infringes any of
the Licensed Trademarks or other Property. Licensee acknowledges that its
failure (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) to cease the
manufacture, sale or distribution of Licensed Trademark Products and Licensed
Technology Products or to cease utilizing the Property covered by this Agreement
an the expiration or termination of this Agreement will result in immediate and
irreparable harm to Licensor and to the rights of any subsequent Licensee.
Licensee acknowledges and admits that there is no adequate remedy at law for
such failure to cease manufacture, sale or distribution, and Licensee agrees
that in the event of such failure, Licensor shall be entitled to equitable
relief by way of temporary and permanent injunctions and such other and further
relief as any arbitration panel or court with jurisdiction may deem just and
proper.
9.5 Licensee to furnish Inventory Upon Expiration or Termination, In
the event this Agreement expires or is terminated by either party, Licensee
shall furnish to Licensor or its Designee an inventory of Licensed Trademark
Products, Packaging
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Materials and advertising and promotional materials bearing the Licensed
Trademarks or package trade dress in Licensee's possession or control. Licenses
shall permit Licensor or its Designee to make an inspection of all such items
during regular business hours at the premises where they are located. Licensee
shall not sell or otherwise dispose of such items without Licensors prior
written consent.
9.6 Cancellation of Recordation If Agreement. If this Agreement or
notification of its existence shall have been recorded with any governmental
agency in the Territory, Licensee shall join with Licensor in arranging to
cancel any such recordation, supplying such help and materials as may be
required to achieve this purpose at the earliest possible time. It is understood
that if any such recordation shall have taken place, the delay in canceling such
recordation shall in no way affect the fact of expiration or termination of this
Agreement, and shall not give Licensee any right to use the Property beyond that
set forth in Section 9.5 above.
X. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Agreement Not Assignable by Licensee. Licensee may not assign
this Agreement or all or any part of its rights or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of Licensor, but may sublicense such rights or
obligations to any of its Affiliates subject to a sublicensee agreement
substantially in the form of this Agreement and approved by Licensor, unless
otherwise stated on the relevant Schedule annexed hereto,
10.2 No Agency. It is the express intention and understanding of the
parties that the present Agreement does not give rise to a commercial agency
relationship. All
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purchases by Licensee shall be in its own name and for its own account, and
neither Licensor nor its Affiliates or its Designee shall in any way guarantee
or be responsible for any such purchases.
10.3 Waiver. Waiver by Licensor or by Licensee of any breach of, or
failure to comply with, any provision of this Agreement, shall not be construed
as or constitute a continuing waiver of said provision, or a waiver of any other
breach of or failure to comply with any provision (whether the same provision or
another) of this Agreement. No waiver or modification of any provision of this
Agreement shall be effective unless specifically made in writing and signed by
either Licensor or Licensee, whichever shall be the party against whom the
enforcement of such waiver or modification is sought.
10.4 Delivery of Instruments Confirming Rights. When requested in
writing by Licensor or Licensee, the other party shall promptly deliver or cause
to be delivered to the requesting party, any such instrument as the requesting
party may reasonably require confirming any rights under this Agreement.
10.5 Severability. If any covenant, obligation or understanding of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to
any extent, be held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable,
the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such covenant, obligation
or agreement to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is hold
invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each covenant,
obligation and agreement of this Agreement shall be separately valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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10.6 Essential Elements of Agreement. It Is understood that the
essential elements of this Agreement with respect to Licensed Trademarks consist
of those provisions providing Licensor with the power end ability to supervise
quality control and appearance standards of Licensed Trademark Products,
Packaging Materials and advertising and promotional materials and those
provisions which assure Licensor that all use of the Licensed Trademarks made by
Licensee hereunder shall result in goodwill solely in favor of Licensor as owner
of the Licensed Trademark. In the event any provision relating to the foregoing
essential elements of this Agreement shall be found to be illegal or
unenforceable in low or equity, this Agreement shall be invalid with respect to
all Licensed Trademarks and Licenses shall immediately cease all use of the
Licensed Trademarks and all sale of Licensed Trademark Products. If, however,
any part of this Agreement not relating to the foregoing essential elements
shall be found to be illegal or unenforceable in law or in equity, such findings
shell in no way Invalidate the validity and enforceability of the remaining
parts hereof,
10.7 Notice. Any notice, approvals or other communication to any party
to this Agreement required or permitted hereunder shall be given as set forth on
each relevant Schedule annexed hereto. All written notices shall be by
registered, certified or comparable air mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice
or communication shall be doomed to have been served when delivered or, if
delivery is not accepted by reason of the fault of the addresses, when tendered.
10.8 Force Majeure
(a) No Liability. Neither party shall be liable for failure to
perform any of the terms of this Agreement during such a time as it may be
prevented from doing so by
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reason of any act of force majeure or the after-effects thereof. Except where
the nature of the event shall prevent it from doing so, the party prevented from
performing by such act of force majeure shall notify the other party in writing
within five (5) business days after the occurrence of such act of force majeure
and shall in every instance to the extent it is capable of doing so use its best
efforts to remove or remedy such cause with all reasonable dispatch.
(b) Definition. As used herein, the term "force majeure" means
acts of God, strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other industrial disturbances,
whether of the same or different kind, riots, civil commotions, blockades,
revolutions, insurrections, mobilization, declared or undeclared war,
earthquakes, floods, fires, explosions, failure of transportation, United States
or other governmental action or inaction or controls, including any security
action or controls or refusal to issue import or export licenses, or other
occurrences or failures happening to the parties or to others which are beyond
the control of the parties and which prevent the parties from performing their
obligations hereunder.
10.9 Dispute Resolution. The parties shall cooperate and work together
to effectuate this Agreement and its purposes. In the event disputes should
arise, they "I be resolved in accordance with Article VI of the Distribution
Agreement between CPC and CPI dated as of December 1, 1997. This agreement
shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof,
10.10 Survival The provisions of Sections II(2.3), II(2.10), V, VII,
VIII and IX shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement,
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10. 11 Entire Agreement. No representation, verbal or otherwise, not
contained herein shall be binding on any party to this Agreement. This Agreement
contains the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all previous
agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and may be
modified only by a Witten instrument signed by all parties,
10. 12 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are solely for
convenience of reference and shall not affect the interpretation of any
provision hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above by signing the relevant
Schedules annexed hereto.
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SCHEDULE
LICENSOR
LICENSEE
LICENSED TRADEMARK(S): LICENSED PRODUCTS
OR
KNOW-HOW AND PATENTS:
TERM
TERRITORY
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NOTICE
(1) TO LICENSOR:
(2) TO LICENSEE:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused the annexed Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first set forth therein.
[LICENSOR]
By
-------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
[LICENSEE]
By
-------------------------------------
Name:
-------------------------------------
Title:
-------------------------------------
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1
EXHIBIT 10.8
ACCESS AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into effective the 1st day of January, 1998
between CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation ("CPC") and CORN PRODUCTS
INTERNATIONAL, INC. a Delaware corporation ("Corn Products").
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, the business of Corn Products was a
division of CPC:
WHEREAS, on December 31, 1997, Corn Products was spun-off from CPC and
is now an independent corporation;
WHEREAS, Corn Products is the owner of certain real property including
all buildings and improvements thereon located in Bedford Park, Illinois and
Summit, Illinois with an address of 6400 Archer Road, Bedford Park, Illinois
(the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, Corn Products and CPC desire to enter into this Agreement to
allow CPC access to certain areas of the Property, more specifically defined in
Exhibit A hereof (the "Access Area") for the purpose of conducting certain
activities (the "Access Activities").
NOW, THEREFORE, Corn Products and CPC agree as follows:
1.0 DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below;
"Access Activities" shall mean those food packaging
activities and operations conducted by CPC including
but not limited to packaging of corn oil, corn starch,
corn syrup and related products and all activities and
operations necessary for and associated therewith.
"Access Area" shall mean the area of the Property,
specifically delineated in Exhibit A hereof, including
but not limited to all buildings, access roads, parking
lots and railroad tracks, to which CPC is granted
access for the purposes of conducting Access
Activities.
"Access Fee" shall mean the fee payable to Corn Products by
CPC in accordance with Exhibit D hereof. The term
"Access Fee" shall include sums for services provided
to CPC by Corn Products and for goods or services of
third party vendors or contractors as indicated in
Exhibit D. Such amounts shall be invoiced by Corn
Products to CPC on a monthly or quarterly basis and
shall be subject to adjustment as indicated in Exhibit
D.
"Distribution Agreement" shall mean the Distribution
Agreement dated December 31, 1997 between CPC and Corn
Products.
2
"Master Supply Agreement" shall mean the Master Supply
Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between CPC and Corn
Products.
"Packaging Equipment" shall mean the equipment and associated
systems owned and operated by CPC in the Access Area as
listed on Exhibit C.
All other capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
2.0 SCOPE
Corn Products grants to CPC, its officers, employees, authorized
representatives, agents, and authorized CPC vendors or contractors the right to
enter upon, move freely on and maintain and operate Packaging Equipment in or on
the Access Area at any time and for any purpose associated with the Access
Activities.
Specific entrances to the property to be used by CPC, and CPC's
visitors, vendors, and contractors are designated on Exhibit A.
3.0 TERM
3.1 This Agreement shall have an initial term of five (5) years
beginning on January 1, 1998 through and including December 31, 2002 (the
"Initial Term") unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 3.0.
3.2 This Agreement may be renewed for a term agreed upon by the parties
upon the written agreement of the parties. In the event that negotiations with
respect to a renewal are in progress after the termination date of this
Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall continue until such time as a new
agreement is entered into or negotiations are terminated. If CPC does not wish
to renew this Agreement at the expiration of the Initial Term, it shall give
Corn Products notice thereof no later than twelve (12) months prior to
expiration of the Initial Term, and CPC shall pay to Corn Products the
Termination Fee set forth in Paragraph 3.5 below at the expiration of the
Initial Term or any subsequent renewal.
3.3 In the event that CPC or the assets or business of the Best Foods
Division of CPC are acquired by any third party, whether by sale, transfer,
merger, or otherwise, CPC shall give Corn Products prompt written notice of said
acquisition. Corn Products may terminate this Agreement, without penalty to Corn
Products and without payment by CPC of the Termination Fee set forth in
Paragraph 3.5 below, by delivering written notice to CPC within six (6) months
of Corn Products's receipt of CPC's notice.
3.4. In the event that Corn Products or its North American corn
refining business is acquired by a third party competitor of CPC, whether by
sale, transfer, merger or otherwise, Corn Products shall give CPC prompt written
notice of said acquisition, and CPC may terminate this Agreement without
penalty, by delivering written notice to Corn Products within six (6) months of
CPC's receipt of Corn Products's notice. In the event that Corn Products or its
North American corn refining business is acquired by a third party that is not a
competitor of CPC, whether by sale, transfer, merger or otherwise, Corn Products
shall give
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CPC prompt written notice of said acquisition and CPC may terminate this
Agreement by delivering written notice to Corn Products within six (6) months of
CPC's receipt of Corn Products's notice and payment of the Termination Fee set
forth in Paragraph 3.5 below.
3.5 CPC may, at its sole option and without cause, terminate this
Agreement at any time prior to the expiration of the Initial Term by providing
Corn Products with twelve (12) months written notice and subject to a
termination fee equal to the lesser of $5,000,000 dollars or the cost of
demolition of the buildings in the Access Area ("Termination Fee"), said cost of
demolition to be determined by Corn Products. If Corn Products decides, in its
sole discretion, to perform said demolition, Corn Products shall have
RESPONSIBILITY for all aspects of the demolition. CPC's only obligation with
respect to said demolition shall be payment of the Termination Fee.
3.6 If at any time either party is in material breach of any
representation, warranty or obligation set forth herein, the other party may
terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) calendar days written notice, provided
the breaching party failed to take all reasonable measures to cure within the
sixty (60) days. In the case of a breach caused by a failure of either party to
comply with any provision of Section 8.0 or 9.0 below, if the law provides a
time period for correction of a violation without imposition of any fine or
penalty by the applicable governmental or regulatory authority, such time period
will be considered a reasonable time for correction. In the event of termination
of this Agreement by Corn Products pursuant to this Paragraph 3.6, CPC shall pay
to Corn Products the Termination Fee.
4.0 ACCESS FEE
CPC shall, pay to Corn Products an Access Fee in accordance with
Exhibit D hereof. At any time during the term of this Agreement, the parties may
add specific line items for additional services to Exhibit D upon mutual written
agreement. Should changes in the Access Activities require changes in the
services or service charges set forth in Exhibit D, appropriate revisions to
Exhibit D shall be made upon mutual written agreement. Corn Products shall
invoice CPC for the charges set forth at Exhibit D and, upon written request,
provide to CPC all bills, invoices or other documentation supporting any charges
set forth in Exhibit D.
5.0 UTILITIES
5.1 Corn Products shall provide to CPC electricity, instrument air,
water (process and potable), steam, natural gas, sewer and fire suppression
system in accordance with Exhibit B and Exhibit D hereof. Corn Products makes no
representations, warranties or guarantees with respect to the quality of those
utilities that are not generated by Corn Products unless defects in the quality
of said utilities is caused in any way by negligent or willful acts or omissions
of Corn Products. With respect to the quantity of those utilities that are not
generated by Corn Products, Corn Products represents, warrants and guarantees
that, provided it receives said utilities at the quantity and rate received in
1997, it will provide said utilities to CPC in accordance with Exhibit B and
Exhibit D, or in a prorated amount commensurate with that amount which Corn
Products receives. With respect to the quality and quantity of those utilities
that are generated by Corn Products, Corn Products represents and warrants that
it will use its best reasonable efforts to meet the quality and quantity
standards set forth in
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Exhibit B and Exhibit D hereof. Corn Products shall notify CPC in advance, or as
soon as practicable, of any utility outages and shall take reasonable steps to
resolve those outages. Corn Products shall use good faith in scheduling required
outages in a manner that will not be unduly detrimental to CPC. Corn Products
MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
REGARDING THE UTILITIES TO BE PROVIDED TO CPC UNDER TIES ARTICLE 5.0 OTHER THAN
THOSE SET FORTH EXPRESSLY IN THIS PARAGRAPH 5.1. Corn Products's liability for
breach of warranties or representations provided in this Paragraph 5.1 shall be
limited to the value of the utilities not provided or the difference in value
between the utilities provided and the utilities described in Exhibit B and
Exhibit D.
5.2 For the purposes of metering and measuring the electricity,
instrument air, steam and natural gas utilities delivered by Corn Products to
CPC set forth in Exhibit B and Exhibit D, Corn Products shall furnish, install,
maintain, calibrate and read certain metering devices ("Metering Devices" or
"Devices"). The number, type, operation and location of such Devices shall be
mutually agreed upon by the parties and shall then be set forth in Exhibit A to
this Agreement.
5.3 The Devices will be sealed, Corn Products will provide CPC with
access to the Devices at any time upon reasonable notice, but readings,
inspections, tests and adjustments thereof shall be done by employees or agents
of Corn Products, A Device seal shall be broken only by Corn Products and only
when a Device is to be inspected, tested, or adjusted; provided, however, that
CPC will receive reasonable prior notice thereof and will have the right to be
present at such inspection, testing or adjustment. Corn Products shall
periodically inspect and test its Devices at intervals not to exceed six months
and shall provide CPC with information concerning the results of such testing.
CPC at any time may request additional testing with respect to the Devices. Upon
receiving such written request, Corn Products shall promptly schedule a test of
the Device and give to CPC reasonable notice of the time of the test. The cost
of such additional testing shall be borne by CPC in the month in which such
additional testing occurs, except that if the percentage of error is found to be
greater than 2.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for electricity,
greater am 2.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for steam, greater than
1.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for instrument air, and greater than
1.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for natural gas, the costs of such
additional testing shall be borne by Corn Products.
5.4 CPC shall have the right to install and operate metering devices at
the CPC interconnection points downstream of the Devices. All readings,
inspections, tests, adjustments and maintenance of the metering devices
installed by CPC under this provision shall be the sole responsibility of CPC.
5.5 If a Device fails to register, or if the measurement made by a
Device is found upon testing to be inaccurate, the Device will be adjusted as
soon as practicable so as to read accurately.
5.6 If the percentage of error is found pursuant to Paragraph 5.3 to be
greater than 2.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for steam, greater than
2.5 percent in the case of Metering Devices for electricity, greater than 1.5
percent in the case of Metering
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Devices for instrument air, or greater than 1.5 percent in the case of Metering
Devices for natural gas, an adjustment shall be made to the records for such
Device at the rate of such inaccuracy for (a) the actual period during which
inaccurate measurements were made, if that period can be determined to the
mutual satisfaction of the parties; or (b) if the actual period or rate cannot
be determined to the satisfaction of the parties, the CPC devices shall be
tested for accuracy, and if found to be accurate or less inaccurate than the
Devices, the CPC devices and the previous records of the CPC devices shall then
be used to the extent practicable to establish the period and extent of the
inaccuracy of the Devices; or (c) in the event neither (a) nor (b) is
applicable, a period extending backward one-half of the number of days since the
previous test of the particular Device, but in no event, however, greater than
90 days.
5.7 If the percentage of error is found pursuant to Paragraph 5.3 to be
less than 2.5 percent in the case of a Metering Device for steam, less than 2.5
percent in the case of a Metering Device for electricity, less than 1.5 percent
in the case of Metering Devices for instrument air, or less than 1.5 percent in
the case of Metering Devices for natural gas, there shall not be an adjustment
pursuant to this paragraph with respect to the current billing period, and all
previous records of the Device shall be considered to be accurate in measuring
deliveries hereunder.
5.8 If the percentage of error is not ascertainable by calibration,
tests, the CPC devices or mathematical calculation, then the adjustment to be
made to the records for such Device shall be made by estimating the adjustment
on the basis of deliveries during periods under similar conditions when the
Device was registering accurately.
5.9 If, upon testing, any of the Metering Devices or CPC metering
devices should be found inaccurate, the Device or CPC metering device, as the
case may be, shall be calibrated at once to record accurately.
6.0 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
6.1 CPC shall maintain and keep in good repair and condition all
buildings in the Access Area, including the loading docks, in compliance with
law and to the same standard of repair as applicable to Best Foods'
manufacturing facilities.
6.2 Corn Products shall maintain and keep in good repair and condition
all outside areas of the Property including the Access Area, and all buildings
on the Property not subject to Section 6.1 above,
6.3 For those maintenance and repair obligations for Building No. 44
that are common or applicable to the entire building, Corn Products and CPC
shall agree in writing as to the standard of repair and maintenance and the
allocation of costs thereof
6.4 Corn Products shall maintain and keep in good repair Corn
Products's utility systems providing CPC with electricity, instrument air, water
(process and potable), steam, natural gas, sewer and fire suppression in
accordance with Exhibit B hereof.
6.5 CPC shall maintain and keep in good repair those portions of Corn
Products's utility systems to the extent set forth in Exhibit B hereof.
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6.6 Corn Products and CPC shall provide each other written notification
of any perceived maintenance need for any item for which either party is
responsible.
6.7 CPC shall maintain and keep in good repair all Packaging Equipment.
CPC shall operate all Packaging Equipment consistent with the pollution control
devices or pre-treatment equipment and/or any permits, licenses or registrations
for the Access Area which Corn Products is responsible for maintaining. CPC
shall shut down all or part of the Packaging Equipment if such shutdown is
required by law or if such shutdown is reasonably required to avoid
non-compliance with the law. The parties shall cooperate with each other in
scheduling shutdowns required for repair or maintenance of pollution control
devices or pretreatment equipment. Corn Products shall perform said repair or
maintenance as expediently as possible so as to minimize the interruption to
CFC's Access Activities. CPC shall be liable to Corn Products for any damages
caused to pollution control devices or pre-treatment equipment due to violation
of any said permits, licenses or registrations or resulting from CPC's willful
or negligent breach of this Paragraph 6.7.
6.8 CPC shall be responsible for notifying all personnel with access to
the Access Area, including the employees of Corn Products or third parties, of
any known hazards in the Access Area, whether those hazards were caused,
directly or indirectly, by CPC, by Corn Products, or by a third party. CPC shall
take all reasonable steps to protect any such personnel from injury in the
Access Area, including but not limited to the prompt correction or repair of any
potentially hazardous or dangerous situation for which it has maintenance
responsibilities under this paragraph. CPC shall take all necessary precautions
to prevent the occurrence of any injury to persons or damage to property due to
the Access Activities, except to the extent that any such injury or damage is
due to the negligent or willful acts of Corn Products.
6.9 The maintenance obligations and costs thereof set forth in this
Section 6 shall not duplicate those obligations and costs set forth in Exhibit D
hereto.
7.0 DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES
If during the term of this Agreement the Access Area is damaged by
fire, flood, windstorm, strikes, riots, civil commotions, acts of public enemy,
acts of God, or other casualty so that the same are rendered wholly unfit for
the Access Activities, and if said Access Area cannot be repaired within sixty
(60) days from the time of such damage, or in some other reasonable time period
agreed to by the parties, then this Agreement, at the option of CPC, may be
terminated as of the date of such damage. In the event CPC elects to terminate
the Agreement, CPC shall pay the Access Fee, apportioned to the time of such
damage, and shall immediately surrender the Access Area to Corn Products and CPC
shall be relieved from any further liability hereunder, except that CPC shall
pay to Corn Products the difference, if any, between the cost of putting the
Access Area into level grade condition (excluding any subsurface soil or
groundwater remediation costs unless caused directly by the events described in
this paragraph 7.0) and the amount of any insurance proceeds actually received
by Corn Products; however, CPC's total exposure for said costs shall not exceed
$5,000,000.
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If CPC does not elect to terminate this Agreement or if any damage by
any of the above casualties, rendering the Access Area wholly unfit, can be
repaired within sixty (60) days thereafter, or in some other reasonable time
period agreed to by the parties, Corn Products agrees to repair such damage
promptly and this Agreement shall not be affected in any manner except that the
Access Fee shall be suspended and shall not accrue from the date of such damage
until such repairs have been completed; however, CPC shall continue to pay any
portion of the Access Fee which is based upon actual costs which continue to be
incurred prior to completion of the repairs. If said Access Area shall be so
slightly damaged by any of the above casualties as not to be rendered wholly
unfit for occupancy, Corn Products shall repair the Access Area promptly and
during the period from the date of such damage until the repairs are completed,
the Access Fee shall be apportioned so that CPC shall pay an amount which bears
the same ratio to the entire Access Fee as the portion of the Access Area which
CPC is able to utilize without disturbance during the period bears to the entire
Access Area; however, CPC shall continue to pay any portion of the Access Fee
which is based upon actual costs which continue to be incurred prior to
completion of the repairs. If the damage by any of the above casualties is so
slight that CPC is not disturbed in its Access Activities, then same shall be
promptly repaired by Corn Products and in that case, the Access Fee accrued or
accruing shall not abate.
Corn Products's obligations to repair damages under this Section shall
be limited to the dollar amount of any insurance proceeds which are actually
received by Corn Products specifically as a result of the damage to or
destruction of the Access Area buildings or other portions of the Access Area
for which Corn Products has maintenance obligations under this Agreement. Said
insurance proceeds shall be dedicated first to the cost of debris removal and
environmental remediation of the Access Area, provided the presence of debris or
contamination is caused directly by the events described in this paragraph 7.0
and the removal or remediation of which is specifically required for repair or
rebuilding. However, if Corn Products insures the buildings in the Access Area
for less than replacement cost, Corn Products shall be required to repair
damages and rebuild under this paragraph to the replacement cost of the
buildings. In the event that the cost of repairing or rebuilding under this
paragraph exceeds the dollar amount of any insurance proceeds actually received
by Corn Products, CPC may, but is not required to, pay any additional sums
required to repair or rebuild the Access Area. Corn Products shall have title to
and ownership of any buildings or improvements in the Access Area resulting from
this paragraph with no obligation to reimburse CPC for any amounts expended
hereunder; however, the Termination Fee under paragraph 3.5 shall be reduced by
any amount expended by CPC to repair or rebuild the Access Area hereunder. In
the event that CPC contributes $5,000,000 or any greater amount in order to
repair or rebuild the Access Area, then the Termination Fee under paragraph 3.5
shall be reduced to zero.
8.0 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
8.1 Corn Products shall comply with all federal, state and local laws,
regulations, ordinances, codes and orders applicable to Corn Products that
affect the Access Area including, but not limited to, OSHA and environmental
laws, regulations and orders.
8.2 CPC shall comply with all federal, state and local laws,
regulations, ordinances, codes and orders applicable to CPC that affect the
Access Area or Access
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Activities, including but not limited to OSHA and environmental laws,
regulations and orders. CPC shall comply with all safety rules established by
Corn Products for the exterior portions of the Access Area to the extent said
rules are reasonably applicable. CPC shall prepare an Emergency Action Plan, as
required by law, governing the Access Activities and Access Area and shall
annually submit a copy of that plan to Corn Products. CPC shall establish its
own safety rules for the interior portions of the Access Area, including but not
limited to itsPackaging Equipment. The parties shall mutually agree on safety
rules applicable to Building No. 44. CPC shall be responsible for ensuring
compliance with all safety rules by its employees, contractors, vendors, and
visitors. Both CPC and Corn Products shall be responsible for their own vendor
or contractor qualification or selection procedures, if any, and vendors or
contractors for one party shall not be required to comply with qualification or
selection procedures of the other party.
8.3 CPC shall provide Corn Products with notice of any governmental or
third party inquiry or notice involving CPC's Access Activities and the Access
Area and provide Corn Products with all written communications regarding same.
CPC shall not (a) share any information concerning Corn Products with any
governmental authority or agency, or (b) apply to or attempt to obtain from any
governmental authority or agency, any variation from or revision to any safety,
health, or air, water, land or noise pollution law or regulation relating to the
performance of this Agreement, without Corn Products's prior written approval,
In the event CPC is under a duty, pursuant to any applicable law, statute,
regulation or order, to report information concerning Corn Products's activities
under this Agreement to any governmental authority or agency, CPC shall not make
such report without first advising Corn Products thereof, unless CPC is under
duty to immediately report such information, in which case it will notify Corn
Products as soon as possible.
8.4 Corn Products shall provide CPC with notice of any governmental or
third party inquiry or notice involving the Access Area and provide CPC with all
written communications regarding same.
8.5 Both Corn Products and CPC shall maintain all documents or records
required by law to show compliance with this Section 8.0 and Section 9.0 below,
Each party shall make those documents or records available to the other upon
request, but no later than two (2) business days after receipt of a written
request for review of the documents or records.
