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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2024

Registration No. 333-    

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Ohio   34-0778636

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1293 South Main Street

Akron, Ohio 44301

(330) 253-5592

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Michael P. McGaugh

President and Chief Executive Officer

1293 South Main Street

Akron, Ohio 44301

(330) 253-5592

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

J. Bret Treier

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

50 South Main Street

Suite 1200

Akron, OH 44308

(330) 208-1000

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy the securities in any state where the offer or sales are not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 7, 2024

PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

$400,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer and sell up to $400,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. When we use the term “securities” in this prospectus, we mean any of the securities we may offer with this prospectus, unless we say otherwise.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

If any securities are to be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system, our prospectus supplement will say so. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “MYE.” On May 6, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $22.99 per share.

 

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. YOU SHOULD REVIEW CAREFULLY THE SECTION CAPTONED “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 8 OF THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY RISK FACTORS IN ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND UNDER SIMILAR HEADINGS IN THE OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS.

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is     , 2024.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000 (or the equivalent of this amount in foreign currencies or foreign currency units) as described in this prospectus.

Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement as well as any other offering material may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any other offering material (including any free writing prospectus), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

Neither we nor any underwriter has authorized any other person to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

When we refer to “Myers,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Myers Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

Our logo, “Myers” and other trademarks or service marks of Myers Industries, Inc. appearing in this prospectus are the property of Myers Industries, Inc. and our subsidiaries. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus appear without the symbol, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names.

Our principle executive offices are located at 1293 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44301 and our telephone number at this address is (330) 253-5592.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address for the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.

We make available, free of charge, on our website at http://www.myersindustries.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports and statements as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. The contents of our website are not part of this prospectus, and the reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference into this prospectus of the information contained at that site, other than documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided above. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act” in this prospectus, between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are furnished and not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Myers Industries, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed March 5, 2024, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the Commission on May 7, 2024;

 

   

The information identified as incorporated by reference under Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, from our definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders filed on March 18, 2024;

 

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Myers Industries, Inc. Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January  2, 2024, February  8, 2024, February  9, 2024, March  1, 2024, March  5, 2024, March  18, 2024, April 25, 2024, and May 7, 2024, and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on April 19, 2024, only to the extent filed and not furnished; and

 

   

The description of Myers Industries Inc.’s common stock, which is contained in Exhibit 4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed March 11, 2021, and as amended by any subsequent amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents) by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Myers Industries, Inc.

1293 S. Main Street

Akron, Ohio 44301

(330) 253-5592

Attention: Investor Relations

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plan, objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by the fact that they include words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts and represent only our current expectations regarding such matters. These statements inherently involve a wide range of known and unknown uncertainties. The Company’s actual actions and results could differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. Specific factors that could cause such a difference include those set forth below and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Given these factors, as well as other variables that may affect our operating results, you should not rely on forward-looking statements, assume that past financial performance will be a reliable indicator of future performance, nor use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplements, the documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus, the documents that we have included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the documents that we refer to under the section of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information” completely and with the understanding that our actual future results could be materially different from what we expect when making the forward-looking statement. We qualify all our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, the date of the document incorporated by reference or the date of any applicable prospectus supplement. Except as required by applicable laws or regulations, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the uncertainty of the global economic environment;

 

   

raw material availability and pricing;

 

   

risks inherent in pursuing our strategic growth initiatives, including integration and other risks involved in past and possible future acquisitions;

 

   

general business conditions and competitive factors, including pricing pressures and product innovation; demand for our products and services; difficulties in hiring necessary skilled labor;

 

   

changes in our relationships with customers and suppliers;

 

   

the financial condition of our customers, including the impact of any bankruptcies or inflationary conditions;

 

   

changes in general economic conditions such as inflation rates, interest rates, tax rates, unemployment rates, higher labor and healthcare costs, recessions and changing government policies, laws and regulations, including those related to the current global uncertainties and crises, such as tariffs and surcharges, trade disputes, war and terrorism;.

 

   

adverse impacts to us, our suppliers and customers from acts of terrorism or hostilities, public health crises, geopolitical crises, and other catastrophic events, all of which could impact our facilities and operations and our customers and suppliers;

 

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disruptions, uncertainties or volatility in the credit markets that may limit our access to capital;

 

   

increasingly stringent domestic and foreign governmental regulations, including those affecting the environment or import and export controls and other trade barriers;

 

   

current and future environmental and other governmental laws and requirements affecting our business;

 

   

our dependence on key management;

 

   

our variable interest rate loan agreements;

 

   

our dependence on information systems;

 

   

our ability to develop and market new products;

 

   

our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;

 

   

our ability to maintain adequate insurance to protect against potential hazardous incidents to our business; and

 

   

any risk factors referred to elsewhere in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement

 

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ABOUT MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC.

Myers Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The terms “Myers Industries,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” wherever used herein refer to the Company, unless the context indicates to the contrary. Since its founding, the Company has grown from a small storefront distributing tire service supplies into an international manufacturing and distribution enterprise. In 1971, the Company went public, and the stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MYE.

The Company designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of plastic, metal and rubber products, including a broad selection of plastic reusable containers, pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, storage and organization products, OEM parts, custom plastic products, consumer fuel containers and tanks for water, fuel and waste handling. Our plastic bulk containers replace single-use packaging, reducing waste and improving sustainability. The Company is also the largest distributor of tools, equipment and supplies used for tire, wheel and under vehicle service on passenger, heavy truck and off-road vehicles, as well as the manufacturing of tire repair and retreading products.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company operated seventeen manufacturing facilities, six sales offices, eight distribution centers and three distribution branches located throughout North and Central America; and has approximately 2,500 employees.

Serving customers around the world, Myers Industries’ brands provide sustainable solutions to a wide variety of customers in diverse niche markets. Myers Industries’ diverse products and solutions help customers to improve shop productivity with point of use inventory, to store and transport products more safely and efficiently, to improve sustainability through reuse, to lower overall material handling costs, to improve ergonomics for their labor force, to eliminate waste and ultimately increase profitability.

The Company’s business strategy is focused on transforming its Material Handling Segment into a high-growth, customer-centric innovator of engineered plastic solutions while continuing to optimize and grow its Distribution Segment. Myers Industries’ long-term plan is comprised of three, three-year horizons, each outlining specific actions to drive profitable revenue growth. Actions during the first horizon are focused on four strategic pillars:

 

   

driving organic growth through sales and commercial excellence, pricing focus, innovation and e-commerce;

 

   

operational excellence through continuous improvement, purchasing rigor and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense optimization;

 

   

complementing organic growth through bolt on acquisitions that can expand our opportunities in current and adjacent markets; and

 

   

developing a high-performance mindset and culture focused on safety first, talent development, inclusion, servant leadership and community involvement.

In 2024, the Company moved into the second horizon of its long-term strategic plan, which builds upon the first horizon. In the second three-year horizon, the Company is focused on:

 

   

building on and continuing to execute on the four pillars from the first horizon; and

 

   

levering experience gained from Horizon 1 to complete larger acquisitions in North America, potentially entering into adjacent technologies.

The Company conducts its business activities in two distinct business segments, Material Handling and Distribution, consistent with the manner in which the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates performance and makes resource allocation decisions.

 

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The Material Handling Segment manufactures a broad selection of durable plastic reusable containers that are used repeatedly during the course of their service life. At the end of their service life, these highly sustainable products can be recovered, recycled, and reprocessed into new products. The Material Handling Segment’s products include pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, storage and organization products, OEM parts, custom plastic products, consumer fuel containers and tanks for water, fuel and waste handling. Products in the Material Handling Segment are primarily injection molded, rotationally molded or blow molded. Injection molding and blow molding primarily use electric power to heat and press resin into molds to form the products. Rotational molding involves multi-axis rotation of molds in natural gas fired ovens to form the resin into our products. The Material Handling Segment conducts operations in the United States and Canada. The Material Handling Segment serves a wide variety of markets, including industrial manufacturing, food processing, retail/wholesale products distribution, agriculture, automotive, recreational vehicles, marine vehicles, healthcare, appliance, bakery, electronics, textiles, consumer markets, among others. Products are sold both directly to end-users and through distributors. The addition of Signature Systems in February 2024 adds a line of composite ground protection products, which are manufactured using compression and injection molding.

The Distribution Segment is engaged in the distribution of tools, equipment and supplies used for tire servicing, wheel and automotive under-vehicle service on passenger, heavy truck and off-road vehicles and the manufacturing of tire repair materials and custom rubber products. The Distribution Segment also manufactures and sells permanent and temporary reflective highway marking tape. The Distribution Segment operates domestically through its sales offices and eight regional distribution centers in the United States, and in certain foreign countries through export sales as well as branch operations principally in Central America. The Distribution Segment serves retail and truck tire dealers, commercial auto and truck fleets, truck stop operations, auto dealers, general service and repair centers, tire retreaders, and government agencies.

