More than $600 million was in the book for VWR International's $690 million credit only a day after launch last Tuesday. The facility backs Clayton Dubilier & Rice's $1.65 billion acquisition of VWR, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA. The debt comprises a $125 million multicurrency revolver, a $415 million term loan and a ¤122 million term loan. "You're pretty well protected," one loan investor commented. "There is a lot of junior capital beneath you; about $520 million junior debt, $600 million equity."
The revolver matures in five years, while the term loan is due in seven. Pricing on the revolver is LIBOR plus 21/2%, while the dollar-denominated term loan is priced at LIBOR plus 23Ž4% and the euro-denominated term loan carries a spread of LIBOR plus 3%. Deutsche Bank and Citibank are leading the deal.
VWR distributes scientific equipment and supplies and is seen as a similar company to Fisher Scientific International, some buysiders noted. VWR's leverage is 6.6 times on a GAAP basis, compared to Fisher at 4.2 times through the bonds. "People like this space, they like Fisher. It's a good time for these guys to tap the markets," a buysider said. Fisher amended its credit facility last month and cut pricing down to LIBOR plus 2% on its $440 million "C" loan. "I wouldn't be surprised if Fisher comes back and does another deal at 175," he added. A CD&R spokesman and Walter Sobon, VWR's cfo, did not return calls.