9.0 PERMITS, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
9.1 Corn Products shall be responsible for maintaining all existing
water, and sanitary discharge permits and authorizations for the Access
Activities and the Access Area and Corn Products shall own, operate and maintain
all existing pretreatment or pollution control equipment for the Access Area and
the Access Activities. Corn Products shall make a good faith effort to modify
existing air, water or sanitary discharge permits or obtain any new air, water,
or sanitary discharge permits agreed by the parties to be necessary or
beneficial, subject to the environmental consulting fee outlined in Exhibit D.
Corn Products shall notify CPC of any applications, amendments, modifications or
renewals of any air, water and sanitary discharge permits and authorizations
affecting the Access Activities or Access Area and provide CPC the opportunity
to participate and comment on said application, amendment, modification or
renewal.
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9.2 CPC shall conduct all Access Activities consistent with all
permits, licenses or approvals held by Corn Products, where applicable.
9.3 CPC shall be responsible, as required by law, for all waste or
hazardous materials, including waste or materials brought into the Access Area
or generated by CPC or its vendors or contractors, except for those materials
permitted by Corn Products for discharge to air or sewer. Corn Products shall be
responsible, as required by law, for all waste or hazardous materials brought
into the Access Area or generated by Corn Products or its vendors or
contractors.
9.4 CORN PRODUCTS shall indemnify and hold CPC harmless from any and
all damages, penalties, fines, costs, expenses or claims incurred by CPC should
CPC be required to cease or limit any Access Activity due in any way to Corn
Products's negligent or willful failure to fulfill its obligations under Section
9. 1.
10.0 EQUIPMENT
10.1 Corn Products shall allow CPC to maintain and operate the
Packaging Equipment in the Access Area. In the event that CPC wishes to install
additional packaging equipment or fixtures or building modifications relating to
the Access Activities, including but not limited to installation of a new fire
suppression system or fire suppression devices, which will impact upon any
existing Corn Products permit or license, will require a new permit or license,
or will significantly change CPC's utility usage, CPC shall obtain Corn
Products's prior written authorization, which will not be unreasonably withheld,
prior to installation. For all other packaging equipment to be added by CPC, CPC
shall provide prior written notice to Corn Products. The parties shall amend
Exhibit C no less than annually, if necessary, to reflect any packaging
equipment added pursuant to this Section. CPC shall indemnify and protect Corn
Products from any liens, claims, or encumbrances imposed upon the Property as a
result of the Access Activities or CPC's installation of fixtures,
modifications, or equipment. CPC shall be liable to Corn Products for an
increase in property or other taxes imposed upon Corn Products due to the
addition by CPC of fixtures, building modifications, or Packaging Equipment in
the Access Area, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing prior to
installation of the fixture, modification or equipment. CPC shall have no
obligation to notify or obtain approval from Corn Products for equipment
installation which commenced prior to January 1, 1998.
10.2 CPC shall own and maintain the Packaging Equipment in the Access
Area, as set forth in Exhibit C, and packaging equipment installed after the
date of this Agreement and shall retain ownership of and remove said equipment
at CPC's cost upon termination of this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed to by
CPC and Corn Products in writing. For fixtures and modifications installed after
the date of this Agreement, the parties will agree in writing prior to
installation as to who will retain ownership of said fixtures and modifications,
whether said fixtures or modifications will be removed upon termination of this
Agreement, and the standard for restoration of the area of the plant where the
fixtures and modifications were located. Any Packaging Equipment in the Access
Area, as set forth in Exhibit C, removed by CPC pursuant to this Agreement shall
be at CPC's own expense and CPC shall restore the area of the plant where the
Packaging Equipment was located to reasonable working condition.
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11.0 SERVICES OF THIRD PARTY VENDORS
Exhibit D outlines certain shared services, including but not limited
to snow removal, security, street sweeping and dust Control, and road repair,
which will be provided to CPC and Corn Products by third party vendors or
contractors. The scope of any such services, including the frequency and means
of providing services and the quality standards for such services, are governed
by the contract or agreement with the third party vendor. Corn Products makes no
warranties. representations, or guarantees regarding the services of third party
vendors or contractors who will be performing services outlined in Exhibit D.
Any additional third party services or any additional services required from the
third party vendors performing services outlined in Exhibit D required by CPC or
Corn Products shall be at the cost of the party requiring such additional
services.
Nothing contained herein shall create third party beneficiary rights in
any third party.
12.0 INDEMNITY
12.1 CPC shall hold harmless and indemnify and defend Corn Products
Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses based upon or
arising out of any bodily injury or death of any person (including any CPC
employee), damage to or destruction of any property, including adverse effects
on the environment, or any violation of law, regulation or order to the extent
that such damage was caused by CPC's negligence or CPC's breach of any warranty,
representation or obligation under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall require
CPC to indemnify Corn Products for Corn Products's own negligence.
12.2 Corn Products shall hold harmless and indemnify and defend CPC
Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses based upon or
arising out of any bodily injury or death of any person (including any Corn
Products employee), damage to or destruction of any property, including adverse
effects on the environment, or any violation of law, regulation or order to the
extent that such damage was caused by Corn Products's negligence or Corn
Products's breach of any warranty, representation or obligation under this
Agreement. Nothing herein shall require Corn Products to indemnify CPC for CPC's
own negligence.
12.3 This indemnity shall only apply to actions of, or conditions
caused by, either party on or after January 1, 1998 arising out of the
activities under this Agreement.
13.0 ASSIGNMENT
CPC may assign its rights under this Agreement to a third party with
the written consent of Corn Products, and Corn Products's consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
14.0 COOPERATION OF PARTIES
The parties hereto acknowledge that they are entering into an agreement
in which the cooperation of both parties will be required. If, during the term,
changes in the
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operations, facilities or methods of either party will materially benefit a
party without detriment to the other party, or where the benefiting party agrees
to hold the other harmless from such detriment, the parties commit to each other
to make reasonable efforts to cooperate and assist each other. The parties
hereto further acknowledge and understand that they operate businesses that are
significantly different and that any and all obligations under this Agreement
shall be conducted and enforced considering said acknowledgment and
understanding.
CPC shall provide Corn Products notice of any labor disturbances or
strikes involving CPC employees, vendors, or contractors working in the Access
Area. CPC shall comply with Corn Products's reasonable instructions with regard
to entrances to be used during a strike or labor disturbance or other impacts
upon Corn Products or the Property during the strike or labor disturbance.
15.0 CONFIDENTIALITY
All information concerning CPC or Corn Products in either party's
possession shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 4.4 of
the Distribution Agreement.
16.0 INSURANCE
During the term of this Agreement, CPC shall maintain in full force and
effect at its own expense the following insurance in at least the amounts
indicated:
16.1 CPC shall comply with all requirements of the Workers'
Compensation laws of the state(s) in which work is performed hereunder. CPC will
obtain at its own cost insurance sufficient to discharge its obligations under
all applicable workers compensation laws and covering all CPC employees engaged
in the Access Activities. CPC will obtain at its own cost Employer's Liability
Insurance with a limit of $100,000 per person.
16.2 CPC shall procure and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, at
all times while performing hereunder, comprehensive general liability insurance,
on an occurrence basis, with a reputable and financially responsible insurance
carrier(s) satisfactory and acceptable to Corn Products with minimum policy
limits of $2,000,000 per occurrence for property damage and $2,000,000 per
occurrence for bodily injury (including injury resulting in death) and shall
name Corn Products as an additional insured under that policy. This insurance
shall include blanket contractual liability coverage and shall, specifically
cover the liability assumed by CPC in this Agreement. This insurance shall
include products and completed operations coverage and personal injury liability
coverage.
16.3 CPC agrees to carry an excess liability policy with a limit no
less than $25,000,000, and on which Corn Products is endorsed as additional
insured.
16.4 CPC shall bear all costs of the insurance coverage set forth
herein, including but not limited to the costs of any amounts deductible,
retained or self-insured under the required policies. Failure to keep the
required insurance policies in full force and effect or to self-insure during
the term of this Agreement shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
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16.5 CPC shall provide to Corn Products insurance certificates and
endorsements acceptable to Corn Products evidencing the above insurance;
however, the failure of CPC to provide such evidence shall not operate as a
waiver or amendment of these insurance requirements. The furnishing of evidence
of the above insurance requirements by any certificate or endorsement that is
not in conformance with the requirements of this Article or the failure to
furnish such evidence shall not constitute a waiver or an amendment of such
requirements. In the event that any of CPC's insurance policies expire during
the term of this Agreement, CPC shall deliver certificates and endorsements for
renewed insurance to Corn Products. Nothing contained in this section shall
operate as a satisfaction or limitation of either party's liability in tort or
contract or in any way modify or limit the obligations in Section 12.0.
16.6 In the event that any insurance provision in a contract of
insurance between cpc and its insurance company is to any extent determined to
be void or unenforceable, such circumstance shall not otherwise affect the
validity or enforceability of such contract of insurance, which shall be
enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
16.7 Corn Products shall procure and maintain, at its sole cost and
expense, workers compensation and employers liability insurance, in all states
governed by this agreement, sufficient to comply with the laws in those states,
Corn Products shall obtain, at its sole cost and expense, employers liability
insurance with a limit of at least $1,000,000 per person.
16.8 Corn Products shall procure and maintain, at its sole cost and
expense, as long as this Agreement is in effect, comprehensive general liability
insurance on an occurrence basis, with a reputable and financially sound
insurance carrier(s) satisfactory and acceptable to CPC with a minimum policy
limit of $2,000,000 per occurrence for property damage and $2,000,000 per
occurrence for bodily injury, including injuries resulting in death, and shall
name CPC as an additional insured under that policy. This insurance shall
include blanket contractual liability coverage, and shall specifically cover the
liability assumed by Corn Products through this Agreement. This insurance shall
include products and completed operations coverage and personal injury liability
coverage.
16.9 Corn Products shall carry excess liability insurance with a limit
of no less than $25,000,000 on which CPC is endorsed as an additional insured.
16.10 Corn Products shall bear all costs of its insurance coverage set
forth herein, including but not limited to the costs of any deductible amounts,
and retained or selfinsured amounts, under the required policies. Failure to
keep the required insurance policies in full force and effect or to self-insure
during the term of this Agreement shall constitute a material breach of this
Agreement.
16.11 Corn Products shall provide to CPC insurance certificates
acceptable to CPC evidencing the above insurance. In the event that any of Corn
Products's insurance policies expire during the term of this Agreement, Corn
Products shall deliver certificates for renewed insurance to CPC. Nothing
contained in this section shall 'operate as a satisfaction or limitation of
either party's liability in tort or contract, or in any way modify or limit the
obligations in Section 12.
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16.12 CPC and Corn Products shall each individually maintain property
insurance covering its respective assets governed by this Agreement, including
but not limited to its own process or packaging equipment or other personal
property. CPC and Corn Products agree that their respective insurance carriers
shall not be subrogated to their respective rights against each other in
connection with this Agreement and neither party shall execute any document
granting such right of subrogation.
16.13 In the event that CPC wishes to perform significant construction
activities in the Access Area, CPC shall obtain an Owners and Contractors
Protective Liability policy, on an occurrence basis, with a reputable and
financially responsible insurance carrier(s) satisfactory and acceptable to Corn
Products with minimum policy limits sufficient to cover the risk of property
damage and bodily injury (including injury resulting in death) and contractual
liability hereunder for that construction project and shall name Corn Products
as an additional insured under that policy, provided said policy is commercially
available and the cost of said policy is reasonable.
16.14 Any insurance policy of a party which is endorsed to name the
other party as an additional insured shall provide that the insurance of the
party indemnifying the other, under Section 12.0, shall be primary to any other
insurance of the additional insured.
16.15 The certificates of insurance and endorsements required to be
provided by a party 'under this Section 16.0 shall state that the policies are
in effect and will not be cancelled or non-renewed without 30 days' prior
written notice to the other party. In the event of a claim, copies of the
policies shall be supplied to the party claiming indemnification upon request.
17.0 INSPECTION
Corn Products shall have the right to enter upon the Access Area for
any activity associated with this Agreement, except that Corn Products shall
only enter a building where Access Activities are being conducted at reasonable
times and upon reasonable notice to CPC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Corn
Products determines an emergency situation exists and that entry into a building
where Access Activities are being conducted is necessary, Corn Products may
enter that building and provide CPC notice as soon as is practicable. Except as
required in an emergency situation or to prevent any violation of Sections 8.0
or 9.0 above, any Corn Products activity in the Access Area shall not
unreasonably interfere with the Access Activities. An emergency situation shall
be one in which there is an unreasonable risk of harm to persons or damage to
property or a violation of law.
Upon request from CPC, Corn Products shall allow CPC to enter upon
areas of the Property outside of the Access Area at times and locations mutually
agreed to by the parties for the purpose of inspecting Corn Products activities,
other than those involving Metering Devices, associated with Article 5.0 above.
18.0 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute, controversy or claim in connection with this Agreement
shall be resolved in accordance with Article VII of the Distribution Agreement.
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19.0 FORCE MAJEURE
If performance by either party of any of its duties or obligations
under this Agreement is prevented, hindered, delayed or otherwise made
impracticable by reason of any strike, flood, riot, fire, explosion, equipment
failure that is beyond the party's control, war or any other casualty which
cannot be overcome by reasonable diligence and without unusual expense, such
party shall be excused from such performance to the extent that it is so
prevented, hindered or delayed thereby during the continuance of any such
happening or event and for so long as such event shall continue to prevent,
hinder or delay such performance; provided, however, that such party diligently
works to cure such non-performance in the shortest reasonable time period. The
party asserting force majeure shall, in each instance, give the other party
written notice within a reasonable time after knowledge thereof. Such notice
shall include a brief description of the events or circumstances of force
majeure and an estimate of the anticipated duration. Within a reasonable time
after knowledge of the cessation of any such continuing events or circumstances
constituting force majeure, the party that asserted the same shall give the
other party written notice of the date of such cessation.
20.0 NOTICES
Any notice to be given hereunder by either party shall be in writing
and shall be deemed given WHEN: (i) sent by registered mail, return receipt
requested upon receipt by the sender of confirmation of receipt; (ii) sent by
telecopy upon receipt by the sender of confirmation of transmittal; or (iii)
delivered to the addressee as follows:
In the case of CPC to: CPC International Inc.
P.O. Box 8000, International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
Attn: General Counsel
Telephone: (201) 894-2381
Facsimile: (201) 894-2192
In the case of Corn Products to: Corn Products International, Inc.
Corporate Office
P.O. Box 345, 6500 Archer Road
Summit, Illinois 60501-0345
Attn: General Counsel
Telephone: (708) 563-6958
Facsimile: (708) 563-6592
Any party may from time to time designate by written notice to the
other revised address or telecopy information.
21.0 SEVERABILITY
The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this
Agreement shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall
be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were
omitted.
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22.0 HEADINGS
The headings Of this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties,
and shall not be construed as having any legal or binding meaning or effect.
23.0 NO WAIVER
The failure by either party to insist upon strict performance of any
covenant or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall not
be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such covenant or condition in
the future, but the same shall be and remain in full force and effect.
24.0 SURVIVAL
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement the provisions of
Sections 12, 15 and 18 shall survive such termination.
25.0 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
cancels and supersedes any prior negotiations, and merges all understandings,
and agreements, whether verbal or written, with respect thereto. This Agreement
can be amended only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto.
26.0 EXHIBITS
All exhibits referred to in, and attached to this Agreement are hereby
made a part of this Agreement.
27.0 CHOICE OF LAW
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL, IN ALL RESPECTS, BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF
CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, EFFECT AND PERFORMANCE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THEREOF.
28.0 RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create any
relationship of partnership, employer or employee, or create a joint venture
between or among the parties hereto. With respect to this Access Agreement and
the Access Activities, neither CPC nor Corn Products shall be responsible for
the debts, operations, liabilities or any other obligations of the other and
neither CPC nor Corn Products has authority to bind or act on behalf of the
other, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Neither CPC nor Corn
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Products nor their respective agents, employees or subcontractors shall be
deemed agents or employees of the other.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:___________________________________
Title: Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:___________________________________
Title: President and Chief
Operating officer
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EXHIBIT 10.10
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DEFERRED STOCK UNIT PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Corn Products International, Inc. Deferred Stock Unit Plan
is to provide certain senior management employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries with the opportunity to defer, in the form of Stock Units, all or
part of the bonuses awarded to them and to preserve the opportunity to defer
bonuses which certain senior management employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries had deferred under the Predecessor Plan.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
"ACCOUNT" means a Participant's deferral balance maintained on the books of the
Company pursuant to Section 3(a).
"BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the Board of Directors of Corn Products
International, Inc.
"BONUS" means an amount awarded to a Participant under the Corn Products
International, Inc. Bonus Plan, or any other bonus plan or program which was
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, but not including any
amounts awarded or paid under the Corn Products International, Inc. 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan or any successor plan thereto.
"COMMITTEE" means the Compensation and Nominating Committee of the Board, or
any other compensation committee designated by the Board.
"COMMON STOCK" means common stock of the Company.
"COMPANY" means Corn Products International, Inc.
"CPC" means CPC International Inc.
"CPC STOCK" means common stock of CPC.
"DETERMINATION DATE" means the date as of which all or a portion of a
Participant's Account is to be valued for purposes of making a distribution to
a Participant or beneficiary.
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"FAIR MARKET VALUE" means the average of the high and low prices of Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the determination thereof,
as reported in The Wall Street Journal as New York Stock Exchange Composite
Transactions.
"PARTICIPANT" means a participant in the Plan who has satisfied the eligibility
requirements of and is participating in the Plan under Section 3(a) of the
Plan.
"PLAN" means this Corn Products International, Inc. Deferred Stock Unit Plan.
"PREDECESSOR PLAN" means the CPC International Inc. Deferred Stock Unit Plan.
"STOCK UNIT" means a unit corresponding to one share of the Common Stock in
which a Participant's Account is deemed invested pursuant to Section 3(a).
"TERMINATION DATE" means a Participant's Retirement Date as defined in the Corn
Products International, Inc. Cash Balance Plan for Salaried Employees (or a
successor plan thereto or a similar pension plan of a subsidiary or affiliate
or any such similar plan applicable to the Participant), or the date on which a
Participant's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates
terminates other than by retirement.
SECTION 3. PARTICIPATION AND BENEFITS
(a) The key employees eligible to participate in the Plan shall be
designated by the Company's Vice President of Human Resources and approved for
participation in the Plan by the Committee. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who was authorized to
participate in the Predecessor Plan and whose account was transferred to this
Plan effective as of the close of business on December 31, 1997 shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan. Amounts deferred under this Plan on
behalf of a Participant shall be credited to an Account established for each
Participant which shall be deemed to be invested in Common Stock in the form of
Stock Units. The number of Stock Units which shall be credited to a
Participant's account in respect of amounts deferred shall be equal to the
amount of the bonus which is deferred, divided by the Fair Market Value of a
share of Common Stock as of the end of each calendar quarter or as of such
other date on which such bonus would have been paid to such Participant but for
such deferral.
As of the date on which dividends are paid on the shares of Common
Stock, the Company shall credit to each Account established on its books
pursuant to this section additional Stock Units, the number of which shall be
determined by multiplying the amount of such dividends per share of Common
Stock by the number of Stock Units then credited to such Account, and dividing
the product thereof by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the
applicable dividend payment date. A Participant's
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Account shall consist of the total number of Stock Units maintained in the
Company's records pursuant to this Section 3(a).
(b) Participants' accounts which are transferred to the Plan from
the Predecessor Plan effective December 31, 1997 shall be converted into Stock
Units in substitution for the stock units held under the Predecessor Plan using
the following formula: The amount of the substituted Stock Units under this
Plan shall be determined by multiplying the number of stock units under the
Predecessor Plan by a fraction, the numerator which is the Pre-Distribution
Date CPC Market Price and the denominator of which is the Post-Distribution
Date Corn Market Price. As used herein, the Pre-Distribution CPC Market Price
shall mean the average of the high and low prices of CPC Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange for each of the ten trading days prior to the first day on which
there is trading in CPC Stock on a post-Distribution basis, and the
Post-Distribution Date Corn Market Price shall mean the average of the high and
low prices of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for each of the ten
trading days beginning on the first day on which there is trading in Common
Stock, including on a "when issued basis".
SECTION 4. DISTRIBUTIONS
(a) The value of a Participant's Account shall be calculated by
multiplying the total number of Stock Units held in such account by the Fair
Market Value as of the applicable Determination Date. A Participant's Account
shall be paid in cash in accordance with the distribution method specified
pursuant to subsection (b) as soon as practicable after the applicable
Determination Date, subject to all applicable tax withholding requirements.
(b) A Participant shall elect in writing, no later than the
Termination Date, and pursuant to procedures specified by the Committee, to
receive the value of the Account in one cash lump sum or pursuant to any other
distribution method as such Participant shall specify; provided, however, that
(i) no distribution may occur earlier than the first anniversary of the
Participant's Termination Date; (ii) distribution must commence no later than
the fifth anniversary of the Participant's Termination Date; and (iii) full
distribution of the Participant's Account must be completed no later than the
tenth anniversary of such Termination Date. The election shall be irrevocable
as of the Participant's Termination Date. If a Participant dies in active
service as an employee of the Company, the named beneficiary under the Plan
shall make such irrevocable election as soon as practicable after the
Participant's death. If no election is made, the Participant's Account will be
paid in one cash lump sum as soon as practicable following the Determination
Date which is one year after the Participant's Termination Date. Until the
distribution of the full value of a Participant's Account, the undistributed
portion of such Account shall continue to be treated as invested pursuant to
section 3(a) until the
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applicable Determination Date relating to the distribution method specified by
the Participant or beneficiary.
(c) A Participant shall name a beneficiary hereunder to receive
the value of the Account in the event the Participant dies prior to being paid
the full value of such Account. If a Participant fails to make a designation,
the beneficiary shall be the Participant's estate.
SECTION 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The
Committee may appoint subcommittees or individuals (who may be Company
employees) to assist it in carrying out administrative duties and
responsibilities. The Committee shall have sole and complete authority and
discretion to adopt, alter and repeal administrative rules, guidelines and
practices governing the operation of the Plan, to decide questions of fact
under the Plan, and to interpret and apply the terms and provisions of the Plan
in all respects.
(b) Participation in the Plan shall not be deemed to be a contract
of employment between the Company and any Participant or to give any
Participant the right to be retained in employment.
(c) The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the
Plan or any portion thereof at any time, provided, however, that no amendment,
suspension or termination may impair existing rights in respect of
Participants' Accounts.
(d) Participants and beneficiaries may not alienate or transfer
their Accounts in any matter whatsoever (other than transfers upon a
Participant's death pursuant to Section 4(c)), and any attempt to do so shall
be null and void.
(e) The Plan is unfunded, but the Committee may in its discretion
direct the Company to establish a trust with an independent trustee to which
the Company may transfer assets to assist the Company in paying Accounts under
the Plan. The trust instrument shall contain such provisions as the Company
may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Plan and the
trust; provided, however, that any such trust shall provide that its assets
shall be subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors in the event
of the Company's insolvency. The establishment of such trust shall not be
construed as limiting the Company's obligation to pay the benefits provided for
in the Plan to the extent not fully paid from such trust. Notwithstanding the
establishment of such trust, the rights of a Participant or beneficiary under
the Plan shall not be superior to those of an unsecured creditor of the
Company.
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(f) Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be governed by the
claims procedures set forth in the Corn Products International, Inc. Executive
Life Insurance Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, except that
the term "Committee" as defined in this Plan shall be substituted for the terms
"Committee" or "Pension Committee" in that plan.
(g) In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company, the provisions of Section 5.7 of the Corn Products
International, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan shall be applicable under this
Plan.
(h) The Committee is authorized to impose any restrictions
consistent with Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 16b-3, and
other SEC rules, which may apply to participation in the Plan by Participants
who are persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(i) The Plan shall be construed, regulated and administered under
the laws of the state of Illinois.
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EXHIBIT 10.11
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Agreement, made this ___ day of ____________, 19__, by and
between CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and ______________________ (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Executive is a key employee of the Company or a
subsidiary of the Company as defined in Section 1(ii) hereof ("Subsidiary"),
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
considers the maintenance of a sound management to be essential to protecting
and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and
recognizes that the possibility of a change in control raises uncertainty and
questions among key employees and may result in the departure or distraction of
such key employees to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to assure that it will have the
continued dedication of the Executive and the availability of the Executive's
advice and counsel notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a
bid to take over control of the Company, and to induce the Executive to remain
in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary; and
2
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to serve the
Company and its Subsidiaries taking into account the provisions of this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and the
respective covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Change in Control. Benefits shall be provided under
Section 3 hereof only in the event there shall have occurred a "Change in
Control", as such term is defined below, and the Executive's employment by the
Company and its Subsidiaries shall thereafter have terminated in accordance
with Section 2 below within the period beginning on the date of the "Change in
Control" and ending on the second anniversary of the date of the "Change in
Control" (the "Protection Period"). If any Protection Period terminates
without the Executive's employment having terminated, any subsequent "Change in
Control" shall give rise to a new Protection Period. No benefits shall be paid
under Section 3 of this Agreement if the Executive's employment terminates
outside of a Protection Period.
(i) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control"
shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(A) any person (within the meaning of Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) ("Person") (but excluding the Company, a Subsidiary,
or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any
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employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company or
a Subsidiary) becomes, directly or indirectly, the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended) of 15% or more of the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors ("Voting
Securities") of the Company, provided, however, that there
shall be excluded, for this purpose, any acquisition of Voting
Securities either from the Company or pursuant to a Stock
Combination (as defined hereinafter); or
(B) any Person commences a tender offer or
exchange offer which, if successful, would result in such
Person becoming the "beneficial owner" of at least 15% of the
outstanding Voting Securities of the Company; provided,
however, that the Board shall have the right to delay the date
on which a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur pursuant
to this clause (B), but in no event beyond the earlier of (a)
the date of the public announcement that the Board has
determined to recommend, or remain neutral toward, such offer,
or (b) the earliest date on which there is a purchase of any
Voting Securities of the Company pursuant to such offer; or
(C) during any period of two consecutive years
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the
Board (including for this purpose any new director whose
election by the Board or nomination for election by the
Company's
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stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of
the directors then still in office who either were directors
at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved (such individuals and
such new directors being "Continuing Directors")) cease for
any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; or
(D) the stockholders of the Company approve a
merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of substantially
all of the assets of the Company ("Combination") with any
other corporation or legal person, other than a Combination
which (a) is approved by a majority of the directors of the
Company who are Continuing Directors at the time of such
approval, and (b) would result in the Common Stock of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto remaining
outstanding or being converted into voting common stock, or
its equivalent, of either the surviving entity or the Person
owning directly or indirectly all the common stock, or its
equivalent, of the surviving entity which voting common stock,
or its equivalent, is listed on a registered United States
national securities exchange or is approved for quotation and
trading on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation National Market System ("Stock
Combination"); or
(E) the stockholders of the Company approve a
plan of complete liquidation of the Company, but only if a
substantial portion of the assets of the
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Company continue to be used in a business after such
liquidation, or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Subsidiary"
shall mean any corporation in which the Company possesses directly or
indirectly fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock.
