S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2021

Registration No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   22-3240619
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

1111 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, New York 11042

(516) 587-5000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Mark L. Schiller

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

1111 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, New York 11042

(Name and address of agent for service)

(516) 587-5000

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

With a copy to:

D. Scott Bennett

G.J. Ligelis Jr.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Worldwide Plaza

825 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10019

(212) 474-1000

 

 

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 pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act:  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee(1)

Debt Securities

               

Preferred Stock

               

Common Stock

               

Depository Shares

               

Warrants

               

Stock Purchase Contracts

               

Stock Purchase Units

               

 

 

 

(1)

An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered and may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fees. Registration fees will be paid subsequently on a “pay as you go” basis. Securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

DEBT SECURITIES

PREFERRED STOCK

COMMON STOCK

DEPOSITARY SHARES

WARRANTS

STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

 

 

We, or any selling security holder, may from time to time offer to sell the securities covered by this prospectus. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and trades under the ticker symbol “HAIN.”

We, or any selling security holder, may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. When we, or any selling security holder, offer and sell these securities, we will provide specific terms of any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. The shares of our common stock may be sold at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, varying prices determined at the times of sale or negotiated prices. The shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus may be offered by us or any selling security holder directly to investors or to or through underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commission or discount arrangements.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Marcus Avenue, Lake Success, NY 11042. Our telephone number is (516) 587-5000.

 

 

Investing in any of our securities involves risks. You should carefully read and consider the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus and set forth in the documents incorporated by reference herein before you invest in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 10, 2021


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

     2  

RISK FACTORS

     3  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     4  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     5  

SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

     6  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     9  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     20  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     21  

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

     22  

LEGAL MATTERS

     23  

EXPERTS

     24  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     25  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     26  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we or selling security holders may from time to time sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or selling security holders may offer. Each time we or selling security holders sell securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus and may include other special considerations applicable to such offering of securities. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement will describe: the terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us or the selling security holders for the securities, the net proceeds to us or the selling security holders, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the applicable securities. For more detail on the terms of the securities, you should read the exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

You should read carefully this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any applicable “free writing prospectus.” We have not authorized, and no selling security holder has authorized, anyone else to provide you with different or additional information. No offer of securities is being made in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or any document incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable “free writing prospectus” before making an investment decision.

References in this prospectus to “securities” include any security that we or selling security holders might sell under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

References in this prospectus to “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” or other similar terms mean The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

 

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THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

Founded in 1993, we are a Delaware corporation and are headquartered in Lake Success, New York. Our mission has continued to evolve since our founding, with health and wellness being the core tenet. We continue to be a leading marketer, manufacturer and seller of organic and natural, “better-for-you” products by anticipating and exceeding consumer expectations in providing quality, innovation, value and convenience. We are committed to growing sustainably while continuing to implement environmentally sound business practices and manufacturing processes. We sell our products through specialty and natural food distributors, supermarkets, natural food stores, mass market and e-commerce retailers, food service channels and club, drug and convenience stores in over 80 countries worldwide. We operate under two reportable segments: North America and International.

We manufacture, market, distribute and sell organic and natural products under brand names that are sold as “better-for-you” products, providing consumers with the opportunity to lead A Healthier Way of Life®. We are a leader in many organic and natural products categories, with many recognized brands in the various market categories we serve, including Celestial Seasonings®, Clarks, Cully & Sully®, Earth’s Best®, Ella’s Kitchen®, Frank Cooper’s®, Gale’s®, Garden of Eatin’®, Hain Pure Foods®, Hartley’s®, Health Valley®, Imagine®, Joya®, Lima®, Linda McCartney’s® (under license), MaraNatha®, Natumi®, New Covent Garden Soup Co.®, Robertson’s®, Rose’s® (under license), Sensible Portions®, Spectrum®, Sun-Pat®, Terra®, The Greek Gods®, Yorkshire Provender® and Yves Veggie Cuisine®. Our personal care products are marketed under the Alba Botanica®, Avalon Organics®, JASON®, Live Clean®, and Queen Helene® brands.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Marcus Avenue, Lake Success, NY 11042. Our telephone number is (516) 587-5000.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K and all other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained or incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus. Our business, prospects, financial condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. See also “Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We make such forward-looking statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements included or incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “potential,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, our beliefs or expectations relating to our future performance, results of operations and financial condition; our strategic initiatives, business strategy, supply chain, brand portfolio and product performance; the COVID-19 pandemic; current or future macroeconomic trends; and future corporate acquisitions or dispositions. We undertake no obligation to further update forward-looking statements, or the risk factors described “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, to reflect actual results or changes in assumptions or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

The forward-looking statements included or incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not constitute guarantees or promises of future performance. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include: challenges and uncertainty resulting from the impact of competition; challenges and uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to manage our supply chain effectively; disruption of operations at our manufacturing facilities; reliance on independent contract manufacturers; changes to consumer preferences; customer concentration; reliance on independent distributors; the availability of organic ingredients; risks associated with our international sales and operations; risks associated with outsourcing arrangements; our ability to execute our cost reduction initiatives and related strategic initiatives; our reliance on independent certification for a number of our products; the reputation of our Company and our brands; our ability to use and protect trademarks; general economic conditions; input cost inflation; the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; cybersecurity incidents; disruptions to information technology systems; the impact of climate change; liabilities, claims or regulatory change with respect to environmental matters; potential liability if our products cause illness or physical harm; the highly regulated environment in which we operate; pending and future litigation; compliance with data privacy laws; compliance with our credit agreement; the discontinuation of LIBOR; concentration in the ownership of our common stock; our ability to issue preferred stock; the adequacy of our insurance coverage; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets; and other risks described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 as well as in other reports that we file in the future.

You are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties related to any forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail under the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and other documents on file with the SEC. You may obtain copies of these documents as described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive the net proceeds of any sales by selling security holders.

 

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SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

We will set forth information about selling security holders, where applicable, in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or selling security holders may offer and sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods, including the following:

 

   

through agents;

 

   

to or through underwriters;

 

   

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

 

   

through brokers or dealers;

 

   

directly by us or selling security holders to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by us may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactions may include:

 

   

purchases of the securities by a broker-dealer as principal and resales of the securities by the broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions;

 

   

transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; or

 

   

privately negotiated transactions.

The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold:

 

   

on a national securities exchange;

 

   

in the over-the-counter market; or

 

   

in transactions other than on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market, or in combination.

In addition, we or selling security holders may sell any securities covered by this prospectus in private transactions or pursuant to other exemptions from registration under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

We or selling security holders may sell offered securities through agents designated by us or selling security holders from time to time. Any such agent in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us or selling security holders to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement to the extent required. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, such agents will have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

In connection with the sale of securities covered by this prospectus, broker-dealers may receive compensation from us or selling security holders in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents or to whom

 

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they sell as principals or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be in excess of customary commissions or in amounts to be negotiated. In connection with any underwritten offering, underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us, selling security holders or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents.

Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or compensation from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriters, broker-dealers, agents or other persons acting on our behalf who participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the sale of the securities by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any of those underwriters, broker-dealers, agents or other persons may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

In connection with the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus or otherwise, we may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us. We may also sell securities short and deliver the securities offered by this prospectus to close out our short positions. We may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction.

At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed that will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

In connection with an underwritten offering, we would execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement, such underwriting agreement would provide that the obligations of the underwriter or underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the underwriter or underwriters with respect to a sale of the covered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the covered securities, if any such securities are purchased. We may grant to the underwriter or underwriters an option to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, less any underwriting discount, as may be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of that option will be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be entitled, pursuant to relevant agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be required to make.

