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| Steven Stewart |
J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are leading the financing backing Headwaters $715 million acquisition of building products manufacturer Tapco Holdings. The acquisition is completed but the credit is going to be syndicated at a meeting this week, explained Steven Stewart, Headwaters' cfo. The credit comprises a $640 million first-lien term loan and $150 million second-lien term loan. Pricing blended together on both tranches is expected to be between LIBOR plus 3-3 1/2%, Stewart noted. "We've had a relationship with J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley," he said of the selection of the lead banks. "We've always felt it's kind of healthy to have two relationships."
Earlier this year Headwaters tapped Bank One to lead a new $100 million credit facility, replacing a facility led by GE Capital (LMW, 5/17). The Bank One-led credit comprised a $50 million revolver and $50 million "A" loan. Both tranches were priced on a grid tied to leverage ranging from LIBOR plus 1 3/4-2 1/2%. That credit facility has now been paid off, Stewart said.
The new credit also includes a $75 million revolver that is in place with J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley splitting the exposure. The banks are not planning on syndicating the revolver and there are currently no borrowings on the line, Stewart noted.
The $75 million revolver and $640 million first-lien loan have been given a B+ rating by Standard & Poor's with a recovery rating of 3, reflecting 50%80% recovery of principal in the event of a default. The $150 million second-lien loan is rated B- with a recovery rating of 5. This reflects expectations of 025% recovery of principal in the event of a default.