2. Termination Following Change in Control. The
Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 3 hereof upon
any termination of his or her employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries
within a Protection Period, except a termination of employment (a) because of
his or her death, (b) because of a "Disability", (c) by the Company for
"Cause", or (d) by the Executive other than for "Good Reason".
(i) Disability. The Executive's employment shall be
deemed to have terminated because of a "Disability" on the date on
which the Executive becomes eligible to receive long-term disability
benefits under the Company's Master Welfare and Cafeteria Plan (the
"Cafeteria Plan") (or any other plan), or a similar long-term
disability plan of a Subsidiary, or a successor to the Cafeteria Plan
or to any such similar plan which is applicable to the Executive. If
the Executive is not covered for long-term disability benefits by the
Cafeteria Plan or a similar or successor long-term disability plan,
the Executive shall be deemed to have terminated because of a
"Disability" on the
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date on which he or she would have become eligible to receive
long-term disability benefits if he or she were covered for long-term
disability benefits by the Company's Cafeteria Plan.
(ii) Cause. Termination of the Executive's employment by
the Company or a Subsidiary for "Cause" shall mean termination by
reason of (A) the Executive's willful engagement in conduct which
involves dishonesty or moral turpitude which either (1) results in
substantial personal enrichment of the Executive at the expense of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (2) is demonstrably and
materially injurious to the financial condition or reputation of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) the Executive's willful
violation of the provisions of the confidentiality or non-competition
agreement entered into between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
and the Executive or (C) the commission by the Executive of a felony.
An act or omission shall be deemed "willful" only if done, or omitted
to be done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that it was in
the best interest of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to
have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been
delivered to the Executive a written notice of termination from the
Compensation and Nominating Committee of the Board or any successor
thereto (the "Committee") after reasonable notice to the Executive and
an opportunity for the Executive, together with his or her counsel, to
be heard before the Committee, finding that, in the good faith opinion
of such Committee, the Executive was guilty of conduct set
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forth above in clause (A) or (B) of the first sentence of this
subsection (ii) and specifying the particulars in detail.
(iii) Without Cause. The Company or a Subsidiary may
terminate the employment of the Executive without Cause during a
Protection Period only by giving the Executive written notice of
termination to that effect. In that event, the Executive's employment
shall terminate on the last day of the month in which such notice is
given (or such later date as may be specified in such notice).
(iv) Good Reason. Termination of employment by the
Executive for "Good Reason" shall mean termination within a Protection
Period:
(A) if there has occurred a reduction by the
Company or a Subsidiary in the Executive's base salary in
effect immediately before the beginning of the Protection
Period or as increased from time to time thereafter;
(B) if the Company or a Subsidiary, without the
Executive's written consent, has required the Executive to be
relocated anywhere in excess of thirty-five (35) miles from
his or her office location immediately before the beginning of
the Protection Period, except for required travel on the
business of the Company or a Subsidiary to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive's business travel
obligations immediately before the beginning of the Protection
Period;
-7-
8
(C) if there has occurred a failure by the
Company or a Subsidiary to maintain plans providing benefits
substantially the same as those provided by any benefit or
compensation plan, retirement or pension plan, stock option
plan, life insurance plan, health and accident plan or
disability plan in which the Executive is participating
immediately before the beginning of the Protection Period, or
if the Company or a Subsidiary has taken any action which
would adversely affect the Executive's participation in or
materially reduce the Executive's benefits under any of such
plans or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit
enjoyed by the Executive immediately before the beginning of
the Protection Period, or if the Company or a Subsidiary has
failed to provide the Executive with the number of paid
vacation days to which he or she would be entitled in
accordance with the applicable vacation policy of the Company
or Subsidiary as in effect immediately before the beginning of
the Protection Period;
(D) if the Company or a Subsidiary has reduced in
any manner which the Executive reasonably considers important
the Executive's title, job authorities or responsibilities
immediately before the beginning of the Protection Period;
(E) if the Company has failed to obtain the
assumption of the obligations contained in this Agreement by
any successor as contemplated in Section 7(ii) hereof; or
-8-
9
(F) if there occurs any purported termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company or a Subsidiary which is
not effected pursuant to a written notice of termination as
described in subsection (ii) or (iii) above; and for purposes
of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be
effective.
The Executive shall exercise his or her right to
terminate his or her employment for Good Reason by giving the Company
a written notice of termination specifying in reasonable detail the
circumstances constituting such Good Reason. However, the Company
shall have 30 days to "cure" such that the circumstances constituting
such Good Reason are eliminated. The Executive's employment shall
terminate at the end of such 30-day period only if the Company has
failed to cure such circumstances constituting the Good Reason.
A termination of employment by the Executive within a
Protection Period shall be for Good Reason if one of the occurrences
specified in this subsection (iv) shall have occurred (and subject to
the cure provision of the immediately preceding paragraph),
notwithstanding that the Executive may have other reasons for
terminating employment, including employment by another employer which
the Executive desires to accept.
(v) Transfers; Sale of Subsidiary. A transfer of
employment from the Company to a Subsidiary, from a Subsidiary to the
Company, or between Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination
of employment for purposes of this Agreement. If
-9-
10
the Company's ownership of a corporation is reduced so as to cause
such corporation to cease to be a "Subsidiary" as defined in Section
1(ii) of this Agreement and the Executive continues in employment with
such corporation, the Executive shall not be considered to have
terminated employment for purposes of this Agreement and the Executive
shall have no right to any benefits pursuant to this Section 3 unless
(a) a Change in Control occurred prior to such reduction in ownership
and (b) the Executive's employment terminates within the Protection
Period beginning on the date of such Change in Control under
circumstances that would have entitled the Executive to benefits if
such corporation were still a Subsidiary.
3. Benefits Upon Termination Within Protection Period.
If, within a Protection Period, the Executive's employment by the Company or a
Subsidiary shall terminate other than (a) because of his or her death, (b)
because of a Disability, (c) by the Company for Cause, or (d) by the Executive
other than for Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits
provided for below:
(i) The Company or a Subsidiary shall pay to the
Executive through the date of the Executive's termination of
employment salary at the rate then in effect, together with salary in
lieu of vacation accrued to the date on which his or her employment
terminates, in accordance with the standard payroll practices of the
Company or Subsidiary. The Company or Subsidiary shall also pay to
the Executive any bonus relating to the year or portion thereof ending
on the date of his or her termination,
-10-
11
calculated based on the assumption that the highest possible target
was achieved, prorated for such year or portion thereof.
(ii) The Company shall pay the Executive as a severance
payment an amount equal to three times the sum of (A) his or her
highest annual salary in effect during any period of 12 consecutive
months within the 36 months immediately preceding his or her date of
termination of employment, and (B) the highest annual bonus awarded to
the Executive under the Company's Annual Incentive Program or a
similar bonus plan of a Subsidiary (or a successor to any such bonus
plan) in respect of any of 3 calendar years immediately preceding the
calendar year in which his or her date of termination of employment
falls. Such severance payment shall be paid in a lump sum within 10
business days after the date of such termination of employment.
(iii) During the period of 36 months beginning on the date
of the Executive's termination of employment (the "Benefit Period"),
the Executive shall be deemed to remain an employee of the Company or
the applicable Subsidiary for purposes of the applicable medical and
insurance plans of the Company (including any life insurance plan) and
its Subsidiaries (but excluding any disability, business travel, or
spending account plans), and shall be entitled to receive the benefits
available to employees thereunder, provided that continued
participation is possible under applicable law and the terms of such
plan or program, and provided, further, that if the Executive would
qualify for retiree benefits during the Benefit Period under the
applicable medical or insurance
-11-
12
plan without regard to this Agreement, the Executive shall instead be
entitled to receive the benefits available to retirees in accordance
with the terms of such plan. In the event that the Executive's
participation in any such benefit plan or program is barred, the
Company shall arrange to provide the Executive with substantially
similar benefits or the after-tax cash equivalent. However, to the
extent the Executive receives substantially the same benefit as one or
more of the benefits described above in this subsection (iii) pursuant
to other employment, the Company's obligation to provide such benefit
(or after-tax cash equivalent) shall cease during the time that the
Executive is receiving such benefit from other employment.
(iv) The Company shall supplement the benefits payable
under the Company's Cash Balance Plan for Salaried Employees or any
successor plan and the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan or any successor plan (each determined without regard to this
Section 3) by providing to the Executive the additional benefits that
the Executive would have been entitled to receive if he or she had
remained in the employment of the Company during the Benefit Period
earning compensation at the rate in effect on the date his or her
employment terminates. The supplemental benefits pursuant to this
subsection (iv) shall be paid in a lump sum within 10 business days
after the date of such termination of employment.
(v) Any restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted
to the Executive pursuant to the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Incentive Plan") that are not
-12-
13
vested shall vest on the date of his or her termination. The
Executive's beneficiary with respect to such benefits shall be the
same person or persons as determined under the respective plan.
(vi) During the period of one year beginning on the date of
the Executive's termination of employment, the Company shall provide
the Executive with executive-level out placement services.
(vii) During the period of three months beginning on the date
of the Executive's termination of employment, the Company shall pay
the Executive the same level of personal allowances (such as club dues
and automobile expenses) as the Executive received immediately prior
to his or her termination of employment.
(viii) The Executive shall be entitled to all payments and
benefits provided for by or pursuant to this Section 3 whether or not
he or she seeks or obtains other employment, except as provided in
subsection (iii).
4. Parachute Payments.
If any payment or benefit received by or in respect of the
Executive under this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including without limitation any
payment or benefit under the Incentive Plan and
-13-
14
any predecessor or successor thereto (determined without regard to any
additional payments required under this Section 4 and Appendix A) (a "Payment")
would be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (or any similar tax that
may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive with respect
to such Payment at the time specified in Appendix A an additional amount (the
"Gross-up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive from the
Payment and the Gross-up Payment, after reduction for any Excise Tax upon the
Payment and any Federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the
Gross-up Payment, shall be equal to the Payment. The calculation and payment
of the Gross-up Payment shall be subject to the provisions of Appendix A. The
Executive shall be entitled to Gross-up Payments pursuant to this Section 4
irrespective of whether the Executive has satisfied the conditions for
receiving benefits pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
5. No Other Severance Benefits;
Right to Other Plan Benefits.
In the event of termination of the Executive's employment
within a Protection Period under circumstances entitling the Executive to
benefits hereunder, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other severance
benefits except those provided by or pursuant to this Agreement, and the
Executive hereby waives any claim against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliates for any additional severance benefits to which he or
she might otherwise be entitled. Except as provided in the preceding sentence,
nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting in any way any rights
or benefits that the Executive may have pursuant to
-14-
15
the terms of any other plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates.
6. Termination of Employment Agreements.
Any and all Employment Agreements entered into between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Executive prior to the date of this
Agreement are hereby terminated.
7. Termination and Amendment; Successors; Binding
Agreement.
(i) This Agreement shall terminate on the close of
business on the date preceding the third anniversary of the date of
this Agreement; provided, however, that commencing on the third
anniversary of the date of this Agreement and each anniversary of the
date of this Agreement thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall
automatically be extended for one additional year unless at least 60
days prior to such anniversary date, the Company or the Executive
shall have given notice to the other party, in accordance with Section
8, that this Agreement shall not be extended. This Agreement may be
amended only by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the
Executive. The Company expressly acknowledges that, during the term
of this Agreement, the Executive shall have a binding and irrevocable
right to the benefits set forth hereunder in the event of his or her
termination of employment during a Protection Period to the extent
provided in Section 2. Any purported amendment or termination of this
Agreement by the
-15-
16
Company, other than pursuant to the terms of this Section 7(i), shall
be ineffective, and the Executive shall not lose any right hereunder
by failing to contest such a purported amendment or termination.
(ii) The Company shall require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise)
to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company, to expressly assume and agree to honor this Agreement in the
same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required
to so honor if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the
Company to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any
such succession shall be a violation of this Agreement and shall
entitle the Executive to benefits from the Company or such successor
in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be
entitled hereunder if he or she terminated his or her employment for
Good Reason, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing,
the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed the date of termination of employment. As used in this
subsection (ii), "Company" shall mean the Company hereinbefore defined
and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this subsection
(ii) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions
of this Agreement by operation of law. The Company shall promptly
notify the Executive of any succession by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all the business
and/or assets of the Company and shall state whether or not
-16-
17
the successor has executed the agreement required by this subsection
(ii) and, if so, shall make a copy of such agreement available to the
Executive.
(iii) This Agreement and all rights of the Executive
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by,
the Executive and the Executive's legal representatives. If the
Executive should die while any amounts remain payable to him or her
hereunder, all such amounts shall be paid to his or her designated
beneficiary or, if there be no such beneficiary, to his or her estate.
(iv) The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that
the Executive shall have a contractual right to the benefits provided
hereunder, and the Company expressly waives any ability, if possible,
to deny liability for any breach of its contractual commitment
hereunder upon the grounds of lack of consideration, accord and
satisfaction or any other defense. If any dispute arises after a
Change in Control as to whether the Executive is entitled to benefits
under this Agreement, there shall be a presumption that the Executive
is entitled to such benefits and the burden of proving otherwise shall
be on the Company.
(v) The Company's obligation to provide the benefits set
forth in this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation,
any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, or other right which the
Company or any Subsidiary may have against the Executive or
-17-
18
anyone else. All amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be
paid without notice or demand. Each and every payment made hereunder
by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be final, and neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary will seek to recover all or any portion of
such payment from the Executive or from whomsoever may be entitled
thereto, for any reason whatsoever.
8. Notice. All notices of termination and other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand or mailed by United
States registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
----------------------------
----------------------------
----------------------------
If to the Company:
Corn Products International, Inc.
Moffett Technical Center
6500 Archer Road/ Box 345
Summit-Argo, Illinois 60501-0345
Attention: Vice President - Human Resources
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith.
-18-
19
9. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be
waived or modified unless such waiver or modification is in writing and signed
by the Executive and the Company's Chief Executive Officer or such other
officer as may be designated by the Board. No waiver by either party of any
breach by the other party of, or compliance with, any provision of this
Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions at the
same or any prior or subsequent time. The validity, interpretation,
construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Illinois, without regard to its principles of conflict of laws,
and by applicable laws of the United States.
10. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision, which shall remain in full force and effect.
11. Legal Expenses; Dispute Resolution; Arbitration;
Pre-Judgment Interest.
(i) The Company shall promptly pay all legal fees and
related expenses incurred by the Executive in seeking to obtain or
enforce any right or benefit under this Agreement (including all fees
and expenses, if any, incurred in seeking advice in connection
therewith).
(ii) If any dispute or controversy arises under or in
connection with this Agreement, including without limitation any claim
under any Federal, state or local law,
-19-
20
rule, decision or order relating to employment or the fact or manner
of its termination, the Company and the Executive shall attempt to
resolve such dispute or controversy through good faith negotiations.
(iii) If such parties fail to resolve such dispute or
controversy within ninety days, such dispute or controversy shall, if
the Executive so elects, be settled by arbitration, conducted before a
panel of three arbitrators in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the
applicable rules and procedures of the Center for Public Resources
then in effect. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Such arbitration
shall be final and binding on the parties. Costs of any arbitration,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees of both
parties, shall be borne by the Company.
(iv) If such parties fail to resolve such dispute or
controversy within ninety days and the Executive does not elect
arbitration, legal proceedings may be instituted, in which event the
Company shall be required to pay the Executive's legal fees and
related expenses to the extent set forth in subsection (i) above.
(v) Pending the resolution of any arbitration or court
proceeding, the Company shall continue payment of all amounts due the
Executive under this Agreement and all benefits to which the Executive
is entitled, including medical and life insurance
-20-
21
benefits, other than those specifically at issue in the arbitration or
court proceeding and excluding long term disability benefits.
(vi) If the Executive is awarded amounts pursuant to
arbitration or court proceeding, the Company shall also pay
pre-judgment interest on such amounts calculated at the Prime Rate (as
defined below) in effect on the date of such payment. For purposes of
this Agreement, the term "Prime Rate" shall mean the prime rate as
published in the Wall Street Journal Midwest edition showing such rate
in effect as of the first business day of each calendar quarter.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and year first above written.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
---------------------------
EXECUTIVE
------------------------------
-21-
22
Appendix A
Gross-up Payments
The following provisions shall be applicable with respect to
the Gross-up Payments described in Section 4:
(a) For purposes of determining whether any of the
Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such
Excise Tax, (a) all of the Payments received or to be received shall
be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated as subject
to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of tax counsel selected by
the Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the Payments
(in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, including
by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, or excess parachute
payments (as determined after application of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of
the Code), and (b) the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by independent auditors
selected by the Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company in
accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the
Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment
the Executive shall be deemed to pay Federal income taxes at the
highest marginal rate of Federal income taxation in the calendar year
in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made and state and local income
taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation to which such payment
could be subject based upon the state and locality of the Executive's
residence or employment, net of the maximum reduction in Federal
income taxes which could be obtained from
23
deduction of such state and local taxes. In the event that the Excise
Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made, the
Executive shall repay to Company, at the time that the amount of such
reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the
Gross-up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus the portion of
the Gross-up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and Federal and
state and local income tax imposed on the portion of the Gross-up
Payment being repaid by the Executive if such repayment results in a
reduction in Excise Tax and/or a Federal and state and local income
tax deduction), plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the
Federal short-term rate as defined in Section 1274(d)(1)(C)(i) of the
Code. In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the
amount taken into account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment
is made (including by reason of any payments the existence or amount
of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-up Payment),
the Company shall make an additional gross-up payment in respect of
such excess (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable with
respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is
finally determined. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall
withhold from any payment due to the Executive the amount required by
law to be so withheld under Federal, state or local wage withholding
requirements or otherwise, and shall pay over to the appropriate
government authorities the amount so withheld.
(b) The Gross-up Payment with respect to a Payment shall
be paid not later than the thirtieth day following the date of the
Payment; provided, however, that if the amount of such Gross-up
Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally determined on or
24
before such day, the Company shall pay to the Executive on such date
an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Company, of the amount
of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments
(together with interest at the Federal short-term rate provided in
Section 1274(d)(1)(C)(i) of the Code) as soon as the amount thereof
can be determined. In the event that the amount of the estimated
payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due,
such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to the Executive,
payable on the fifth day after demand by the Company (together with
interest at the Federal short-term rate provided in Section
1274(d)(1)(C)(i) of the Code). At the time that payments are made
under Section 4 and this Appendix A, the Company shall provide the
Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which
such payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations,
including, without limitation, any opinions or other advice the
Company has received from outside counsel, auditors or consultants
(and any such opinions or advice which are in writing shall be
attached to the statement).
(c) The Company shall promptly pay the fees and related
expenses of any tax counsel and auditors selected by the Executive to
provide services in connection with this Appendix A.
1
EXHIBIT 10.12
[CORN PRODUCTS LETTERHEAD]
CONFIDENTIAL
December 12, 1997
Mr. Eugene Northacker
P.O. Box 993
Wolfboro, NH 03894
Dear Gene:
I am writing to convey information concerning your status with Corn
Products International effective January 1, 1998. Since you have elected
not to relocate to our now Chicago headquarters, the established location for
your position, and instead will work from your home in New Hampshire, several
matters must be addressed.
You are an important member of Corn Products' management team and are
expected to participate in the management and development of the company. While
working from your home in New Hampshire is acceptable for a limited period of
time, it is not practical for the long term. We, therefore, can accommodate
your "working from home" on a transitional basis only.
This transitional arrangement will be provided for a period of two years
beginning on January 1, 1998 and concluding December 31, 1999. If you have not
elected to relocate to Illinois at the end of the transition period your
employment with Corn Products International will be terminated. At that time
you will receive a severance package from Corn Products which includes salary
continuation of two weeks pay for each completed year of service (including
service with CPC) up to a maximum of fifty two weeks pay and continuation in
Corn Products International's benefits programs excluding LTD coverage and
short-term disability (Medical Leave). During the period of salary continuation
you will receive service credits in Cash Balance Retirement Plan in addition to
credits to your Retiree Health Spending Account. You would be entitled to
accrued vacation benefits. Since you are retirement eligible you can commence
receiving your retirement benefits at the conclusion of the severance period
per the provisions of the Corn Products International Cash Balance and the
Retiree Health Care Spending Account plan design.
Phone: 708-563-6910
Fax: 708-563-6842
2
Ninety days prior to the end of the transition period Corn Products
reserves the right, with your approval, to extend the transition period
for another year under the same terms and conditions. During the transition
period you are expected to continue to satisfy the requirements of your current
position.
Corn Products International reserves the right to terminate this
transitional arrangement, and your employment with Corn Products
International, at any time and for any reason, but not limited to changing
needs of the business or poor job performance. Nothing contained herein should
be interpreted as guaranteeing employment for a particular duration.
If you decide not to accept this transitional arrangement, your
employment with CPC will terminate on December 31, 1997. You will then be
provided the severance pay outlined above and you will continue your
participation in CPC's benefits programs, excluding LTD coverage and short-term
disability (Medical Leave). You would not be entitled to any 1999 vacation
benefits. At the completion of your severance period your retirement would
commence through CPC's Retirement program.
To indicate our understanding of the terms outlined in this memorandum
and to signify your agreement, please check the appropriate space, sign and
return this document to me by December 19, 1997. In the meantime, please do not
hesitate to call me or Jim Hirchak at 708-583-6807 should you have any
questions.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
/s/ Konrad Schlatter
----------------------------
Konrad Schlatter
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
__X__ I accept the terms of this transitional arrangement and intend to work
for Corn Products International per the provisions in this memo.
_____ I am unable to accept the terms of this transitional arrangement. I
understand that my employment with CPC International will be
terminated effective December 31, 1997.
/s/ Eugene Northacker 12/16/97
- --------------------------- ----------------------
Signature Date
1
EXHIBIT 10.13
[CORN PRODUCTS LETTERHEAD]
CONFIDENTIAL
December 12, 1997
Mr. Frank Kocun
845 Adelaide Ave.
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Dear Frank:
I am writing to convey information concerning your status with Corn
Products International effective January 1, 1998. Since you have elected not to
relocate to our new Chicago headquarters, the established location for your
position, and instead will work from your home in New Jersey, several matters
must be addressed.
You are an important member of Corn Products' management team and are
expected to participate in the management and development of the company. While
working from your home in New Jersey is acceptable for a limited period of time,
it is not practical for the long term. We, therefore, can accommodate your
"working from home" on a transitional basis only.
This transitional arrangement will be provided for a period of three years
beginning on January 1, 1998 and concluding December 31, 2000. If you have not
elected to relocate to Illinois at the end of the transition period your
employment with Corn Products International will be terminated. At that time you
will receive a severance package from Corn Products which includes salary
continuation of two weeks pay for each completed year of service (including
service with CPC) up to a maximum of fifty two weeks pay and continuation in
Corn Products International's benefits programs excluding LTD coverage and
short-term disability (Medical Leave). During the period of salary continuation
you will receive service credits in the Cash Balance Retirement Plan in addition
to credits to your Retiree Health Spending Account. You would be entitled to
accrued vacation benefits. Since you are retirement eligible you can commence
receiving your retirement benefits at the conclusion of the severance period per
the provisions of the Corn Products International Cash Balance and the Retiree
Health Care Spending Account plan design.
Phone: 708-563-6910
Fax: 708-563-6842
2
Ninety days prior to the end of the transition period Corn Products
reserves the right, with your approval, to extend the transition period for
another year under the same terms and conditions. During the transition period
you are expected to continue to satisfy the requirements of your current
position.
Corn Products International reserves the right to terminate this
transitional arrangement, and your employment with Corn Products International,
at any time and for any reason, but not limited to changing needs of the
business or poor job performance. Nothing contained herein should be interpreted
as guaranteeing employment for a particular duration.
If you decide not to accept this transitional arrangement, your
employment with CPC will terminate on December 31, 1997. You will then be
provided the severance pay outlined above and you will continue your
participation in CPC's benefits programs, excluding LTD coverage and short-term
disability (Medical Leave). You would not be entitled to any 1999 vacation
benefits. At the completion of your severance period your retirement would
commence through CPC's Retirement program.
To indicate our understanding of the terms outlined in this memorandum
and to signify your agreement, please check the appropriate space, sign and
return this document to me by December 19, 1997. In the meantime, please do not
hesitate to call me or Jim Hirchak at 708-563-6807 should you have any
questions.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
/s/ Konrad Schlatter
------------------------------------
Konrad Schlatter
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
X I accept the terms of this transitional arrangement and
- ----- intend to work for Corn Products International per the
provisions in this memo.
- ----- I am unable to accept the terms of this transitional
arrangement. I understand that my employment with CPC
International will be terminated effective December 31, 1997.
/s/ Frank Kocun Dec. 15, 1997
- ---------------------- -----------------------------
Signature Date
1
EXHIBIT 10.14
MASTER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of [DATE] between CPC INTERNATIONAL INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and [NAME] ("Indemnitee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract
as directors and officers the most capable persons available; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director/an officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased
risk of litigation and other claims being asserted against directors and
officers of public companies; and
WHEREAS, the By-laws of the Company require the Company to
indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers, and Indemnitee has
been serving and continues to serve as a director/an officer of the Company in
part in reliance on the By-laws; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's need for substantial
protection against personal liability in order to maintain Indemnitee's
continued service to the Company, and Indemnitee's reliance on the By-laws, and
in part to provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance that the
protection of the By-laws will be available to him (regardless of, among other
things, any amendment to or revocation of the By-laws or any change in the
composition of the Company's Board of Directors or any acquisition transaction
relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for
the indemnification of, and the advancing of expenses to, Indemnitee to the
fullest extent (whether partial or complete), permitted by law and as set forth
in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for the continued
coverage of Indemnitee under the Company's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policies;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of
Indemnitee continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, another
enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree
as follows:
2
Section 1. Certain definitions
(a) Change in Control: The occurrence of any of the following
events shall constitute a "Change in Control":
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, but excluding the
Company, a subsidiary of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under any employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company
or a subsidiary of the Company) becomes, directly or indirectly, the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule l3d-3 under said Act) of 15% or more of the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors ("Voting Securities") of the Company;
provided, however, that there shall be excluded, for this purpose, any
acquisition of Voting Securities either from the Company or pursuant to a Stock
Combination (as defined hereinafter); or
(ii) any person, as defined in (i) above, commences a tender
offer or exchange offer which, if successful, would result in such person
becoming the beneficial owner, as defined in (i) above, of at least 15% of the
outstanding Voting Securities of the Company; provided, however, that the Board
of Directors of the Company shall have the right to delay the date on which a
Change in Control shall be deemed to occur pursuant to this clause (ii), but in
no event beyond the earlier of (A) the date of the public announcement that the
Board of Directors has determined to recommend, or remain neutral toward, such
offer, or (B) the earliest date on which there is a purchase of any Voting
Securities of the Company pursuant to such offer; or
(iii) during any period of two consecutive years individuals who
at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company
(including for this purpose any new director whose election by the Board of
Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved
by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved (such individuals and such
new directors being "Continuing Directors")) cease for any reason to constitute
a majority thereof; or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or sale of substantially all of the assets of the
Company ("Combination") with any other corporation, other than a Combination
which (A) is approved by a majority of the directors of the Company who are
Continuing Directors at the time of such approval, and (B) would result in the
Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto remaining
outstanding or being converted into voting common stock, or its equivalent, of
either the surviving entity or the person owning directly or indirectly all the
common stock, or its equivalent, of the surviving entity, which voting common
stock, or its equivalent, is listed on a registered United States national
securities exchange or is approved for quotation and trading on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation National Market System
("Stock Combination"); or
(v) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.