Underwriters or agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our affiliates from time to time.

 

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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 from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be general obligations of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. 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. Debt securities may be issued under a document called the indenture. Each indenture is a contract between us and a trustee to be named therein. The debt indentures and their associated documents, including the debt security, will contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have filed a form of the indenture with the SEC as an exhibit to our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. 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, including the definition of certain terms used below. You should refer to the indenture for the complete terms of the debt securities.

General

The debt securities will represent direct, general obligations of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and:

 

   

may rank equally with other unsubordinated debt or may be subordinated to other debt we have or may incur;

 

   

may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities;

 

   

may be issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount or at a premium or discount;

 

   

may be issued in registered or bearer form and certificated or uncertificated form; and

 

   

may be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a designated depositary’s nominee, and if so, beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on and transfers will be made only through records maintained by the designated depositary and its participants.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may authenticate and deliver is unlimited. Subject to limitations contained in the indenture, we may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of a series of debt securities, issue additional debt securities of any such series on the same terms and conditions as the debt securities of such series, except for any differences in the issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and interest payment date; provided that if the additional debt securities are not fungible with the debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional debt securities will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt securities of the series with respect to which that prospectus supplement is being delivered:

 

   

the title of the debt securities of the series (which will distinguish the debt securities of that particular series from the debt securities of any other series);

 

   

the price or prices of the debt securities of the series;

 

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the indenture (except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other debt securities of the series);

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal and any premium with respect to the debt securities of the series are payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest (if any) or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates for the determination of holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the case of securities in registered form), and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

   

the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series shall be payable if other than the person in whose name that security is registered at the close of business on the record date;

 

   

the currency or currencies in which debt securities of the series will be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest of any of the securities shall be payable, if other than U.S. dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the trustee (in the case of securities in registered form) where the principal, premium and interest with respect to debt securities of the series will be payable or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

   

the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or otherwise;

 

   

whether debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in registered form or securities in bearer form or both and, if securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether securities in bearer form of the series may be exchanged for securities in registered form of the series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

 

   

if any debt securities of the series are to be issued as securities in bearer form or as one or more global securities representing individual securities in bearer form of the series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions will apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer security of the series payable with respect to any interest payment date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer security for definitive securities in bearer form of the series will be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the persons entitled to interest payable on such interest payment date; and the terms upon which a temporary bearer security may be exchanged for one or more definitive securities in bearer form of the series;

 

   

the obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of such debt securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

 

   

the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for any issuer’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

 

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if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

   

if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

   

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such stated maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars;

 

   

any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture dealing with defeasance;

 

   

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy;

 

   

the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the debt securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral and any corresponding changes to provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

 

   

any addition to or change in the events of default with respect to the debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to such debt securities due and payable;

 

   

if the debt securities of the series will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities in definitive registered form, the depositary (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) for such global security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in the indenture;

 

   

any trustee, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent or registrar or any other agent with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the applicability of, and any addition to or change in, the covenants and definitions then set forth in the indenture or in the terms then set forth in the indenture relating to permitted consolidations, mergers or sales of assets;

 

   

the terms, if any, of any guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to debt securities of the series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of the indenture as then in effect;

 

   

the subordination, if any, of the debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination;

 

   

with regard to debt securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the trustee;

 

   

any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;

 

   

any guarantor or co-issuer; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be prohibited by the provisions of the indenture).

 

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The prospectus supplement will also describe any material U.S. federal income tax consequences or other special considerations applicable to the series of debt securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, including those applicable to:

 

   

securities in bearer form;

 

   

debt securities with respect to which payments of principal, premium or interest are determined with reference to an index or formula (including changes in prices of particular securities, currencies or commodities);

 

   

debt securities with respect to which principal or interest is payable in a foreign or composite currency;

 

   

debt securities that are issued at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates or original issue discount debt securities; and

 

   

variable rate debt securities that are exchangeable for fixed rate debt securities.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Securities in bearer form will be transferable only by delivery. Provisions with respect to the exchange of securities in bearer form will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities in bearer form.

All funds that we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal, premium or interest will have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of those debt securities or any related coupons will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities. A global security is a debt security that represents, and is denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all outstanding debt securities of a series, or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal and interest are due, and interest rate or method of determining interest. A global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary, or by the depositary or any nominee of the depositary to a successor depositary or any nominee of such successor.

The terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements, in all cases subject to any restrictions or limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary. Such accounts will be designated by the dealers or underwriters with respect to such debt securities or, if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us or through one or more agents, by us or such agents. Ownership of beneficial

 

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interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary (with respect to interests of participants) or records maintained by participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limitations and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the individual debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.

Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to individual debt securities represented by a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of such global security. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for:

 

   

any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary, its nominee or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests;

 

   

the payment to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security of amounts paid to the depositary or its nominee; or

 

   

any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the depositary, its nominee or its participants.

Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will be liable for any delay by the depositary, its nominee or any of its participants in identifying the owners of beneficial interests in the global security, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes.

We expect that the depositary for a series of debt securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to a definitive global security representing any of such debt securities, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security, as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers and registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants. See “—Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form” below.

If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary. If a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine to no longer have debt securities of a series represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. Furthermore, if we so specify with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security representing debt securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the depositary for such

 

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global security, receive individual debt securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities of the series represented by such global security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such debt securities registered in its name (if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form). Individual debt securities of such series so issued generally will be issued:

 

   

as securities in registered form in minimum denominations, unless otherwise specified by us, of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form;

 

   

as securities in bearer form in the denomination or denominations specified by us if the debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form; or

 

   

as either securities in registered form or securities in bearer form as described above if the debt securities are issuable in either form.

Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form

The debt securities of a series may be issued as securities in registered form (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for such debt securities) or securities in bearer form (which will be transferable only by delivery). If such debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain special limitations and considerations that will apply to such debt securities.

Certain Covenants

If debt securities are issued, the indenture, as supplemented for a particular series of debt securities, will contain certain covenants for the benefit of the holders of such series of debt securities, which will be applicable (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the debt securities of such series are outstanding, unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the covenants, and summaries thereof, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

Subordination

Debt securities of a series, and any guarantees, may be subordinated, which we refer to as subordinated debt securities, to senior indebtedness (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. To the extent we conduct operations through subsidiaries, the holders of debt securities (whether or not subordinated debt securities) will be structurally subordinated to the creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent such subsidiary is a guarantor of such series of debt securities.

Events of Default

Each of the following will constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

failure to pay interest on the debt securities of that series within 30 days of the due date;

 

   

default in payment of the principal or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series, when such amount becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

 

   

failure to comply with the obligations described under “—Mergers and Sales of Assets” below;

 

   

failure to comply for 60 days after notice with any of our other agreements in the debt securities of that series or the indenture or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities; or

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us.

 

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A prospectus supplement may omit, modify or add to the foregoing events of default.

An event of default under one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default under any other series of debt securities. A default under the fourth bullet above will not constitute an event of default until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series notify us of the default and we do not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

If any event of default (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs and is continuing with respect to a particular series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding by written notice to us (and to the trustee if such notice is given by the holders), may declare the principal amount of (or in the case of original issue discount debt securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. Upon a declaration by the trustee or the holders, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest of each affected series of debt securities so declared due and payable.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding by notice to the trustee under the indenture may on behalf of the holders of all of such series of debt securities waive any existing default or event of default and its consequences under the applicable indenture except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the debt securities of such series.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default will occur and be continuing, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture or debt securities at the request or direction of any of the holders of any series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series 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 such series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of such series of debt securities or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee is entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of a series has any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

 

   

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

 

   

the holder or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

 

   

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and 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 such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.

