Business News
VERTIS COMMUNICATIONS AND AMERICAN COLOR GRAPHICS CLOSE MERGER
Tuesday 21. October 2008 - Vertis and American Color Emerge From "Prepackaged" Chapter 11; Reorganization Plans Now Effective
Vertis Communications (“Vertis”), a premier provider of targeted advertising and direct marketing solutions, announced today that it has successfully consummated its prepackaged Chapter 11 plan and its merger with American Color Graphics.
The new combined company, headquartered in Baltimore and unified under the Vertis Communications brand, has 100 locations worldwide and nearly 8,000 professionals serving more than 3,000 clients.
“The successful restructuring and merger joins two industry leaders to become a robust,dynamic and exceptional company,” said Mike DuBose, chairman and CEO of Vertis. “United, we are solidly positioned to provide premier targeted marketing solutions through multiple channels. The new Vertis Communications has greater capability to deliver results- driven marketing programs for customersfrom strategy development through point of sale. We anticipate outstanding opportunities for our customers, employees, and business partners.”
To prepare for the merger of American Color into Vertis, integration teams comprised of leaders and experts from the two organizations rigorously analyzed the tools, technology and talent available, with the goal to leverage the strengths of both companies in order to better serve customers. DuBose added, “The primary objective is to use whats best from both organizations, truly leveraging our strengths, and reinforcing our leadership position within the industry.”
The merger integrates American Colors 15 production facilities, including offset and flexographic print facilities, a Total Market Coverage location and premedia facilities, as well as numerous managed service sites into Vertis. American Colors premedia capabilities include sophisticated design, color and brand management services for the packaging market, plus a vast array of business and workflow solutions technologies. The combination of these operations and capabilities with Vertis market-leading advertising insert production facilities, world-class premedia, direct marketing, media placement, technology, interactive and creative services offers customers an unparalleled combination of solutions and production capabilities to meet their marketing challenges.
“With a stronger balance sheet, a larger talent pool and enhanced resources, we are transforming our company and look forward to working with our customers to leverage our capabilities and expertise in ways that are unprecedented. Our customers will be the true beneficiaries of the merger. Their advertising campaigns will be enhanced with high-impact print advertising and relevant interactive communications,” DuBose said.
Vertis filed prepackaged Chapter 11 cases on July 15, 2008 with a reorganization plan supported by more than 98 percent of its voting noteholders. American Color filed its cases concurrently. Under the terms of the plans, which were confirmed by the Honorable Christopher S. Sontchi of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on Aug. 26, the noteholders of Vertis and American Color exchanged their bonds for an aggregate of $550 million in new notes and substantially all of the new equity in the merged company. All Vertis trade creditors have been or are being fully repaid in the ordinary course of business. Vertis successfully operated its business as usual during the restructuring, paying its suppliers in the ordinary course.
“With the consensual prepackaged restructuring, we were able to reduce the combined companys debt obligations by approximately $1 billion before transaction fees and expenses,” DuBose said. “To be able to do that while maximizing value for our stakeholders is a major accomplishment and source of pride for everyone who supported our turnaround plan. With that behind us, we are transforming our business to benefit customers, employees and partners.”
Upon emergence, the new Vertis will have a $250 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit exit facility from GE Commercial Finance and an approximately $400 million term loan funded by several lenders.