Speedcast
International Ltd Files Plan of Reorganisation
Oct 12, 2020
Speedcast International
Limited has filed a Plan of Reorganisation and
Disclosure Statement outlining the terms for its
financial restructuring under chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code. The documents set
out a clear and defined timeline for creditors
to submit their votes in advance of a Plan
confirmation hearing anticipated in December
2020.
The Company expects to
emerge in the first quarter of 2021, after
receiving final regulatory approvals and
customary closing conditions outlined in the
Plan.
Upon emergence, the terms
of the Plan would provide Speedcast with a new
$500 million equity investment, led by
affiliates of Centerbridge Partners, L.P., and a
reduction of all of the $634 million senior
secured debt of the Company. The Plan has
received the unanimous support of Speedcast's
Board of Directors and has the support of the
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which
has issued a letter recommending that all
unsecured creditors vote to accept the Plan.
The Company and its Board
of Directors ar! e confident the current Plan
represents the best opportunity to position
Speedcast for long-term success, while
maximising value for its creditors and other
stakeholders. As part of the Plan process, the
Company and its creditors can also consider any
higher and better Plan proposed prior to the
Plan confirmation hearing.
The Plan provides for a
cash payment to holders of secured claims. A
number of the Company's trade vendors are
crucial to its future, and the Plan provides
these crucial trade vendors with a partial cash
payment on account of their unsecured claims.
Unsecured creditors generally will share in
recoveries from a litigation trust.
As previously indicated,
the Plan does not contemplate any recovery for
existing shareholders, and existing shareholders
would no longer have an equity interest in the
reorganised Speedcast Group following its
emergence from chapter 11.
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.