Our principle executive offices are located at 1293 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44301 and our telephone number at this address is (330) 253-5592.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider any risk factors contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the risk factors set forth in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and any material changes to those risk factors set forth in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should also refer to the other information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified may also materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to which this prospectus relates for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, acquisitions, investments, additions to working capital, and capital expenditures. Additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of our securities to which this prospectus relates may be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary describes the terms and provisions of our capital stock and the material provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, and of the Ohio General Corporation Law. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, copies of which are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.” As used in this “Description of Capital Stock” the terms “we,” “our,” and “us” refer only to Myers Industries, Inc. and not, unless otherwise indicated, to any of our subsidiaries.

General

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 61,000,000 shares. Our authorized capital stock consists of 60,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value (“Common Stock”), and 1,000,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Stock”). All of our outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Common Stock

Exchange and Trading Symbol. Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “MYE.”

Voting Rights. Each holder of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, including the election of directors. Our shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Under the current “plurality voting” standard of the Ohio General Corporation Law, director nominees who receive the greatest number of affirmative votes are elected.

Except as otherwise provided by the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, or applicable provisions of Ohio law, any other matter brought to a vote of the shareholders is determined by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Company.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding Preferred Stock, holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of our Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions or restrictions on alienability applicable to our Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our Common Stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our Preferred Stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Serial Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors has the authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, subject to certain limitations prescribed by law and the rules and regulations of the NYSE, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares

 

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of Serial Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms, conversion rights and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of Common Stock. Holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock vote together as a single class.

The rights of the holders of Common Stock will generally be subject to the prior rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, liquidation preferences and other matters. Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common shares. The issuance of Preferred Stock also could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control without further action by our shareholders.

Corporate Governance

Size of Board; Election of Directors. The number of directors shall be a number not less than seven and not more than fifteen, and shall be determined from time to time (i) by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors, or (ii) at any annual or special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose at which a quorum is present. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, except as provided in the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, and each director elected shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole authorized number of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors is not classified.

Special Meetings of Shareholders. Special meetings of our shareholders may be called at any time by the chairman of our Board of Directors, by our president, the Board of Directors acting at a meeting, by a majority of the Board of Directors acting without a meeting, or by persons who hold at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote.

Written Consent of Shareholders. Any action that may be authorized or taken at a meeting of the shareholders or of the directors, as the case may be, may be authorized or taken without a meeting with the affirmative vote or approval of, and in a writing or writings signed by all the shareholders who would be entitled to notice of a meeting of the shareholders held for such purpose, or all the directors, respectively, which writing or writings shall be filed with or entered upon the records of the Company.

Amendment of the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations. The Amended and Restated Code of Regulations may be amended by (i) the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by the Ohio General Corporation Law or (ii) the shareholders, upon the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of the majority of the shares entitled to vote thereon, which amendment shall be filed with or entered upon the records of the Company and provided to each shareholder entitled to vote and who did not participate in the adoption of such amendment.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Articles, Regulations and the Ohio General Corporation Law. Certain provisions of Ohio law and our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation may have the effect of discouraging or rendering more difficult an unsolicited acquisition of a corporation or its capital stock by means of a tender offer, open market purchase, proxy fight or otherwise, to the extent the corporation is subject to those provisions. We have opted out of one such provision. We remain subject to the remaining provisions, which are described below.

 

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The Company is subject to Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code, referred to as the Ohio merger moratorium statute. The statute prohibits certain “Chapter 1704 transactions” between an “issuing public corporation” (such as the Company) and a person that beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding voting power of the corporation in the election of directors (an “interested shareholder”). “Chapter 1704 transactions” involve a broad range of transactions, including mergers, consolidations, combinations, liquidations, recapitalizations and other transactions between an issuing public corporation and an interested shareholder.

Such “Chapter 1704 transactions” are generally prohibited for three years following the date on which the interested shareholder acquired its 10% of the voting power in the election of directors of the issuing corporation (the “share acquisition date”), unless, prior to the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date, the corporation’s board of directors approves (i) the Chapter 1704 transaction, or (ii) the purchase of the 10% ownership interest by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date.

After the initial three year moratorium, “Chapter 1704 transactions” with an interested shareholder are prohibited, unless (i) the board of directors approved the purchase of the 10% ownership interest by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholder’s share acquisition date, (ii) the transaction is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of the corporation entitled to exercise at least two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors, or of such different proportion as the articles of incorporation may provide, including the approval of the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the disinterested shares, or (iii) the transaction results in shareholders, other than the interested shareholder, receiving a fair price as set forth under Chapter 1704.

Section 1707.041 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates certain “control bids” for corporations in Ohio with certain concentrations of Ohio shareholders and permits the Ohio Division of Securities to suspend a control bid if certain information is not provided to offerees.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals. Our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations establishes advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. The advance notice provisions require that a shareholder proposal for a director nomination be received by the secretary of the Company not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one year anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. In the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 60 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by a shareholder, in order to be timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. A shareholder wishing to directly nominate an individual to serve as a director must follow the procedure outlined in our Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, in addition to applicable regulations adopted by the SEC under the Exchange Act, as amended.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is P.O. Box 1342, Brentwood, NY 11717.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities will be general obligations of the Company. The debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a secured or unsecured senior or subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by guarantors, if any. In the event that any series of debt securities will be subordinated to other indebtedness that we have outstanding or may incur, the terms of the subordination will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a third party to be identified in a prospectus supplement. The indenture, and any supplemental indentures thereto, will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The form of the indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. The following discussion of certain provisions of the indenture is a summary only and should not be considered a complete description of the terms and provisions of the indenture. Accordingly, the following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the indenture.

Capitalized terms used in this “Description of Debt Securities” and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture. As used in this “Description of Debt Securities” the terms “we,” “our,” and “us” refer only to Myers Industries, Inc. and not, unless otherwise indicated, any of our subsidiaries.

General

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness.

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture does not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities; provided, however, that if such additional debt securities are not fungible with the outstanding debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have a separate CUSIP number.

 

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We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

   

the title of debt securities;

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal on the series of debt securities is payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine such rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the series of debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the right, if any to extend the interest periods and the duration of that extension;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed;

 

   

any obligation we may have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of the debt securities;

 

   

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of the debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

   

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

   

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be made if other than U.S. dollars;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to such debt securities);

 

   

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the series of debt securities, if other than appointed in the indenture; and

 

   

any provisions relating to conversion of the debt securities.

 

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The foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any offered debt securities.

In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue convertible, exchangeable or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion, exchange or subordination provisions of debt securities will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange and Transfer

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the registrar or co-registrar designated by us.

We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange. In the event of any redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

   

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day such notice is sent; or

 

   

register the transfer of or, exchange any, debt security of that series selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any series being redeemed in part.

We may initially appoint the trustee as the registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Global Securities

The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:

 

   

be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;

 

   

be deposited with the trustee as custodian for the depositary or its nominee; and

 

   

bear any required legends.

 

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No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:

 

   

the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event;

 

   

we execute and deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate to the effect that such global securities shall be so exchangeable; or

 

   

an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

   

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

 

   

will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and

 

   

will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture.

Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants.” Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary (and, if such person is not a participant, on procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or by any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary’s acts or omissions or any participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment and Paying Agent

The provisions of this subsection will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.

We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

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Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, all moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not merge or consolidate with or into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:

 

   

the successor or transferee is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity;

 

   

the successor or transferee assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

   

an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel have been delivered to the trustee in connection with the foregoing.

In the event of the above transaction, if there is a successor or transferee, then the successor or transferee will expressly assume all of our obligations under the indenture and automatically be substituted for us in the indenture and as issuer of the debt securities and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor or transferee had been named in our place in the indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor company will not be relieved of the obligation to pay principal and interest on the debt securities except in the case of a sale of all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries.

Events of Default

Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

   

default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days;

 

   

default in the payment of principal of, or premium on, any debt security of that series when due and payable;

 

   

failure on our part to comply with the covenant described under “—Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets”;

 

   

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture or any supplemental indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture or supplemental indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (1) we receive written notice from the trustee or (2) we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or our significant subsidiaries; and

 

   

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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We will promptly deliver to the trustee written notice of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become a covenant event of default, or any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, along with a description of the status and what action we are taking or propose to take with respect to such event of default.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree already rendered and if all events of default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series that has become due and payable solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and all sums paid or advanced by the trustee and the reasonable compensation expenses and disbursements of the trustee and its agents and counsel have been paid as provided in the indenture.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee, to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and any interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment.

