New York, December 11, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service downgraded Euramax International, Inc.'s (Euramax) corporate family rating and probability of default rating to Caa2 from Caa1. The company's other existing debt ratings were also downgraded -- refer to the list below. The outlook remains stable.
The following rating actions were taken:
- Corporate Family Rating, downgraded to Caa2 from Caa1
- Probability of Default Rating, downgraded to Caa2 from Caa1
- $375 million senior secured notes due 2015, downgraded to Caa2 (LGD4, 51%) from Caa1
RATINGS RATIONALE
The downgrade reflects Moody's expectation that the turmoil in global financial markets and weakness in Europe will continue to hamper Euramax's revenues and operating margins as well as weaken key credit metrics. We expect sustained weak profitability to diminish the company's free cash flow generation over the next 12 to 18 months, which may continue to increase usage on the revolving credit facility. Expectations for only moderately higher revenues, continued softness in operating margins and no significant reduction in balance sheet debt point to elevated adjusted debt leverage in excess of 8.0x over the next 12 to 18 months.
The Caa2 corporate family rating considers the company's elevated adjusted debt leverage of approximately 14.4x debt-to-EBITDA, adjusted interest coverage below 1.0x, and weakening operating margins. (In arriving at EBITDA, Moodys includes non-cash foreign exchange losses which result from translating inter-company obligations between the company's US and foreign businesses). In addition, the rating reflects our expectations for a slow recovery in the residential repair and remodeling and non-residential construction markets, exposure to commodity price volatility, and on-going uncertainty about the Euro Zone. The rating also takes into consideration the limited ability to reduce long-term debt, due largely to expectations for weak free cash flow generation over the next 12 to 18 months. However, the lack of significant debt maturities until 2015 supports the company's liquidity and gives it time to work toward restoring operating profitability.
The ratings may be upgraded if the company is able to show improvement in operating margins such that adjusted EBITA margin improves to at least mid-single digits on an annual basis, adjusted EBITA-to-interest expense approaches 2.0x, and adjusted debt-to-EBITDA falls below 6.5x.
The ratings may come under pressure if adjusted EBITA-to-interest expense falls below 0.5x or if the company is unable to achieve adjusted debt-to-EBITDA less than 8.0x. Also, if the company remains unable to meet its springing fixed charge coverage covenant in the event that availability under the revolver approaches the minimum threshold, the ratings could be affected.
The principal methodology used in rating Euramax was the Global Manufacturing Industry Methodology published in December 2010. Other methodologies used include Loss Given Default for Speculative-Grade Non-Financial Companies in the U.S., Canada and EMEA published in June 2009. Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.
Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Euramax International, Inc. is an international producer of value-added aluminum, steel, vinyl and fiberglass products. For the 12 months ended September 30, 2012, the company generated revenues of $861 million and a net loss of approximately $50 million.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
The Global Scale Credit Ratings on this press release that are issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU are endorsed by Moody's Investors Service Ltd., One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E 14 5FA, UK, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that has issued a particular Credit Rating is available on www.moodys.com.
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Joseph A. Snider VP - Senior Credit Officer Corporate Finance Group Moody'sInvestors Service, Inc.250 Greenwich StreetNew York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653Brian Oak MD - Corporate Finance Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc.250 Greenwich StreetNew York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376 SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653(C) 2012 Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or its licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.
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