 

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However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security of such series for the enforcement of payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.

The indenture provides that if a default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must send to each holder of such debt securities notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise with respect to any debt security of a series when such amount becomes due and payable, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders.

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute a default; provided, however, that failure to provide such written notice will not in and of itself result in a default under the indenture.

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.

Modification and Amendment

Subject to certain exceptions, modifications and amendments of the indenture, any supplemental indenture and any series of debt securities may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series affected by such modification or amendment.

No such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

 

   

make any change to the percentage of principal amount of debt securities of any series the holders of which must consent to an amendment;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of, premium, if any, or interest on, or extend the stated maturity or interest payment periods of, any debt security (including the impairment of the right of any holder of any debt security to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s debt security);

 

   

make any debt security payable in money or securities other than that stated in such debt security;

 

   

make any change that adversely affects such holder’s right to require us to purchase a debt security, if any;

 

   

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

 

   

in the case of any subordinated debt security or coupons pertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any holder under such provisions (including any contractual subordination of senior unsubordinated debt securities);

 

   

change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any debt security;

 

   

except as provided under “—Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance,” release any security or guarantee that may have been granted with respect to the debt securities; or

 

   

waive a default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of a series or modify any provisions of the indenture relating to modification or amendment thereof.

 

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Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture for one or more of the following purposes:

 

   

to evidence the succession of another person pursuant to the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of assets and the assumption by such successor of the covenants, agreements and obligations in the indenture and in the debt securities;

 

   

to surrender any right or power conferred upon us by the indenture, to add to our covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities as our board of directors will consider to be for the protection of the holders of such debt securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a default or an event of default under the indenture (provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default, may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such default or may limit the right of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities to waive such default);

 

   

to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision contained in the indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any debt securities that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein;

 

   

to conform any provision in the indenture to the “Description of Notes” included in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

   

to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture as will not adversely affect, in any material respect, the interests of any holders of debt securities of any series;

 

   

to modify or amend the indenture in such a manner as to permit the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), as then in effect;

 

   

to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that securities in bearer form may be registerable as to principal; to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to securities in bearer form; or to permit securities in registered form to be exchanged for securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities or any coupons of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities of any series in uncertificated form;

 

   

in the case of subordinated debt securities, to make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior indebtedness consents to such change);

 

   

to add guarantees with respect to the debt securities or to secure the debt securities;

 

   

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect;

 

   

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under the indenture will (a) neither apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the holders of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) become effective only when there is no such debt security outstanding;

 

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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as will be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the indenture by more than one trustee; or

 

   

to establish the form or terms of debt securities and coupons of any series, as described under “—General” above.

Mergers and Sales of Assets

The indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., is a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture; (iii) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., expressly assumes by supplemental indenture in a form satisfactory to the trustee all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and (iv) we or the successor person has delivered to the trustee the certificates and opinions of counsel required under the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or transfer, the resulting, surviving or transferee person shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. under the indenture.

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance

Unless otherwise provided for in the prospectus supplement, the indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities if (a) we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) or (b) all debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, funds which will provide an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities of such series, including the principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon (and if, in either case, we have also paid all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to such debt securities of such series (including amounts payable to the trustee)).

In addition, we will have a “defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, all of our obligations (with certain limited exceptions) under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such debt securities) and a “covenant defeasance option” (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, our obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain specified covenants contained in the indenture). If we exercise our 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. 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 the specified covenants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the procedures we must follow in order to exercise our defeasance options.

Regarding the Trustee

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee may exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description of the terms of the preferred stock we may issue sets forth certain general terms and provisions of any series of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Particular terms of the preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general terms and provisions will apply to any series of preferred stock so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth in this description are inapplicable to such series of preferred stock. This description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Delaware law and the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Certificate of Incorporation”) relating to our preferred stock.

We have 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance in one or more series, at a par value of $0.01 per share. As of September 30, 2021, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, our board of directors has the authority to provide for the issuance of preferred stock and in connection therewith to fix by resolution providing for the issue of such series, the number of shares to be included and such of the preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and limitations of such series, including, without limitation, rights of redemption or conversion into common stock, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock and could adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.

The terms of each series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement related to such series of preferred stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following description of the terms of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Delaware law and the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation relating to our common stock.

We have 150,000,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance, at a par value of $0.01 per share. As of November 2, 2021, there were 94,581,455 shares of common stock outstanding.

Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on each matter voted on by stockholders. Under Article II, Section 8 of the Amended and Restated By-laws of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“By-laws”), unless otherwise required by statute, our Certificate of Incorporation or our By-laws, any corporate action to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such action at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. With respect to the election of directors, at each meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the persons receiving a majority of the votes cast at such election shall be elected, provided, however, that at any meeting of stockholders for which the Secretary of the Company determines that the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares represented in person or represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. There is no cumulative voting.

Subject to any rights of holders of any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock have the right to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.

Subject to any preferential rights of holders of any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock will share ratably in all assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Our common stock has no conversion rights, sinking fund provisions, redemption provisions or preemptive rights.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any depository shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement and certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021 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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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Our Exchange Act number for our SEC filings is 0-22818. We file information electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. Our internet address is http://www.hain.com.

We also make our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information available free of charge through the investor relations section of our website, www.hain-celestial.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The information on or accessible through our website that is not specifically incorporated by reference herein is not a part of this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION 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 to those documents. We hereby “incorporate by reference” the documents listed below, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021;

 

   

our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2021;

 

   

the description of our capital stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A dated November  12, 1993 and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description, including the description of our securities contained in Exhibit 4.2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June  30, 2021, which incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019;

 

   

our definitive proxy statement filed on September 17, 2021; and

 

   

future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offerings of all of the securities covered by this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with other information.

We will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to herein that are summarized in this prospectus, if such person makes a written request directed to:

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

1111 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, NY 11042

Attention: Investor Relations

(516) 587-5000

investorrelations@hain.com

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., our logos and all of our other product and service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. in the USA and other select countries. “®” and “” indicate USA registration and USA trademark, respectively. Other third party logos and product/trade names are registered trademarks or tradenames of their respective companies.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (the registrant) in connection with the sale or distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement.

 

     Amount

SEC Registration Fee

   $            *

Printing Expenses

               **

Legal Fees and Expenses

               **

Rating Agency Fees

               **

Accounting Fees and Expenses

               **

Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees

               **

Trustee Fees

               **

Miscellaneous

               **

Total

   $          **

 

*

Under Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred and will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement, and are therefore not estimable at this time.

**

Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Delaware Law. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, provides that a corporation may indemnify a director or officer under certain circumstances.

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may 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 the person 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may 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 the person 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in

 

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respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145 of the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 of the DGCL shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws. Article Tenth of our Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI of our By-laws permit the Company to indemnify its directors, officers and corporate personnel to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as the same may be supplemented or amended from time-to-time.

Insurance. The Company has also purchased liability insurance policies covering its directors and officers.