 

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The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or modify the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities of the series affected by the modifications or amendments in order to:

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

conform the text of the indenture, including any supplemental indenture, or the debt securities to any corresponding provision of this “Description of Debt Securities” or description of the debt securities found in the prospectus supplement as evidenced by an officer’s certificate;

 

   

provide for the issuance of additional debt securities;

 

   

provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and our discharge upon such assumption provided that the provision under “Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” of the indenture is complied with;

 

   

add covenants or make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities;

 

   

add guarantees with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

   

secure the debt securities;

 

   

add or appoint a successor or separate trustee;

 

   

make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities in any material respect, as evidenced by an officer’s certificate; or

 

   

obtain or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities issued may be made with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series, and our compliance with any provision of the indenture with respect to the debt securities may be waived by written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series:

 

   

reduce the principal amount, any premium or change the stated maturity of any debt security or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the debt securities;

 

   

change the place of payment or currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities;

 

   

waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities;

 

   

make any change to the amendment and modification provisions in the indenture; or

 

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reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify, supplement or amend the indenture or to waive any past default.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of any series pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to such debt securities and its consequences, except (i) a default with respect to such series in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, the debt securities of such series or (ii) a default or event of default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, in certain circumstances, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may be released from our obligation to comply with certain covenants set forth in the indenture and any supplemental indenture, and any failure to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series, or covenant defeasance. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our significant subsidiaries.

The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

This section describes the general terms of the depositary shares we may offer and sell by this prospectus. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for the depositary shares. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update, or change the terms and conditions of the depositary shares as described in this prospectus. As used in this “Description of Depositary Shares” the terms “we,” “our,” and “us” refer only to Myers Industries, Inc. and not, unless otherwise indicated, any of our subsidiaries.

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares, each representing a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock) of a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock as described below. In the event we elect to do so, depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued to the public.

The shares of any class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among us, a depositary selected by us and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related class or series of preferred shares in accordance with the terms of the offering described in the related prospectus supplement.

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to, and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will be prepared without unreasonable delay, and temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts without charge to the holder.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date; provided, however, that if we or the depositary is required by law to withhold an amount on account of taxes, then the amount distributed to the holders of depositary shares shall be reduced accordingly. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of the depositary shares.

If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the holders. The deposit agreement also will contain provisions relating to how any subscription or similar rights that we may offer to holders of the preferred stock will be available to the holders of the depositary shares.

 

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Withdrawal of Shares

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, converted or exchanged into our other securities, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of the related class or series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by such depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related class or series of preferred stock on the basis set forth in the prospectus supplement for such class or series of preferred stock, but holders of such whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to exchange them for depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares. In no event will fractional shares of preferred stock be delivered upon surrender of depositary receipts to the depositary.

Conversion, Exchange and Redemption

If any class or series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts representing the shares of preferred stock being converted or exchanged will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

Whenever we redeem or convert shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem or convert, at the same time, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock to be redeemed or converted. The depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption of the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary will mail notice of redemption or conversion to the record holders of the depositary shares that are to be redeemed between 30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or conversion. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share on the applicable class or series of preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select which shares are to be redeemed by lot on a pro rata basis or by any other equitable method as the depositary may decide.

After the redemption or conversion date, the depositary shares called for redemption or conversion will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption or conversion.

Voting the Preferred Stock

When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the particular class or series of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

We and the depositary may agree at any time to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (a) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or (b) otherwise materially adversely affects any substantial existing rights of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until such amendment is approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares after such amendment has become effective will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

 

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We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a notice of termination of holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. The depositary may terminate the deposit agreement if 90 days have elapsed after the depositary delivered written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary is not appointed. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

   

the depositary has redeemed all related outstanding depositary shares;

 

   

all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been converted into or exchanged for common stock; or

 

   

we have liquidated, terminated or wound up our business and the depositary has distributed the preferred stock of the relevant series to the holders of the related depositary shares.

Reports and Obligations

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our amended and restated articles of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations under the deposit agreement are limited to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. The depositary assumes no obligation and will not be subject to liability under the deposit agreement except to perform such obligations as are set forth in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or class or series of preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us to do so furnish us with a satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely and act upon the advice of our counsel or accountants, on any information provided to us by a person presenting shares for deposit, any holder of a receipt, or any other document believed by us or the depositary to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or of debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the investors or a warrant agent.

General

We expect the following provisions will generally apply to warrants we may offer, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

Terms

The particular terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the offering price, if any;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase such shares and the price at which such number of shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the designation, stated value and terms (including, without limitation, liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights) of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock;

 

   

the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at one time;

 

   

the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the redemption or call provisions, if any;

 

   

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and exercise price are payable;

 

   

the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants;

 

   

United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants; and

 

   

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.

 

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Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:

 

   

to vote, consent or receive dividends;

 

   

receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or

 

   

exercise any rights as shareholders of Myers.

Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the common stock or preferred stock, if any.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed after such offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered. A holder or prospective holder of subscription rights should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for more specific information.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares or any combination of the foregoing at a future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of purchase contracts. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on a basis to be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of purchase units consisting of a purchase contract and an underlying security.

The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts or purchase units we are offering will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts, the purchase units and any applicable pledge or depository arrangements, including one or more of the following:

 

   

the amount that a holder will be obligated to pay under the purchase contract, or the formula by which such amount shall be determined;

 

   

the settlement date or dates on which the holder will be obligated to purchase the securities, and the conditions, if any, under which the settlement date may occur on an earlier date;

 

   

the events, if any, that will cause our obligations and the obligations of the holder under the purchase contract to terminate;

 

   

the settlement rate, which will determine the number of shares or other securities to be purchased, which may be determined by a formula, which may be based on the market price of our common stock or preferred stock over a specified period or determined by reference to other factors;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts will be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and an underlying security, which would be pledged by the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract;

 

   

the type of underlying security, if any, that is pledged by the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract;

 

   

the terms of any pledge arrangement relating to any underlying securities, including the terms on which distributions or payments of interest and principal on any underlying securities will be retained by a collateral agent, delivered to us or distributed to the holder; and

 

   

the amount of the contract fee, if any, that may be payable by us to the holder or by the holder to us, the terms of payment and any provisions for deferral of payment; the contract fee may be a percentage of the stated amount of the purchase contract or determined by other factors.

The descriptions of the purchase contracts, purchase units and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus are summaries of the material provisions that would appear in the applicable documents. These descriptions do not include all terms of those documents and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts or purchase units in more detail; and we urge you to read the applicable documents because they, and not our summaries and descriptions, will define your rights as holders of the purchase contracts or purchase units. The applicable prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized above do not apply to the purchase contracts, purchase units and any applicable underlying security being offered. The forms of the relevant documents will be filed with the SEC and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” above.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that we select. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

   

the title of the series of units;

 

   

identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

 

   

the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

   

a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

   

any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

The foregoing description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary (“DTC”), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

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So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

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As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

   

we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

   

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities described in this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

 

directly by us to purchasers;

 

 

in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;

 

 

through agents;

 

 

through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or

 

 

through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplements relating to an offering of securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the offered securities and the net proceeds to us from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; and

 

   

any public offering price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such offered securities may be listed.

Any public offering prices, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer the securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in any applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may

 

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make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

If dealers are used in the sale of the securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in any applicable prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

These transactions may be effected on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, or to continue such activities if commenced.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In any applicable prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in any applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in any applicable prospectus supplement. Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform other services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses. Other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE, each of the securities issued hereunder will be a new issue of securities, will have no prior trading market, and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom we sell securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that there will be a market for the offered securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Myers Industries, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries appearing in Myers Industries, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following is an estimate of the expenses (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) that we may incur in connection with the securities being registered hereby, other than the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 15,400  

Printing expenses

     *  

Legal fees and expenses

     *  

Accounting fees and expenses

     *  

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     *  

Trustee fees and expenses

     *  

Miscellaneous expenses

     *  

Total

     *  

 

*

These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Myers Industries, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations

Pursuant to Article Six of the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Company, the Company shall indemnify any director or officer and any former director or officer of the Company and any such director or officer who is or has served at the request of the Company as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (and his heirs, executors and administrators) against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by him by reason of the fact that he is or was such director, officer or trustee in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by applicable law. Article Six further provides that the indemnification provided for therein shall not be deemed to restrict the right of the Company (i) to indemnify employees, agents and others to the extent not prohibited by such law, (ii) to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection on behalf of or for any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, joint venture, partnership, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, and (iii) to enter into agreements with persons of the class identified in clause (ii) above indemnifying them against any and all liabilities (or such lesser indemnification as may be provided in such agreements) asserted against or incurred by them in such capacities.

