AJEGROUP (AJE) ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF U.S.$300 MILLION 6.50% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES OFFERING FOR GRUPO EMBOTELLADOR ATIC (ATIC) VIA AJECORP B.V
Bangkok, Tuesday, July 3,2012 AJEGROUP (“AJE”) announced that Ajecorp B.V., as special purpose finance subsidiary, has successfully closed an offering of U.S.$300 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) bearing interest of 6.50% per year on last month. The Notes were offered at a price of 100% of their principal amount, are guaranteed by most of the operating subsidiaries of Grupo Embotellador Atic S.L. (“ATIC”). The majority of the net proceeds from this transaction will be used to repay existing indebtedness ATIC previously incurred from financial institutions and machinery vendors to fund past growth, thereby consolidating ATIC's debt in fewer instruments and extending average life and re-profiling maturities. The Notes have been assigned preliminary ratings of BB (Stable Outlook) by Standard & Poor’s and BB+ (Stable Outlook) by Fitch Ratings.
The Notes were placed through a syndicate of initial purchasers, led by BofA Merrill Lynch, as Sole Bookrunner, BofA Merrill Lynch, Interbank, Rabo Securities and Jefferies, as Joint Lead Managers, and Santander Securities, as Co-Manager. The Notes were placed with international investors in the Unites States (qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the registration exemption provided by Rule 144A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933), Latin America, Europe and Asia as permitted by applicable securities laws in such jurisdictions.
Gonzalo Begazo, AJE's Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance, commented "We are extremely pleased with the success of this offering, the debut issuance by AJE in the international capital markets. The order book for the offering was approximately 10 times oversubscribed with broad participation from over 160 investors and important demand from high quality investors in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia, thereby demonstrating the confidence of international investors in AJE and its business model.”
The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities.
AJE is a leading, independent producer and distributor of carbonated soft drinks, nectar and citrus drinks, bottled water, isotonics, beer, tea and other beverages throughout Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Central America, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Thailand. AJE has more than 23 years of successful experience implementing a proven and innovative soft drink bottler business model in emerging markets and sells its products through numerous brands, including its carbonated soft drink brand Big Cola and its non-carbonated soft drink brands Cifrut, Big Citrus, Pulp, Sporade, Cielo, Cool Tea and Free Tea. The majority of its operations are in countries with an investment grade long-term sovereign debt rating from an internationally recognized rating agency.
Mr. Hernan Cordova, Managing Director of AJE Thai mentioned about the issuance of AJE group that will make Big Cola brand worldwide stronger and better impact for Asian market. The company just recently expanded its business base into Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Thailand where is the one of three best selling Big Cola around the world was expected that this issuance will strengthen the financial capacity to compete with Big Cola's competitive advantage in the cost to produce quality products, In the mind of the consumer to continue with the sales and bills, and come closer to competitor every year. The issuance will provide long-term goals that Big Cola will dominate in Thai consumer reach more quickly.
AJE Group is a manufacturer and distributor of beverage brands Big Cola, Cifrut, Big Citrus, Pulp, Sporade, Cielo, Cool Tea, and Free Tea, etc, are highly appreciated by customers around the world, more than 23 years, especially in the country. Latin America, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Central America, was also a leader and innovator in the marketing of bottled drinks in emerging markets continually by expanding its market to Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Name: Alvaro Becerra / Corporate Financial Planning Manager /
AJE Investor Relations
Email:
alvaro.becerra@ajegroup.com Miss Pireeya Teerawattanasawat, Public relation executive Muse Group Bangkok, PR Agency for AJE Thai Co., Ltd.
Contact +66 2 661 8491-2 # 106 Email:
pireeya@musegroup.biz