This description of the indemnification of directors and officers is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-laws, each of which has been filed with the SEC.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

 

          Incorporated by Reference                

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

   Form      File No.      Date of
First Filing
     Exhibit
Number
     Filed
Herewith
 
  1.1    Form of Equity Securities Underwriting Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  1.2    Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  1.3    Form of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.      10-K        000-22818        08/26/2021        3.1        —    
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.      8-K        000-22818        12/07/2018        3.1        —    
  4.1    Form of Indenture      —          —          —          —          X    
  4.2    Form of Debt Security      —          —          —          —          X    
  4.3    Specimen of Common Stock Certificate      S-4/A        333-33830        04/24/2000        4.1        —    
  4.4    Form of Certificate of Designation*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.5    Form of Deposit Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.6    Form of Depositary Receipt*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.7    Form of Warrant Certificate*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.8    Form of Warrant Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.9    Form of Stock Purchase Contract*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.10    Form of Stock Purchase Contract Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.11    Form of Stock Purchase Unit Certificate*      —          —          —          —          —    
  4.12    Form of Stock Purchase Unit Agreement*      —          —          —          —          —    
  5.1    Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP      —          —          —          —          X    
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP      —          —          —          —          X    
23.2    Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)      —          —          —          —          X    
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this registration statement)      —          —          —          —          X    
25.1    Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities*      —          —          —          —          —    

 

*

To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the registrant in connection with a specific offering, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(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 a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

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

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

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

 

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

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

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

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

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

(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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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 that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

(e) 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 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Success, State of New York, on November 10, 2021.

 

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

By:   /s/ Javier H. Idrovo

Name:

  Javier H. Idrovo

Title:

  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

II-6


Table of Contents

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mark L. Schiller and Javier H. Idrovo, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any additional registration statement related hereto permitted by Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto)), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Mark L. Schiller

Mark L. Schiller

  

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director (Principal Executive

Officer)

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Javier H. Idrovo

Javier H. Idrovo

  

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer (Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Dean Hollis

Dean Hollis

  

Chair of the Board

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Richard A. Beck

Richard A. Beck

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Celeste A. Clark

Celeste A. Clark

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Shervin J. Korangy

Shervin J. Korangy

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Michael B. Sims

Michael B. Sims

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Glenn W. Welling

Glenn W. Welling

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

/s/ Dawn M. Zier

Dawn M. Zier

  

Director

  November 10, 2021

 

II-7

EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

as Issuer

and

[ ],

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of [ ], 20[ ]

Table Showing Reflection in Indenture of Certain Provisions

of Trust Indenture Act of 1939,

as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990*

Reflected in Indenture

 


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)

   10.03

(c)

   10.03

313 (a)

   7.06

(b) (1)

   N.A.

(b) (2)

   7.06

(c)

   7.06; 10.02

(d)

   7.06

314 (a)

   4.02; 4.03; 10.02(b)

(b)

   N.A.

(c) (1)

   10.04

(c) (2)

   10.04

(c) (3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   10.05

(f)

   N.A.

315 (a)

   7.01

(b)

   7.05; 10.02

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   7.01

(e)

   6.11

316 (a)

   2.09

(a) (1)(A)

   6.05

(a) (1)(B)

   6.04

(a) (2)

   N.A.

(b)

   6.07

(c)

   2.13

317 (a)(1)

   6.08

(a) (2)

   6.09

(b)

   2.05

318 (a)

   10.01

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   10.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I

 

Definitions And Incorporation By Reference

 

SECTION 1.01.

 

Definitions

     1  

SECTION 1.02.

 

Other Definitions

     5  

SECTION 1.03.

 

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     5  

SECTION 1.04.

 

Rules of Construction

     5  
ARTICLE II

 

The Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

Issuable in Series

     6  

SECTION 2.02.

 

Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities

     6  

SECTION 2.03.

 

Execution and Authentication

     9  

SECTION 2.04.

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     10  

SECTION 2.05.

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     11  

SECTION 2.06.

 

Holder Lists

     11  

SECTION 2.07.

 

Transfer and Exchange

     12  

SECTION 2.08.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     12  

SECTION 2.09.

 

Outstanding Securities

     13  

SECTION 2.10.

 

Treasury Securities

     13  

SECTION 2.11.

 

Temporary Securities

     13  

SECTION 2.12.

 

Cancellation

     14  

SECTION 2.13.

 

Defaulted Interest

     14  

SECTION 2.14.

 

Global Securities

     14  

SECTION 2.15.

 

CUSIP Numbers

     15  
ARTICLE III

 

Redemption

 

SECTION 3.01.

 

Notices to Trustee

     16  

SECTION 3.02.

 

Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

     16  

SECTION 3.03.

 

Notice of Redemption

     16  

SECTION 3.04.

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     17  

SECTION 3.05.

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     17  

SECTION 3.06.

 

Securities Redeemed in Part

     18  

 

ii


ARTICLE IV

 

Covenants

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

Payment of Securities

     18  

SECTION 4.02.

 

SEC Reports

     18  

SECTION 4.03.

 

Compliance Certificate

     19  

SECTION 4.04.

 

Further Instruments and Acts

     19  
ARTICLE V

Successor Companies

SECTION 5.01.

 

Merger and Consolidation

     19  
ARTICLE VI

Defaults And Remedies

SECTION 6.01.

 

Events of Default

     20  

SECTION 6.02.

 

Acceleration

     21  

SECTION 6.03.

 

Other Remedies

     22  

SECTION 6.04.

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

     22  

SECTION 6.05.

 

Control by Majority

     22  

SECTION 6.06.

 

Limitation on Suits

     22  

SECTION 6.07.

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     23  

SECTION 6.08.

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     23  

SECTION 6.09.

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     23  

SECTION 6.10.

 

Priorities

     24  

SECTION 6.11.

 

Undertaking for Costs

     24  

SECTION 6.12.

 

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     24  
ARTICLE VII

 

Trustee

 

SECTION 7.01.

 

Duties of Trustee

     24  

SECTION 7.02.

 

Rights of Trustee

     25  

SECTION 7.03.

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

     27  

SECTION 7.04.

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     27  

SECTION 7.05.

 

Notice of Defaults

     27  

SECTION 7.06.

 

Reports by Trustee to Holder

     27  

SECTION 7.07.

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     28  

SECTION 7.08.

 

Replacement of Trustee

     28  

SECTION 7.09.

 

Successor Trustee by Merger

     29  

SECTION 7.10.

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     30  

SECTION 7.11.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer

     30  

SECTION 7.12.

 

Conflicting Interests

     30  

 

iii


ARTICLE VIII

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance

SECTION 8.01.

 

Option to Effect Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge

     30  

SECTION 8.02.

 

Defeasance

     31  

SECTION 8.03.

 

Covenant Defeasance

     31  

SECTION 8.04.

 

Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     31  

SECTION 8.05.

 

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

     33  

SECTION 8.06.

 

Repayment to the Issuer

     33  

SECTION 8.07.

 

Reinstatement

     34  

SECTION 8.08.

 

Discharge

     34  
ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION 9.01.

 

Without Consent of Holders

     35  

SECTION 9.02.

 

With Consent of Holders

     36  

SECTION 9.03.

 

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     37  

SECTION 9.04.

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

     37  

SECTION 9.05.

 

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

     38  
ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous

SECTION 10.01.

 

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     38  

SECTION 10.02.

 

Notices

     38  

SECTION 10.03.

 

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

     39  

SECTION 10.04.

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     40  

SECTION 10.05.

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     40  

SECTION 10.06.

 

When Securities Disregarded

     40  

SECTION 10.07.

 

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

     40  

SECTION 10.08.

 

Legal Holidays

     40  

SECTION 10.09.

 

Governing Law

     41  

SECTION 10.10.