The rights provided in Article Six are in addition to any rights provided by contract or as a matter of law.

Ohio General Corporation Law

Ohio General Corporation Law Section 1701.13(E) includes indemnification provisions similar to Article Six of the Company’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations. Section 1701.13(E)(1) of the Ohio General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was

 

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serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

Section 1701.13(E)(2) further specifies that a corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of (a) any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent, that the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court shall deem proper, and (b) any action or suit in which the only liability asserted against a director is pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the Ohio General Corporation Law concerning unlawful loans, dividends and distribution of assets.

In addition, Section 1701.13(E)(5)(a) requires a corporation to pay any expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of a director in defending an action, suit, or proceeding referred to above as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director in which he agrees to both (i) repay such amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation and (ii) reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning the action, suit, or proceeding. Section 1701.13(E)(7) and (F)(2) further authorizes a corporation to enter into contracts regarding indemnification and to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any director, trustee, officer, employee or agent for any liability asserted against him or arising out of his status as such.

Indemnification Agreements

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our directors providing for contractual indemnification and procedures for indemnification by us to the fullest extent permitted by Ohio law and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations, as amended. The indemnification agreements provide for advancements by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, actions, suits or proceedings arising from their service to us, subject to a written undertaking to repay as provided for under Ohio law. The Company presently maintains insurance for the benefit of persons entitled to indemnification.

 

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Item 16.

Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form S-3 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

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

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

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

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

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

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

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

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided,

 

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however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 4.1    Myers Industries, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2021.
 4.2    Myers Industries, Inc. Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2021.
 4.3*    Form of Specimen Certificate Representing Preferred Stock.
 4.4    Form of Indenture.
 4.5*    Form of Note.
 4.6*    Form of Warrant.
 4.7*    Form of Warrant Agreement.
 4.8*    Form of Unit Agreement.
 5.1    Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.
23.1    Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.3    Consent of RSM US LLP.
24.1    Power of Attorney.
25.1*†    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee, as trustee under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4 above.
107.1    Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

*

To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and incorporated herein by reference.

To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(25) of Regulation S-K.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in City of Akron, State of Ohio, on this 7th day of May, 2024.    

 

MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC.

/s/ Michael P. McGaugh

Michael P. McGaugh
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Michael P. McGaugh

Michael P. McGaugh

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  May 7, 2024

/s/ Grant E. Fitz

Grant E. Fitz

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  May 7, 2024

*

Yvette Dapremont Bright

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

Ronald M. De Feo

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

William A. Foley

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

Jeffrey Kramer

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

F. Jack Liebau, Jr.

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

Bruce M. Lisman

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

*

Lori Lutey

  

Director

  May 7, 2024

 

*

The undersigned by signing his name hereto does sign and execute this registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to the Power of Attorney executed by the above-named directors and officers of the registrant, which has been filed as an exhibit to this registration statement on behalf of such directors and officers.

 

By:

 

/s/ Michael P. McGaugh

   

Date: May 7, 2024

 
 

Michael P. McGaugh

     
 

Title: Attorney-in-fact

     

Exhibit 4.4

MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC.

INDENTURE

Dated as of [ ]

[ ],

as Trustee


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture

Act Section

   Indenture
Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.06

(b)

   11.03

(c)

   11.03

313(a)

   7.06

(b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

(c)

   7.06; 11.02

(d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 11.05

(b)

   N.A.

(c)(1)

   N.A.

(c)(2)

   N.A.

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   11.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   N.A.

316(a) (last sentence)

   N.A.

(a)(1)(A)

   N.A.

(a)(1)(B)

   N.A.

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   2.14

317(a)(1)

   N.A.

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

318(a)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   11.01

N.A. means not applicable.

*

This Cross Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.

 

2


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE 1

   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE      1  

Section 1.01

   Definitions      1  

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions      6  

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      7  

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction      7  

ARTICLE 2

   THE NOTES      8  

Section 2.01

   Issuable in Series      8  

Section 2.02

   Establishment of Terms of Series of Notes      8  

Section 2.03

   Execution and Authentication      10  

Section 2.04

   Registrar and Paying Agent      11  

Section 2.05

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      11  

Section 2.06

   Holder Lists      12  

Section 2.07

   Transfer and Exchange      12  

Section 2.08

   Replacement Notes      12  

Section 2.09

   Outstanding Notes      13  

Section 2.10

   Treasury Notes      13  

Section 2.11.

   Temporary Notes      13  

Section 2.12

   Cancellation      14  

Section 2.13

   Defaulted Interest      14  

Section 2.14

   Global Notes      14  

Section 2.15

   CUSIP Number      16  

ARTICLE 3

   REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT      16  

Section 3.01

   Notice to Trustee      16  

Section 3.02

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      16  

Section 3.03

   Notice of Redemption      17  

Section 3.04

   Effect of Notice of Redemption      17  

Section 3.05

   Deposit of Redemption Price      17  

Section 3.06

   Notes Redeemed in Part      18  

ARTICLE 4

   COVENANTS      18  

Section 4.01

   Payment of Principal and Interest      18  

 

3


Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency      18  

Section 4.03

   Reports      19  

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate      19  

Section 4.05

   Taxes      19  

Section 4.06

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      19  

Section 4.07

   Corporate Existence      20  

ARTICLE 5

   SUCCESSORS      20  

Section 5.01

   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets      20  

Section 5.02

   Successor Corporation Substituted      21  

ARTICLE 6

   DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES      21  

Section 6.01

   Events of Default      21  

Section 6.02

   Acceleration      22  

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies      23  

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Past Defaults      23  

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority      24  

Section 6.06

   Limitation on Suits      24  

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment      24  

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee      25  

Section 6.09

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      25  

Section 6.10

   Priorities      25  

Section 6.11

   Undertaking for Costs      26  

Section 6.12

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies      26  

ARTICLE 7

   TRUSTEE      26  

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee      26  

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee      27  

Section 7.03

   Individual Rights of Trustee      29  

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer      29  

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults      29  

Section 7.06

   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes      30  

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity      30  

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee      31  

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc      32  

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification      32  

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      32  

 

4


ARTICLE 8

   LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE      32  

Section 8.01

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      32  

Section 8.02

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge      33  

Section 8.03

   Covenant Defeasance      33  

Section 8.04

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      34  

Section 8.05

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      35  

Section 8.06

   Repayment to Company      36  

Section 8.07

   Reinstatement      36  

ARTICLE 9

   AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER      36  

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes      36  

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders of Notes      37  

Section 9.03

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      39  

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents      39  

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes      39  

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      39  

ARTICLE 10

   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE      39  

Section 10.01

   Satisfaction and Discharge      39  

Section 10.02

   Application of Trust Money      40  

ARTICLE 11

   MISCELLANEOUS      41  

Section 11.01

   Trust Indenture Act Controls      41  

Section 11.02

   Notices      41  

Section 11.03

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes      43  

Section 11.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      43  

Section 11.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      43  

Section 11.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents      44  

Section 11.07

   Calculation of Foreign Currency Amounts      44  

Section 11.08

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders      44  

Section 11.09

   Governing Law      44  

Section 11.10

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      44  

Section 11.11

   Successors      44  

Section 11.12

   Severability      45  

Section 11.13

   Counterpart Originals      45  

Section 11.14

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      45  

Section 11.15

   Waiver of Jury Trial      45  

 

5


Section 11.16

   Patriot Act Compliance      45  

Section 11.17

   Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)      45  

 

6


INDENTURE, dated as of [  ], by and between Myers Industries, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), and [  ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes issued under this Indenture.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Custodian, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any payment, tender, redemption, transfer, exchange, or conversion of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such payment, tender, redemption, transfer, exchange, or conversion.

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

Board of Directors” means:

 

  (1)

with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

  (2)

with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

 

  (3)

with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

 

  (4)

with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant


to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday. If a payment date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the related payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date the payment is due, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Stock” means:

 

  (1)

in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

  (2)

in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

  (3)

in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

  (4)

any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Company” means Myers Industries, Inc., and, subject to Article 5, any and all successors thereto.

Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer.

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

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary with respect to any Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

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

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the

 

2


Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Notes of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Notes of such Series.

