SunOpta Announces Amended Credit Facility
The amended facility provides total borrowing capacity of $135 million including revolving facilities of approximately $105 million and the $30 million of non-revolving term debt facilities.
12/20/2010 --- SunOpta Inc., a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods and natural health products announced that the Company has successfully entered into an amended and restated credit agreement to refinance long-term debt of $33.2 million which matured on December 20, 2010, with non-revolving term debt facilities of $30 million and an increase of $5 million in revolving facilities. The amended facility supports the Company's North American natural and organic food operations and is held by a syndicate of lenders.
The amended facility provides total borrowing capacity of $135 million including revolving facilities of approximately $105 million and the $30 million of non-revolving term debt facilities. The amended facility also provides for a $30 million increase to the Company's revolving facilities in the event funding is required to support future growth. The amended facility has a maturity of October 30, 2012, consistent with the renewal of existing revolving facilities expiring on the same date.
Interest on borrowings under these facilities accrues at the Company's option based on various reference rates including Canadian or U.S. bank prime plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on certain financial ratios, calculated in accordance with the amended facility. The facilities are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company and subsidiaries in which a security interest may lawfully be granted. Additional details included in the amended facility will be set forth in the Company's Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC, which will be accessible after filing in the investor section of www.sunopta.com.
Eric Davis, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer commented, "This facility will provide improved borrowing rates and additional flexibility versus our previous long-term debt facility. Over the last couple of years we have significantly reduced our total debt via improved earnings, reduced working capital and the sale of non-core assets, and when combined with healthy cash flow from our operations, we believe we are well positioned for future growth."
