Foamex International Closes $320 Mil Refinance
LINWOOD, PA, August 18, 2003 – Foamex International Inc. (NASDAQ: FMXI),
the leading manufacturer of flexible polyurethane and advanced polymer foam
products in North America, today announced that Foamex L.P. has closed a comprehensive
refinancing of its bank debt. The refinancing includes a new $240 million asset-based
credit facility and an $80 million secured term loan. The new facilities will
be used to replace Foamex L.P.’s existing $262 million credit facility
and provide increased availability to fund operations. The refinancing extends
approximately $190 million of debt payments, which would have been due at various
times between 2004 and 2006, into 2007. In addition, the new loans will result
in increased financial flexibility and liquidity for the Company. Foamex noted
that the closing of the refinancing was delayed until today due to the power
outage in the North East.
The new credit facility matures in April 2007, and includes a $190 million
revolver commitment and $50 million term loan. The new facility was primarily
arranged and syndicated by Bank of America, N.A. Silver Point Finance, LLC provided
the separate $80 million secured term loan, which also matures in April 2007.
“This refinancing significantly strengthens our financial position. It
provides a major reduction in debt maturities over the next three years and
gives us substantially increased financial flexibility and liquidity,”
said Thomas Chorman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foamex. “We
are pleased to have the support and confidence of the financial institutions
that are providing these facilities.”
As a result of the refinancing, the Company will recognize a non-cash charge
of approximately $13 million in the 2003 third quarter for the write-off of
debt issuance cost associated with the replaced bank facilities.