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(b) Claim: any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation (whether conducted by the Company or
any other party), that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the
institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or otherwise.
(c) Expenses: include attorneys' fees and all other costs,
expenses and obligations including judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and
penalties paid or incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for and
defending or participating in the defense of (including on appeal) or settling
any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event and any and all interest,
assessments and other charges paid or payable with or in respect of such
Expenses.
(d) Indemnifiable Event: any event or occurrence related to the
fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary
of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or
by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity.
(e) Independent Counsel: an individual lawyer who is a member of
the Bar of the State of Delaware or a law firm which maintains an office in the
State of Delaware and, in either case, (i) is generally reputed to be
experienced in corporate law; (ii) has not otherwise been retained to represent
the Company or Indemnitee in any material matter within the past 5 years (other
than, in the case of the Company, with respect to matters concerning the rights
of Indemnitee (or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity agreements) to
indemnity payments and Expense Advances); and (iii) has been selected by
Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld).
Section 2. (a) In the event Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party
to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or
witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in part out
of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended, against any and all Expenses of such Claim;
provided, however, that except as provided in Section 4 hereof, the Company
shall not be obligated to indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any action,
suit or proceeding initiated by Indemnitee unless such action, suit or
proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors, either generally or in the
specific instance. To the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in defense of any Claim relating in whole or in part to an
Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including
dismissal with or without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against
Expenses incurred in connection therewith without further determination. In all
other cases, the determination of whether and the extent to which Indemnitee
would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall be made in
writing by the Reviewing Party (as defined in Section 2(c) hereof) as soon as
practicable but in any event not later than 60 days after written demand
therefor is presented to the Company.
(b) If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance
(within 5 business days of such request) any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (an
"Expense Advance"). The Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Company for
all Expense Advances to the extent it shall be ultimately determined that
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder. If
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Indemnitee has commenced legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction
pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof to secure a determination that Indemnitee should
be indemnified under applicable law, Indemnitee shall not be required to so
reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial
determination is made with respect thereto as to which all rights of appeal
therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed.
(c) If there has not been a Change in Control, the Reviewing
Party shall be any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members
of the Company's Board of Directors, or any other person or body appointed by
the Board, who is not a party to the particular Claim for which Indemnitee is
seeking indemnification. If there has been a Change in Control, the Reviewing
Party shall be Independent Counsel. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable
fees of Independent Counsel and to indemnify fully Independent Counsel against
any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities and
damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the engagement of
Independent Counsel pursuant hereto.
(d) The Reviewing Party (and the court in any legal proceeding
seeking a determination of whether or not Indemnitee is entitled to Expense
Advances or reimbursement hereunder) shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled
to indemnification pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof, and the Company shall have
the burden of proof in the making of any determination contrary to such
presumption. If no determination pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof is made within
60 days of the Company's receipt of the request therefor, the requisite
determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been
made, and Indemnitee shall be absolutely entitled to such indemnification,
absent (i) a misstatement of a material fact in the request for indemnification
or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the statements in such
request not materially misleading with respect to the information necessary for
the determination of entitlement to indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of
such indemnification under applicable law.
(e) If the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not
be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law,
Indemnitee shall have the right within 90 days to commence litigation in any
court having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper
seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such
determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, and the Company
hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding.
Section 3. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company
shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a trust for the benefit of
Indemnitee (the "Trust") and from time to time upon written request of
Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all
Expenses reasonably anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred
in connection with investigating, preparing for and defending any Claim relating
to an Indemnifiable Event, and any and all judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes,
penalties and settlement amounts of any and all Claims relating to an
Indemnifiable Event from time to time actually paid or claimed, reasonably
anticipated or proposed to be paid. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the
Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by
Independent Counsel. The terms of the Trust shall provide that (i) the Trust
shall not be revoked, or the principal thereof invaded, without the written
consent of Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee shall advance, within 5 business days of
a request by Indemnitee, any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (and Indemnitee
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hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the circumstances under which
Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Company under Section 2(b) of this
Agreement), (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by the Company in
accordance with the funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the Trustee shall
promptly pay to Indemnitee all amounts for which Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and (v) all unexpended
funds in the Trust shall revert to the Company upon a final determination by
Independent Counsel or a court of competent jurisdiction, as the case may be,
that Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement.
The Trustee shall be chosen by Independent Counsel and reasonably satisfactory
to Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 3 shall relieve the Company of any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
Section 4. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and
all expenses (including attorneys' fees) and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall
(within 5 business days of such request) advance such expenses to him which are
incurred by him in connection with any claim asserted against or action brought
by him for (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company
under this Agreement or any other agreement or Company By-law now or hereafter
in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events and/or (ii) recovery under
any directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be
entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery,
as the case may be.
Section 5. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this
Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the
Expenses, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, penalties and amounts paid in
settlement of a Claim but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the
Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which
Indemnitee is entitled.
Section 6. The termination of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court
approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent,
shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular
standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined
that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.
Section 7. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in
addition to any other rights he may have under the Company's By-laws or the
Delaware General Corporation Law or otherwise. To the extent that a change in
the Delaware General Corporation Law (whether by statute or judicial decision)
permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently
under the Company's By-laws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties
hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so
afforded by such change.
Section 8. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance
policy or policies providing directors' and officers' liability insurance,
Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its
or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any
director/officer of the Company.
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Section 9. No supplement, modification or amendment of this
Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties
hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or
shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not
similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 10. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to a of the rights of
recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do
everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution
of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to
enforce such rights.
Section 11. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement
to make any payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee to the
extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance
policy, By-law or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
Section 12. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors, assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal
representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether
Indemnitee continues to serve as a director/an officer of the Company or of any
other enterprise at the Company's request.
Section 13. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable
in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a
single section, paragraph or sentence) are held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, and the remaining
provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Section 14. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to the
principles of conflicts of laws.
Executed in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, as of the day and year
first above written.
CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
BY _________________________________
_________________________________
Indemnitee
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EXHIBIT 10.15
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
1. PURPOSE AND ELIGIBILITY
The purpose of the Plan is to (i) provide for compensation in the form
of mandatorily deferred shares of Common Stock of the Company and to
provide the opportunity for participants to defer up to 100% of their
annual retainer and (ii) establish terms for such deferral. All directors
who are not, and have never been, employees of the Company shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan.
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation and Nominating
Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors. The members of the
Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee shall have full
power and authority to interpret the terms of the Plan A and to adopt such
rules and procedures as it may deem advisable for the administration of the
Plan. The interpretation of the Plan, all actions taken under the Plan, and
the determination of all questions arising under the Plan shall be binding
and conclusive on all persons for all purposes.
The Committee may delegate to any officer or employee of the Company
the duty to act for the Committee. Neither the Committee or any member
thereof, nor any officer or employee of the Company, shall be liable for
any act, omission, interpretation, construction, distribution or
determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan. The members
of the Committee and the officers and employees of the Company shall be
entitled to indemnification by the Company in respect of any claim, loss,
damage or expense (including attorneys' fees) arising therefrom to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
3. STOCK COMPENSATION
Fifty percent (50%) of the annual retainer of the directors will be
paid in the form of mandatorily deferred shares of Common Stock which shall
be credited to each director's Deferred Stock Account as provided in
Section 4 and paid after resignation or retirement from the Board as
provided in Section 5.
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Each director who is eligible to participate in this Plan for a
calendar year may file an election to deter for such year the receipt of
either seventy-five percent (75%) or one hundred percent (100%) of the
director's annual retainer which shall be credited to each such director's
Deferred Stock Account as provided in Section 4 and paid after resignation
or retirement from the Board as provided in Section 5. Each deferral
election made hereunder shall be on a form provided by the Company and
filed with the Committee not later than the day immediately preceding the
first day of such calendar year. A director who first assumes office after
January 1 of any year may elect, prior to the earlier of (1) the first day
of the next calendar quarter and (2) the date of the first meeting such
director attends, to make such election for the remainder of such calendar
year. Any such election to defer may not be revoked or changed by the
director with respect to such calendar year, and shall remain effective for
each succeeding calendar year unless revoked or changed by the director
with respect to a succeeding calendar year prior to the commencement of
such succeeding calendar year.
4. DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT,
The Committee shall establish and maintain for each director a
Deferred Stock Account which shall be credited with an amount equal to
fifty percent (50%) or, if so elected by such director, seventy-five
percent (75%) or one hundred percent (100%), of the director's annual
retainer as of the date on which such retainer would have been paid to such
Director but for such mandatory deferral.
The number of phantom stock units which shall be credited to the
Deferred Stock Account in respect of the deferred annual cash retainer
shall be equal to the amount of such cash retainer which is deferred,
divided by the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share of Common
Stock as of the end of each calendar quarter or as of such other date on
which such retainer would have been paid to such director but for such
election. For purposes of this Plan, "Fair Market Value" shall mean the
average of the high and low prices of Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on the date of the determination thereof as reported in The Wall
Street Journal as New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions.
As of each date on which dividends are paid on the shares of Common
Stock, the Company shall credit to each Deferred Stock Account established
on its books pursuant to
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this section additional phantom stock units, the number of which shall be
determined by multiplying the amount of such dividends per share of Common
Stock by the number of phantom stock units then credited to such account,
and dividing the product thereof by the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the applicable dividend payment date.
5. PAYMENT
Payment of a director's Deferred Stock Account shall be made at such
dates as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event earlier than
six months after resignation or retirement as a director nor later than ten
years thereafter. Payment of a director's Account may be made in cash or
shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, as the director shall
request subject to the approval of the Committee.
In the event of a director's death prior to receiving all payments due
under the Plan, the remaining amount shall be paid in a lump sum to the
beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the director in a writing filed
with the Committee or, in the absence of an effective designation, to the
director's estate.
Any distribution in respect of a person who at the time of payment is
under legal disability or who is, in the judgment of the Committee, unable
to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, may be made
to the spouse or any child or personal representative of such person, or to
any other individual or entity deemed by the company to have incurred
expenses for such person. Any such distribution shall constitute a complete
discharge of the Company's obligation to make such distribution pursuant to
this Plan.
6. GRANTOR TRUST
The Company may establish an irrevocable grantor trust with an
independent trustee, which shall be a bank or trust company selected by
the Company, and transfer to the trustee of that trust shares of Common
Stock and cash or other assets in order to assist the Company in fulfilling
its payment obligations hereunder. The governing trust instrument must
require that the trustee shall establish a separate account in the trust
fund for each director, based on the contributions made by or for such
director, that all assets held in the trust shall remain available to
satisfy the claims of general creditors of the Company in case of
insolvency or bankruptcy and that the Company shall give
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timely written notice to the trustee of the insolvency or bankruptcy
of the Company.
7. NON-ASSIGNABILITY
The rights and interests of a director hereunder may not be assigned,
pledged or otherwise transferred except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
a. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Board may at any time amend or terminate the Plan. No amendment or
termination shall alter or impair existing rights in respect of a
director's Account.
If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed by reason of any
stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation,
combination, exchange of shares, or other corporate chance, the Committee
shall make such substitutions or adjustments to the Deferred Stock Accounts
and the annual limitation on deferrals in Common Stock as it deems to be
equitable and consistent with the provisions contained herein.
9. GENERAL MATTERS
Common Stock and cash representing fractional shares of Common Stock
credited to Deferred Stock Accounts under the Plan will be paid at the
dates and in the manner provided for in Section 6 from the assets of the
grantor trust established under Section 7 and, to the extent the assets
herein are not sufficient or such a trust has not been established, from
the general assets of the Company. Prior to such payment, a director will
have no interest under the Plan in any specific asset of the Company or any
security interest in the assets of a grantor trust established under
Section 7. Until the establishment of such a trust, no certificates or
book-entry statements of ownership shall be issued for shares credited to a
director's Deferred Stock Account.
All expenses incurred in administering the Plan and a grantor trust
established under Section 7 will be paid by the Company.
10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
The provisions of this Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the
Company, its successors and assigns and each
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Director who is a participant in this Plan and his or her beneficiaries
and successors.
11. GOVERNING LAW
This Plan shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to principles of conflicts of
law.
Adopted: ________________________
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1
EXHIBIT 10.16
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
Effective January 1, 1998
December 31, 1997
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FOREWORD
Effective as of January 1, 1998, Corn Products International, Inc. has adopted
the Corn Products International, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
(the "Plan") for the benefit of certain of its key executives.
The purposes of the Plan are (a) to permit certain key executives to defer
payment of a portion of current compensation until a later year, and (b) to
provide Participants and their beneficiaries with the amount of retirement
income that is not provided under the Corn Products International, Inc. Cash
Balance Plan for Salaried Employees and the Corn Products International, Inc.
Retirement Savings Plan by reason of limits on recognized compensation required
by Sections 401 (a)(17), 402(g) and 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, and by reason of elective compensation deferrals under this Plan.
It is intended that the Plan be a deferred compensation plan for "a select group
of management or highly compensated employees," as that term is used in the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
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SECTION ONE
Definitions
1.1 Except to the extent otherwise indicated herein, and except to the
extent otherwise inappropriate in the context, the definitions
contained in the Cash Balance Plan or Savings Plan are applicable
under the Plan.
1.2 "Accounts" means the Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account, the Deferred
Account, the Prior Plan Account and the Savings Plan Make-up Account.
1.3 "Base Salary Threshold" means, as of November 15, 1997, $160,000. As
of each subsequent November 15, the Base Salary Threshold shall be
redetermined as the annual limit (as of such November 15) in effect
under Code Section 401(a)(17).
1.4 "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
1.5 "Cash Balance Plan" means the Corn Products International, Inc. Cash
Balance Plan for Salaried Employees.
1.6 "Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account" means the bookkeeping account
established under Section 3.2 established on behalf of a Participant,
and includes any deemed earnings credited thereon.
1.7 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any
reference to any Code Section shall also mean any successor provision
thereto.
1.8 "Committee" means the Benefits Committee established by the Board
of Directors.
1.9 "Compensation" means a Participant's base pay plus short-term
incentive bonuses as paid, prior to reduction for (a) his or her
Deferred Compensation election under this Plan, (b) pre-tax
contributions under the Savings Plan and (c) any pre-tax contributions
to a cafeteria plan under Section 125 of the Code, which is in excess
of Limited Compensation.
1.10 "Corporation" means Corn Products International, Inc. and any
successor to such corporation by merger, purchase or otherwise.
1.11 "Deferred Account" means the bookkeeping account established under
Section 3.1 established on behalf of a participant, and includes any
deemed earnings credited thereon.
1.12 "Deferred Compensation" means the amount of a Key Executive's
Compensation that such Key Executive has deferred until a later year
pursuant to an election under Section 2.2 of this Plan.
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1.13 "Employer" means the Corporation and any other corporation adopting
the Plan in accordance with Section 5.3 hereof.
1.14 "Key Executive" means an executive employed by the Corporation who is
designated by the Vice President of Human Resources of the Corporation
and approved for participation in the Deferred Account by the
Committee.
1.15 "Limited Compensation" is the smaller of the limit on pensionable
compensation specified by Section 401 (a)( 17) of Code (including
adjustments for changes in the cost of living as prescribed by the
Code). or Compensation earned prior to the time the Participant
reaches the limit on elective deferrals to the Savings Plan specified
by Section 402(g) of the Code (including adjustments for changes in
the cost of living as prescribed by the Code).
1.16 "Participant" means a participant in the Plan who has satisfied the
eligibility requirements of and is participating in the Plan under
Section 2.1 of the Plan.
1.17 "Plan" means the Corn Products International, Inc. Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan as from time to time in effect.
1.18 "Prime Rate" means the prime rate as published in the Wall Street
Journal Midwest edition showing such race in effect as of the first
business day of each calendar quarter.
1.19 "Prior Plan Account" means the bookkeeping account established under
Section 3.4 on behalf of a Participant to reflect the amounts accrued
by such Participant under the Prior Savings Plan as of December 31,
1997, and includes any deemed earnings credited thereon. "Prior Plan
Deferred Account" means the portion of the Prior Plan Account
attributable to the Participant's deferrals plus deemed earnings
thereon; and "Prior Plan Company Account" means the portion of the
Prior Plan Account attributable to company credits plus deemed
earnings thereon.
1.20 "Prior Savings Plan" means the CPC International Inc. Excess
Savings Plan.
1.21 "Prior SERP" means the CPC International Inc. Excess Benefit Plan.
1.22 "Savings Plan" means the Corn Products International, Inc. Retirement
Savings Plan.
1.23 "Savings Plan Make-up Account" means the bookkeeping account
established under Section 3.3 established on behalf of a Participant,
and includes any deemed earnings credited thereon.
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SECTION TWO
Eligibility and Participation
2.1 Eligibility and Participation
Participation in the Deferred Account portion of the Plan shall be
limited to Key Executives. For purposes of participation as of January
1, 1998, the group of eligible Key Executives is limited to employees
of the Corporation whose 1997 base pay plus 1997-paid short term
bonuses from CPC International Inc. equaled at least the Base Salary
Threshold as of November 15, 1997.
If first employed by the Corporation after January 1, 1998, a Key
Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Deferred Account
portion of the Plan as of the first of the month following one full
calendar month of employment if his or her annual base salary as of
date of employment is at least the annual limit (as of such date of
employment) under Code Section 401(a)(17), subject to approval of the
Vice President of Human Resources of the Corporation.
Key Executives who have never participated under the Plan but whose
base pay plus short term bonus paid in any calendar year equals at
least the Base Salary Threshold for such year shall be eligible to
participate in the Deferred Accounts as of the following January 1.
Key Executives who elect to participate in the Deferred Accounts shall
continue to be eligible to make deferral elections in future years,
notwithstanding their base salary as of a November 15 falling below the
Base Salary Threshold for Key Executives who have never participated in
the Plan.
Active participation in the Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account for any
calendar year shall be limited to Key Executives who make deferral
elections for such year, or employees whose benefits under the Cash
Balance Plan are reduced by the limits on compensation or benefits,
imposed by Sections 401(a)(17) or 415 of the Code.
Active participation in the Savings Plan Make-up Account for any
calendar year shall be limited to Key Executives who make deferral
elections for such year and whose benefits under the Savings Plan are
reduced by the limits on compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of
the Code, or by a deferral election made under Section 2.2 of this
Plan.
Persons who have amounts transferred from the Prior Savings Plan to
this Plan, as provided in Section 3.4, shall be eligible for
participation with respect to amounts held in their Prior Plan Accounts
hereunder.
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2.2 Deferral Election
Elections of Deferred Compensation shall be made only by Key
Executives and shall be on forms furnished by the Committee. A Deferred
Compensation election shall apply only to Compensation paid in the
particular year specified in the election. Key Executives shall specify
the percentage of such Compensation to be deferred under the election,
which percentage may not exceed 20%.
A Deferred Compensation election with respect to Compensation for a
particular calendar year (a) must be made before January 1 of such
calendar year (or prior to participation in the Plan if the Key
Executive becomes eligible to participate during the calendar year),
(b) must specify (from the available alternatives, which shall include
a lump sum option) the date such Deferred Compensation, plus deemed
earnings, is to be paid (or commence to be paid) and, if such date is
at termination of employment, the number of installments (not to exceed
10 years) in which such Deferred Compensation, plus deemed earnings, is
to be paid, and (c) once made, cannot be changed or revoked.
In the case of a Key Executive who is eligible to participate in this
Plan under Section 2.1 as of one month following the date on which his
or her employment with the Corporation commences, any Deferred
Compensation election must be made within 30 days of employment and
will apply to Compensation earned from the date of such election
through the end of that calendar year.
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SECTION THREE
Accounts
3.1 Deferred Account
The aggregate of the amounts of Deferred Compensation and deemed
earnings on such amounts shall be paid to the Participant or his or her
beneficiary, as applicable, from the general assets of the Corporation
in accordance with this Plan and related election forms. Deemed
earnings with respect to Deferred Compensation shall be credited
monthly at the monthly compound equivalent of the Prime Rate. A
bookkeeping account shall be maintained for each Participant to record
the amount of such Deferred Compensation and deemed earnings thereon.
Participants are always 100 percent vested in their Deferred Accounts.
Separate bookkeeping accounts may also be maintained for Deferred
Compensation for each Participant for each calendar year plus deemed
earnings with respect to such Deferred Compensation, as may be
necessary in order to facilitate calculation upon distribution.
3.2 Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account
A bookkeeping account shall be established on behalf of each
Participant in the Plan which, at any time, shall yield a benefit equal
to the benefit as of such date that would have accrued under the Cash
Balance Plan had (a) the Participant not elected to defer compensation
under Section 2.2 of this Plan, and (b) limits on benefits or
compensation imposed by Code Sections 415 or 401(a)(17) not applied
to the Participant under the Cash Balance Plan.
In addition, the following employees shall receive an additional annual
pay credit as indicated below, applied to their total eligible
Compensation as such is defined in the Cash Balance Plan, but without
reflecting the limits of Code Section 401(a)(17):
EMPLOYEE ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE
Beebe, C. 1.37%
Doane, M. 6.67%
Fortnam, J. 2.11%
Hirchak, J.C. 0.81%
Kocun, F.J. 7.71%
Kuske, E.A. 3.56%
Northacker, E. 4.18%
Pyatt, M.R. 3.59%
Ripley, J. 4.72%
Scott III, S. 7.39%
Vandervoort, R. 5.03%
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The beginning balance as of January 1, 1998 under this account, if any,
shall be determined in accordance with the Opening Balance under the
Cash Balance Plan as if the earned benefit under the Prior SERP as of
December 31, 1997 were the "Accrued Benefit as of December 31, 1997
under the Prior Plan" as such is defined in the Cash Balance Plan.
A Participant shall be vested in his or her Cash Balance Plan Make-up
Account to the extent that such Participant is vested in his or her
Cash Balance Plan account balance.
3.3 Savings Plan Make-up Account
A bookkeeping account shall be established on behalf of each
Participant in the Plan, which shall be credited with the excess, if
any, of (a) the amount of employer matching and profit sharing
contributions which would have been made on behalf of such Participant
had the Participant's Deferred Compensation been contributed to the
Savings Plan (without regard to any refunds of Participant
contributions required under the Code, or the effects of Sections 401
(a)(17),402(g) or 415 of the Code), over (b) actual employer matching
and profit sharing contributions to the Savings Plan on behalf of such
Participant.
The Savings Plan Make-up Account shall be credited monthly with deemed
investment earnings at the monthly compound equivalent of the Prime
Rate. A Participant is vested in his or her Savings Plan Make-up
Account to the extent that such Participant is vested in his or her
Savings Plan matching and profit sharing contributions.
3.4 Prior Plan Account
A Prior Plan Deferred Account shall be established for each participant
in the Prior Savings Plan who becomes a Participant on January 1, 1998,
equal in initial value to the amounts held under the Prior Savings Plan
as of December 31, 1997 attributable to employee deferrals under the
Prior Savings Plan plus deemed earnings through December 31, 1997. The
Prior Plan Deferred Account shall be credited monthly with deemed
investment earnings at the monthly compound equivalent of the Prime
Rate. Participants shall be 100 percent vested in any Prior Plan
Deferred Account.
A Prior Plan Company Account shall be established for each participant
in the Prior Savings Plan who becomes a Participant on January 1, 1998,
equal in initial value to the amounts held under the Prior Savings Plan
as of December 31, 1997 attributable to company credits under the Prior
Savings Plan plus deemed earnings through December 31, 1997. The Prior
Plan Company Account shall be credited monthly with deemed investment
earnings at the monthly compound equivalent of the Prime Rate.
Participants shall be 100 percent vested in any Prior Plan Company
Account.
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SECTION FOUR
Payment of Benefits
4.1 No In-Service Withdrawals
No withdrawals, including loans, may be allowed from the Plan for any
reason while the Participant is still employed by the Corporation;
however, reemployment of a Participant shall not suspend the payment of
any benefits hereunder.
4.2 Payment of Deferred Account
Payment of benefits from a Participant's Deferred Account shall be made
in accordance with deferred compensation agreements made at the time
the Participant elects to defer compensation hereunder. A separate
deferred compensation agreement shall govern each year's Deferred
Compensation and deemed earnings on such Deferred Compensation
attributable to any year. The terms of these deferred compensation
agreements dealing with the timing and form of payment may be changed
from year to year by the Committee, but once an election is made by a
Participant as to the timing and form of a distribution from the
Deferred Account with respect to a particular year, such election is
irrevocable.
4.3 Payment of Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account
Except as provided in Section 4.6 below, distributions from the Cash
Balance Plan Make-up Account shall be made in the same form and at the
same time as benefit payments made under the Cash Balance Plan.
4.4 Payment of Savings Plan Make-up Account
Except as provided in Section 4.6 below, distributions from the Savings
Plan Make-up Account shall be made in the same form and at the same
time as benefit payments made under the Savings Plan after termination
of employment. However, if the Participant elects an annuity
distribution under the Savings Plan, he or she shall receive his
Savings Plan Make-up Account in a single sum.
4.5 Payment of Prior Plan Account
Except as provided in Section 4.6 below, distributions from the Prior
Plan Account shall be made as follows:
(a) the Prior Plan Deferred Account shall be payable in accordance
with the payment elections made when the respective years'
elections were made; and
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(b) the Prior Plan Company Account shall be made in the same form
and at the same time as benefit payments made under the Savings
Plan after termination of employment; however, if the
Participant elects an annuity distribution under the Savings
Plan, he or she shall receive his Prior Plan Company Account in
a single sum.