 

No Recourse Against Others

     41  

SECTION 10.11.

 

Successors and Assigns

     41  

SECTION 10.12.

 

Multiple Originals

     41  

SECTION 10.13.

 

Table of Contents; Headings

     41  

SECTION 10.14.

 

Severability

     41  

SECTION 10.15.

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     41  

SECTION 10.16.

 

Force Majeure

     41  

SECTION 10.17.

 

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

     42  

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of [ ], 20[ ] between THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and [ ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the securities issued under this Indenture (the “Securities”):

ARTICLE I

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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

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

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer 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 each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

Closing Date” means the date of this Indenture.

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

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


Debt” any debt for borrowed money which would appear, in conformity with GAAP, on the balance sheet as a liability or any guarantee of such a debt and includes purchase money obligations. A Debt shall be counted only once even if the Issuer and one or more of its Subsidiaries may be responsible for the obligation.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Securities” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities issuable in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Dollar” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

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

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Issuer, which at the date hereof ends on the last Sunday in September of each year.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 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 as of the date of determination.

Global Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.14(c), which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.

Global Security” when used with respect to any Series of Securities issued hereunder, means a Security which is executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to an Issuer Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the outstanding Securities of such Series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining interest and which shall bear the Global Securities Legend.

 

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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; provided, that if Securities of a Series are denominated in a currency other than Dollars, an Officers’ Certificate or any supplemental indenture may provide for Government Securities to be direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by a country other than the United States of America and the payment for which such country pledges its full faith and credit, for purposes of such Securities of a Series.

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. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in the applicable Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate relating to a particular Series of Securities.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, and includes the forms and terms of particular securities established as contemplated hereunder.

Interest Payment Date” when used with respect to any Series of Securities, means the date specified in such Securities for the payment of any installment of interest on those Securities.

Issuer” means The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the Trust Indenture Act, each other obligor on the indenture securities.

Issuer Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Issuer by two Officers of the Issuer.

Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise.

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, the Treasurer, any Executive Vice President, the Controller, the Corporate Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the Issuer.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Issuer, that meets the requirements of Section 10.04 hereof.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel, that meets the requirements of Section 10.04 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

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Original Issue Discount Security” means (i) any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof and (ii) any other security which is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code.

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

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Indenture.

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

Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depositary) or any successor thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

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

Significant Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary of the Issuer which would be a “Significant Subsidiary” at such time, as such term is defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the Closing Date.

Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which an amount equal to the principal amount of such Security is due and payable.

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Trust Indenture Act” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa–77bbbb) and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the Closing Date.

Trust Officer” means any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters, with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

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SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Bankruptcy Law”

     6.01  

“Covenant Defeasance”

     8.03  

“Custodian”

     6.01  

“Defeasance”

     8.02  

“Event of Default”

     6.01  

“Legal Holiday”

     10.08  

“Notice of Default”

     6.01  

“Paying Agent”

     2.04  

“Registrar”

     2.04  

“Successor Company”

     5.01  

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:

Commission” means the SEC.

indenture securities” means the Securities.

indenture security holder” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

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

obligor” on the Securities means the Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

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) “including” means including without limitation;

 

5


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

(6) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

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

ARTICLE II

The Securities

SECTION 2.01. Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series as the Issuer may authorize from time to time. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate 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. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters.

SECTION 2.02. Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities. At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.02(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Sections 2.02(b) through 2.02(z)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:

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

(b) the price or prices of the Securities of the Series;

(c) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series);

(d) the date or dates on which the principal and premium with respect to the Securities of the Series are payable;

 

6


(e) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the Series shall be payable if other than the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the record date;

(f) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest, if any, shall be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates, for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the case of Securities in registered form), and the basis upon which such interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(g) the currency or currencies in which Securities of the Series shall be denominated and/or in which payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, on any of the Securities of the Series shall be payable, if other than Dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal, premium and interest with respect to Securities of such Series shall be payable or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

(h) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part at the option of the Issuer or otherwise;

(i) whether Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in registered form or as Securities in bearer form or both and, if Securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether Securities in bearer form of the Series may be exchanged for Securities in registered form of the Series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

(j) if any Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in bearer form or as one or more Global Securities representing individual Securities in bearer form of the Series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions shall apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer Security of the Series payable with respect to any Interest Payment Date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer Security for definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date; and the terms upon which a temporary Security in bearer form may be exchanged for one or more definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series;

(k) the Issuer’s obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder of such Securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

 

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(l) the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the Series may be convertible into or exchanged for the Issuer’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, Indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

(m) if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

(n) if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(o) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Securities of the Series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars;

(p) any changes or additions to Article VIII;

(q) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy;

(r) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Securities of the Series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as then in effect;

(s) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of such Series of Securities to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, on such Series of Securities due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;

(t) if the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities of such Series in definitive registered form, the Depositary for such Global Security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the Global Securities Legend;

 

8


(u) any Trustee, authenticating agent, Paying Agent, transfer agent or Registrar, or any other agent with respect to the Securities;

(v) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in, the covenants and definitions set forth in Articles IV or V which apply to Securities of the Series;

(w) the terms, if any, of any Guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to Securities of the Series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of this Indenture and as then in effect;

(x) the subordination, if any, of the Securities of the Series pursuant to this Indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of this Indenture then in effect;

(y) with regard to Securities of the Series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

(z) any U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to the Securities;

(aa) any provisions granting special rights to Holders when a specified event occurs;

(bb) any Guarantor or co-issuer; and

(cc) any other terms of Securities of the Series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities 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 or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication. One Officer of the Issuer shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. A Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate.

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of an Issuer Order, an Officers’ Certificate delivered in accordance with section 10.04 and an Opinion of Counsel which shall state:

 

9


(1) that the form and the terms of such Securities have been established by a supplemental indenture or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 and in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) that such Securities when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and

(3) that all conditions precedent in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of such Securities have been complied with;

provided, however, that the Opinion of Counsel addressing the matters set forth in clause (3) above shall not be required to be furnished in connection with the initial issuance of Securities hereunder.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Securities. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuer. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series of Securities unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

 

10


The Issuer shall enter into an agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Issuer or any of its domestically organized Significant Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuer may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (1) acceptance of any appointment by a successor as evidenced by an agreement entered into by the Issuer and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (2) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (1) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Registrar or Paying Agent only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer 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 Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer 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 Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or any of its domestically-organized Significant Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.01(5) or (6), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent. In the event that the Paying Agent receives funds in advance of the due date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to invest such funds in the U.S. Bank Money Market Deposit Account or any substantially similar successor account, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company.

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 Securities and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least five 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 Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. Where Securities 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 Securities 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 Securities 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 Issuer 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 Issuer nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities 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 Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

SECTION 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

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

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

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

 

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

SECTION 2.09. Outstanding Securities. The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

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

If the Paying Agent holds at the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Security.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities of any Series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

SECTION 2.10. Treasury Securities. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Issuer shall be disregarded, except that, for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of a Series that a Trustee Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities. Until Definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate temporary Securities upon the Issuer’s Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Securities but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate Definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the Definitive Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.12. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act) and, upon request, deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid for or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the record date, the Issuer shall mail to the Trustee and to each Holder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Issuer may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

SECTION 2.14. Global Securities. (a) Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of this Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of this Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Issuer fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Issuer, subject to the procedures of the Depositary, executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b) a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security 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.

 

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

“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.05 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY).”

(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.