Discount Note” means any Note that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

Dollars” and “$” means the currency of the United States of America.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

Global Note” or “Global Notes” means a Note or Notes, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Notes, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

  (1)

interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

 

  (2)

other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

 

3


  (3)

other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent (without duplication):

 

  (1)

in respect of borrowed money;

 

  (2)

evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;

 

  (3)

in respect of banker’s acceptances or other similar instruments or credit transactions (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) – (2), (4) or (5) hereof) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit;

 

  (4)

representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

  (5)

representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

 

  (6)

representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any of the preceding items, other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations, would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person, and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person or any liability of any person, whether or not contingent and whether or not it appears on the balance sheet of such Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the term “Indebtedness” excludes (x) any indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company and (y) any Guarantee by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:

 

  (1)

the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness that does not require the current payment of interest; and

 

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  (2)

the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Notes established as contemplated hereunder.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the city where the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located at such time are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close or be closed.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Notes” means notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series issued under this Indenture.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any director, vice president, assistant vice president or associate within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers who at the time shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Series” or “Series of Notes” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.

Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of any Person that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined under Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

  (1)

any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or shareholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

  (2)

any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

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

Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined
in Section
 

Applicable Law

     11.17  

Authentication Order

     2.03  

Covenant Defeasance

     8.03  

 

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Event of Default

     6.01  

Legal Defeasance

     8.02  

Paying Agent

     2.04  

Registrar

     2.04  

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Notes;

indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, and any other obligor upon the Notes.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (1)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4)

words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

  (5)

“will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

  (6)

provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

  (7)

references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Notes may be issued in one or more Series. All Notes of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Notes of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Notes may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Notes shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.02 Establishment of Terms of Series of Notes.

At or prior to the issuance of any Notes within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.02(a) and either as to such Notes within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.02(b) through 2.02(s)) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:

(a) the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Notes of that particular Series from the Notes of any other Series);

(b) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Notes of the Series will be issued;

(c) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes of the Series pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.11, 3.06 or 9.05);

(d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Notes of the Series is payable;

(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Notes of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

(f) the place or places where the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the Notes of the Series shall be payable, where the Notes of such Series may be surrendered for

 

8


registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes of such Series and this Indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

(g) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Notes of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

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

(i) the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Notes of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

(j) the denominations in which the Notes of the Series shall be issuable, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(k) the forms of the Notes of the Series in bearer or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Notes will be issuable as Global Notes);

(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Notes of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(m) the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the Notes of the Series will be made if other than U.S. dollars;

(n) whether the Notes of the Series may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into common shares of the Company or any other security;

(o) the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Notes of the Series, and any subordination in right of payment, if any, of the Notes of the Series;

(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Notes of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Notes to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;

(q) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles 4 or 5 that applies to Notes of the Series;

(r) any other terms of the Notes of the Series (which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series); and

 

9


(s) any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Notes of such Series if other than those appointed herein.

All Notes of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate referred to above, and, unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Notes of such Series; provided, however, that if such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes of such Series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. No Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise with respect to any series of Notes except as it may agree in writing.

Section 2.03 Execution and Authentication.

One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time such Note is authenticated, such Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note, as applicable, has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue in accordance with this Indenture. The Notes shall be dated their date of authentication.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes of any Series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order will authenticate and deliver such Notes. In authenticating such Notes, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) will be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

(a) that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

10


(c) that this Indenture and such Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and, with respect to the Notes, when issued by the Company, in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and by general principles of equity.

Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents or change the office of such Registrar or Paying Agent. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder; however, the Company shall maintain a Paying Agent in each place of payment for the Notes of each Series. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes and this Indenture, including, but not limited to, determination of interest, additional amounts, redemption price, premium, if any, and any other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee in writing, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Notes upon the written request of such Holder.

Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Notes, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal or interest on the Series of Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. All payments to a Paying Agent on any Notes which remain unclaimed for a period of two years after such payment was due shall be repaid to the Company. Thereafter, the Holder may look only to the Company for repayment. Upon payment over to the Trustee, or to the Company, as the case may be, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any

 

11


Series of Notes all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Notes and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

Section 2.07 Transfer and Exchange.

Notes may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the Registrar or co-registrar designated by the Company. Where Notes of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06 or 9.05).

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Notes of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Notes of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or a portion thereof, except the unredeemed portion of Notes being redeemed in part.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.08 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order together with such

 

12


indemnity or security sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced, shall authenticate a replacement Note of the same Series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note of any Series is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes of that Series duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.09 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.10 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.10 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.11 Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

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Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.12 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. Cancelled Notes shall be disposed of by the Trustee pursuant to its standard procedures and, upon request by the Company, the Trustee shall deliver a certificate or other evidence of such disposition.

Section 2.13 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed (or, in the case of the Depositary with respect to any Global Note, sent electronically) to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.14 Global Notes.

(a) Terms of Notes. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto, or an Officer’s Certificate shall establish whether the Notes of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and shall name the Depositary for such Global Note or Notes. Except as provided herein, each Global Note shall be (i) registered in the name of the Depositary, (ii) deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, and (iii) bear the legend indicated in Section 2.14(c).

(b) Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 and in addition thereto, any Global Note shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 for Notes registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Note or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Global Note shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes represented by such Global Note shall have

 

14


happened and be continuing. Any Global Note that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Notes registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Note with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Note to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary, or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

(c) Legend. Any Global Note issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Note is a Global Note within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. This Note is exchangeable for Notes registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.”

(d) Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under this Indenture. The record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Indenture may be determined as provided for in Section 316(c) of the TIA.

(e) Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Note shall be made to the Holder thereof. Prior to due presentment of a Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such Note at the close of business on the regular record date for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 2.13) any interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee will be affected by notice to the contrary.

(f) Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Notes of such Series represented by a Global Note as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Note, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

15


(g) Responsibility of Trustee or Agents. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with the Depositary in the form provided by the Depositary and the Trustee and each Agent is hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and the Applicable Procedures.

Section 2.15 CUSIP Number.

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

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notice to Trustee.

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Notes, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Notes. If a Series of Notes is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Notes pursuant to the terms of such Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of the Series of Notes to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 15 days prior to the mailing or sending of notice of redemption to the Holders of the Notes to be redeemed (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes of a Series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee (subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary) shall select the Notes of a Series to be redeemed or purchased among the Holders of the Notes (a) in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, (b) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes of a Series and portions of them selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000, or with respect to Notes of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(j), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes of a Series called for redemption or repurchase also apply to portions of Notes of a Series called for redemption or repurchase.

 

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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or, in the case of the Depositary with respect to any Global Note, sent electronically, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

The notice shall identify the Notes of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

 

  (1)

the redemption date;

 

  (2)

the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known);

 

  (3)

the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

  (4)

that Notes of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

  (5)

that interest on Notes of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

  (6)

the CUSIP number, if any, provided that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes;

 

  (7)

the conditions precedent, if any, to the redemption; and

 

  (8)

any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series of Notes or the Notes of a Series being redeemed.

At the Company’s request, and upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate complying with Section 11.04 hereof at least 15 days prior to the date notice is to be given (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), together with the notice to be given setting forth the information to be stated therein as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, a notice of redemption may not be conditional.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

At least one Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and

 

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accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, or transfer by book-entry, at the expense of the Company, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part (or with respect to Notes of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(j), the minimum denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof).

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Notes that it will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Series of Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in such Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Series of Notes will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Notes that it will maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee for such Notes or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar for such Notes or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee for such Notes of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,

 

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surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

With respect to each Series of Notes, the Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.

Section 4.03 Reports.

The Company will at all times comply with TIA § 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

The Company and each guarantor of any Series of Notes (to the extent that such guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee with respect to such Series, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to the Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not, and each guarantor of such Notes will not, at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever

 

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enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of such guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so), as applicable, hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee for such Notes, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Articles 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(a) the corporate, partnership or other existence of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(b) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if an Officer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly:

(a) merge or consolidate with or into another Person or Persons; or

(b) sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person or Persons, unless:

(1) either:

(A) the transaction is a merger or consolidation and the Company is the surviving corporation; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

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  (2)

immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating the Company’s obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

  (3)

the Company or the surviving entity shall have delivered to the Trustee (a) an Officer’s Certificate stating that the conditions in (1) and (2) above have been satisfied and any other conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied and (b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that the conditions in (1) above have been satisfied and any other conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any merger or consolidation, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person into which the Company is merged or formed by such consolidation or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on any Series of Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Notes of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

(a) default in the payment of any interest on any Note of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

(b) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Note of that Series;

(c) failure on the part of the Company to comply with Article 5;

 

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(d) default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture or in any Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate with respect to such Series (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture or a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate solely for the benefit of Series of Notes other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (i) the Company receives written notice from the Trustee for such Notes or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive written notice from Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes of that Series outstanding;

(e) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries:

 

  (1)

commences a voluntary case in bankruptcy,

 