4.6 Lump Sum Distributions of Smaller Benefits
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary:
(a) If the aggregate value of a Participant's Cash Balance Plan
Make-up Account, Savings Plan Make-up Account, and Prior Plan
Account is less than $10,000, the Participant or his or her
beneficiary shall receive benefits from such Accounts under this
Plan in the form of a single lump sum as soon as practicable
after the Participant's termination of employment, without regard
to distribution elections made under the Cash Balance Plan or
Savings Plan.
(b) If the aggregate value of a Participant's Deferred Account is
less than $10,000, the Participant or his or her beneficiary
shall receive benefits from such Account under this Plan in the
form of a single lump sum as soon as practicable after
termination of employment, without regard to distribution
elections made under the Deferred Account.
4.7 Beneficiaries
The Participant's beneficiary under this Plan with respect to his or
her Accounts shall be the person or persons designated as beneficiary
by the Participant by filing with the Committee a written beneficiary
designation on a form provided by, and acceptable to, such Committee.
In the event the Participant does not make an effective designation of
a beneficiary with respect to his or her Accounts (or any one of them),
the Participant's beneficiary with respect to his or her Accounts shall
be such Participant's beneficiary under the Savings Plan.
4.8 Termination of the Cash Balance Plan or Savings Plan
In the event that the Cash Balance Plan is terminated, payments from
the Cash Balance Plan Make-up Account shall continue to be paid
directly by the Corporation but only to the same extent and for the
same duration as that part of the payee's benefit from the Cash Balance
Plan, which is directly related to such Cash Balance Plan Make-up
Account, is continued to be provided by the assets of the Cash Balance
Plan.
In the event that the Savings Plan is terminated, Savings Plan Make-up
Accounts and Prior Plan Accounts shall be paid directly by the
Corporation in the same manner as the distribution of the Participant's
accounts under the Savings Plan.
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SECTION FIVE
Administration and General Provisions
5.1 Plan Administrator
The Corporation shall be the "administrator" of the Plan within the
meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
5.2 Committee
Subject to the provisions of Section 5.1, the Committee shall be
vested with the general administration of the Plan. The Committee shall
have the exclusive right to interpret the Plan provisions and to
exercise discretion where necessary or appropriate in the
interpretation and administration of the Plan and to decide any and all
matters arising thereunder or in connection with the administration of
the Plan. The decisions, actions and records of the Committee shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and all persons having or
claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan.
The Committee may delegate to such officers, employees or departments
of the Corporation such authority, duties, and responsibilities of the
Committee as it, in its sole discretion, considers necessary or
appropriate for the proper and efficient operation of the Plan,
including, without limitation, (a) interpretation of the plan, (b)
approval and payment of claims, and (c) establishment of procedures for
administration of the Plan.
5.3 Participation by Other Employers
(a) Adoption of Plan.
With the consent of the Corporation, any corporation may become a
participating Employer under the Plan by (i) taking such action
as shall be necessary to adopt the Plan, (ii) filing with the
Corporation a duly certified copy of the resolution of the board
of directors of such corporation adopting the Plan, and (iii)
executing and delivering such instruments and taking such other
actions as may be necessary of desirable to put the Plan into
effect with respect to such corporation.
(b) Withdrawal from Participation
Any Employer may withdraw from participation in the Plan at any
time by filing with the Corporation a duly certified copy of a
resolution of its board of directors to that effect and giving
notice of its intended withdrawal to the Corporation prior to the
effective date of withdrawal.
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(c) Corporation as Agent for Employers
Each corporation which shall become a participating Employer
pursuant to Section 5.3(a) by so doing shall be deemed to have
appointed the Corporation its agent to exercise on its behalf all
of the powers and authorities hereby conferred upon the
Corporation by the terms of the Plan, including, but not by way
of limitation, the power to amend and terminate the Plan.
5.4 General Provisions
(a) The Corporation shall make no provision for the funding of any
benefits payable hereunder that (i) would cause the Plan to be a
funded plan for purposes of Code Section 404(a)(5), or Title I of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
or (ii) would cause the Plan to be other than an "unfunded and
unsecured promise to pay money or other property in the future"
under Treasury Regulations section 1.83-3(e); and shall have no
obligation to make any arrangement for the accumulation of funds
to pay any amounts under this Plan.
(b) In the event that the Corporation shall decide to establish an
advance accrual reserve on its books against the future expense
of the Plan, such reserve shall not under any circumstances be
deemed to be an asset of this Plan but, at all times, shall
remain a general asset of the Corporation, subject to the claims
of the Corporation's creditors.
(c) A person entitled to any amount under this Plan shall be a
general unsecured creditor of the Corporation with respect to
such amount.
5.5 Claims Procedure
If any Participant or other person believes he is entitled to benefits
in an amount greater than those which he is receiving or has received,
he may file a written claim with the Secretary of the Committee. Such
claim shall state the nature of the claim, the facts supporting the
claim, the amount claimed, and the address of the claimant. The
Secretary of the Committee shall review the claim and shall, within 60
days after receipt of the claim, give written notice by registered or
certified mail to the claimant of the Committee's decision with respect
to the claim. The notice of the Committee's decision with respect to
the claim shall be written in a manner designed to be understood by the
claimant and, if the claim is wholly or partially denied, set forth the
specific reasons for the denial, specific references to the pertinent
Plan provisions on which the denial is based, a description of any
additional material or information necessary for the claimant to
perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or
information is necessary, and an explanation of the claim review
procedure under the Plan.
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The Committee shall also advise the claimant that he or his duly
authorized representative may request a review of the denial by the
Chairperson of the Committee by filing with the Committee within 65
days after notice of the denial has been received by the claimant, a
written request for such review. The claimant shall be informed that he
may have reasonable access to pertinent documents and submit comments
in writing to the Chairperson within the same 65-day period. If a
request is so filed, review of the denial shall be made by the
Chairperson within 60 days after receipt of such request, and the
claimant shall be given written notice of the Chairperson's final
decision. The notice of the Chairperson's final decision shall include
specific reasons for the decision and specific references to the
pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based and shall be
written in a manner designed to be understood by the claimant.
5.6 Notices and Other Communications
All notices, reports and statements given, made, delivered or
transmitted to a Participant or any other person entitled to or
claiming benefits under the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given, made or transmitted when mailed by first class mail with postage
prepaid and addressed to the Participant or such other person at the
address last appearing on the records of the Corporation. A Participant
or other person may record any change of his address from time to time
by written notice filed with the Corporation.
Written directions, notices and other communications from Participants
or any other person entitled to or claiming benefits under the Plan to
the Employers or the Corporation shall be deemed to have been duly
given, made or transmitted either when delivered to such location as
shall be specified upon the forms prescribed by the Corporation for the
giving of such directions, notices and other communications or when
mailed by first class mail with postage prepaid and addressed as
specified upon such forms.
5.7 Records
The Committee shall keep a record of all its proceedings and shall keep
or cause to be kept all books of account, records and other data as may
be necessary or advisable in its judgment for the administration of the
Plan.
5.8 Non-assignability
It is a condition of the Plan, and all rights of each Participant and
any other person entitled to benefits hereunder shall be subject
thereto, that no right or interest of any Participant or such other
person in the Plan shall be assignable or transferrable in whole or in
part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, including,
but not by way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment,
pledge or bankruptcy, but excluding rights or interests arising by
reason of death or mental incompetency, and no right or interest of any
Participant or other person in the Plan shall be liable for, or subject
to, any obligation or liability of such Participant or other person,
including claims for alimony or the support of any spouse or child.
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5.9 Employment Non-contractual
The Plan shall not be interpreted as conferring any right upon any
employee to continue in employment.
5.10 Employer's Option to Fund Benefits
Nothing in this Plan shall be interpreted as requiring any Employer to
set aside any of its assets for the purpose of funding its obligation
under this Plan. No person entitled to benefits under this Plan shall
have any right, title or claim in or to any specific assets of any
Employer, but shall have the right only as a general creditor of his
Employer to receive benefits from his Employer on the terms and
conditions herein provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
obligation of an Employer under this Plan to a Participant or an other
person entitled to payments in respect of the Participant shall be
offset by any payments to the Participant or other person from any
trust or other funding medium established by the Employers for the
purpose of providing benefits of this Plan.
5.11 Governing Law
This Plan shall be construed and enforced under the laws of the State
of Illinois.
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SECTION SIX
Amendment and Termination
6.1 Amendment of the Plan
The Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified at
any time by the Committee.
6.2 Termination of the Plan
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board of Directors.
Adopted:
By: James J. Hirchak
Name: James J. Hirchak
Title: V.P. Human Resources
Date: 1/2/98
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EXHIBIT 10.17
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
EXECUTIVE LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
Effective as of January 1, 1998, Corn Products International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("CPI"), hereby establishes an Executive Life Insurance
Plan by the adoption of this document.
ARTICLE I
NAME, PURPOSE, AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Name. This Plan shall be known as the "Corn
Products International, Inc. Executive Life Insurance Plan."
Section 1.2. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this Plan is to encourage certain
employees of the Company who contribute materially to the prosperity of the
Company to remain in the employ of the Company, to provide incentives for such
individuals to devote their full abilities and industry to the success and
progress of the Company, and to encourage them to continue to promote the best
interests of the Company. The Plan is also intended as a means of retaining
employees of outstanding abilities and specialized skills by providing certain
benefits, including potential death benefits for their families.
(b) The benefits made available under this Plan are in
addition to any death benefits provided under other plans maintained by the
Company. The benefits made available under this Plan are welfare benefits, and
the Plan is intended to qualify as an employee welfare benefit plan under ERISA
(as hereinafter defined). These benefits shall be separate and apart from and
not in any way dependent upon, connected to or related to any retirement
benefits provided by the Company and shall not be deemed to be benefits under
an "employee pension benefit plan" as that term is defined in ERISA.
Section 1.3. Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section,
unless otherwise specifically defined or unless the context clearly otherwise
requires:
(a) "Agreement" or "Participation Agreement": An agreement
executed by CPC and a Participant under the Predecessor Plan, as described in
Section 3.2 hereof, which CPC has assigned to CPI with the Participant's
consent, or an agreement executed by CPI.
(b) "Beneficiary": The beneficiary or beneficiaries
designated by the Participant (in the manner required by the Insurer) to
receive a portion of the death benefit as provided in Section 4.5 hereof.
(c) "Board of Directors" or "Board": The Board of
Directors of CPI.
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(d) "Code": The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
and now in effect and as it may be amended from time to time. All citations to
sections of the Code are to such sections as they may from time to time be
amended or renumbered.
(e) "Collateral Assignment": The instrument by which the
Participant assigned certain Policy Rights to CPC under the Predecessor Plan or
to CPI, as the case may be to secure payment of the Liabilities, which Policy
Rights CPC has assigned to CPI with the Participant's consent.
(f) "Committee": The Pension and Welfare Committee
appointed by the Board of Directors to administer CPI's pension and welfare
plans.
(g) "Company": CPI and all of its subsidiaries which
participate in this Plan with the written approval of the Committee, as
provided herein. CPI and its subsidiaries which participate in this Plan, and
their respective effective dates of participation, are listed on Exhibit A
which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, and such
Exhibit may be amended by the Committee from time to time.
(h) "CPC": means CPC International Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
(i) "CPI": means Corn Products International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
(j) "Death Benefit": The proceeds payable under a Policy
by reason of a Participant's death.
(k) "Default": A Participant's failure to make the
reimbursement or transfer of a Policy as provided in Section 4.4 hereof.
(l) "Disability": A physical or mental condition which
qualifies the Participant for disability benefits under CPI's long-term
disability income plan for salaried employees, if any, or any similar successor
program maintained by CPI; provided, however, if the Participant is not covered
by any such plan for any reason at the time of his injury or illness, he will
be under a Disability for purposes of this Plan if in the determination of the
Plan Administrator, in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion based
upon competent medical evidence, the Participant's physical or mental condition
totally and permanently prevents the Participant, for the first twelve months,
from performing the material duties of his regular occupation, and thereafter
from performing the material duties of any occupation for which the Participant
would have been qualified in the absence of such disability.
(m) "Dividends": Dividends declared by the Insurer on a
Policy. Dividends may or may not occur.
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(n) "ERISA": The Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended and as now in effect, or as hereafter amended.
(o) "Insurer": Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company,
or such other insurance company as CPI may designate from time to time.
(p) "Liabilities": The amounts to which CPI is entitled
under this Plan and the Agreement.
(q) "Participant": An employee of a Company who meets the
conditions for participation in this Plan, and is made a participant hereunder,
all in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof.
(r) "Plan Administrator" or "Administrator": The
Committee.
(s) "Policy": A life insurance policy on the life of a
Participant as provided in Section 4.1 hereof.
(t) "Policy Date": The date of the Policy as shown on the
specifications page of the Policy.
(u) "Policy Rights": Any and all rights, options,
privileges and powers which a Policy grants to the owner of the Policy.
(v) "Policy Year": A period of twelve consecutive months
during which a Policy is in force. In the case of Policies transferred from
the Predecessor Plan, the Policy Date began the first Policy Year and each
anniversary thereof begins a subsequent Policy Year, provided the Policy is in
force.
(w) "Predecessor Plan": means the CPC International Inc.
Executive Life Insurance Plan.
(x) "Premiums": The premium payable on a Policy.
(y) "Reimbursement Trigger": The first of the following to
occur:
(1) if the Participant's employment with the
Company terminates for any reason after he attains age 55 and
after the end of the 5th Policy Year, the Reimbursement
Trigger shall occur on the later of (i) the end of the Policy
Year closest to the Participant's 65th birthday or (ii) the
end of the 15th Policy Year, provided that the Participant
paid his share of the Premiums until the later of the two
dates (for example, if the Policy Date is 12/31/93, the
Participant retires at age 55 on 12/31/99, and pays his share
of the Premiums until attaining age 65, the
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reimbursement trigger would occur when the Participant attains
age 65 on December 31, 2009);
(2) if the Participant becomes subject to a
Disability while working for the Company and was not able to
return to work for the Company or any other employer because
of such Disability, the later of the end of the Policy Year
closest to the Participant's 65th birthday or the end of the
15th Policy Year, provided that the Participant paid his share
of the Premiums until the later of the two dates;
(3) the Participant's employment with the Company
terminates because of his death or under any circumstances not
described in clauses (1) or (2);
(4) the Participant fails to timely pay his share
of the Premiums through withholding or otherwise at any time
for any reason;
(5) the Participant gives the Company written
notice of cancellation of the Agreement;
(6) CPI terminates the Plan with respect to all
Participants;
(7) CPI amends the Plan with respect to all
Participants which causes a Reimbursement Trigger for such
Participants; or
(8) the Participation Agreement with the
Participant terminates for any reason.
ARTICLE II
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
Section 2.1. Plan Administrator.
(a) The Committee shall be the Plan Administrator of this
Plan, provided that the Board of Directors, at its option, may at any time
assume the responsibilities of and act as the Committee if the Board of
Directors so desires. The Committee shall act in accordance with the practices
and procedures established by CPI and the Committee from time to time.
(b) The Committee shall have the power to designate one
or more persons, other than members of the Committee, to carry out its
administrative responsibilities. Any such designation shall be made in
accordance with rules prescribed by the Committee. The Committee is authorized
to employ accountants, counsel, and other consultants and to employ clerical
assistance as it may require in carrying out the provisions of this Plan.
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(c) The Committee shall administer the Plan in accordance
with its terms and shall have all powers necessary to carry out the provisions
of the Plan (except such powers as are reserved or assumed by the Board of
Directors), whether or not such powers are specifically enumerated herein, but
not inconsistent with any of the express terms and provisions of this Plan.
(d) The Plan Administrator shall have the power to
interpret, apply, and administer the provisions of this Plan, determine any
questions of fact under this Plan, resolve any ambiguities under this Plan, and
make all decisions and determinations necessary under this Plan or in
connection with its administration, interpretation, and application, to the
full extent permitted by law. The Committee shall have the authority in its
discretion to identify the employees of the Company who satisfy the eligibility
requirements set forth herein and are eligible to participate in this Plan.
Decisions by the Committee shall be final and binding upon all parties to the
extent permitted by law.
(e) A subsidiary of CPI must obtain the prior written
approval of the Committee before it may be considered a "Company" for purposes
of this Plan and as described in Section 1.3(g) of this Plan and before its
employees may be eligible to participate in this Plan.
Section 2.2. Compensation of Committee Members. Unless otherwise
determined by the Board of Directors, the members of the Committee shall serve
without compensation for their services as such. All reasonable and necessary
expenses of the Committee and its members, including but not limited to legal,
accounting, and other professional fees and expenses, may be paid by CPI or
reimbursed by CPI.
ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION,
AND AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE
TO PARTICIPANT'S BENEFICIARY
Section 3.1. Eligibility. Individual participation in the Plan
shall be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of CPI and shall be
limited to those employees of a Company who (i) were participants in the
Predecessor Plan on December 31, 1997, (ii) have consented (on a form provided
by the Committee) to the assumption by CPI of all of the responsibilities and
liabilities of CPC with respect to the applicable Policies and the assignment
by CPC to CPI of the Collateral Assignment and the participation agreement in
effect under the Predecessor Plan, and (iii) remain insurable at rates
acceptable to CPI. CPI in its sole and absolute discretion may determine that
any individual is no longer eligible to participate in this Plan. In addition,
in the sole and absolute discretion of CPI, a United States citizen working
outside the United States for a CPI affiliate on a full-time basis, and who
meets all the requirements for eligibility other than being employed by a
Company, may participate in this Plan. When an employee becomes a Participant
in this Plan, his coverage under the Company's basic and supplemental term
insurance will terminate. An employee is not ineligible to participate in this
Plan solely because
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he is a member of the Board of Directors or the Committee or is a participant
in any Company plan other than the Company's basic and supplemental term
insurance plan.
Section 3.2. Participation. Each employee of the Company
eligible to be a Participant hereunder shall be required as a condition of
participation to execute such forms and documents as CPI or the Committee may
require from time to time. By means of the Participation Agreement (and any
other documents), the employee and CPI may agree to vary the terms of this Plan
as to such employee, which terms are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3.3. Insurance Policy. Except as otherwise provided in
the Participation Agreement, the portion of the Death Benefit under the Policy
payable to the Participant's Beneficiary upon the Participant's death shall be
determined using the Schedule set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto and hereby
made a part hereof. As a Participant's salary increases to higher salary
ranges as set forth in Exhibit B, if the Participant meets the other
eligibility requirements, the Participant shall have the option of purchasing
additional life insurance coverage, subject to all of the terms and conditions
of this Plan, the Participation Agreement, the Collateral Assignment, and any
additional documents related thereto or executed to increase such coverage, all
in the manner as determined by the Committee from time to time. The salary
ranges and the portions of the Death Benefit as set forth in Exhibit B may be
changed at any time by the Committee.
ARTICLE IV
PREMIUM ARRANGEMENT
Section 4.1. Ownership of the Policy. The Participant will own
the Policy and may exercise the rights which the Policy grants to the owner,
subject to this Plan, the Participation Agreement, and the Collateral
Assignment. The Policy shall be delivered by CPC to CPI as agent for the
Participant, and the Participant hereby directs CPI to retain possession of the
Policy hereafter as his agent, provided that the Participant may request to
inspect the Policy during regular business hours, and such request shall not be
unreasonably denied.
Section 4.2. Payment of the Premiums.
(a) The Participant and CPI will each pay a portion of the
Premiums until the occurrence of a Reimbursement Trigger. The Participant will
pay such portion of each Premium as provided in the Participation Agreement,
and CPI will pay the rest of the Premium until the occurrence of a
Reimbursement Trigger. Procedurally, CPI will pay the total amount of each
Premium to the Insurer as it becomes due, and the Company shall withhold
amounts from the Participant's wages sufficient to pay his share of the
Premiums, provided that (i) to the extent specifically provided in clauses (1)
or (2) of Section 1.3(y) hereof, the Participant will be required to pay his
portion of the Premiums directly to CPI, and (ii) if a trust is a party to the
Participation Agreement rather than the Participant, the Participant's share of
the Premiums shall
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be paid to CPI by the trust as required. By the execution of the Participation
Agreement, the Participant consents to the withholding.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, CPI
will have no obligation to pay any portion of any Premiums after the occurrence
of a Reimbursement Trigger.
Section 4.3. CPI's Right to Reimbursement.
(a) Within 60 days following the occurrence of a
Reimbursement Trigger, the Participant must either (1) reimburse CPI for the
total Premiums CPC and CPI have paid (excluding the total amount of Premiums
paid by the Participant through withholding or otherwise), or (2) transfer
ownership of the Policy to CPI by signing such forms as CPI deems necessary.
To the extent permitted by the Insurer, the cash surrender value of the Policy
may be used to reimburse CPI for all or part of the Premiums CPC and CPI have
paid. Upon timely making such reimbursement, the Participant and CPI will
promptly cancel the Collateral Assignment and so notify the Insurer, and the
Participant will own the Policy free and clear of the Collateral Assignment.
If the Participant transfers the Policy to CPI, all of the Participant's rights
in the Policy, the Participation Agreement and this Plan will automatically
terminate, and CPI will own the Policy free and clear. If the Participant does
not timely make such reimbursement or transfer of the Policy, the Participant
will be in Default and will forfeit to CPI all Policy values. For example,
after Default CPI may surrender the Policy and receive the Policy's cash
surrender value or hold the Policy until the Participant's death and receive
the entire Death Benefit.
(b) If the Participant dies after the occurrence of a
Reimbursement Trigger and before the Participant reimburses CPI or transfers
the Policy as provided in Section 4.4(a) hereof, and before the Participant
Defaults, then in lieu of such reimbursement or transfer CPI shall be entitled
to a share of the Death Benefits as set forth in Section 4.5 below.
(c) Any payments made to CPI under a Policy in connection
with CPI's right to reimbursement as set forth in this Article IV shall be made
first from Policy values attributable to Dividends. The Participant will have
no interest in Policy values attributable to Dividends except to the extent
such values exceed CPI's interest in the Policy.
Section 4.4. Sharing of the Death Benefits. If the Participant
dies before the occurrence of a Reimbursement Trigger, the Insurer will pay
CPI, except as otherwise provided in the Participation Agreement, an amount
from the Death Benefit equal to the total Premiums paid by CPC and CPI
(excluding the Premiums the Participant paid through withholding or otherwise),
and the Participant's Beneficiary will receive the amount specified by the
Participation Agreement, which shall be the remainder of the Death Benefit.
The Death Benefit attributable to Dividends will be allocated first to CPI's
share. In no event will the amount payable to CPI exceed the Death Benefit.
The beneficiary designation provisions of the Policy
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shall comply with these provisions, and in the case of any discrepancy the
terms of this Plan shall govern the distribution of the Death Benefit.
Section 4.5. Securing CPI's Rights to Reimbursement and Death
Benefits.
(a) Each Participant who signed a Participation Agreement
also signed a Collateral Assignment to secure payment of the Liabilities.
Under the Collateral Assignment, the Participant assigned to CPI (or, in the
case of a Participant in the Predecessor Plan, to CPC, which in turn assigned
to CPI (with the Participant's consent)), all of his Policy Rights, except the
following rights which the Participant retains and may exercise in his sole
discretion: (1) Policy Rights to make a gift of his interest in the Policy in
accordance with Section 4.8 hereof, (2) to designate a Beneficiary of his share
of any Death Benefit, and (3) to select any optional mode of settlement
thereof. The Policy Rights of CPI include, but are not limited to, the right
to surrender the Policy after Default and the right to exchange the Policy for
another cash value whole life insurance policy, whether issued by the Insurer
or another life insurance company.
(b) CPI may exercise any Policy Right it possesses, as it
elects in its sole and absolute discretion, subject, however, to the following
limitations:
(1) Prior to Default or plan termination, CPI
will not surrender or partially surrender the Policy, borrow
under the Policy, or withdraw cash from the Policy; and
(2) until the occurrence of a Reimbursement
Trigger, CPI will direct the Insurer to apply Dividends to
purchase paid-up additional insurance.
The foregoing will not in any way limit the rights of CPI to: (i) surrender the
Policy after Default, (ii) exchange the Policy at any time as provided in
paragraph (a) above, or (iii) direct the Insurer after the occurrence of a
Reimbursement Trigger to pay Premiums with Dividends, through the surrender of
Policy values, or through a combination of Dividends and surrendered values.
Section 4.6. The Participant's Basic and Supplemental Term
Insurance Coverage Will Be Terminated. The Company may provide employees with
basic term insurance coverage, and the Company may have an arrangement under
which employees may purchase supplemental term insurance coverage. When an
employee becomes a Participant, the basic term insurance coverage and
supplemental term insurance coverage provided thereunder will terminate on the
effective date of his participation in this Plan. The Participant consents
to the termination of such coverages and upon such termination waives, for
himself and on behalf of his Beneficiaries, any benefits under such coverages.
Section 4.7. The Participant May Make a Gift of His Interest.
The Participant may at any time make a gift of his interest in the Policy. To
do this the Participant must sign such forms as the Insurer and the Committee
may require. Upon signing such forms the recipient shall be
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substituted as the owner of the Policy and shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Participation Agreement and the Collateral Assignment, the
recipient's rights shall be subject to this Plan, and the Participant shall
have no further interest.
Section 4.8. The Participant's Interest Is Exempt from Creditors.
Neither the Participant's nor the Beneficiary's interest in the Policy, nor any
rights in the Participation Agreement or this Plan shall be subject in any
manner to (1) any claims of any creditor of the Participant, (2) the debts,
contracts, liabilities or torts of the Participant, or (3) voluntary or
involuntary transfers to, on behalf of, or on account of any creditor of the
Participant. No future right, expectancy, distribution or payment pursuant to
this Plan to the Participant, any successor to the Participant, or any
Beneficiary, shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, whether voluntary or
involuntary, and any attempt to so anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer,
assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void, provided that gifts
may be made as provided in Section 4.8 hereof. If any person or entity
attempts to take any action contrary to this Section, and if this Section is
enforceable under applicable law, such action will have no effect, and CPI and
the Participant will disregard the action, will not in any manner be bound by
it, and will not incur any liability on account of it or the disregard of it.
Section 4.9. Rights in the Policy. Prior to satisfaction of the
Liabilities under Section 4.4 of this Plan and in accordance with Section 4.6
of this Plan, the Participant will not sell, assign, transfer, borrow against,
surrender or cancel the Policy, nor change the Dividend election, without the
prior written consent of CPI.
Section 4.10. Merger or Consolidation of CPI. If CPI merges or
consolidates with another entity, or if another entity purchases substantially
all of the assets or outstanding stock of CPI, CPI shall either (i) arrange for
the successor or acquiring entity to assume the obligations of CPI under this
Plan and the Participation Agreements so that the Participants' rights will
continue, or (ii) arrange for a trust to be established which shall assume the
obligations of CPI under this Plan and the Participation Agreements so that the
Participants' rights will continue. Such a trust would be funded with CPI's
interest in the Policies under the Collateral Assignments and its related
rights and any amounts necessary to pay CPI's share of all of the future
Premiums on the Policies of all Participants (until the anticipated occurrence
of a Reimbursement Trigger). The establishment, funding, and the provisions of
such a trust would be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of CPI.
