Blue Bird has completed a $600 million senior secured credit facility refinancing that more than doubles its committed borrowing capacity and extends its debt maturity to September 2031.
The new financing replaces Blue Bird’s previous $250 million credit facilities, which were scheduled to mature in November 2028.
The refinancing consists of a $300 million revolving credit facility and a $300 million delayed draw term loan.
Borrowings under the delayed draw term loan are available for up to 24 months after closing or until the entire $300 million has been drawn.
Blue Bird can use the term loan to refinance existing debt and primarily fund capital projects, research and development and working capital.
At closing, the school bus manufacturer had approximately $86 million of carry-over debt drawn under the new facilities and more than $670 million of available liquidity.
The refinancing also reduces Blue Bird’s borrowing costs.
The interest-rate margin is now SOFR plus 1.25% to 2.25%, depending on leverage, compared with SOFR plus 1.75% to 3.25% under the previous facilities.
The agreement also eliminates the prior 0.10% credit spread adjustment.
Blue Bird’s maximum total net leverage ratio increases to 3.25 times, with a temporary 0.50-times step-up for four quarters after a qualifying acquisition of at least $75 million.
The accordion feature has also been expanded to the greater of $250 million or one times trailing 12-month EBITDA, with additional capacity available subject to a leverage test.
BMO served as administrative agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
Bank of America served as syndication agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
CIBC Bank USA, Fifth Third Bank, Regions Bank and TD Bank also served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.
KEY QUOTES:
“While Blue Bird already has a very strong balance sheet, this refinancing more than doubles our available borrowing capacity, lowers our cost of debt and extends maturity out to 2031. It gives us the flexibility to continue to invest in our operations and product development, while maintaining a conservative balance sheet. We appreciate the strong support from our bank group, led by BMO.”
Razvan Radulescu, Chief Financial Officer of Blue Bird
