HOOFDDORP, Netherlands, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CEVA Group Plc ("CEVA" or the "Company"), one of the world's leading non-asset based supply chain management companies, today announced it has reached agreement with the largest holders of its second lien notes and senior unsecured debt on a consensual financial recapitalization plan that will reduce substantially CEVA's overall debt and interest costs, as well as increase liquidity and strengthen its capital structure (the "Recapitalization or Recap"). The Recap will enable CEVA to better serve its customers, accelerate its growth throughout the world and fund the development of new supply chain products and services. Assuming successful completion of the Recapitalization, the Company will reduce its consolidated net debt by more than EUR1.2 billion, reduce its annual cash interest expense by over EUR135 million or approximately 50% and will receive a capital infusion of at least EUR205 million for investment in its business plan.
"We have been working with our financial advisors over the past few months to develop a long-term financial plan for the Company, exploring various options to improve our balance sheet to enhance the Company's financial flexibility in support of future growth. We are pleased that a substantial majority of our creditors have already committed their support," said Marvin O. Schlanger, CEVA's Chief Executive Officer, adding that "CEVA anticipates a quick resolution to the transaction and will continue to provide customers with the effective and robust supply chain solutions and exceptional levels of service they have come to expect."
In connection with the Recapitalization, CEVA has entered into a restructuring support agreement with parties representing approximately 83% of the outstanding principal amount of the 12.75% Senior Notes due 2020, the 12% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2014 and $113 million Senior Unsecured Bridge Loan (collectively, the "Senior Unsecured Debt") and 69% of the outstanding principal amount of the 11.5% Junior Priority Secured Notes due 2018 (the "Second Lien Notes") for the approval of the Recapitalization transaction. The restructuring support agreement provides, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for commitments to invest approximately EUR205 million by three parties, consisting of (i) investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC (NYSE: APO) that are creditors of CEVA, (ii) certain funds advised by Capital Research and Management Company that are creditors of CEVA and (iii) the Company's largest institutional investor. These three parties will become the three largest shareholders of CEVA pursuant to the contemplated Recapitalization.
Consents to the Recapitalization, to be effectuated through exchange offers, will be sought from holders of the Senior Unsecured Debt and the Second Lien Notes pursuant to the terms and conditions that will be set forth in an offering memorandum, consent solicitation and disclosure statement. CEVA expects to launch such exchange offers promptly.
Under the restructuring support agreement, the closing of the transaction will be conditioned upon, among other things, 98% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes and the Senior Unsecured Debt of CEVA being validly tendered and not withdrawn in the exchange offers. In addition, in order to consummate the exchange offers, CEVA is seeking certain concessions from certain other creditors, including its asset based lenders and secured credit facility lenders. As long as the restructuring support agreement remains in effect, each of the parties to the agreement has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to support and complete the Recapitalization. In connection with the Recapitalization, CEVA did not make the interest payments due as of April 1, 2013 on the Second Lien Notes and the 12.75% Senior Notes due 2020; such action will not constitute an event of default during the 30-day cure period under their indentures, and holders of CEVA's other debt will not be permitted to accelerate their debt before the expiration of the cure period. As of 31 March 2013, the Company had approximately EUR200 million of total headroom. The Company will seek to implement the Recapitalization during the 30-day cure period.
CEVA - Making business flow
CEVA, one of the world's leading non-asset based supply chain management companies, designs and implements industry leading solutions for large and medium-size national and multinational companies. Approximately 50,000 employees are dedicated to delivering effective and robust supply chain solutions across a variety of sectors and CEVA applies its operational expertise to provide best-in-class services across its integrated network, with a presence in over 160 countries. For the year ending 31 December 2011, CEVA reported revenues on a preliminary unaudited basis of EUR6.9 billion. For more information, please visit www.cevalogistics.com
Cautionary Statement
This news release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The exchange offers will only be made pursuant to the terms of the offering memorandum that will be distributed to eligible holders of CEVA's securities that are the subject of the exchange offers, including the Second Lien Notes and the Unsecured Notes. The exchange offers will not be made to holders of securities in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction.
This news release is directed only at persons (i) who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") or (iii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iv) to whom this press release may otherwise be directed without contravention of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This news release is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this press release relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.
Safe Harbor Statement:
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding industry outlook, the Company's expectations regarding the performance of its business, its liquidity and capital resources, its guidance for 2012 and beyond, and the other non-historical statements. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes" "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "continues," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs only as of the date of this press release and, in addition to the assumptions specifically mentioned in the above paragraphs, there are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the effect of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions, a downturn in the industries in which we operate (including the automotive industry and the airfreight business), risks associated with the Company's global operations, fluctuations and increases in fuel prices, the Company's substantial indebtedness, restrictions contained in its debt agreements and risks that it will be unable to compete effectively. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's financial results, is contained in the Company's annual and quarterly reports, available on the Company's website, which investors are strongly encouraged to review. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or the consequences of such a development worsen, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. CEVA disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information, contact:
Mike Darcy
+31 622 482 604
mike.darcy@cevalogistics.com
