Morgan Stanley last week launched syndication of a $102 million senior secured credit backing the buyout of IPS Corp. by Fremont Partners and management. The credit will also pay down existing debt. The deal consists of a six-year, $20 million revolver and seven-year, $82 million term loan. Pricing is LIBOR plus 2 1/4% on both tranches. Syndication is said to be going well, according to a banker. The financing also includes $100 million of senior subordinated notes due 2014.
Standard & Poor's assigned a B+ rating with a 1 recovery rating. The ratings agency said that pro forma for the transaction, IPS will have total debt of $183 million, including capitalized operating leases, and pro forma debt to EBITDA of 5.4 times as of June 30. Moody's Investors Service assigned a B1 rating.
An executive at IPS could not be reached for comment. Based in Compton, Calif., IPS is a pipe adhesive and plumbing product manufacturer.