Speedcast International Limited (ASX:SDA) (together with its subsidiaries, “Speedcast” or the “Company”) has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed Speedcast International Limited and certain of its affiliates’ Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”). The confirmation definitively clears the path for the Company to successfully complete the Chapter 11 process after receiving final regulatory approvals and satisfying customary closing conditions, which is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The Company is poised to emerge with a significantly strengthened balance sheet and the support of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. and its affiliates as its new owner.
Under the terms of the Plan, Speedcast is set to emerge with a new USD $500 million equity investment from Centerbridge, which will be used in part to repay all of its USD $285 million debtor-in-possession financing, as well as a permanent reduction of all of the USD $634 million senior secured debt of the Company.
As previously indicated, the Plan also provides for, among other things, a cash payment to holders of secured claims and cash payment to certain of Speedcast’s critical trade vendors. Unsecured creditors will share in recoveries from a litigation trust.
The Plan does not contemplate any recovery for existing shareholders, who will no longer have an equity interest in the reorganized Company following its emergence. Speedcast first announced its decision to recapitalize its business through voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings on April 23, 2020.
“The Court’s confirmation of the Plan marks a key milestone in the Company’s efforts to become a stronger business and positions us to emerge in the near term, having achieved our goals,” said Stephe Wilks, Chair of Speedcast. “Throughout the restructuring process, the Company’s global workforce has delivered on its commitments while adapting to change. On behalf of the Board, we are immensely grateful for the ongoing patience and trust that the Company’s employees, customers and partners have shown in this process.”
Joe Spytek will take on the role of Speedcast’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the company upon emergence under the new Centerbridge ownership. Spytek has served as Speedcast’s President and Chief Commercial Officer for the last year after being tapped to join the organization to help implement its turnaround.
“With a bolstered financial foundation and with the support of Centerbridge, one of the world’s leading investment funds, Speedcast is well-positioned to maximize its full potential as the Company works to build a platform that addresses customers’ most demanding operations and application requirements now, and in the future,” said Spytek. “Looking ahead, this agility and commitment to innovation will continue as Speedcast keeps raising the bar for itself and the industry as a whole.”
“Speedcast’s best-in-class technology and connectivity solutions provide a leading value proposition to the Company’s customers, enhancing productivity, communication and safety,” said Jared Hendricks, Senior Managing Director, Centerbridge. “We continue to be excited about investing behind Joe and the Speedcast team’s innovation and support of its customers and partners in the next phase of growth for the Company.”
Speedcast is advised by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as global legal counsel and Herbert Smith Freehills as co-counsel. Michael Healy of FTI Consulting, Inc. is Speedcast’s Chief Restructuring Officer, and FTI Consulting, Inc. is Speedcast’s financial and operational advisor. Moelis Australia Advisory Pty Ltd and Moelis & Company LLC are Speedcast’s investment bankers. KCC is Speedcast’s claims and noticing agent. Centerbridge is advised by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines—from private equity to credit and related strategies, and real estate—in an effort to find the most attractive opportunities for our investors and business partners. The Firm was founded in 2005 and as of September 30, 2020 has approximately $26 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies to help companies achieve their operating and financial objectives. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com.