Section 4.11. Cooperation. The Participant and CPI will take
such action as is necessary to carry out the provisions of this Plan with
the intention of maintaining a split-dollar insurance arrangement between the
Participant and CPI. The Participant will sign such forms as CPI, the
Committee or the Insurer may require as a condition of participation.
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ARTICLE V
CLAIM PROCEDURE
Section 5.1. Claim Procedure.
(a) Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be submitted in
writing to the Committee or a person designated by the Committee for this
purpose.
(b) The Administrator shall provide notice in writing to any
person whose claim for benefits has been denied within 90 days after the
receipt of the claim. Such 90-day notice shall be extended for an additional
90 days if the Administrator determines that such an extension of time is
necessary to process the claim and so advises the claimant within 90 days after
the receipt of the claim. Such notice shall set forth the specific reason or
reasons for the denial and shall be written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the recipient. Such notice shall also refer specifically to
pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based; shall describe any
additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect his
claim; and shall explain why such material or information is necessary. Such
notice shall also explain the Plan's claims review procedure. A claim for
benefits shall be deemed denied for purposes of proceeding to the review stage
if the Administrator does not provide written notice to the claimant within the
foregoing time period.
(c) The Committee shall afford to any person whose claim for
benefits has been denied a reasonable opportunity for a full and fair review of
the decision denying the claim. The claimant or his duly authorized
representative shall request such review in writing not more than 90 days after
receipt by the claimant of written notification of denial of his claim. Within
60 days after, or as part of, a timely request for review, the claimant may
submit issues and comments in writing and may review pertinent documents.
(d) Upon receipt of a timely request for review, the
Committee may, in its discretion, designate one or more persons to hear the
claimant's request and inquire into the merits of the claim. Such designee(s)
shall meet promptly with the claimant and his duly authorized representative
and shall hear such arguments and examine such documents as the claimant or his
representative shall present. The designee(s) shall then report his (their)
findings to the Committee orally or in writing.
(e) A decision of the Committee on review of a claim shall
be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a
manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and setting forth specific
references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.
The decision shall be made promptly but not later than 60 days after receipt of
a request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time
for processing. In such case, the claimant shall be advised in writing prior
to the expiration of the initial 60-day
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period that a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later
than 120 days after receipt of a request for review. A claim shall be deemed
denied on review if the decision on review is not furnished to the claimant
within the foregoing time period.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
Section 6.1. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. CPI shall
have the right to amend this Plan in any respect, in whole or in part, or may
terminate this Plan, at any time and from time to time, subject to the
Participants' rights, if any, established at such time pursuant to the
Participation Agreements (the definition of Reimbursement Trigger under Section
1.3(y) hereof includes a termination of this Plan and any amendment of this
Plan which causes a Reimbursement Trigger). Such action may be accomplished
through duly authorized action by the Board of Directors of CPI or, with
respect to amendments only, through duly authorized action of the Plan
Administrator.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1. No Guarantee of Employment. Neither this Plan nor
any action taken hereunder shall be construed as a contract of employment
between the Company and any Participant, to be a consideration for, or an
inducement or condition of, the employment of a Participant, or as giving any
Participant any right to be retained in the employ of the Company, or to
interfere with the right of the Company to discharge any Participant at any
time.
Section 7.2. Gender and Number. For purposes of this Plan
document, the masculine pronouns shall be construed to include the feminine,
the feminine shall be construed to include the masculine, the singular to
include the plural, and the plural to include the singular.
Section 7.3. Additional Information. Each Participant, and each
employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan and desires to participate
in the Plan, shall furnish to the Company such documents, evidence or other
information as is necessary or desirable for the purpose of administering this
Plan, and it shall be a condition of participation in this Plan that each such
employee furnish such information promptly and sign such documents as the
Committee may require before any benefit becomes payable under this Plan.
Section 7.4. Incapacity of Recipient. If the Committee
determines that any person entitled to payments under this Plan is incapable of
personally receiving any such payment, then, unless and until a claim shall
have been made by a duly appointed legal guardian or other legal representative
of such person, the Committee may cause any or all payments hereunder becoming
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due to such person to be made to any other person or institution for the
incapable person's benefit if such person or institution is then contributing
toward or providing for the care and maintenance of the incapable person, and
neither the Committee nor CPI shall have any responsibility to follow the
application of amounts so paid. Payments made pursuant to this provision shall
completely discharge CPI, the Committee, and the Plan of any liability for or
in any way relating to such payments.
Section 7.5. Applicable Law. This Plan and all rights hereunder
are governed by ERISA, and to the extent that any state law is applicable, the
provisions of this Plan shall be construed, regulated, and administered under
the laws of the State of Illinois (without regard to its conflict of law
rules).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CPI has caused this Plan to be adopted by its duly
authorized officer as of January 1, 1998.
(SEAL) CORN PRODUCTS
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ATTEST:
By: By:
------------------------- -------------------------
Print Name: Print Name:
Secretary Print Title:
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EXHIBIT A
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
COMPANY EFFECTIVE DATE OF PARTICIPATION
Corn Products International, Inc. January 1, 1998
Enzyme Bio-Systems Ltd. January 1, 1998
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EXHIBIT B
SCHEDULE OF PORTION OF POLICY
DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE TO THE PARTICIPANT'S BENEFICIARY
PORTION OF POLICY
RANGE OF EMPLOYEE'S DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE
ANNUAL BASE SALARY TO THE PARTICIPANT'S BENEFICIARY
$ 70,000.00 - $ 79,999.99 $ 250,000.00
$ 80,000.00 - $ 99,999.99 $ 350,000.00
$100,000.00 - $149,999.99 $ 500,000.00
$150,000.00 - $199,999.99 $ 750,000.00
$200,000.00 - $299,999.99 $1,000,000.00
$300,000.00 or more $1,500,000.00
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1
EXHIBIT 10.18
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Corn Products International, Inc. Deferred Compensation
Plan is to provide the opportunity for certain key management employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to defer all or part of the
incentive payments awarded to them and to preserve the opportunity to defer
amounts which certain senior management employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates had deferred under the Predecessor Plan. The
effective date of this Plan is January 1, 1998.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
"ACCOUNT" means a Participant's account maintained on the books of the Company
pursuant to Section 3(a).
"BENEFICIARY" means the person, persons or entity designated by a Participant
on a form prescribed by the Company to receive benefits upon the death of the
Participant under this Plan or, if no such beneficiary has been effectively
designated, the Participant's estate.
"BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the Board of Directors of Corn Products
International, Inc.
"COMPANY" means Corn Products International, Inc.
"CPC" means CPC International Inc.
"INCENTIVE PAYMENT" means an amount awarded to a Participant under the Corn
Products International, Inc. Bonus Plan or any other incentive plan or program
which was approved by the Company's Board of Directors, but not including any
amounts awarded or paid under the Corn Products International, Inc. 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan or any successor plan thereto.
"PARTICIPANT" means a participant in the Plan who has satisfied the eligibility
requirements of and is participating in the Plan under Section 3(a) of the
Plan.
"PLAN" means this Corn Products International, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.
"PREDECESSOR PLAN" means the CPC International Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.
"RETIREMENT DATE" means the date on which a Participant retires from the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates after satisfying the requirements
for retirement pursuant to the terms of the Corn Products International, Inc.
Cash Balance Plan for Salaried
2
Employees or a successor plan thereto (irrespective of whether the Participant
is a member of said plan).
"TERMINATION DATE" means the date on which a Participant's employment with the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates terminates other than on a
Retirement Date.
SECTION 3. PARTICIPATION AND BENEFITS
(a) The key employees eligible to participate in the Plan shall be
designated by the Company's Vice President of Human Resources and approved for
participation in the Plan by the Committee. Notwithstanding the forgoing, any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who was authorized to
participate in the Predecessor Plan and whose account was transferred to this
Plan effective as of the close of business on December 31, 1997 shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan. A Participant's Account shall be increased
by the amount of the interest equivalents credited on the amounts from time to
time held in such Account as determined pursuant to subsection (b) below, and
shall be reduced by all distributions made from such Account. A Participant's
Account shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement and
determination of the amounts to be paid to the Participant pursuant to this
Plan.
(b) The interest equivalents to be credited to a Participant's
Account shall be determined pursuant to the following provisions:
(I) If a Participant's employment with the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates terminates on a Retirement Date, the interest
equivalents credited to the Participant's Account shall be determined in
accordance with this subsection (I). Pursuant to this subsection (I), the
interest equivalents credited to the Participant's Account for each calendar
year shall be determined on the basis of the Participant's Account balance from
time to time during the applicable calendar year and the interest equivalent
rate (compounded annually) established by the Company for that calendar year.
The Company shall in its discretion establish an interest equivalent rate under
this subsection (I) for each calendar year prior to the beginning of such
calendar year, provided, however, that the minimum interest equivalent rate for
a calendar year shall be the Federal Reserve Bank's published interest rate for
constant maturity one-year U.S. Treasury securities on the last business day
coinciding with or preceding October 15 of the calendar year last preceding the
applicable calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant who
retires on a Retirement Date elects to delay the commencement of the
installment period for one, three or five years as described in Section 4(a),
the interest equivalent rate for the deferral period shall be equal to the
Federal Reserve Bank's published interest rate for constant maturity U.S.
Treasury securities that correspond to the length of the deferral period (i.e.,
one, three or five-year Treasury securities, as the case may be) on the last
business day coinciding with or preceding October 15 of the calendar year in
which the Retirement Date falls. For
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periods after the end of such deferral period, interest equivalents shall again
be determined based on the foregoing provisions of this subsection (I) (other
than the preceding sentence).
(II) If a Participant's employment with the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates terminates prior to a Retirement Date other than by
reason of death, the interest equivalents credited to the Participant's Account
shall be determined in accordance with this subsection (II). Pursuant to this
subsection (II), the interest equivalents credited to the Participant's Account
for each calendar year shall be determined on the basis of the Participant's
Account balance from time to time during the applicable calendar year and the
interest equivalent rate (compounded annually) for that calendar year as
described in the following sentence. Such interest equivalent rate under this
subsection (II) for a calendar year shall be the Federal Reserve Bank's
published interest rate for constant maturity one-year U.S. Treasury securities
on the last business day coinciding with or preceding October 15 of the
calendar year preceding the applicable calendar year.
SECTION 4. DISTRIBUTIONS
(a) In the event of termination of a Participant's employment with
the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates on a Retirement Date (other
than by reason of death), the Participant's Account (calculated in accordance
with Section 3(a) and (b)(I)) shall be paid in fifteen (15) annual installments
with the first such installment being paid during January of the calendar year
next following the calendar year in which the Participant's Retirement Date
falls (except that, if the Participant's Retirement Date is a January 1st, the
first such installment shall be paid during the month of January in which such
January 1st falls) and with the succeeding installments being paid during
January of each of the fourteen succeeding calendar year. The amount of each
such installment shall be calculated as the level annual benefit that could be
provided to the Participant over the 15-year period based on the Participant's
Account balance on the December 31st preceding the January payment date and
assuming interest equivalents are credited at a rate equal to 75% of the
interest equivalent rate applicable to the calendar year last preceding the
calendar year during which the first of the 15 installments is paid. The
amount of each succeeding installment shall be calculated in a similar manner
based on the new Account balance on the December 31st preceding the applicable
January payment date, assuming level annual payments over the balance of the
installment period and interest equivalents at 75% of the interest equivalent
rate applicable to the calendar year last preceding the calendar year during
which the first of the 15 installments is paid, except that the final
installment shall equal the remaining Account balance on the December 31st
preceding the applicable January payment date. Interest equivalents shall
continue to be credited for each applicable calendar year through the December
31st preceding the final payment date based on the actual interest equivalent
rate as determined pursuant to Section 3(b)(I). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
a Participant who retires on a Retirement Date may, by filing a written
election with the Company (on a
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form prescribed by the Company) at least 12 months prior to the first day of
the month of January in which the first of the 15 installments is to be paid,
elect to delay the start of the 15-year installment period for one, three or
five years, in which case interest equivalents for the deferral period shall be
calculated in accordance with the next to last sentence of Section 3(b)(I).
The installments payable pursuant to this Section 4(a) shall be paid to the
Participant if he or she is then living, or, if he or she is not then living,
to the Participant's Beneficiary.
(b) In the event of the termination of a Participant's employment
with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates by reason of the
Participant's death prior to the date on which the Participant commenced
receipt of payments hereunder, the Participant's Account shall be paid to the
Participant's Beneficiary in fifteen (15) equal annual installments with the
first such installment being paid during January of the calendar year next
following the calendar year in which the Participant dies (except that, if the
Participant dies on a January 1st, the first such installment shall be paid
during the month of January in which such January 1st falls) and with the
succeeding installments being paid during January of each of the fourteen
succeeding calendar years. The amount of each such installment shall be the
sum of the Annual Installment Amounts for each deferral of Incentive Payments
as determined pursuant to the table set forth in Exhibit A hereto based on the
amount of the applicable Incentive Payment deferred by the Participant and the
Participant's age on December 31st of the calendar year to which such Incentive
Payment relates.
(c) In the event of the termination of a Participant's employment
with the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates prior to a Retirement Date
other than by reason of the Participant's death, the balance of the
Participant's Account (calculated in accordance with Section 3(a) and (b)(II))
shall be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum during January of the
calendar year next following the calendar year in which the Participant's
Termination Date occurs (except that if the Participant's Termination Date is a
January 1st, such lump sum payment shall be made during the month of January in
which such January 1st falls). The amount of such lump sum payment shall be
based on the Participant's Account balance calculated as of the December 31st
preceding the payment date.
(d) A Participant may make a withdrawal from his or her Account
prior to termination of employment with the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates but only in the event the Participant incurs an unforeseeable
emergency and only if the withdrawal is approved by the Company. For this
purpose, an unforeseeable emergency is severe financial hardship to the
Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the
Participant or of a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of the Participant, loss of the Participant's
property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable
circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the
Participant. The circumstances that will
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constitute an unforeseeable emergency will depend upon the facts of each case,
but, in any case, payment may not be made to the extent that such hardship is
or may be relieved:
(i) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or
otherwise;
(ii) by liquidation of the Participant's assets, to the
extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe
financial hardship; or
(iii) by cessation of deferrals under the Plan.
Examples of what are not considered to be unforeseeable emergencies include the
need to send a Participant's child to college or the desire to purchase a home.
Withdrawals of amounts because of an unforeseeable emergency shall only be
permitted to the extent reasonably needed to satisfy the emergency need. In
determining a Participant's Account balance for purposes of this subsection
(d), the interest equivalents credited to a Participant's Account shall be
determined pursuant to Section 3(b)(II).
SECTION 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Company. The Company
may appoint committees or individuals (who may be Company employees) to assist
it in carrying out administrative duties and responsibilities. The Company
shall have sole and complete authority and discretion to adopt, alter and
repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the operation
of the Plan, to decide questions of fact under the Plan, and to interpret and
apply the terms and provisions of the Plan in all respects.
(b) Participation in the Plan shall not be deemed to be a contract
of employment between the Company and any Participant or to give any
Participant the right to be retained in employment.
(c) The Company, acting through any of its duly authorized
officers, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at
any time, provided, however, that no amendment, suspension or termination may
impair existing rights in respect of Participants' Accounts.
(d) Participants and Beneficiaries may not alienate or transfer
their Accounts in any matter whatsoever (other than transfers to a
Participant's Beneficiary upon a Participant's death), and any attempt to do so
shall be null and void.
(e) Participants and their Beneficiaries have the status of
general unsecured creditors of the Company, and the Plan constitutes a mere
promise by the Company to make benefit payments in the future. The Plan is
unfunded, but the Company may
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establish a trust with an independent trustee to which the Company may transfer
assets to assist the Company in paying Accounts under the Plan. The trust
instrument shall contain such provisions as the Company may deem necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Plan and the trust; provided,
however, that any such trust shall provide that its assets shall be subject to
the claims of the employer's general creditors in the event of the employer's
insolvency. The establishment of such trust shall not be construed as limiting
the Company's obligation to pay the benefits provided for in the Plan to the
extent not fully paid from such trust. Notwithstanding the establishment of
such trust, the rights of a Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan shall not
be superior to those of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
(f) Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be governed by the
claims procedures set forth in the Corn Products International, Inc. Executive
Life Insurance Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, except that
there shall be substituted for the "Committee" in that plan a committee
appointed by the Company for purposes of the claims procedures under this Plan.
(g) Each Participant shall cooperate with the Company by
furnishing any and all information requested by the Company in connection with
the administration of the Plan, taking such physical examinations as the
Company may deem appropriate and taking such other action (including
authorization for insurance to be obtained on his or her life) as may be
requested by the Company. If a Participant refuses so to cooperate, such
Participant shall be ineligible to participate in the Plan for the applicable
year or years.
(h) The Plan shall construed, regulated and administered under the
laws of the state of Illinois without regard to conflict of law rules.
-6-
1
Exhibit 13
1997 ANNUAL REPORT
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2
1842
Thomas Kingsford finds the first practical means for separating
starch from corn.
1858
Edwardsburg Starch Company (later Canada Starch Company) begins
operations in Canada.
1901
New York Glucose Company is incorporated,
E.T. Bedford named president.
A NEW COMPANY
WITH A PROUD HISTORY
1906
Corn Products Refining Company is incorporated February 6, 1906, in
New Jersey, through merger of leading corn refining companies,
including New York Glucose Company. Canada Starch Company registers
Casco as a trademark.
1908
Construction of Argo plant begins in Illinois.
1916
Corn Products creates its first safety program.
1919
Corn Products purchases controlling interest in Canada Starch
Company. First dividend declared on CPR stock.
1923
Patent for crystalline dextrose granted. Cerelose(R) first used as
trademark for pure dextrose in the U.S.
1928-1930
Latin American refining operations established in Argentina, Brazil,
and Mexico.
1955
Corn Products invents cationic starch for the paper-making industry.
1958
Corn Products Refining Company and The Best Foods, Inc. merge,
forming Corn Products Company.
1969
Corn Products Company name changed to CPC International Inc. on
April 23, 1969.
1976
Production of Invertose(R) high fructose corn syrup begins at Argo
plant.
1981-1982
Construction of three new North American corn refining plants
completed at Stockton, California; Winston-Salem, North Carolina;
and Port Colborne, Ontario.
1984
Partnership formed between Canada Starch Company and a London,
Ontario corn refiner, to form Casco Company.
1985
Corn Products rebuilds Argo plant. Enzyme BioSystems begins
production at new plant in Beloit, Wisconsin.
1986
Rebuilt Argo plant begins operations.
1987
Canada Starch Company acquires 100% ownership of Casco. European corn
refining operations sold in restructuring.
1994-1996
Argo plant germ oil and dextrose capacity increase completed. Cali,
Colombia plant rebuilt. Arancia-CPC joint venture established.
1997 CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. SPINS OFF FROM CPC INTERNATIONAL
INC., BECOMING A SEPARATE, NEW COMPANY, WITH HEADQUARTERS IN THE
CHICAGO AREA; STOCK IS TRADED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE USING
THE SYMBOL CPO.
3
[CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL LOGO]
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 ANNUAL REPORT
Index
Letter to Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Business Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Management's Discussion and Analysis . . . . . . . 8
Independent Auditors' Report . . . . . . . . . . .13
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Supplemental Financial Information . . . . . . . .32
Shareholder Information . . . . . Inside Back Cover
4
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
AS YOU RECEIVE this first annual report, our company, Corn Products
International, Inc., is nearing the end of its first quarter as an
independent entity. The spin-off of Corn Products' operations from
CPC International (now Bestfoods) was completed on December 31, 1997, and
shares of Corn Products were distributed to CPC shareholders in January,
1998. Our stock now trades under the New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol
CPO.
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS,
EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS,
SUPPLIERS, COMMUNITIES...
We begin our new corporate life with two overall advantages: deep
experience in a traditionally prosperous and growing industry, and a long
history of successful performance over extended periods of time.
We have now added the advantage of total focus on corn refining. As
less than 20% of CPC - a corporation that sought its growth primarily in
the consumer foods business - Corn Products was well run and
adequately supported within its existing parameters. But its opportunities
to expand in scope were limited. As a separate company - on its own and
filled with the excitement and challenge of independence - Corn Products
and its management "live and breathe" for just one highly promising
business... corn refining.
It must also be said that we begin during a difficult period in our
industry. While the market for corn refining products continues to
grow, substantial capacity expansion during 1996 and 1997 in the North
American high fructose corn syrup sector outpaced demand, reducing
profitability sharply. This has affected the performance of Corn Products,
in 1996 and 1997 and into 1998. Our performance in 1996 was affected, in
addition, by extreme swings in the cost of corn, fueled by strong
international demand for this commodity, a low U.S. inventory, and the fear
of a disappointing harvest. In fact, the 1996 and 1997 harvests turned out
to be among the best in history, and corn costs re-turned to nearly normal
levels in 1997, continuing into 1998. Long-term, of course, a plentiful
supply of corn - the norm rather than the exception - is advantageous to
the industry.
While we cannot completely avoid these difficulties in North America
any more than our competitors can, we do have important strengths that keep
us competitive now and will give us an edge as North American conditions
improve.
LOW COSTS
We believe our plants are in excellent shape, following a strong
modernization and expansion program over the last five years. They are
also strategically located to minimize transportation costs.
LEADING POSITIONS
We have strong market positions in the United States, number one positions
in many international markets, and world leadership in dextrose. We have
an excellent and continuing record of protecting and expanding these
leadership positions, and building new ones.
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ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH
Around the world, Corn Products' highly experienced local organizations,
headed by strong local management teams, leverage decades of
experience and extensive technical, product, and market know-how. In
addition, stock option incentives link management rewards directly to
performance by aligning management effectiveness with shareholder value.
STRONG FINANCE
As is clearly apparent from our opening balance sheet, we start out with
sound financing. We also expect to have a strong cash flow in 1998
and thereafter, which should contribute to financial stability, and
position Corn Products to invest in new growth opportunities around the
world.
WIDE GEOGRAPHIC PRESENCE
AND OPPORTUNITIES
In 1997, as our North American operations were being affected by the high
fructose corn syrup situation, sales of our international operations surged
13% and profits advanced by over 60%. Currently, our worldwide business
comprises operations and alliances in 21 countries, giving us the ability
to offset, in part, adverse conditions in any one market. And while we
continue to focus intently on restoring profitability to the largest part
of our business - in North America - we also evaluate every opportunity for
international expansion, as we build our company for the future.
LEVERAGING OUR STRENGTHS TO INCREASE
SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Our objectives and strategy are firmly and permanently in place. We will
strive for continuous growth in volume and profits, which we expect to
translate into continuously increasing returns to our shareholders. We
plan to do this by aggressively leveraging and building all of our
strengths - our low cost operations, leading market positions, experienced
organization, financial strength, and geographic infrastructure and
opportunities.
As indicated in our industry-related comments above, we do not expect
to see an immediate strong return to historical profit levels. However,
Corn Products' financial performance in the fourth quarter of 1997 was by
far the best of 1997. This gives us cause for optimism that 1998 will be a
year of good progress in the turnaround of our business.
[PHOTO]
OUR PLEDGE TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES,
CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, COMMUNITIES...
We feel extremely fortunate to set out on our new course supported by many
constituencies that value our past accomplishments and appreciate our
opportunities in the years ahead. We can assure you all that the Corn
Products management team is absolutely dedicated to rewarding your
confidence in us and our exciting enterprise. We are committed to doing
everything in our power to ensure that this new company, Corn Products
International, fully realizes its potential and returns continuously
increasing rewards to its many loyal stakeholders.
/s/ Konrad Schlatter
---------------------------
KONRAD SCHLATTER
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Samuel C. Scott
---------------------------
SAMUEL C. SCOTT
President and
Chief Operating Officer
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BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC., established on January 1, 1998 as a new,
independent company, arises from old and established roots. Until recently,
our operations were managed as a division of CPC International, a worldwide
food company. In fact, corn refining was the original business of CPC,
dating back to 1906. Gradually, however, as CPC expanded its consumer foods
operations, corn refining became a relatively small part of the total
company with needs and opportunities diverging from those of its parent.
Early in 1997, a decision was made to spin off CPC's corn refining
operations, recognizing that it was in the interest of shareholders to
create a totally separate company focusing exclusively on the challenges and
opportunities of the corn refining industry.
A "NEW" COMPANY...
WITH A PROUD HISTORY
We begin our new, independent life as one of the largest corn
refiners in the world and the leading corn refiner in Latin America. We
are the world's leading producer of dextrose, and have strong regional
leadership in corn starch.
Our organization spans 21 countries and 38 plants with operations
generating approximately $2.5 billion in sales. It comprises fully
consolidated operations in 10 countries with 19 plants and sales of
about $1.5 billion. It further includes joint ventures and allied
operations in an additional 11 countries, with another 19 plants and
unconsolidated sales of approximately $1 billion. About 60% of our revenues
are generated in North America; the rest comes from Latin America, Asia and
Africa. We supply products, derived chiefly from corn, to more than 60
industries. In short, we are well positioned geographically and in terms of
our product portfolio to grow aggressively in North American and
International markets.
Thousands of experienced men and women working in our solidly
established local operations, share a determination and commitment to grow
this business profitably and quickly. They have invested their energies and
know-how with us over many years. And now they are eager to participate in
an exciting future, as Corn Products International, Inc. builds an
independent, focused, and rewarding corn refining business.
OPERATIONS
Our organizations and plants are among the most modern in the industry.
Over the last five years, we have invested over $900 million in our
own facilities and through joint ventures. The plants are strategically
located near markets and starch sources further enhancing efficiencies.
This geographic breadth and our deep technical experience and market and
product know-how enable us to ship starch and dextrose products cost
effectively to any market in the world we choose to participate.
NORTH AMERICA. In the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Corn Products
International, Inc. operates 11 plants, producing regular and modified
starches, dextrose, high fructose and high maltose corn syrups and corn
syrup solids, dextrins and maltodextrins, caramel color, and sorbitol. Corn
Products is the dextrose market leader in the U.S. A 100 million-pound
dextrose expansion was completed at our Argo plant in Bedford Park,
Illinois in January 1996. The plant is a major supplier of starch and
dextrose products for our U.S. and export customers.
Plants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Stockton, California enjoy
strong market shares in their local areas, as do the Cardinal, London, and
Port Colborne, Ontario, plants. Our three Canadian and three U.S.
plants have all been updated to use energy cogeneration.
