Lumileds Holding, a global provider of innovative lighting solutions, entered into a restructuring support agreement with its lenders holding a significant majority of the loans outstanding under its prepetition first lien debt facility on the terms of a comprehensive financial restructuring that would significantly de-leverage and strengthen its balance sheet by more than $1.3 billion, accelerate Lumileds’ growth and enable further investment in innovation to pursue additional strategic opportunities through the injection of up to $275 million of liquidity.
To efficiently implement the de-leveraging, a narrowly focused prepackaged Chapter 11 plan involving only Lumileds’ U.S. and Dutch entities has commenced in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lumileds’ European, Asian and other foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are not included in the filing and are unaffected by the Chapter 11 process. The company has obtained the necessary support from its lenders to confirm the plan prior to commencing its proceedings and expects to meet the requirements to confirm the plan and emerge from Chapter 11 within approximately 60 days.
“Over the past few years, we have been hard at work transforming our cost structure and innovation pipeline, which has allowed us to capitalize more effectively on future market trends as a leader in the lighting industry,” Matt Roney, CEO of Lumileds, said. “We have proactively taken steps to de-leverage our balance sheet given the ongoing challenges presented by global supply constraints, COVID-related issues, and the crisis in Ukraine. This recapitalization will enable us to further accelerate our efforts as a market-leading innovator within the specialty lighting industry. We believe that the most effective and efficient way to accomplish this is through a prepackaged Chapter 11 process that will be accompanied by a significant increase in our liquidity position. We appreciate the support of our lenders, who recognize the long-term value and enhanced potential Lumileds will create with a strengthened balance sheet.”
None of the company’s business operations outside of the United States and the Netherlands are part of the Chapter 11 proceeding. The company has filed “first day” motions to obtain the requisite court authority for the company to continue operating its businesses and facilities in the ordinary course without disruption to its customers, vendors, suppliers or employees. As part of these first day motions, the company has sought court approval to continue to pay all valid amounts owed to vendors and suppliers as they come due. In addition, the company expects that employees will continue to receive their usual wages and benefits without interruption.
“Our number one priority is to deliver never before possible solutions for lighting, safety, and well-being,” Roney said. “This comprehensive liquidity and de-leveraging solution will enable us to be an even more attractive and stronger partner as we continue to drive innovation in LED technology and offer new products and solutions to our customers. I would like to thank all of our valued employees, customers, vendors, suppliers and sponsors for their ongoing support.”
Under the terms of the RSA, the existing secured lenders are expected to commit to support and vote in favor of, a transaction that, when executed, will reduce the company’s funded debt by approximately $1.3 billion, from approximately $1.7 billion to $400 million comprised of takeback debt and post-petition loans, which will be combined into a 5-year exit facility.
The RSA also contemplates a commitment from certain of its lenders of up to $275 million in debtor-in-possession financing, available as part of the Chapter 11 process. Subject to the court’s approval, the DIP financing, together with the company’s available cash reserves and cash provided by operations, is expected to provide sufficient liquidity for Lumileds to continue meeting its ongoing obligations, including all obligations to customers, vendors, and suppliers, as well as employee wages, salaries and benefits programs.
Evercore is acting as investment banker for the company; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Latham & Watkins are acting as corporate and restructuring counsel to Lumileds, and AlixPartners, as financial advisor. PJT Partners is acting as financial advisor for an ad hoc group of Lumileds’ lenders, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is acting as the group’s legal counsel.
