MONTREAL--23 July 2009-- GE Capital today announced it acted as co-agent on an $800 million exit financing for the U.S. and Canadian businesses of Quebecor World Inc., a worldwide leader in commercial printing. GE Capital Markets and GE Capital Markets (Canada) Ltd. acted as joint-lead arrangers.
The loan will be used to support the company's exit from bankruptcy protection under both a Plan of Reorganization (under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code) and a Plan of Arrangement (under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act) by refinancing the company's existing debtor in possession (DIP) loans and by providing liquidity to support the company's operations going forward.
Based in Montreal, Canada, Quebecor World Inc. provides retailers, catalogers, branded-goods companies and publishers with products and services including advertising inserts and circulars, catalogs, direct mail products, magazines, books, directories, digital premedia, logistics, mail list technologies and other services. The company has approximately 20,000 employees working in printing and related facilities in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.
"The GE team worked closely with the company to co-arrange the financing and provide the liquidity we required to successfully restructure and exit from bankruptcy protection," said Jeremy Roberts, CFO for Quebecor World Inc.
"Working with Quebecor World to help arrange and fund both the DIP as well as one of the largest exit financings this year demonstrates that well structured facilities of all sizes are possible even in challenging market environments," said Rob McMahon, managing director of GE Capital, Restructuring Finance.
"Our customers value the benefits of a lender who operates in both the Canadian lending market, and the specialty lending markets such as restructuring finance," said Patrick Palerme, President and CEO of GE Capital in Canada. "For more than 20 years we've been committed to supporting Canadian companies by providing them with financing to help meet their business objectives."
In connection with Quebecor World's exit from creditor protection on July 21, 2009 and as part of the implementation of the Reorganization Plans, the names of the entities in the Company's group are changed to World Color Press Inc. or derivatives thereof, which was previously the name of one of the merged companies that created Quebecor World in 1999. The Company intends to announce a renewed branding initiative during the next 60 days.
About GE Capital
With more than 20 offices throughout Canada, GE Capital (gecapital.ca) in Canada is a leading provider of financial and fleet management solutions to businesses operating in a broad range of economic sectors, including construction, transportation, energy, manufacturing and retail. The business' customized solutions include asset based working capital and term financing, cash flow financing, corporate aircraft, franchise and fleet financing as well as financial solutions and services to equipment manufacturers, fleet operators, distributors, dealers and their end users.
GE Capital, Restructuring Finance is a leading provider of senior secured loans to distressed companies supporting Chapter 11 filings, plan-of-reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Visit gelending.com/clnews.
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Ned Reynolds
GE Capital
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+1 203 2295717
+1 203 8370699
Jeff Wilson
GE Capital Corporate Finance
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1-203-749-6340