September 12, 2012
Bonduelle Group, the world’s leading producer of processed vegetables, announces innovative €145 million private placement of 3.83% coupon bonds maturing in March 2019.
Willkie client Bonduelle Group, the world’s leading producer of processed vegetables, recently announced an inaugural bond issue on the European private placement market. The bonds were issued and listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris on September 10, thereby making Bonduelle the first French company to have completed a private placement of publicly traded bonds with European institutional investors without the benefit of a public rating. In response to investor demand, the issue was increased from the initially contemplated €100 million to €145 million. The issue offers a 6.5 year maturity (March 2019) and a 3.83% coupon bond.
Based in France, Bonduelle has 9,650 employees operating in 18 countries and brand presence in 80 countries. The company’s business lines comprise tinned vegetables, frozen vegetables and fresh processed vegetables. In July, Willkie advised Bonduelle on its new €300 million revolving credit facility; Willkie also advised Bonduelle, inter alia, on two successful U.S. private placements in 2010.
The current deal was handled by partner Eduardo Fernandez, national partner Julien Mougel and associates Farah El-Bsat and David Lambert.