(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 Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

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

SECTION 2.15. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

 

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ARTICLE III

Redemption

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. The Issuer, with respect to any Series of Securities, may elect to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms provided for in such Series of Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities of the Series to be redeemed and the redemption price. The Issuer shall give such notice to the Trustee at least 10 days before the redemption date.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed. Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if fewer than all the Securities of a particular Series are to be redeemed or purchased, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such Series to be redeemed or purchased pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate and in accordance with methods generally used at the time of selection by fiduciaries in similar circumstances. The Trustee shall make the selection at least 10 days but no more than 60 days before the redemption date from outstanding Securities of a Series not previously called for redemption. Securities and portions thereof that the Trustee selects shall be in principal minimum amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed.

Any redemption or notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, at the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any of all such conditions shall be satisfied.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Issuer shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address, or in the case of Global Notes, delivered according to the procedures of the Depositary.

The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price);

(3) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

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(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, upon the satisfaction of any conditions to such redemption set forth in the notice of redemption, and unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the paragraph of the Securities and/or provision of this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(9) the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; provided, however, that no representation will be made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

In addition, if such redemption is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date stated in such notice, or by the redemption date as so delayed.

At the Issuer’s request, made at least five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is required to be sent to Holders (or such shorter period as the Trustee may agree), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption as provided to it in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is sent, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in such notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice.

Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Securities to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. The Paying Agent shall as promptly as practicable return to the Issuer any money deposited with it by the Issuer in excess of the

 

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amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Securities to be redeemed. If such money is then held by the Issuer in trust and is not required for such purpose it shall be discharged from such trust. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Issuer’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE IV

Covenants

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Issuer shall promptly make all payments in respect of each Series of Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in such Series of Securities and in this Indenture. Such payments shall be considered made on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this Indenture, money sufficient to make all payments with respect to such Securities then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports. Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee and Holders within 30 days after the date on which we would be required to file the same with the SEC pursuant to its rules and regulations (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) copies of its annual report and certain information, documents and other reports that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that, with respect to current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K, only such reports that would be required to be filed pursuant to Items 1.01 (Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement), 1.02 (Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement), 1.03 (Bankruptcy or Receivership), 2.01 (Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets), 2.03 (Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement), 2.04 (Triggering Events that Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement), 2.06 (Material Impairments), 4.01 (Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant), 4.02 (Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review), 5.01 (Changes in Control of Registrant), 5.02(b) (Removal of Management) or 5.02(c) (Appointment of Management) shall be provided to the Trustee and the Holders; provided, however, that no such report shall be required to be furnished if the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that the event to be disclosed in such report is not material to the Holders or the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Issuer and its Significant Subsidiaries taken as a

 

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whole. 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 Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Issuer also shall comply with the other provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports are publicly available.

SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Issuer (commencing with the Fiscal Year ended September 28, 2014) an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Issuer they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, an Officer’s Certificate stating the occurrence of a Default, which certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereof; provided, however, that failure to provide such written notice will not in and of itself result in a Default under this Indenture. The Issuer also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4).

SECTION 4.04. Further Instruments and Acts. The Issuer shall execute and deliver to the Trustee such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

ARTICLE V

Successor Companies

SECTION 5.01. Merger and Consolidation. Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, the Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its properties and assets to, any Person unless:

(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not the Issuer) (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Issuer) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

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(c) the Issuer or the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture (as modified or supplemented by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate), and the predecessor Issuer, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.

ARTICLE VI

Defaults And Remedies

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default” with respect to each Series of Securities:

(1) the Issuer’s default in any payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), or premium, if any, on any Security of that Series when such amount becomes due and payable at Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

(2) the Issuer’s failure to pay interest on any Security of that Series when such interest becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

(3) the Issuer fails to comply with Section 5.01;

(4) the Issuer fails to comply with any of its covenants or agreements contained in the Securities of that Series or this Indenture (other than those referred to in (1), (2), or (3) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;

(5) the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

 

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

(A) is for relief against the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

A Default under clause (4) above is not an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series notify the Issuer of the Default and the Issuer does not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (4) after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series by written notice to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may declare the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that Series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such amounts shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer occurs, the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of each Series of Security 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. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series of Securities by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration of that Series of Securities and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to such Series of Securities have been cured or waived except nonpayment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Securities of that Series that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

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SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that Series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that Series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may institute and maintain a suit or legal proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of a Series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding may by notice to the Trustee waive an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on a Security of that Series, (ii) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security of that Series when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (iii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder of that Series affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that Series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of that Series or that would subject the Trustee to personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses which might be caused by taking or not taking such action.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on a Security of any Series when due, no Holder of a Security of that Series may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that Series unless:

 

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(1) the Holder previously gave the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default with respect to that Series is continuing;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders of that Series offer to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

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

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

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after their Maturity, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after their Maturity, 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(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07 to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses disbursement and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel.

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

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SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI with respect to any Series of Securities, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: costs and expenses of collection, including all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07;

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, respectively; and

THIRD: to the Issuer.

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 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 pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any Series.

SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim to take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE VII

Trustee

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Series of Securities, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof 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 with respect to any Series of Securities:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that Series, as modified or supplemented by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Securities of that Series, 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 shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly 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;

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

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

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

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

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

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document 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, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

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

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

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities, shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any Series unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received from the Issuer or any Holders of such Securities by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references such Securities and this Indenture.

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

(i) The Trustee shall 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request or direction.

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

(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty to so act.

 

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(l) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including 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.

(m) Any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

(n) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any 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.

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent (other than itself as Paying Agent), and it shall not be responsible for any statement in this Indenture, in the Securities, or in any document executed in connection with the sale of the Securities, other than those set forth in a Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default with respect to Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Holder of that Series notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default with respect to Securities of any Series in payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on any Security of that Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holder. As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the first May 15 after the issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, for so long as Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as the Issuer and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel retained by the Trustee in connection with the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel or otherwise in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing the Indenture (including this Section 7.07) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith.

To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay the principal of and interest and any liquidated damages on particular Securities.

The Issuer’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of any Series by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities.

If at any time:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

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

 

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(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting;

then, in any such case, (A) the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or (B) subject to Section 6.11, Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series who have been bona fide Holders of such Securities of the Series for at least six months may, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of that Series of Securities. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, after written notice hereto, the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of that Series of Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate-trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee provided that such corporation or banking association shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under Section 7.10 without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto.

 

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In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and if at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any such successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b)(1) are met.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 7.12. Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.

ARTICLE VIII

Satisfaction, Discharge and Defeasance

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge. The Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.08 hereof applied to all outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII. The Issuer’s exercise of its option under Section 8.02 or 8.03 shall not preclude the Issuer from subsequently exercising its option under Section 8.08 hereof and the Issuer may so exercise that option by providing the Trustee with written notice to such effect.

