Interserve has confirmed it is in talks with banks about a rescue deal to reduce its £650m mountain of debt
The firm said it was keeping all options open but is aiming to stitch together a debt for equity swap that would see major banks take shares for debt expected to nearly wipe out existing shareholders.
Existing banks and debt holders would also take a heavy hit.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Interserve said it was engaged in constructive discussions regarding the agreement.
Debt reduction plan
The contractor, which employs 75,000 worldwide, hopes a deal would deliver a strong balance sheet with Interserve targeting leverage of some 1.5x net debt/EBITDA.
The board also aims to renegotiate current financing deals, including the extending repayment dates.
The form of the deleveraging plan remains to be finalised, although it is likely to involve converting much of Interserve’s external borrowings into new equity, part of which could be sold to existing shareholders and potentially other investors.
Debbie White, CEO of Interserve, said: “We are making good progress on our deleveraging plan which we expect to announce early in 2019.
“Our lenders are supportive of the deleveraging plan, which will underpin the long-term future of Interserve.
“Our refinancing in April of this year contemplated the development of a deleveraging plan in consultation with our stakeholders and the liquidity injected at that point also gave us the funding to execute our business plan.
“Our discussions with our lenders are a positive step in the process that was agreed as part of the April refinancing. The Cabinet Office has also expressed full support for the work we are doing to implement our long-term recovery plan.
“The fundamentals of our business remain strong. The deleveraging plan will give Interserve a strong long-term capital structure and provide a solid foundation on which to build the future success of the group.”
from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/09/interserve-makes-headway-on-rescue-talks/
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