  (2)

consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary bankruptcy case,

 

  (3)

applies for or consents to the appointment of any custodian, receiver, trustee, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer of it or a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of any of its property,

 

  (4)

makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

  (5)

generally is unable to pay its debts as they become due;

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

  (1)

is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;

 

  (2)

appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or

 

  (3)

orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Notes of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.02.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee promptly after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (c), (d) or (g), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

 

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If an Event of Default with respect to Notes of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.01(e) or (f)) (in either case with respect to the Company) then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Notes of that Series are Discount Notes, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Notes) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Notes of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) (in either case with respect to the Company) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that Series (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived and all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation expenses and disbursements of the Trustee and its agents and counsel have been paid.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default with respect to Notes of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of such Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the Notes of any Series as provided in Section 6.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of any Series then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes of such Series waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series and its

 

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consequences under this Indenture except (i) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of premium or interest on, or the principal of, the Notes of such Series (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or (ii) a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. Upon any such waiver, such Default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of any Series may in writing direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it, subject to Section 7.02(f). However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes of such Series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder of any Series of Notes may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of security or indemnity; and

(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

A Holder of any Series of Notes may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of Notes or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of Notes.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 (a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee for each Series of Notes is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes of such Series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes of such Series), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of such Series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of such Series, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders of such Series may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money or property with respect to a Series of Notes pursuant to this Article 6, or, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

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First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof applicable to the Notes of such Series, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes of such Series for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders or group of Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of any Series.

Section 6.12 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

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

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

(c) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated thereon).

(d) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

  (1)

this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

  (2)

the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

  (3)

the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof; and

 

  (4)

no provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 7.01.

(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder. The permissive rights or powers of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

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(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting or as specifically called for in this Indenture, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company. Any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, or other unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of a Default or Event of Default from the Company or by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series is received by the

 

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Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(k) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

(l) The Trustee will not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness, or other paper or document, or inquire as to the performance by the Company or any guarantor of any of their covenants in this Indenture, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it will be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company or any such guarantor, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as defined in the TIA it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by any Notes.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice from Holders of the Notes if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

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Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each December 15 beginning with the December 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Trustee and the Company may agree from time to time in writing. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company will indemnify the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 will survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee.

 

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Such Lien will survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

(g) “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created with respect to one or more Series of Notes by so notifying the Company with 30 days prior notice. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company with 30 days prior notice in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to one or more Series of Notes with 30 days prior written notice if:

 

  (1)

the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

  (2)

the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

  (3)

a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

  (4)

the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series may petition any court

 

31


of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(l), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b). There shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any series of Notes under this Indenture if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

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

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of such Series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes of such Series, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the guarantors, if any, will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Section 4.03 and any other covenants specified in the applicable Board Resolutions, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate as being subject to covenant defeasance pursuant to this Section 8.03, in each case, with respect to the outstanding Notes of the applicable Series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes

 

33


shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of such Series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, (i) the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(d) and (ii) Section 6.01(f) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) and (g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) shall not constitute an Event of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

 

  (1)

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

 

  (2)

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

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same

 

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manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

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

(f) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of any Series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes of the applicable Series.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a)

 

35


hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.

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

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and any applicable guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Notes and the guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes of one or more Series without the consent of any Holder of Note:

(a) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to conform the provisions of this Indenture to the description of the Notes contained in the prospectus or other offering document pursuant to which the Notes of one or more Series were sold, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate

 

36


stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the offering document;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 hereof;

(d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of all or any Series of Notes or that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder in any material respect, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate;

(e) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(f) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Notes of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

(g) to add guarantees with respect to the Notes of any Series or to provide security for the Notes of any Series; or

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Notes of each such Series. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of each Series, by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes with respect to such Series.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(a) reduce the principal amount, any premium or change the Stated Maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes;

(b) reduce the rate (or alter the method of computation) of or extend the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Note;

(c) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such Series with respect to a nonpayment default and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration;

(d) make the principal of or premium, if any or interest on any Note payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;

(e) change any place of payment where the Notes of any series or interest thereon is payable;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of the Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payments;

(g) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions; or

(h) reduce the percentage in principal amount of any Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify or amend this Indenture or to waive any past Defaults.

 

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Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Notes of one or more Series will be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. An amendment or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Note of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Notes of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Notes of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that it will be legal, valid and binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

ARTICLE 10

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 10.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to a Series of Notes issued hereunder, when:

(a) either:

 

  (1)

all such Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has

 

39


  theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

  (2)

all such Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the sending of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which the Company or any guarantor, as applicable, is a party or by which the Company, or any guarantor, as applicable, is bound;

(c) the Company or any guarantor of such Notes has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 10.01, the provisions of Sections 10.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 10.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. After the conditions to discharge contained in this Article 10 have been satisfied, and the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, and delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied, the Trustee upon Company request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the obligations of the Company (except for those surviving obligations specified in this Section 10.01 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith).

Section 10.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the

 

40


provisions of the Notes with respect to which such deposit was made and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any applicable guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the applicable Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 11.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company:

Myers Industries, Inc.

1293 South Main Street

Akron, Ohio 44301

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile No.: (330) 761-6166

Telephone No.: (330) 253-5592

With a copy to:

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

50 South Main Street, Suite 1200

Akron, OH 44308

Attention: J. Bret Treier

 

41


Facsimile No.: (330) 208-1066

Telephone No.: (330) 208-1015

If to the Trustee:

[  ]

[  ]

[  ]

Attention: [  ]

Facsimile No.: [  ]

Telephone No.: [  ]

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Global Note, where this Indenture or any Global Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the Applicable Procedures, including by electronic mail in accordance with the standing instructions from the Depositary.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion

 

42


elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding where such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 11.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee (except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished):

 

  (1)

an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers (who may rely upon an Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law), all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

  (2)

an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

 

  (1)

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

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an

 

43


  informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

  (4)

a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

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

Section 11.07 Calculation of Foreign Currency Amounts.

The calculation of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount for any amount denominated in a foreign currency shall be the noon buying rate in the City of New York as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date on which such determination is required to be made or, if such day is not a day on which such rate is published, the rate most recently published prior to such day.

Section 11.08 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 11.09 Governing Law.

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, AND THE GUARANTEES, IF ANY, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

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

Section 11.11 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors.

 

44


Section 11.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 11.13 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

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

Section 11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 11.16 Patriot Act Compliance

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account, which information includes the name, address, tax identification number and formation documents and other information that will allow Trustee to identify the person or legal entity in accordance with the USA Patriot Act. The parties to this Agreement agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

Section 11.17 Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) to which a foreign financial institution, issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject related to this Indenture, the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so as to enable the

 

45


Trustee to determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability. The terms of this section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

[Signatures on following page]

 

46


SIGNATURES

Dated as of [ ]

 

MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
[ ], as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

[Signature Page to Indenture]

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO    50 South Main Street, Suite 1200
   Akron, Ohio 44308
  

 

330.208.1000 | vorys.com

  

 

Founded 1909

 

May 7, 2024

Myers Industries, Inc.

1293 South Main Street

Akron, OH 44301

 

  Re:

Myers Industries, Inc. – Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Myers Industries, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”): (i) common stock, without par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”); (ii) serial preferred stock, without par value, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”); (iv) Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”); (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, or units of any two or more of the foregoing securities (the “Warrants”); (vi) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, or units of any two or more of the foregoing securities (the “Subscription Rights”); (vii) contracts for the purchase of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, or units of any two or more of the foregoing securities (the “Purchase Contracts”); and (viii) units representing any combination of the foregoing securities (the “Units”). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Depositary Shares, the Warrants, the Subscription Rights, the Purchase Contracts, and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”. The Securities may be offered from time to time by the Company at indeterminate prices pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”) and one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) for an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000.

The Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture, the form of which is included as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement, between the Company and a trustee to be identified therein and qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), at a later date (the “Trustee”), as such indenture may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”). The Depositary Shares will be issued pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a financial institution to be identified therein as the depositary (each, a “Depositary”). The Company may issue receipts (“Depositary Receipts”) for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a Preferred Share represented by Depositary Shares. The Warrants will be issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (the terms and conditions of which will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement relating to an issuance of Warrants), between the Company and a financial institution to be identified therein as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), as each such warrant agreement may be supplemented from time to time (each, the “Warrant Agreement”). The Subscription Rights will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription rights agreements (each, a “Subscription Rights Agreement”) by and between the Company and a rights agent to be identified therein (each, a “Rights Agent”). The Purchase Contracts will be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) by and between the Company and a purchase contract agent to be identified therein (each, a “Purchase Contract Agent”). The Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and a unit agent to be identified therein (each, a “Unit Agent”).