In Mexico, Corn Products' joint venture with Arancia Industrial S.A. de
C.V. is that country's largest corn refiner. The venture was the
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7
first in Mexico to produce High Fructose Corn Syrup-55, the
sweetener-of-choice of the bottling industry, in a market second only to
the U.S. A new high fructose corn syrup facility in San Juan Del Rio was
completed in November 1996.
OTHER OPERATIONS. Corn Products is the largest corn refiner in Latin
America, with leading market shares in Chile, Brazil and Colombia,
and a strong position in Argentina. Our 10-plant network produces regular,
modified, waxy and tapioca starches, high maltose and corn syrups, dextrins
and maltodextrins, dextrose, caramel color, sorbitol, and vegetable
adhesives.
Recent improvements include the rebuilding of the Cali, Colombia
facility to increase capacity and better serve the region with new
products, such as high maltose corn syrup for the brewing industry. In
Brazil, recent modernization and expansion of the Mogi Guacu plant is
helping the Company maximize operating efficiencies, increase capacity, and
produce new products.
We also have subsidiaries in Kenya, Malaysia, and Pakistan. In
Pakistan, we have recently completed a sizable grind increase and are
continuing to add capacity. The three plants in this group produce
modified, regular, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrins, glucose, dextrose,
and caramel color.
In addition, we have strategic alliances through technical license
agreements, some including equity investments, with companies in
Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand,Thailand, South Africa, Zimbabwe,
Serbia, and Venezuela. The 15 plants, as a group, produce high fructose,
glucose, and high maltose syrups (both corn and tapioca), regular,
modified, waxy and tapioca starches, dextrose and dextrins, maltodextrins,
and caramel color. These products have leading market positions in most of
these markets.
OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
Corn Products' objective is to continuously generate growth in volume and
profit which, we believe, will translate into continuously increasing
returns to our shareholders. Our basic strategy, therefore, is to focus our
management, technical, and financial resources on our areas of strength.
Specifically, we plan to:
PROTECT AND GROW LEADING MARKET POSITIONS. As the No. 1 worldwide dextrose
producer, as well as a regional leader in starch and high maltose corn
syrup, we intend to continue to leverage our knowledge and expertise
through-out the world, expanding capacity to meet current and anticipated
customer needs. We also intend to continue growing our position as a
leading corn refiner in all markets where we have strong leadership
positions, anywhere in the world.
DRIVE FOR DELIVERED COST LEADERSHIP. We have implemented, and anticipate
continuing to implement, cost-saving and productivity programs to enhance
competitiveness. This includes improving facility reliability by further
developing our successful preventive maintenance programs, as well as
ensuring consistent logistical excellence.
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8
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SUPERIOR SERVICE VALUED BY OUR
CUSTOMER. Delivering high quality products and providing superior customer
service has been a strength of our company. We plan on continuing to
improve our service levels and focus on customer needs to protect and gain
additional preferred supplier relationships. We believe that localized
operations and close relations with customers enable us to reach a broader
customer base and increase our overall profitability.
EXPAND IN NEW MARKETS AND ENTER NEW MARKETS. With trade barriers
falling throughout the world, we believe we are well positioned to seize
opportunities through our worldwide network. Our local operations and
strategic relationships around the world provide a strong base for
expansion into newly accessible markets. Also, we aim to form additional
strategic alliances with local corn refiners as a cost-effective method of
expanding into emerging markets. Local corn refiners have unique knowledge
of regional customers, markets, and other business and political
conditions. We know how to leverage that knowledge with our advanced
technology, global business experience, management and production
applications skills, and existing customer relationships.
PRODUCTS AND MARKETS SERVED
Corn Products International, Inc. serves customers in more than 60
different industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical,
corrugated, paper and brewing. We also serve the animal feed markets
worldwide. The following describes our principal products and their primary
uses:
SWEETENERS
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS). Today, Corn Products produces two main
types of HFCS: HFCS-55, which is primarily used as a sweetener in
soft drinks made in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan; and
HFCS-42, which is used as a sweetener in various consumer foods, such as
fruit-flavored beverages, yeast-raised breads, rolls, doughs, ready-to-eat
cakes, chocolate milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
GLUCOSE CORN SYRUPS. Corn Syrups are fundamental ingredients in many
industrial products and are widely used in food products such as baked
goods, snack foods, beverages, canned fruits, condiments, candy and other
sweets, dairy products, ice cream, jams and jellies, prepared mixes, and
table syrups. Corn Products offers corn syrups that are manufactured
through an ion-exchange process, a method that creates the highest quality,
purest corn syrups.
HIGH MALTOSE CORN SYRUP is a glucose syrup with a unique carbohydrate
profile,making it ideal for use as a source of fermentable sugars in
brewing beer. High maltose syrups are also used in the production of
confections, canning. and other food processing applications.
DEXTROSE. Corn Products was granted the first U.S. patent for
dextrose in 1923. Today we produce dextrose products that are grouped in
three different categories - monohydrate, anhydrous, and specialty.
Monohydrate dextrose is used across the food industry in many of the same
products as glucose corn syrups, especially in confectionery applications.
Anhydrous dextrose is used to make solutions for intravenous injection and
other pharmaceutical applications, as well as some specialty food
applications. Specialty dextrose products are used in a wide range of
applications, from confectionery tableting to dry mixes to carriers for
high intensity sweeteners.
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9
Dextrose also has a wide range of industrial applications, including
use in wall board and production of biodegradable surfactants (surface
agents), humectants (moisture agents), and as the base for fermentation
products including vitamins, organic acids, amino acids, and alcohol.
MALTODEXTRINS AND GLUCOSE AND CORN SYRUP SOLIDS have a multitude of food
applications, including formulations where liquid corn syrups cannot be
used. Maltodextrins are resistant to browning, provide excellent
solubility, have a low hygroscopicity (do not retain moisture), and are
ideal for their carrier/bulking properties. Corn Syrup Solids have a bland
flavor, remain clear in solution, are easy to handle, and also provide
bulking properties.
STARCHES
We trace our roots to Thomas Kingsford, who found the first practical means
to separate starch from corn in 1842. At that time, starch was used to
give an attractive finish to fabrics. Today, starches are important
components in a wide range of processed foods, used particularly as
thickeners and binders. Corn starch is also sold to corn starch packers for
sale to consumers. Starches are also used in paper production to produce a
smooth surface for printed communications and improve strength in today's
recycled papers. In the corrugating industry, starches are used to produce
high quality adhesives for production of shipping containers, display
board, and other corrugated applications.
The textile industry has successfully used starches for over a
century to provide size and finishes for manufactured products.
Industrial starches are used in the production of construction
materials, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, as well as in mining,
water filtration, and oil and gas drilling.
Two of the more specialized industrial starches sold by Corn Products are:
CATIONIC STARCHES, used by papermakers to increase productivity, conserve
energy, improve quality, and allow for more effective use of recycled
fibers.
CARRIER STARCHES, used primarily by corrugators to increase adhesion,
provide flatter surfaces for printing, and improve efficiency.
ENZYMES
Enzymes are produced and marketed for a variety of food and industrial
applications.
CO-PRODUCTS
REFINED CORN OIL is sold to packers of cooking oil and to producers of
margarine, salad dressings, shortening, mayonnaise, and other foods.
CORN GLUTEN FEED is sold as animal feed.
CORN GLUTEN MEAL and STEEPWATER are sold as additives for animal feed.
7
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
On December 31, 1997, CPC International Inc. spun off its Corn Refining
Business as a separate independent company. This discussion and the
financial statements included in this Annual Report were prepared by
attributing the historical data for the Corn Refining Business of CPC
International Inc. to the Company utilizing accounting policies consistent
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
with those applied in the preparation of CPC's historical financial
statements. Since the Corn Refining Business was operated as a division of
CPC during the periods presented, such financial information and statements
may not necessarily reflect the consolidated results of operations or
financial position of the Company or what the results of operations would
have been if the Company had been an independent, public company during
those periods.
OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK
Following several years of attractive growth, the Company's profits
declined sharply in 1996 and 1997. The primary reason for the profit
decline in 1997 was a significant expansion of high fructose corn syrup
industry capacity in North America ahead of demand which has been growing
at about 5% per year. The current supply/demand imbalance caused North
American high fructose corn syrup prices to fall sharply and made this
important product unprofitable for the Company in 1997. Based on the
Company's 90 years of experience in the corn refining industry, we expect
the continuing growing demand by the various user industries to gradually
fill current industry surplus capacity.
In 1998, the Company intends to focus in all its markets and
operations on improving prices, volume, costs and efficiencies by
continuing to strive for optimal product selection, optimal production
capacity usage, cost reductions in purchasing, manufacturing and
administration, and improvement in quality of products and customer
service. More specifically:
- IN NORTH AMERICA, in view of the industry over-capacity in high
fructose corn syrup and the resulting depressed profit margins, the
Company's strategy is to seek sales and profit growth by shifting
production, to the extent its existing capacity permits, away from high
fructose corn syrup to products with better margins. The Company plans to
concentrate its capital expenditures on cost reduction projects at existing
facilities. The Company also intends to maximize export sales by making
full use of its worldwide infrastructure.
- IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, the Company plans to concentrate on
meeting growing demand. In 1998, several plant expansions are expected
to be completed. The Company also intends to explore expansion into new
markets across borders, using its existing strong positions and facilities.
It further plans to continue to explore an increased participation in the
corn refining industry internationally, through joint ventures and
technology transfers.
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11
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET SALES. In 1997, despite volume growth of 5%, net sales for the year
decreased 7% to $1,418 million compared with net sales of $1,524 million
for the same period in 1996. This change was due entirely to a 16% decline
in sales in North America, where lower corn costs in combination with
excess supply in the high fructose corn syrup business resulted in
significantly lower prices. Excess supply was caused by a significant
capacity expansion in the industry, the entry of a new competitor into the
market and lower than expected increase in demand from Mexico. In other
international operations, sales increased 11% compared with 1996 on volume
gains of 13%.
Net sales in 1996 advanced 9.9% to $1.5 billion on increased volume
of 4.8% and also reflecting corn cost-pushed higher pricing. All geographic
areas contributed to the increase over the prior year. North America
accounted for the majority of the sales gain. This was attributable to a
6.0% volume increase and corn cost-pushed higher pricing. In Other
Operations, Latin America sales improved 1.1% on an increase in volumes of
1.6% but were partially offset by slightly lower prices. Volumes in Asia
and Africa were up significantly, but increased prices were fully offset by
weaker currency values.
COST OF SALES AND OPERATING EXPENSES.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales in 1997 was 90% compared with
91% in 1996 and 78% in 1995, resulting in gross profit margins of 10%,
9% and 22% for each of these periods, respectively. The margins in 1997 and
1996 were significantly lower than recent levels and reflect the extremely
low high fructose corn syrup pricing during 1997 and high corn costs in
1996. The sharp and unusual increase in the cost of corn during 1996 could
not be fully passed on in increased prices. Also in 1996, the Company took
a $40 million write down for certain liquidated corn futures positions when
corn prices fell sharply toward the end of that year.
POLICY ON HEDGING. The Company follows a policy of hedging its exposure to
commodities fluctuations with commodities futures contracts for certain of
its North American corn purchases. All firm priced business is hedged when
contracted. Other business may or may not be hedged at any given time based
on management's judgment as to the need to fix the costs of its raw
materials to protect the Company's profitability. Realized gains and losses
arising from such hedging transactions are considered an integral part of
the cost of those commodities and are included in the cost when purchased.
RESTRUCTURING CHARGE - NET. In 1997, the Company recorded a $94 million
pre-tax ($71 million after tax) restructuring charge. This charge
included primarily severance and severance-related costs for more than 200
employees as part of the overall realignment of the business. The majority
of the restructuring is taking place in the Company's international
operations.
In 1995, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $52 million from the
sale of its ethanol business in the U.S. This was partially offset by a
pre-tax restructuring charge of $15 million. This restructuring was
designed to ensure competitiveness.
SPIN-OFF COSTS. In 1997, the Company also recorded a $15 million charge
($12 million after taxes) representing the direct costs of the spin-off
of the Corn Refining Business including fees in the legal, tax and
investment banking areas.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OPERATING INCOME. Excluding the restructuring charge and spin-off costs
described above, 1997 operating income of $45 million declined 26% versus
1996. The decline was primarily attributable to the unfavorable high
fructose situation in North America discussed above. In the rest of the
world, the Company's volumes and margins improved.
The 70% decrease in 1996 Operating Income compared to 1995 reflects
mainly the unusually high corn prices in 1996, as well as the $40
million corn futures write down discussed above. In North America, margins
declined significantly as a result of higher corn costs which were not
passed on in increased pricing. In Other Operations volume improvements
were more than offset by reduced margins related to higher corn costs.
FINANCING COSTS. Financing costs in 1997 were $28 million compared with
$28 million in 1996. Debt allocated from the parent company was held
consistent during this period and interest rates were relatively stable.
Financing costs were also constant between 1996 and 1995.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. In 1997 the Company reported a pre-tax loss.
This loss arose from the restructuring and spin-off charges noted
above. The tax benefit rate attributed to these special items was 24%. A
35% rate was applied to the Company's operating profits. This resulted in a
net effective tax rate of 21% for the year. It cannot be assumed that the
35% effective tax rate is indicative of effective tax rates for future
periods. This will depend on the mix of United States and International
earnings as well as actual income tax rates in the various jurisdictions in
which the Company operates.
The effective tax rate in 1996 was 33.6%, compared with 38.5% in 1995.
The 4.9% decline was due chiefly to a decrease in tax rates in certain
foreign jurisdictions and an increase in the proportion of the
Company's worldwide income represented by foreign income, which, on
average, was taxed at a lower rate than U.S. income.
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE. A $3 million
after-taxes charge resulted from a recently issued accounting pronouncement
put forth by the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) requiring that certain
process reengineering costs previously capitalized be expensed in the
fourth quarter of 1997.
NET INCOME (LOSS). Excluding the after-tax restructuring charge and
spin-off costs described above and the cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, the Company reported for 1997 net income of $11
million, compared with net income of $23 million in 1996. Including the
restructuring and spin-off charges, the net loss was $75 million.
In 1996, the Company's net income declined to $23 million from $135
million in 1995, mainly as a result of the adverse corn prices and the corn
futures write down discussed above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company expects that future cash flows will be sufficient to fund
operations, to provide for adequate capital expenditures in support of its
growth strategy.
Most of the Company's plants have been modernized and expanded in line
with projected market demand and no major capacity additions are planned for
1998.
Worldwide capital expenditures of approximately $70 to $100 million per
year are planned from 1998 through 2000, primarily for identified cost
reduction opportunities. This represents a significant reduction from the
annual average capital expenditures of $150 million for the last
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five years. New capacity expansion (other than projects already in
progress) will be directed to products or market areas where the Company
anticipates significant growth or has identified market demand.
The Company established a $340 million 5-year revolving credit
facility in the U.S. and a six-month $100 million bridge loan in Canada
to provide funds to satisfy the Company's obligations with CPC and for
working capital and other general corporate purposes. In addition, the
Company has a number of short-term credit facilities in its foreign
operations consisting of operating lines of credit. The Company expects
that these credit facilities, together with cash flow from operations, will
provide it with sufficient operating funds.
NET CASH FLOWS. Net cash flows from operations of $215 million for the year
ended 1997, (which number includes 15 months of cash flows for
International operations - see Note 1 to Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows, page 17), improved significantly over a $105 million deficit for the
same period in 1996, despite a net loss in 1997. This resulted from
reductions in trade working capital, higher depreciation and the adjustment
of the net loss for the restructuring charge and spin-off costs described
above. The benefit of increased cash flows from operations and lower
investment requirements in 1997 resulted in a significant improvement in
net cash outflows after investment of $82 million versus a $356 million
deficit in 1996.
In 1996, lower net income, together with higher working capital and
higher capital expenditures, resulted in a negative cash flow from
operations of $105 million. Capital expenditures during 1996 were mainly
for plant expansions and efficiency projects. A $60 million loan to the
Company's unconsolidated Mexican joint venture helped finance the
construction of a high fructose corn syrup plant to serve the Mexican soft
drink industry's conversion to high fructose corn syrup.
YEAR 2000 - The year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs
being written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable
year. During 1997, the Company developed a plan to address the year 2000
issue and began converting its computer systems to be year 2000 compliant.
Currently, the Company believes it will complete its efforts in advance of
the year 2000, and is expensing all costs associated with these systems
changes as the costs are incurred. Additionally, a review of our suppliers
and customers is being made to assure that they are working toward year
2000 compliance.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
the Company. Although the Company believes its expectations reflected in
such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, no
assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct and that
actual results and developments may differ materially. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ include fluctuations in worldwide
commodities markets and the associated risks of hedging against such
fluctuations; fluctuations in aggregate industry supply and market demand;
general economic, business and market conditions in the various geographic
regions and countries in which the Company manufactures and sells its
products, including fluctuations in the value of local currencies; and
increased competitive and/or customer pressure in the corn refining
industry. For a further description of these factors, see the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
11
14
REPORT OF
MANAGEMENT
THE MANAGEMENT OF CORN PRODUCTS is responsible for the financial and
operating information contained in this Annual Report, including the
financial statements covered by the independent auditors' report. These
statements represent financial data extracted from the consolidated results
of CPC International Inc., of which the Company was an integral part until
it was spun off as a separate operation on December 31, 1997. The
statements were prepared in conformity with United States generally
accepted accounting principles and include, where necessary, informed
estimates and judgements. The results may not necessarily be indicative of
the results of operations or financial position that would have been
obtained if the Company had been a separate independent company during the
period shown.
The Company maintains systems of accounting and internal control
designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded
against loss, and that transactions are executed and recorded properly so
as to ensure that the financial records are reliable for preparing
financial statements.
Elements of these control systems are the establishment and
communication of accounting and administrative policies and
procedures, the selection and training of qualified personnel, and
continuous programs of internal audits.
The Company's financial statements will be reviewed by its Audit
Committee, which is composed entirely of outside Directors. This
Committee will meet periodically with the independent auditors and
management to review the scope and results of the annual audit, interim
reviews, internal controls, internal auditing, and financial reporting
matters. The independent auditors will have direct access to the Audit
Committee.
/s/ James W. Ripley
------------------------
JAMES W. RIPLEY
Chief Financial Officer
February 11, 1998
12
15
[KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP LOGO]
INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS'
REPORT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corn Products
International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1997. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Corn
Products International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years
in the three year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company changed its method of accounting for business process reengineering
costs in 1997.
/S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
- ----------------------------
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
New York, New York
February 11, 1998
13
16
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF
INCOME
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR END DECEMBER 31,
$ MILLIONS (EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT) 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,418 $1,524 $1,387
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,280 1,381 1,083
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 143 304
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general, and administrative . . . . 90 88 102
Restructuring charges - net . . . . . . . . . 94 -- (37)
Spin-off costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 -- --
Equity in (earnings) of unconsolidated
affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (10) (12)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses and other income - net . . . . . . . 199 78 53
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) . . . . . . . . . . . (61) 65 251
Financing costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 28 28
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
minority interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . (89) 37 223
Provision (benefit) for income taxes. . . . . (19) 12 86
Minority stockholders' interest . . . . . . . 2 2 2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before change in
accounting principle . . . . . . . . . . . $ (72) $ 23 $ 135
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . 3 -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (75) 23 135
===============================================================================
PRO FORMA EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Basic and Diluted:
Net income before change in
accounting principle . . . . . . . . $(2.02) $ 0.64 $ 3.79
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle . . . . . . . . (0.08) -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(2.10) $ 0.64 $ 3.79
===============================================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14
17
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE
SHEETS
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR END DECEMBER 31, $ MILLIONS 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . $ 85 $ 32
Accounts receivable - net . . . . . . . . 175 209
Due from CPC- net . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 162
Prepaid expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8
Other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . -- 6
Deferred tax asset. . . . . . . . . . . . 20 9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS. . . . . . . . . . 423 434
Investments in and loans to
unconsolidated affiliates . . . . . . . 168 149
Plants and properties - net . . . . . . . 1,057 1,057
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,666 $1,663
===============================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 337 $ 162
Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 83
Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . 69 42
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES . . . . . . . 496 287
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . 37 60
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 188
Deferred taxes on income . . . . . . . . 128 94
Minority stockholders' interest . . . . . 6 9
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- Preferred stock - authorized
25,000,000 shares - $0.01
par value - none issued . . . . . . . -- --
- Common stock - authorized
200,000,000 shares - $0.01 par
value - 35,594,360 issued and
outstanding on December 31, 1997. . . 1 --
- Additional paid in capital. . . . . . . 1,020 --
Cumulative translation adjustment . . . . (35) (12)
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
Net stockholders' investment . . . . . . -- 1,037
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY . . . . . . 986 1,025
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY. . $1,666 $1,663
===============================================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15
18
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL CUMULATIVE NET
PREFERRED COMMON PAID-IN TRANSACTION RETAINED STOCKHOLDERS'
$ MILLION STOCK STOCK CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT EARNINGS INVESTMENT TOTAL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1994 . . . . . $0 $0 $ 0 $ (15) $ 0 $ 565 $ 550
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 135
Transfer from CPC, net. . . . . . . (90) (90)
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . 5 5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995. . . . . . $0 $0 $ 0 $ (10) $ 0 $ 610 $ 600
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 23
Transfer from CPC, net. . . . . . . 404 404
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . (2) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996. . . . . . $0 $0 $ 0 $ (12) $ 0 $1,037 $1,025
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . (75) (75)
Net income for the change
in reporting period . . . . . . 10 10
Transfer from CPC, net. . . . . . . 1,020 (972) 48
Translation adjustment. . . . . . . (23) (23)
Stock issued in connection
with spin-off . . . . . . . . . 1 1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997. . . . . . $0 $1 $1,020 $ (35) $ 0 $ 0 $ 986
=================================================================================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[A16
19
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated
YEAR END DECEMBER 31, $ MILLIONS 1997(1) 1996 1995 Statements of
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Flows
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(75) $23 $135
Net income for the change in reporting period . . . . . . 10 -- --
Non-cash charges (credits) to net income
Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 88 83
Restructuring charges - net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 -- (37)
Spin-off costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 -- --
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - net 3 -- --
Deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 (17) (6)
Other - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (23) 1
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates . . . . . . . -- (1) (9)
Changes in trade working capital
Accounts receivable and prepaid items. . . . . . . . . . . 34 (95) (7)
Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 (50) 10
Due (to) from CPC Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (2) 1
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . (15) (28) 3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows from (used for) operating activities . . . . . 215 (105) 174
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (116) (192) (188)
Proceeds from the disposal of plants and properties . . . . . 4 1 2
Proceeds from businesses sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- 67
Investment in and loans to unconsolidated affiliates. . . . . (21) (60) (13)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows used for investing activities. . . . . . . . . (133) (251) (132)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows after investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 (356) 42
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (12) 58
Increase in transfers from CPC - net . . . . . . . . . . . . (6) 404 (90)
Other liabilities (deposits) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (23) (35) (13)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash flows from (used for) financing activities . . . . . (29) 357 (45)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . 53 1 (3)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period. . . . . . . . 32 31 34
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period. . . . . . . . . . . $85 $32 $31
======================================================================================================
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) 1997 includes 15 months of cash flows for international operations
(see Note 2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19 $19 $14
Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 $11 $69
======================================================================================================
17
20
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to
Consolidated
Financial
Statements
NOTE 1 BASIS OF PRESENTATION
On February 26, 1997, the Board of Directors of CPC International Inc. ("CPC")
approved the spin-off of CPC's corn refining and related businesses (the "Corn
Refining Business") to its stockholders. Subsequently, CPC formed Corn Products
International, Inc. (the "Company") to assume the operations of the Corn
Refining Business. As a result of the spin-off on December 31, 1997, CPC
distributed 100% of the Company's common stock (the "Corn Products Common
Stock") through a special dividend to its shareholders. The financial
statements at December 31, 1997 reflect the effects of the spin-off.
The Company carries its assets and liabilities at historical cost. The
historical actions of CPC's Corn Refining Business, including CPC's accounting
policies, are attributable to the Company. The financial results in these
financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that would
have occurred if the Company had been an independent public company during the
periods presented or of future results of the Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION/CHANGES IN REPORTING PERIOD - The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned
subsidiaries. The accounts of subsidiaries outside of North America are based
on fiscal years ending September 30; however, as of December 31, 1997 the
Company changed the fiscal year end for its subsidiaries located outside North
America to that of its North American operation, which is the calendar year.
The results of the three month stub period are included as an adjustment of
shareholder's equity.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION - Assets and liabilities of foreign
subsidiaries other than those in highly inflationary economies are translated
at current exchange rates with the related translation adjustments reported as
a separate component of stockholders' equity. Income statement accounts are
translated at the average exchange rate during the period. In highly
inflationary economies where the U.S. dollar is considered the functional
currency, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at current exchange
rates with the related adjustment included in net income. Non-monetary assets
and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash equivalents consist of all investments
purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, and which have
virtually no risk of loss in value.
INVENTORIES - are stated at the lower of cost or market. In the U.S.,
corn is valued at cost on the last-in, first-out method. Had the first-in,
first-out method been used for U.S. inventories, the carrying value of these
inventories would have increased by $10.5 million and $12.7 million in 1997 and
1996, respectively. Outside the U.S., inventories generally are valued at
average cost.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCIES - The Company accounts for environmental
contingencies in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(FAS 5), "Accounting for Contingencies," which requires expense recognition
when it is both "probable" that an obligation exists and that the obligation
can be "reasonably estimated."
18
21
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (2) SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES are carried at cost or less, adjusted
to reflect the Company's proportionate share of income or loss less dividends
received. At December 31, 1997, undistributed earnings of unconsolidated
affiliates was $10.4 million, primarily representing companies of which the
Company owns 50% or less.
PLANTS AND PROPERTIES - Plants and properties are stated at cost. Depreciation
is generally computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of depreciable assets at rates ranging from 10 to 50 years for buildings
and 5 to 20 years for all other assets. Where permitted by law, accelerated
depreciation methods are used for tax purposes. Long-lived assets are reviewed
for impairment whenever the facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable.
INCOME TAXES - Deferred income taxes reflect the differences between the assets
and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and amounts
recognized for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are based on tax laws as currently
enacted. The Company makes provisions for estimated U.S. and foreign income
taxes, less available tax credits and deductions, that may be incurred on the
remittance by the Company's subsidiaries of undistributed earnings, except
those deemed to be indefinitely reinvested.
COMMODITIES - The Company follows a policy of hedging its exposure to
commodities fluctuations with commodities futures contracts for its North
American corn purchases. All firm priced business is hedged, other business may
or may not be hedged at any given time based on management's decisions as to
the need to fix the cost of such raw materials to protect the Company's
profitability. Realized gains and losses arising from such hedging
transactions are considered an integral part of the cost of these commodities
and are included in the cost when purchased.