 

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SECTION 8.02. Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from the obligations thereof with respect to all outstanding Securities of such Series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”). For this purpose, Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series, which shall 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 (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04(1); (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09 and 2.11 hereof; (c) the rights, powers, trusts, benefits and immunities of the Trustee, including without limitation thereunder, under Section 7.07, 8.05 and 8.07 hereof and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; (d) the Issuers rights pursuant to Article III; and (e) the provisions of this Article VIII. Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 with respect to any Series of Securities 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, with respect to any Series of Securities, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from the obligations thereof under any covenants applicable to such Series of Securities that are identified in the applicable Board Resolution or Resolutions or indenture supplemental hereto as being eligible for the provisions of this Section 8.03 on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such Series 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 Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries 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 with respect to such Series of Securities, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby,

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Securities of any Series of Securities:

 

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(1) the Issuer has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee, in trust, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of that Series: (A) U.S. dollars, (B) Government Securities or (C) a combination thereof, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms (and, as to callable Government Securities, regardless of when they are called) will provide not later than the opening of business on the due dates of any payment of principal of (or, in the case of a Discounted Security of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security) and interest on the Securities of that Series lawful money of the United States in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities of that Series;

(2) the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture or the applicable Series of Securities) to which the Issuer is a party or is bound;

(3) in the case of Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(b) the Corporation has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(c) since the issue date of that particular Series of Securities under this Indenture, there has been a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case, to the effect that, and based on such ruling or change the Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of the applicable Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Defeasance had not occurred;

(1) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of the applicable Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(2) no Event of Default with respect to the Securities of the applicable Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the deposit into trust (other than an Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Debt to be applied to such deposit or the grant of any lien to secure such Debt); and, solely in the case of Defeasance, no Event of Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to the Issuer or Default which with notice or lapse of time or both would become such an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of the deposit into trust; and

 

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(3) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that all conditions precedent to the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (3) above with respect to a Defeasance need not to be delivered if all Securities not therefore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable, or (y) will become due and payable at the maturity date of such Security within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer.

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, the trust established pursuant to Section 8.04(1) or 8.08(1) shall be irrevocable and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or other arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity date of such Security pursuant to optional redemption provisions of Article 3 hereof, the applicable escrow trust agreement or other arrangement shall provide therefor and the Issuer shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer.

The Trustee shall hold in trust money and Government Securities in respect of that Series deposited with it pursuant to Sections 8.04 or 8.08. It shall apply the deposited money and Government Securities, through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture, to the payment of principal, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of the Series for the payment of which such money and Government Securities has been deposited. The Holder of any Security replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 shall not be entitled to any such payment and shall look only to the Corporation for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect. In connection with Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of a Series pursuant to Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.08 hereof, respectively, the escrow trust agreement or other arrangement may, at the Issuer’s election, (1) enable the Issuer to direct the Trustee to invest any money received by the Trustee on the Government Securities deposited in trust thereunder in additional Government Securities and (2) enable the Issuer to withdraw moneys or Government Securities from the trust from time to time; provided, however, that the condition specified in Section 8.04(1) or 8.08(1) is satisfied immediately following any investment of such money by the Trustee or the withdrawal of moneys or Government Securities from the trust by the Issuer, as the case may be.

SECTION 8.06. Repayment to the Issuer. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuer upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its written request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

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SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.08 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 obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Securities of the applicable Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.08 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02, 8.03 or 8.08 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

SECTION 8.08. Discharge. The Issuer may terminate all its obligations under this Indenture with respect to any or all Series of Securities, and, with respect to such Series of Securities, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect, effective on the date the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) either: (A) all outstanding Securities of such Series (other than any Securities destroyed, lost or stolen and replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all Securities of such Series have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and the Issuer has deposited with the Trustee, in trust, funds in (I) U.S. dollars, (II) Government Securities or (III) a combination thereof, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms (and, as to callable Government Securities, regardless of when they are called) will provide an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such Series, including the principal thereof and, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon, (x) to the date of such deposit, if the Securities of such Series have become due and payable, or (y) to the maturity date of the Securities of such Series (or the redemption date thereof if the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption), as the case may be;

(2) the Issuer has paid all other sums payable under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series (including amounts payable to the Trustee); and

(3) the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in respect of the Securities of such Series have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any Series of Securities, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 8.08, the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such Series under Sections 8.05, 8.06 and 8.07, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

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The Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, upon the request of the Issuer, execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of the applicable Series. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 8.08 with respect to the Securities of a Series, the terms and conditions of such Securities, including the terms and conditions with respect thereto set forth in this Indenture, shall no longer be binding upon, or applicable to, the Issuer.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer pursuant to Article V and the assumption by such successor of the Issuer’s covenants, agreements and obligations in this Indenture and in the Securities;

(2) to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer by this Indenture, to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any Series of Securities as the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default under this Indenture; provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series to waive such default;

(3) to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision contained in this Indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein;

(4) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect, in any material respect, the interests of any Holders of Securities of any Series;

(5) to modify or amend this Indenture in such a manner as to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect;

(6) to conform any provision in the indenture to the description of any Securities in an offering document;

 

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(7) to add or to change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Securities in bearer form may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to Securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to Securities in bearer form, or to permit Securities in registered form to be exchanged for Securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities or any coupons of any Series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities of any Series in uncertificated form;

(8) in the case of subordinated Securities, to make any change in the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior Indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior Indebtedness consents to such change);

(9) to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities;

(10) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;

(11) to add to, change, or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with respect to one or more Series of Securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Indenture shall (A) neither apply to any Security of any Series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holders of any such Security with respect to the benefit of such provision or (B) become effective only when there is no such Security outstanding;

(12) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

(13) to establish the form or terms of Securities and coupons of any Series pursuant to Article II;

(14) to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary; or

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

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities of any Series without notice to any Holder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding and affected by such amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange for, the Securities). However, without the consent of each Holder of outstanding Securities affected, an amendment may not:

 

36


(1) make any change to the percentage of principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any amendment, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;

(2) reduce the principal amount of, premium, if any, or interest on, or extend the Stated Maturity or interest payment periods of, any Security (including the impairment of the right of any holder of any debt security to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s debt security);

(3) make any Security payable in money or securities other than those stated in the Security;

(4) make any change that adversely affects such Holder’s right to require the Issuer to purchase the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture;

(5) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to the Securities;

(6) except as otherwise provided pursuant to Article VIII under this Indenture, release any security or Guarantee that may have been granted with respect to any Security;

(7) change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Security;

(8) in the case of any subordinated Securities, or coupons appertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under such provisions (including any contractual subordination of senior unsubordinated debt securities); or

(9) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this Section 9.02.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Issuer shall send to all affected Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security.

 

37


However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective once both (i) the requisite number of consents have been received by the Issuer or the Trustee and (ii) such amendment or waiver has been executed by the Issuer and the Trustee.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous

SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 10.02. Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, via overnight courier, or sent via electronic mail (in PDF format) addressed as follows:

If to the Issuer:

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

1111 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, New York 11042

Attention: Treasurer

 

38


with a copy to:

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

825 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Fax: (212) 474-3700

Attention: D. Scott Bennett, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

[ ]

Attention: [ ]

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

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

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions and directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing; and provided further that, the sending party assumes any and all risks of using such unsecured delivery methods, including without limitation any risks of interception, disclosure or delivery errors and failures.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of Global Securities (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the customary procedures of the Depositary.

SECTION 10.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

39


SECTION 10.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer in form satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

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

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

SECTION 10.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Issuer, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

SECTION 10.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 10.08. Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York state or in the place of payment are authorized or required by law to close. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

 

40


SECTION 10.09. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 10.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Issuer shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

SECTION 10.11. Successors and Assigns. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

SECTION 10.12. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement. One signed copy of the Indenture is enough to prove this Indenture. 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 and signature pages for all purposes.

SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 10.14. Severability. If any provision in this Indenture is deemed unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision set forth herein, or of the Indenture as a whole.

SECTION 10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER 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 SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 10.16. Force Majeure. 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; 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.

 

41


SECTION 10.17. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to the Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

42


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

 

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[ ]

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Indenture]

EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

[FACE OF NOTE]

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

[INCLUDE IN GLOBAL SECURITIES — THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.05 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY).]

