Speedcast confirms plan of reorganisation

“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 CEO, 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 organisation 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 maximise 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,” added 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.”

Under the terms of the Plan, Speedcast is set to emerge with a new US$500 million equity investment from Centerbridge, which will be used in part to repay all of its US$285 million debtor-in-possession financing, as well as a permanent reduction of all of the US$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 reorganised company following its emergence.

Speedcast first announced its decision to recapitalise its business through voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings on 23 April 2020.

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.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/26012021/speedcast-confirms-plan-of-reorganisation/