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Effective December 1997, FAS 128, "Earnings Per
Share," requires a dual presentation of earnings per share - Basic and diluted.
Basic earnings per common share has been computed by dividing net income (loss)
by the shares outstanding, 35.6 million at December 31, 1997, the distribution
date. For the purpose of this calculation and the diluted earnings per share,
the shares outstanding at December 31, 1997 were assumed to be outstanding for
all periods. Diluted earnings per share has been computed by dividing net
income (loss) by the shares outstanding at December 31, 1997, including the
dilutive effects of stock options outstanding for a total of 36.0 million.
19
22
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (2) SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - The Company operates in one business segment and in
more than 20 countries. In each country, the business is subject to varying
degrees of risk and uncertainty. It insures its business and assets in each
country against insurable risks in a manner that it deems appropriate. Because
of its diversity, the Company believes that the risk of loss from non-insurable
events in any one country would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations as a whole. Additionally, the Company believes there is no
concentration of risk with any single customer or supplier, or small group of
customers or suppliers, whose failure or non-performance would materially affect
the Company's results.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE - In November 1997 Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) issued No. 97-13 "Accounting for Business Process Reengineering Costs,"
which requires that certain costs related to reengineering business processes
either done separately or in conjunction with an information technology project
be expensed rather than capitalized. This requirement was effective in the
fourth quarter of 1997 and required that any unamortized balance of previously
capitalized costs be expensed and treated as a change in accounting principle.
Accordingly, the Company has recorded a cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle of $5 million before taxes, $3 million after taxes, or
$0.08 per common share.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - FAS 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," was
issued in June 1997 and is effective for the Company commencing with the first
quarter of 1998. This statement requires separate financial statement disclosure
of comprehensive income which encompasses changes in net assets values derived
from activity from both owner and nonowner sources. The Company will comply with
the requirements of this Statement.
"SEGMENT INFORMATION" - Also in June 1997, FAS 131, "Disclosure About Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information," was issued. This statement is
effective commencing with fiscal 1998. The Company currently complies with the
requirements of this new statement. The Company is in one business segment -
corn refining - and produces a wide variety of products.
20
23
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (3) SPIN-OFF FROM AND TRANSACTIONS WITH CPC INTERNATIONAL INC.
On December 31, 1997, CPC distributed 100% of the Corn Products Common
Stock through a special dividend to its shareholders. After the spin-off,
CPC International Inc. had no direct ownership of the Company. In connection
with the spin-off, the Company entered into various agreements for the purpose
of governing certain of the ongoing relationships between CPC and the Company
after the distribution.
The Company has entered into a tax indemnification agreement that
requires the Company to indemnify CPC against tax liabilities arising from the
loss of the tax-free reorganization status of the spin-off. This agreement
could restrict the Company, for a two year period, from entering into certain
transactions, including limitations on the liquidation, merger or consolidation
with another company, certain issuances and redemptions of our common stock and
the distribution or sale of certain assets. Prior to the distribution, the
Company and certain of its subsidiaries assumed from CPC, and borrowed from
third parties, an aggregate of $350 million of debt. The Company transferred
these proceeds to CPC International Inc. as part of the distribution.
During 1997, CPC maintained a centralized cash management system to
finance its domestic operations. Cash deposits from the Company were
transferred to CPC on a daily basis and CPC funded the Company's disbursement
bank accounts as required. Intercompany interest expense was allocated based on
CPC's effective borrowing rate applied to the intercompany debt which was
apportioned based on the cash flow requirements of the Company.
CPC provided certain general and administrative services to the Company
including tax, treasury, risk management and insurance, legal, information
systems and human resources. These expenses were allocated to the Company based
on actual usage or other methods which management believes are reasonable.
These allocations were $5.7 million, $9.3 million and $14.3 million in fiscal
years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. These costs could have been different
had the Company operated as an independent public company during the periods
presented.
A master supply agreement has been negotiated to supply CPC and its
affiliates with certain corn refining products at prices based generally on
prevailing market conditions for a minimum two year term. The Company had
intercompany sales with CPC for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995, amounting to the following: $177 million, $157 million and $154 million,
respectively.
21
24
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (4) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
Prior to the distribution, the Company assumed from CPC, and borrowed from
third parties, an aggregate of $350 million of debt. At December 31, 1997, the
Company had total debt outstanding of $350 million. The debt outstanding
consisted of $190 million drawn from an unsecured revolving Credit Facility of
$340 million in the United States at a rate of 6.2%. The balance of debt
outstanding consists of borrowings by the Company's Canadian operations of $100
million, and $60 million from various other operations at variable market rates
with a weighted average rate of 10.5%.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (5) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - NET AND SPIN-OFF COSTS
In 1997, the Company recorded a $94 million pre-tax restructuring charge and a
$15 million pre-tax spin-off charge from CPC. The restructuring charge includes
the costs of the separation of facilities that were used by CPC to produce both
consumer foods and corn-derived products. The majority of the restructuring is
taking place in the Company's international operations. The spin-off charge
includes the direct costs of the spin-off including legal, tax and investment
banking fees. The restructuring charge and the charge for the spin-off costs
are summarized below:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 CHARGE TO BE UTILIZED IN
$ MILLIONS CHARGE UTILIZED FUTURE PERIODS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - NET
Employee costs . . . . . . . . . . . 54 47 7
Plant and support facilities . . . . 23 19 4
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 10 7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $94 $76 $18
===============================================================================
Spin-off costs . . . . . . . . . . . . $15 $15 $0
===============================================================================
22
25
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (6) PENSION PLANS
The Company and its subsidiaries have a number of noncontributory
defined-benefit pension plans covering substantially all U.S. employees,
including certain employees in foreign countries. Plans for most salaried
employees provide pay-related benefits based on years of service. Plans for
hourly employees generally provide benefits based on flat dollar amounts and
years of service. The Company's general funding policy is to provide
contributions within the limits of deductibility under current tax regulations.
Certain foreign countries allow income tax deductions without
regard to contribution levels, and the Company's policy in those countries is
to make the contribution required by the terms of the plan. Domestic plan
assets consist primarily of common stock, real estate, corporate debt
securities and short-term investment funds.
Effective January 1, 1998, the plan for domestic salaried employees was
amended to a "cash balance" pension plan which provides benefits based on
service and Company credits to the employee's accounts of between 3% and 10% of
base salary, bonus and overtime.
The components of net periodic pension cost are shown below:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Plans
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost (benefits earned during the period). . . . $3 $3 $2
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation . . . . . 4 7 7
Actual return on plan assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (22) (15) (17)
Net amortization and deferral . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 8 11
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 $3 $3
==============================================================================
NON U.S. PLANS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost (benefits earned during the period) . . . $1 $1 $1
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation . . . . 3 3 2
Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) (3) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 $1 $1
==============================================================================
23
26
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (6) PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)
The funded status for the Company's major pension plans is as follows:
------------------------ --------------------------
ASSETS EXCEED ACCUMULATED BENEFITS
U.S. PLANS ACCUMULATED BENEFITS EXCEED ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(44) $(75) -- $(6)
Nonvested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) (2) -- (4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . (49) (77) -- (10)
Effect of projected future compensation levels. . . . (3) (29) -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . (52) (106) -- (10)
Plan assets at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 110 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Plan assets in excess of (less than)
projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4 -- (10)
Unrecognized net loss (gain). . . . . . . . . . . . . (24) (8) -- --
Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 -- --
Unrecognized net transition obligation. . . . . . . . -- 1 -- 2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Prepaid (accrued) pension cost at December 31 . . . . $(12) $2 -- $(8)
=================================================================================================================
The 1997 balances reflect the net transfer of $11.5 million accrued pension
cost from CPC. The 1996 number reflects the obligation for retirees prior to
the distribution which was maintained by CPC.
------------------------ --------------------------
ASSETS EXCEED ACCUMULATED BENEFITS
NON U.S. PLANS ACCUMULATED BENEFITS EXCEED ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(34) $(25) $(2) --
Nonvested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) (2) -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . (35) (27) (2) --
Effect of projected future compensation levels . . . (7) (4) (1) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . (42) (31) (3) --
Plan assets at fair value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 31 -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Plan assets in excess of (less than)
projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . 3 -- (3) --
Unrecognized net loss (gain) . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- --
Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 -- --
Unrecognized net transition obligation . . . . . . . (1) 3 -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
Prepaid (accrued) pension cost at December 31 . . . $3 $4 $(3) --
=================================================================================================================
24
27
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (6) PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)
Assumptions used in accounting for the Company's defined-benefit pension and
retirement plans at December 31 are as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. PLANS
Weighted average discount rates . . . . . . . . . 7.0% 7.0% 6.6%
Rate of increase in compensation levels . . . . . 5.0% 5.5% 5.3%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets . . . . . 10.0% 8.6% 9.7%
NON-U.S. PLANS
Weighted average discount rates . . . . . . . . . 7.4% 8.2% 8.0%
Rate of increase in compensation levels . . . . . 5.5% 5.5% 5.5%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets . . . . . 8.5% 8.5% 8.5%
==========================================================================
In addition, the Company sponsors defined-contribution pension plans covering
certain domestic and foreign employees. Contributions are determined by
matching a percentage of employee contributions. Expense recognized in 1997,
1996 and 1995 was $3.6 million, $2.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (7) OTHER POST-RETIREMENT AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Company provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired
employees in the United States and Canada. Effective January 1, 1998, the
Company amended its U.S. post-retirement medical plans for salaried employees
to provide Retirement Health Care Spending Accounts. The Company provides
access to retiree medical insurance post-retirement. U.S. salaried employees
accrue an account during employment which can be used after employment to
purchase post-retirement medical insurance from the Company and Medigap or
Medicare HMO policies after age 65. The accounts are credited with a flat
dollar amount ($500 for 1998, indexed for inflation) annually during
employment. The accounts accrue interest credits using a rate equal to a
specified amount above the yield on 5-year Treasury notes. These employees
become eligible for benefits when they meet minimum age and service
requirements. The Company accrues a flat dollar amount on an annual basis for
each domestic salaried employee. These amounts, plus credited interest, can be
used to purchase post-retirement medical insurance. The Company has the right
to modify or terminate these benefits.
25
28
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (7) OTHER POST-RETIREMENT AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS (CONTINUED)
The following table sets forth the status of the Company's post-retirement
benefit obligations as of December 31, 1997 and 1996:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION (APBO):
Retirees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(1) $(27)
Fully eligible active plan participants . . . . . . (8) (11)
Other active plan participants. . . . . . . . . . . (6) (13)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (15) (51)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) (1)
Unrecognized (gains)/losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued post-retirement benefit cost at December 31 . . $(20) $(52)
==============================================================================
The 1997 accrual reflects the transfer of $19 million from CPC of accumulated
post-retirement benefit obligations. The 1996 number reflects the obligation
for retirees prior to the distribution which was maintained by CPC.
Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost included the following components:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost (benefits earned during the year). . . . $1 $1 $1
Interest cost on the accumulated post-retirement
benefit obligation 1 4 4
Net amortization and deferral . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (1) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic post-retirement benefit. . . . . . . . . $2 $4 $5
==============================================================================
Annual increases in per capita cost of health care benefits of 9.5% pre-age-65
and 7.5% post-age-65 were assumed for 1997 to 1998. Rates were assumed to
decrease by 1% thereafter until reaching 4.5%. Increasing the assumed health
care cost trend rate by 1% increases the APBO at December 31, 1997 by $1.0
million, with a corresponding effect on the service and interest cost components
of the net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the year then ended of $.6
million. The discount rate used to determine the APBO for 1997 and 1996 is 7.5%
and 7.0%, respectively.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (8) INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
During the first quarter of 1995, the Company entered into a joint venture with
Arancia Industrial, S.A. de C.V., a corn refining business located in Mexico.
This investment has been accounted for under the equity method.
During 1997, the Company contributed $10 million to this joint venture
and also made a final contingency payment of $11 million to its joint venture
partner. In 1996, the Company loaned this joint venture $60 million
which was repaid in January 1998.
26
29
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (9) SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
Supplementary Balance Sheet information is set forth below:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$MILLIONS 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - NET
Accounts receivable - trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . $146 $149
Accounts receivable - other accounts receivable . . . 33 63
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . (4) (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accounts receivable - net . . . . . . . . . . . 175 209
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVENTORIES
Finished and in process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 69
Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 65
Manufacturing supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 28
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 162
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANTS AND PROPERTIES
Land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 50
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496 480
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,650 1,587
Accumulated depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,141) (1,060)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plants and properties, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,057 1,057
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3
Capital additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- 8
Accrued interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- 3
Restructuring reserves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 --
Taxes payable other than taxes on income . . . . . . 10 11
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 17
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 42
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Employees' pension, indemnity, retirement,
and related provisions 35 58
Other noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 60
==============================================================================
27
30
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (10) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable
and debt approximate fair values.
COMMODITIES
At December 31, 1997, the Company had open corn commodity futures contracts of
$154 million. Contracts open for delivery beyond March 31, 1998, amounted to
$88 million, of which $59 million is due in May, 1998, $28 million is due in
July, 1998, and $1 million in December, 1998. At December 31, 1997, the price
of corn under these contracts was $5.3 million above market quotations of the
same date.
During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company recognized a loss of $40
million for certain liquidated corn futures. These futures had been designed to
protect anticipated firm-priced business against an expected run-up in corn
prices. When corn prices instead fell sharply and the business as anticipated
did not materialize, the Company liquidated the futures contracts.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (11) INCOME TAXES
Income before income taxes and the components of the provision for income taxes
are shown below:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
United States . . . . . . .. . . . . . . $(128) $(20) $136
Outside the United States .. . . . . . . 39 57 87
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . $(89) $37 $223
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:
Current tax expense
U.S. federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (31) 27 57
State and local. . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) (2) 12
Foreign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4 23
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current. . . . . . . . . . . . . $(29) $29 $92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
U.S. federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 (22) (11)
State and local. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 (3)
Foreign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 (17) (6)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(19) $12 $86
==============================================================================
28
31
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (11) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The tax effects of significant temporary differences which comprise the
deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 1997 and 1996, are as
follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plants and properties . . . . . . . $134 $121
Pensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liabilities. . . 147 122
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructuring reserves. . . . . . . 11 --
Employee benefit reserves . . . . . 14 28
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 17
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax assets . . . . . 39 45
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . -- (8)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities. . . $108 $85
=========================================================================
Total net deferred tax liabilities and assets shown above included current and
noncurrent elements. Under the terms of the distribution, CPC will be
responsible for substantially all income taxes prior to December 31, 1997.
Accordingly the valuation allowance has been reduced to 0 at December 31, 1997.
A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the Company's effective
tax rate follows:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for tax at U.S. statutory rate . (35.0)% 35.0% 35.0%
Taxes related to foreign income . . . . . . (7.5) (0.6) 0.2
State and local taxes - net . . . . . . . . (1.5) (0.5) 1.4
Restructuring and spin-off charges . . . . 14.0 -- --
Other items - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.7 (0.3) 1.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision at effective tax rate . . . . . . (21.3)% 33.6% 38.5%
===========================================================================
The effective rate on the tax benefit of 21.3% derived from a lower benefit
associated with the restructuring and spin-off charges, lower tax on average
from foreign jurisdictions and an assumed rate for CPC International Inc.
Taxes that would result from dividend distributions by foreign
subsidiaries to the U.S. are provided to the extent dividends are anticipated.
As of December 31, 1997, approximately $344 million of retained earnings of
foreign subsidiaries are retained indefinitely by the subsidiaries for capital
and operating requirements.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (12) LEASES
The Company leases rail cars and certain machinery and equipment under various
operating leases. Rental expense for operating leases was $18.3 million, $12.2
million and $8.9 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Minimum lease
payments existing at December 31, 1997 are shown at right:
-------------------------------------
MINIMUM
LEASE PAYMENT
YEAR (MILLIONS)
-------------------------------------
1998 $17.9
1999 14.0
2000 12.5
2001 8.2
Balance thereafter 39.8
29
32
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 13 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
COMMON STOCK
The Company has authorized 200 million shares of $0.01 par value common stock.
On December 31, 1997, 35.6 million shares were distributed to the shareholders
of CPC International Inc.
PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDER'S RIGHTS PLAN
The Company has authorized 25 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock
of which one million shares were designated as Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock for the stockholder's rights plan. Under this plan, each share
of the Corn Products Common Stock issued in the distribution carries with it
the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred stock. The
rights will at no time have voting power or pay dividends. The rights will
become exercisable if on or before December 31, 1999, a person or group
acquires or announces a tender offer that would result in the acquisition of
10% or more of the Corn Products Common Stock or after December 31, 1999 would
result in the acquisition of 15% or more of the Corn Products Common Stock.
When exercisable, each full right entitles a holder to buy one one-hundredth of
a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $120.
If the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination with a 10%
or more stockholder on or before December 31, 1999 or a 15% or more stockholder
thereafter, each full right will entitle a holder to buy a number of the
acquiring company's shares having a value of twice the exercise price of the
right. Alternatively, if a 10% or 15% stockholder (as applicable) engages in
certain self-dealing transactions or acquires the Company in such a manner that
the Corn Products Company and its common stock survive, or if any person
acquires 10% or 15% or more of the Corn Products Common Stock (as applicable),
except pursuant to an offer for all shares at a fair price, each full right not
owned by a 10% or 15% or more stockholder may be exercised for Corn Products
Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, other consideration) having a
market value of twice the exercise price of the right. The Company may redeem
the rights for one cent each at any time before an acquisition of 10% or 15% or
more of its voting securities (as applicable). Unless redeemed earlier, the
rights will expire on December 31, 2007.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has established a stock option plan for certain key employees. In
addition, all existing CPC stock options of Company employees were converted to
stock options to acquire Corn Products Common Stock. These stock options retain
their vesting schedules and existing expiration dates.
Under the provisions of FAS 123, the Company accounts for stock-based
compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB 25.
As of December 31, 1997, there were 477,371 options outstanding with an
exercise price ranging from $12.59 to $24.03, and a weighted average exercise
price of $19.91.
In addition to stock options, 143,000 shares were converted under the
restricted stock award provisions of the plan. The cost of these awards is
being amortized over the restriction period.
30
33
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE (14) GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company operates in one business segment - Corn Refining - and is managed
on a geographic regional basis. Its North American Operations include its
wholly owned Corn Refining businesses in the United States and Canada and its
49% joint venture in Mexico, which is accounted for on an equity basis. Its
Other businesses include primarily 100% owned Corn Refining operations in South
America, and joint ventures and alliances in Asia, Africa and other areas. Also
included in this group is its North American enzyme business.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES TO UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS:
North America . . . . . . . . . . . $871 $1,030 $906
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547 494 481
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,418 $1,524 $1,387
=======================================================================================
OPERATING INCOME:
North America . . . . . . . . . . . $(30) $14 $152
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 51 62
Restructuring and spin-off costs(1) (109) 0 37
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(61) $65 $251
=======================================================================================
TOTAL ASSETS:
North America . . . . . . . . . . . $1,089 $1,037 $780
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577 611 514
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,666 $1,648 $1,294
=======================================================================================
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
North America . . . . . . . . . . . $63 $60 $56
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 28 26
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95 $88 $82
=======================================================================================
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
North America . . . . . . . . . . . $53 $77 $86
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 115 102
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100 $192 $188
=======================================================================================
1) 1997 includes a $30 million charge from CPC for consumer and corporate
restructuring; $30 million for North American corn refining; $49 million for
restructuring Other.1995 North America $(52) million and Other $15 million.
31
34
SUPPLEMENTAL
FINANCIAL INFORMATION CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Summarized quarterly financial data is as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS 1ST QTR. 2ND QTR. 3RD QTR. 4TH QTR.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 $358 $360 $363
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 33 42 42
Restructuring and spin-off charges - net . . . . . -- 65 18 --
Net income (loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9) (64) (10) 11
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $348 $395 $400 $380
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 48 37 1
Net income (loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 14 8 (14)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,418 $1,524 $1,387 $1,385 $1,243
Restructuring and spin-off charges - net . . . . . 83 -- (23) 12 --
Net income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (72) 23 135 100 99
Basic earnings per common share . . . . . . . . . $(2.10) $0.64 $3.79 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(72) $147 $31 $106 $33
Plants and properties - net . . . . . . . . . . . 1,057 1,057 920 830 792
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,666 1,663 1,306 1,207 1,110
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 350 363 294 209
Stockholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 936 1,025 600 550 484
Shares outstanding, year-end in millions . . . . 35.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (1)
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . $95 $88 $82 $80 $78
Capital expenditures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 192 188 145 122
Maintenance and repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 61 65 65 57
Total employee costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 170 164 149 177
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) All data is based on a 12 month fiscal year.
32
35
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IGNACIO ARANGUREN-CASTIELLO
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Arancia-CPC S.A.
de C.V.
ALFRED C. DECRANE, JR.
Former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Texaco, Inc.
WILLIAM C. FERGUSON
Former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, NYNEX
Corporation
RICHARD G. HOLDER
Former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Reynolds
Metals Company
BERNARD H. KASTORY
Senior Vice President,
Finance and Administration,
Bestfoods
WILLIAM S. NORMAN
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Travel Industry
Association of America
KONRAD SCHLATTER
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Corn Products
International, Inc.
SAMUEL C. SCOTT
President and Chief Operating
Officer, Corn Products
International, Inc.
CLIFFORD B. STORMS
Attorney
CORPORATE OFFICERS
KONRAD SCHLATTER
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
SAMUEL C. SCOTT
President and
Chief Operating Officer
VICE PRESIDENTS
MARCIA E. DOANE
General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
JAMES J. HIRCHAK
Human Resources
FRANK J. KOCUN
President, Cooperative
Management Group
EUGENE J. NORTHACKER
President,
Latin American Division
MICHAEL R. PYATT
Executive Vice President,
North American Division
JAMES W. RIPLEY
Chief Financial Officer
RICHARD M. VANDERVOORT
Business Development and
Procurement
TREASURER
CHERYL K. BEEBE
COMPTROLLER
JACK C. FORTNUM
INVESTOR INFORMATION
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Corn Products International, Inc.
6500 South Archer Road
Bedford Park, Illinois 60501-1933
708.563.2400
ANNUAL REPORT, FORM 10K
Copies are available by writing to
Corn Products International, Inc.,
or by calling 708.563.6800.
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR INQUIRIES
Security analysts and investors
seeking information about
Corn Products International, Inc.
may contact John W. Scott by
writing to the Corn Products
address above, or by calling
201.894.0052.
STOCKHOLDER RECORDS
Inquiries relating to stockholder
records, stock transfer, and change
of address should be directed
to the transfer agent:
First Chicago Trust Company
of New York
P.O. Box 2500
Jersey City, New Jersey 07303-2500
201.324.0498 or 800.446.2617
or via the Internet at www.ftc.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
303 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312.938.1000
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
New York Stock Exchange
TICKER SYMBOL
The ticker symbol for the
Company is CPO.
36
[CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL LOGO]
Corn Products International, Inc.
6500 South Archer Road
Bedford Park, Illinois 60501-1933 CPAR100028
1
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Following is a list of the Registrant's subsidiaries and their
subsidiaries showing the percentage of voting securities owned, or other bases
of control, by the immediate parent of each.
DOMESTIC - 100%
Corn Products International, Inc.
Corn Products Sales Corporation
Crystal Car Line, Inc.
Enzyme Bio-Systems Ltd.
Feed Products Limited
The Chicago, Peoria and Western Railway Company
Cali Investment Corp.
Colombia Millers Ltd.
Hispano-American Company, Inc.
Inversiones Latinoamericanas S.A.
Bedford Construction Company
FOREIGN - 100%
Argentina: Productos de Maiz, S.A.
Brazil: Corn Products Brazil Ingredientes Industriais, Ltds.
Canada: Canada Starch (1998) Company
-Casco Inc.
-Casco Sales Company Inc.
-1093593 Ontario Inc.
-Casco Freight Canada Inc.
-Corn Products Canada Inc.
Chile: Corn Products Chile Inducorn S.A.
Colombia: Industrias del Maiz S.A.
Colombia: Derivados del Maiz y de la Yuca S.A. (Delmaiz
in Yucal) S.A.
Honduras: Almidones del Istmo S.A. de C.V.
Japan: Corn Products Japan Ltd.
Kenya: Corn Products Kenya Ltd.
Malaysia: Stamford Food Industries Sdn. Bhd.
Mexico: Productos Modificados S.A. de C.V.
Pakistan: CPC Rafhan Ltd.
Singapore: Corn Products Trading PTE Co.
Uruguay: Valdon, S.A.
Venezuela: Corn Products Venezuela
2
OTHER
Pakistan: CPC Rafhan Ltd. - 51%
Mexico: Arancia S.A. de C.V. - 49%
1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
The Board of Directors
Corn Products International, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1997 of Corn Products International, Inc. and
in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (No. 333-43479 and 333-43525) of
Corn Products International, Inc. of our report dated February 11, 1998,
relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Corn Products International,
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1997.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
March 31, 1998
Chicago, Illinois
1
EXHIBIT 24.1
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Bernard H. Kastory
----------------------------
2
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Konrad Schlatter
----------------------------
3
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Samuel C. Scott
----------------------------
4
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Ignacio Aranguren-Castiello
-------------------------------
5
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Clifford B. Storms
----------------------------
6
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ William C. Ferguson
----------------------------
7
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ William S. Norman
----------------------------
8
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Alfred C. DeCrane, Jr.
----------------------------
9
===============================================================================
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
===============================================================================
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, a director of Corn Products
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company"), do hereby
constitute and appoint MARCIA E. DOANE as my true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, for me and in my name, place and stead, to sign the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and any
and all amendments thereto, and to file the same and other documents in
connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every
act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as I might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this instrument this 18th day of
March, 1998.
/s/ Richard G. Holder
----------------------------
5
1,000,000
YEAR
DEC-31-1997
JAN-01-1997
DEC-31-1997
85
0
175
0
123
423
2,198
1,141
1,666
496
0
0
0
1
1,020
1,666
1,418
0
1,280
1,479
0
0
28
(89)
(19)
(72)
0
0
3
(75)
(2.10)
(2.10)
5
1,000,000
YEAR
DEC-31-1996
JAN-01-1996
DEC-31-1996
32
0
209
0
162
434
2,117
1,060
1,663
287
0
0
0
0
1,037
1,663
1,524
0
1,381
1,469
0
0
28
37
12
23
0
0
0
23
.64
.64
5
1,000,000
YEAR
DEC-31-1995
JAN-01-1995
DEC-31-1995
31
0
121
0
113
287
1,937
1,017
1,306
256
0
0
0
0
610
1,306
1,387
0
1,083
1,185
(37)
0
28
223
86
135
0
0
0
135
3.79
3.79