 

1


THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

[ %] [FLOATING RATE] NOTES DUE

No. R-

$

ISIN

CUSIP

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the attached Schedule of Increases and Decreases, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on , in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest [semi-annually] [quarterly] in arrears on [ , ,] and of each year, commencing on , , on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at [a rate of % per annum] [the floating rate of interest described on the Reverse of this Security]. Interest on the notes will accrue from the most recent date from which interest has been paid, or if no interest has been paid, from until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The interest so payable on [ , ,] and will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the [ , ,] and , preceding such [ , ,] and , respectively, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than thirty days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner. [Include for fixed rate notes — Interest on this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.]

[If any interest payment date, the maturity date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a designated event falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay.] The term “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof or an authenticating agent appointed by the Company, by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

[Signature pages follow]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed and delivered.

Dated:

 

THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

3


This is one of the Securities designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

[ ], as Trustee and Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

4


[REVERSE OF NOTE]

1.    Notes.

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued and to be issued in one or more series, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of (the “Indenture”) between the Company and [ ], as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series designated on the face hereof as “ Notes due ,” issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $ . The notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.    [INSERT FLOATING RATE OR OTHER TERMS]

3.    No Sinking Fund

The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

4.    Defaults and Remedies.

The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture.

5.    Amendment and Modification.

The provisions governing amendment and modification of any provision of the Indenture or the Notes are set forth in Article IX of the Indenture.

6.    No Impairment of Obligation to Pay or Right to Convert.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Note as provided in the Indenture.

7.    Transfer and Exchange.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, the Notes shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar will register the transfer as requested if the requirements of the Indenture are satisfied. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the requirements of the Indenture are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request.

8.    No Service Charge.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection therewith.

9.    Treatment as Owner.

The registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

10.    Payment of Interest.

For Notes in definitive form, interest on such Notes will be payable (i) to Holders holding an aggregate principal amount of Notes of $1.0 million or less, by check mailed to the Holders of those Notes and (ii) to Holders holding an aggregate principal amount of notes more than $1.0 million, either by check mailed to each Holder or, upon application by a Holder to the Registrar not later than the relevant record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s account, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Registrar to the contrary.

The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on Notes in global form registered in the name of or held by Cede & Co. or its respective nominees in immediately available funds to Cede & Co. or its respective nominees, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global notes.

 

5


11.    No Liability.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, shall have any liability (except in the case of bad faith or willful misconduct) for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

12.    Governing Law.

THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

6


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange    Amount
of
decrease
in
Principal
Amount
of this
Global
Note
     Amount
of
increase
in
Principal
Amount
of this
Global
Note
     Principal
amount
of this
Global
Note
following
such
decrease
or
increase
     Signature
of
authorized
signatory
of Trustee
or
Securities
Custodian
 
           
           
           

 

7

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

November 10, 2021

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of debt securities (“Debt Securities”) of the Company to be issued under an Indenture in the form included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and a trustee (the “Trustee”); preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company; common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company, including Common Stock as may from time to time be issued upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock; depositary shares representing fractional or multiple shares of Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”) of the Company; warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock (collectively, the “Warrants”) of the Company; stock purchase contracts (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”); and stock purchase units (the “Stock Purchase Units”). The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Common Stock, the Warrants, the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Stock Purchase Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, certificates of corporate officers and government officials and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including: (a) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (b) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; (c) resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the

 


Company on November 6, 2021; (d) the Registration Statement; and (e) the Indenture. As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company without independent verification of their accuracy. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that (i) the Registration Statement and any supplements and amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and will comply with all applicable laws; (ii) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iii) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with all applicable Federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement; (v) none of the terms of any Security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of such Security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Security will violate any applicable law or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vi) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and any other necessary agreement with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vii) any deposit agreement, warrant agreement, Stock Purchase Contract or Stock Purchase Unit will be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and (viii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, we are of opinion that:

 

  (1)

with respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Indenture, when (A) the Trustee has been qualified to act in such capacity under the Indenture, (B) the Trustee has duly executed and delivered the Indenture, (C) the Indenture has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee, (D) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (E) the board of directors of the Company, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof, or any officers of the Company delegated such authority (such board of directors, committee or officers being hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of a particular series of Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, and (F) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture,

 

2


  including any supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate related thereto, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

  (2)

with respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation relating to such Preferred Stock (a “Certificate”) and the filing of such Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) such Certificate has been properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (C) certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), then such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

  (3)

with respect to shares of Common Stock, when both (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of (i) the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or (ii) the shares of Common Stock, and related matters and (B) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed and countersigned (in the case of certificated shares), and such shares have been registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of such Debt Security or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of such security or the instrument governing such security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock), then such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

3


  (4)

with respect to any Depositary Shares, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Depositary Shares and the related series of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (B) a deposit agreement or agreements relating to the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, the depositary appointed by the Company and each other party thereto, (C) the Certificate for the related series of Preferred Stock has been properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (D) certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed and countersigned (in the case of certificated shares), and such shares have been registered and delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein and (E) Depositary Shares or receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate deposit agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Depositary Shares will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

  (5)

with respect to the Warrants, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (B) a warrant agreement or agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, the warrant agent appointed by the Company and each other party thereto and (C) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate warrant agreement or

 

4


  agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board or such officers upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Warrants will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

 

  (6)

with respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts and/or the Stock Purchase Units, when (A) such Stock Purchase Contracts and/or Stock Purchase Units have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (B) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of such Stock Purchase Contracts and/or the Stock Purchase Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (C) if such Stock Purchase Units relate to the issuance and sale of Debt Securities, the actions described in paragraph 1 above have been taken, (D) if such Stock Purchase Contracts and/or Stock Purchase Units relate to the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock, the actions described in paragraph 3 above have been taken, and (E) if such Stock Purchase Contracts and/or Stock Purchase relate to the issuance and sale of shares of Preferred Stock, the actions described in paragraph 2 above have been taken, then such Stock Purchase Contracts and/or the Stock Purchase Units will be legally issued and binding obligations of the Company (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

We express no opinion herein as to any provision of the Indenture or the Debt Securities that (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any Federal court of the United States of America, or any Federal appellate court, to adjudicate any controversy related thereto, (b) contains a waiver of an inconvenient forum, (c) relates to the waiver of rights to jury trial or (d) provides for indemnification, contribution or limitations on liability. We also express no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of the provisions of the Indenture or the Debt Securities to the extent that such provisions constitute a waiver of illegality as a defense to performance of contract obligations or any other defense to performance which cannot, as a matter of law, be effectively waived or (ii) whether a state court outside the State of New York or a Federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for therein.

 

5


Courts in the United States have not customarily rendered judgments for money damages denominated in any currency other than United States dollars. Section 27(b) of the Judiciary Law of the State of New York provides, however, that a judgment or decree in an action based upon an obligation denominated in a currency other than United States dollars shall be rendered in the foreign currency of the underlying obligation and converted into United States dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or decree. We express no opinion as to whether a Federal court of the United States would render a judgment other than in United States dollars.

We are admitted to practice only in the State of New York and express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of the State of New York, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Federal laws of the United States of America.

We understand that we may be referred to as counsel who has passed upon the validity of the Debt Securities or the issuance of the Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units on behalf of the Company in the prospectus and in a supplement to the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement relating to the Securities filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, and we hereby consent to such use of our name in said Registration Statement and to the use of this opinion for filing with said Registration Statement as Exhibit 5.1 thereto. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

1111 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, New York 11042

 

6

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

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 The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated August 26, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of the Company, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Jericho, New York

November 10, 2021