 

Ohio | Washington, D.C. | Texas | Pennsylvania | California | London | Berlin


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May 7, 2024

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As such counsel, in rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied, without investigation as to matters of fact, on the Registration Statement, the exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference, certain resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) on April 24, 2024, certificates, statements and results of inquiries of public officials and officers and representatives of the Company and originals, or copies of originals certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, certificates and other instruments as we have considered relevant and necessary to enable us to render the opinions expressed below. We have assumed, without independent investigation or examination: (i) the genuineness of all signatures; (ii) the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed and delivered any of the aforesaid documents; (iii) the authority of all individuals entering and maintaining records; (iv) the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; (v) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies; and (vi) the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. Further, we have assumed the accuracy of all information provided to us by the Company, orally or in writing, during the course of our investigations.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:

1. With respect to an offering of Common Stock covered by the Registration Statement, such Common Stock will be duly authorized, and each share of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable when: (i) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the “Articles”), the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Company, as amended (the “Regulations”), and the Resolutions, authorizing the issuance and sale of such Common Stock; and (ii) certificates representing such Common Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or such Common Stock shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

2. The issuance and sale of each series of Preferred Stock covered by the Registration Statement will be duly authorized, and each share of such series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable when: (i) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations and the Resolutions, establishing and designating such series of Preferred Stock and fixing and determining the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (ii) the Company shall have filed with the Ohio Secretary of State a certificate of amendment to the Articles duly executed on behalf of the Company with respect to such series of Preferred Stock in conformity with the Articles and such final resolutions; and (iii) certificates representing such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or, if applicable, such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor or upon conversion or exercise of any Securities, in accordance with the terms of such Securities or the instrument governing such Securities providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

3. Each series of Debt Securities covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Trustee shall have been selected and qualified under the TIA and the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture) shall have been qualified under the TIA; (ii) the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities shall have been duly established in accordance with the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture) and applicable law; (iiiv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the terms, issuance and


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May 7, 2024

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sale of such series of Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of the Indenture (including any indenture supplement to the Indenture); (iv) the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture) shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; and (v) the Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued as provided in the Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement, and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the Indenture, any applicable indenture supplement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

4. The Depositary Shares covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Depositary Shares and the Deposit Agreement when: (i) the Deposit Agreement relating to such Depositary Shares shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositary; (ii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations and the Resolutions, establishing and designating the series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares and fixing and determining the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and privileges of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof and authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock; (iii) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Depositary Shares has been duly established in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law; (ii) the Company shall have filed with the Ohio Secretary of State a certificate of amendment to the Articles duly executed on behalf of the Company with respect to the series of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares in conformity with the Articles and such final resolutions; (v) certificates representing the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or, if applicable, the series of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery against payment of the agreed consideration therefor; and (vi) the Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares shall have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by the Depositary in the manner set forth in the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

5. Each issue of Warrants covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) a Warrant Agreement relating to such issue of Warrants shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent named in the Warrant Agreement; (ii) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants shall have been duly established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and applicable law; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Warrants; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, and the Resolutions, authorizing the issuance of Securities issuable in connection with such Warrants; (v) if such Warrants are exercisable for Common Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vi) if such Warrants are exercisable for Preferred Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (vii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 shall have been taken; (viii) if such Warrants are exercisable for Depositary Shares, the actions described in numbered paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such issue of Warrants shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued, or such Warrants shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery, in accordance with such Warrant Agreement and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.


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May 7, 2024

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6. Each issue of Subscription Rights covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) a Subscription Rights Agreement relating to such issue of Subscription Rights shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Rights Agent named in the Subscription Rights Agreement; (ii) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Subscription Rights shall have been duly established in accordance with the Subscription Rights Agreement and applicable law; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Subscription Rights Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Subscription Rights; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, and the Resolutions, authorizing the issuance of Securities issuable in connection with such Subscription Rights; (v) if such Subscription Rights are exercisable for Common Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vi) if such Subscription Rights are exercisable for Preferred Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (vii) if such Subscription Rights are exercisable for Debt Securities, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 shall have been taken; (viii) if such Subscription Rights are exercisable for Depositary Shares, the actions described in numbered paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such issue of Subscription Rights shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued in accordance with such Subscription Rights Agreement and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

7. Each issue of Purchase Contracts covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) a Purchase Contract Agreement relating to such issue of Purchase Contracts shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent named in the Purchase Contract Agreement; (ii) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Purchase Contracts shall have been duly established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and applicable law; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Purchase Contract Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Purchase Contracts; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles), the Regulations, and the Resolutions, authorizing the issuance of Securities issuable in connection with such Purchase Contracts; (v) if such Purchase Contracts are for Common Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vi) if such Purchase Contracts are for Preferred Stock, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (vii) if such Purchase Contracts are for Debt Securities, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 shall have been taken; (viii) if such Purchase Contracts are for Depositary Shares, the actions described in numbered paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; and (ix) certificates representing such issue of Purchase Contracts shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued in accordance with such Purchase Contract Agreement and the final resolutions of the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall have been duly delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.

8. Each issue of Units covered by the Registration Statement will be validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when: (i) the Unit Agreement relating to such issue of Units shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent named in the Unit Agreement; (ii) the specific terms of a particular issue of Units shall have been duly established in accordance with the Unit Agreement and applicable law; (iii) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles, the Regulations, the Resolutions and applicable law, authorizing the execution and delivery of the Unit Agreement and the issuance and sale of such issue of Units; (iv) the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have duly adopted final resolutions, in conformity with the Articles), the Regulations, and the Resolutions, authorizing the issuance of


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Securities issuable in connection with such Units; (v) if Common Stock underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 1 above shall have been taken; (vi) if Preferred Stock underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 2 above shall have been taken; (vii) if Debt Securities underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 3 above shall have been taken; (viii) if Depositary Shares underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 4 above shall have been taken; (ix) if Warrants underlie such Units, the actions described in numbered paragraph 5, as applicable, shall have been taken; (x) certificates representing the Common Stock and/or the Preferred Stock underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered or, if applicable, the Common Stock and/or the Preferred Stock underlying such Warrants shall have been duly registered and settlement duly effected by book-entry delivery; (xi) certificates representing the Depositary Shares underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered; (xii) certificates representing the Warrants underlying such Units shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued; (xiii) the Debt Securities underlying such Units shall have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee; and (xiv) the Units shall have been duly executed, authenticated and delivered by the Unit Agent in the manner set forth in the Unit Agreement against payment of the agreed consideration therefor and in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting, distribution or similar agreement approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

The opinions in numbered paragraphs 3 through 8 above are qualified to the extent that the enforcement of the Debt Securities and the related Indenture, the Depositary Shares and related Deposit Agreement, the Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Rights and the related Subscription Rights Agreement, the Purchase Contracts and the related Purchase Contract Agreement, and the Units and the related Unit Agreement, may be limited: (i) to the Company and its domestic subsidiaries; (ii) by applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding preferential transferees); (iii) by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought; (iv) under certain circumstances under law or court decisions in respect of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (v) in respect of any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy.

We express no opinion (i) as to the effectiveness (a) of any waiver (whether or not stated as such) contained in the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture), the Debt Securities, the Subscription Right, or the Purchase Contract, or otherwise, or any consent thereunder relating to, any unknown future rights or the rights of any party thereto existing, or duties owing to it, as a matter of law; (b) of any waiver (whether or not stated as such) contained in the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture) the Debt Securities, the Subscription Right, or the Purchase Contract, of rights of any party, or duties owing to it, that is broadly or vaguely stated or does not describe the right or duty purportedly waived with reasonable specificity; (c) of any provisions of the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture), the Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Rights Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, or the Unit Agreement that may be construed as penalties or forfeitures; or (d) of any covenants (other than covenants relating to the payment of principal, interest, premium, indemnities and expenses) in the Indenture (including any necessary indenture supplement to the Indenture), the Warrant Agreement, the Subscription Rights Agreement, the Purchase Contract Agreement, or the Unit Agreement to the extent they are construed to be independent requirements as distinguished from conditions to the declaration or occurrence of a default or any event of default; or (ii) with respect to whether acceleration of the Debt Securities may affect the collectability of any portion of the stated principal thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon.

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that, at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of each share of Common Stock, each share of Preferred Stock, each series of Debt Securities, each issue of Depositary Shares, each Warrant, each Subscription Right, each Purchase Contract, and each Unit, as the case may


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Myers Industries, Inc.

