February 8, 2012
Willkie deal named "Retail Manufacturing/Distribution Deal of the Year."
The deal team, in which Willkie played a major role, on the out-of-court restructuring of Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., was recently honored with a 2012 M&A Advisor Turnaround Award for excellence. The team was recognized in the award category "Retail Manufacturing/Distribution Deal of the Year (Over $50 Million)."
Willkie advised the Ad Hoc Committee of Keystone Automotive Holdings’ bond holders (comprised of affiliates of Platinum Equity, LLC and Cetus Capital, LLC) with respect to Keystone’s restructuring of over $420 million of senior indebtedness. In connection with the restructuring, Keystone entered into new senior financing, including a new term loan and revolving credit facility, and consummated an exchange offer and equity rights offering backstopped by the members of the Ad Hoc Committee. Following the restructuring, Platinum, Cetus and Keystone’s other former bond holders now own 100 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock.
The Willkie restructuring team was led by partners Cristopher Greer, Matthew Feldman and Joseph Minias, and included partner Christopher Peters and associates Elizabeth Horowitz and Jason Ertel. The financing was handled by partner William Hiller and associate Mia Ellis.
The M&A Advisor connects professionals in the M&A, distressed investing and related financial industries through its conferences and awards events, newsletter, and online community. In 2011, Willkie was recognized with an award for its role in the restructuring in Chapter 11 of client EnviroSolutions Holdings, Inc.