May 7, 2024

Page 6

 

be: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective and such effectiveness will not have been terminated or rescinded; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement describing the Securities, to the extent required by the Securities Act and the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder, will have been timely filed with the SEC; (iii) any Securities being offered will be issued and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and as contemplated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus Supplement(s) relating thereto; (iv) the terms of any Security will not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and will comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company; (v) the authorization thereof by the Company will not have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability thereof; (vi) in the case of the issue of Depositary Shares, the terms and conditions of the Depositary Shares and the underlying Preferred Stock and the related Deposit Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (vii) in the case of the issue of Warrants, the terms and conditions of the Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (viii) in the case of the issue of the Debt Securities, (a) the form of Indenture (including any indenture supplement to the Indenture) will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, and (b) the applicable trustee shall have been qualified under the TIA, a Statement of Eligibility of the applicable trustee on Form T-1 shall have been properly filed with the SEC and the Indenture shall have been duly qualified under the TIA; (ix) in the case of the issue of Units, the terms and conditions of the Units, the underlying Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants and/or Debt Securities, and the related Unit Agreement will be as expressly contemplated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto; (x) the Articles, as currently in effect, will not have been modified or amended except as contemplated in numbered paragraph 2 or numbered paragraph 3 above, and will be in full force and effect; (xi) with respect to Common Stock, there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock authorized under the Articles, as in effect at the relevant time, and not otherwise reserved for issuance; (xii) with respect to Preferred Stock, there will be sufficient shares of Preferred Stock authorized under the Articles, as in effect at the relevant time, and not otherwise reserved for issuance; (xiii) with respect to Depositary Shares, there will be sufficient shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares authorized under the Articles, as in effect at the relevant time, and not otherwise reserved for issuance; and (xiv) any Securities, including Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security will have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance from the applicable class of capital stock of the Company.

With respect to any instrument or agreement executed or to be executed by any party, we have assumed, to the extent relevant to the opinions set forth herein, that: (i) such party (if not a natural person) has been duly formed or organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization; (ii) such party is or will be duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party; (iii) such party has or will have full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party and each such instrument or agreement has been or will be duly authorized (if applicable), executed and delivered by, and is or will be a valid, binding and enforceable agreement or obligation, as the case may be, of such party; (iv) such party will be in compliance, at all applicable times and in all respects material to each instrument or agreement to which it is or will become a party, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (v) none of the terms of any of the Securities to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of any such Securities or the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities, will violate any applicable law or public policy or result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding on the Company or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.

We have assumed that each of the Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Purchase Contracts, and Units and the Indenture, deposit agreements, warrant agreements, purchase contract agreements, unit agreements, and any other agreements governing such Securities will be governed by the internal laws of the State of Ohio or the State of New York.


LOGO

Myers Industries, Inc.

May 7, 2024

Page 7

 

The opinions expressed herein are limited solely to: (ithe laws of the State of Ohio; and (ii) the laws of the State of New York, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction on the opinions expressed herein. Our opinions are limited to those expressly set forth herein, and we express no opinions by implication. The opinions expressed herein that are based on the laws of the State of New York are limited to the laws generally applicable in transactions of the type covered by the Registration Statement.

This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in law that occur that could affect the opinions contained herein.

This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K. We hereby consent to your filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus comprising a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the General Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Myers Industries, Inc. for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated March 5, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Myers Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Akron, Ohio

May 7, 2024

Exhibit 23.3

Consent of Independent Auditor

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-3 of Myers Industries, Inc. of our report dated April 5, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Signature CR Intermediate Holdco, Inc., appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed by Myers Industries, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2024.

/s/ RSM US LLP

Dallas, Texas

May 7, 2024

Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of MYERS INDUSTRIES, INC., an Ohio corporation, hereby constitutes and appoints Michael P. McGaugh and Grant E. Fitz, and each of them, as each of the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned, and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) one or more registration statements on Form S-3, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements and registration statements filed under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys, and any of them, and any such substitute.

This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original with respect to the person executing it.

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Michael P. McGaugh

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Director (Principal Executive Officer)

   May 7, 2024
Michael P. McGaugh   

/s/ Grant E. Fitz

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   May 7, 2024
Grant E. Fitz   

/s/ Yvette Dapremont Bright

   Director    May 7, 2024
Yvette Dapremont Bright      

/s/ Ronald M. De Feo

   Director    May 7, 2024
Ronald M. De Feo      

/s/ William A. Foley

   Director    May 7, 2024
William A. Foley      

/s/ Jeffrey Kramer

   Director    May 7, 2024
Jeffrey Kramer      

/s/ F. Jack Liebau, Jr.

   Director    May 7, 2024
F. Jack Liebau, Jr.      

/s/ Bruce M. Lisman

   Director    May 7, 2024
Bruce M. Lisman      

/s/ Lori Lutey

   Director    May 7, 2024
Lori Lutey      

Exhibit 107.1

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-3

(Form Type)

Myers Industries, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

                         
     Security Type   Security Class Title   Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward
Rule
  Amount 
Registered (1) 
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit (2)
 

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

  Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee
  Carry
Forward
Form
Type
  Carry
Forward
File
Number
  Carry
Forward
Initial
effective
date
  Filing Fee
Previously
Paid in
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to be
Carried
Forward
 
Newly Registered Securities
                         
Fees to Be Paid   Equity   Common Stock,  without par  value    457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Equity   Serial Preferred Stock, without par value   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Debt   Debt Securities   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Other   Depositary Shares (3)   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Other   Warrants (4)   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Other   Subscription Rights (5)   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Other   Purchase Contracts   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Other   Units   457(o)    —      —      —                
                         
    Unallocated  (Universal)  Shelf   

Unallocated  (Universal) 

Shelf 

  457(o)      —     $400,000,000 (6)    $.0001476    $59,040           
                         
Fees Previously Paid   N/A   N/A    N/A     N/A   N/A   N/A    N/A    N/A           
 
Carry Forward Securities
                         
Carry Forward Securities   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
                   
    Total Offering Amounts     $400,000,000    $.0001476   $59,040           
                   
    Total Fees Previously Paid         N/A           
                   
    Total Fee Offsets         $43,640           
                   
    Net Fee Due               $15,400                 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the securities registered hereunder include an indeterminate number of common stock and/or preferred stock as may be issued upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the securities registered hereunder include an indeterminate number of shares of common stock and/or preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion, exchange and/or redemption of the preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts, or stock purchase units, as the case may be. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any shares of common stock or preferred stock so issued upon conversion, exchange or redemption.


(2)

The proposed maximum offering price per class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of securities pursuant to Instruction 2.A.iii.b. to the Calculation of Filing Fee Tables and Related Disclosure on Item 16(b) of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

(3)

Each depositary share will represent a fractional interest of a preferred stock.

(4)

Warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units of two or more of those securities.

(5)

Rights evidencing the right to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares.

(6)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. No separate consideration will be received for shares of common stock that are issued upon conversion of debt securities or preferred stock or upon exercise of common stock warrants registered hereunder. The aggregate maximum offering price of all securities issued pursuant to this registration statement will not exceed $400,000,000.

 

                       
     Registrant or
Filer Name
  Form
or
Filing
Type
 

File

Number

 

Initial

Filing

Date

 

Filing

Date

 

Fee

Offset
Claimed

  Security Type
Associated with
Fee Offset
Claimed
  Security Title
Associated with
Fee Offset
Claimed
  Unsold Securities
Associated with
Fee Offset
Claimed
  Unsold Aggregate
Offering Amount
Associated with Fee
Offset Claimed
  Fee Paid
with Fee
Offset
Source
 
Rule 457(p)
                       
Fee Offset Claims   Myers Industries, Inc.    S-3    333-254164   

March 11, 

2021 

   

$43,640 

(1) 

  Unallocated  (Universal  Shelf)    Unallocated  (Universal  Shelf)    Unallocated  (Universal  Shelf)    $400,000,000     
                       
Fee Offset Sources   Myers Industries, Inc.   S-3    333-254164        March 11,  2021                        $43,640 (1)

 

(1)

The Registrant previously registered securities having an aggregate offering price up to $400,000,000 on a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-254164), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2021 (the “Prior Registration Statement”). The Prior Registration Statement included a base prospectus (the “Prior Base Prospectus”) registering the offering, issuance and sale by the Company an indeterminate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and units, as may from time to time be offered pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement at indeterminate prices, along with an indeterminate number of securities that may be issued upon exercise, settlement, exchange or conversion of securities offered or sold thereunder. In connection with the filing of the Prior Registration Statement, the Company made a contemporaneous fee payment in the amount of $43,640.00 on the fee rate then in effect. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the Registrant is offsetting $43,640 of the fees associated with this registration statement from the filing fee previously paid in connection with the Prior Registration Statement.


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