Moelis & Company has advised the Ad Hoc Committee of Senior Secured Noteholders (“SSNs”) on two highly successful restructurings of Wind Hellas Telecommunications (“Wind Hellas”) within a 12 month time-frame.
On November 27, 2009 Wind Hellas completed its first financial restructuring by way of the largest ever UK ‘prepack’ administration share sale from holding company Hellas II to a new company owned by existing sponsor Weather Investments. The share transfer eliminated €1.4 billion of Subordinated and PIK Notes from the new group, out of a €3.3 billion pre-transaction debt structure, reducing leverage and saving over €100 million in annual interest costs. Additionally a €50 million net equity injection by the acquirer was secured, further improving liquidity and financial stability and allowing the business to invest in its mobile and fixed network to support its growth plan. The price of the SSN’s in the secondary market increased from the mid-70s at the outset of the restructuring to the mid-90s following completion of the transaction, representing a significant improvement in value. Moelis & Company acted as financial advisor to the Ad Hoc Committee of SSNs, representing a majority in value of the €1.2 billion issue, the largest creditor tranche in the group.
Following completion of the transaction, performance at Wind Hellas deteriorated as a result of the onset of the Greek economic crisis and heightened market competition. The decline led the company to approach its lenders with a view to negotiate a further optimization of its capital structure. Moelis & Company acted as financial advisor to the Ad Hoc Committee of SSNs, which again represented a majority in value of the €1.2 billion issue.
On December 16, 2010 Wind Hellas completed its second financial restructuring by way of a UK ‘pre-pack’ administration share sale from holding company Weather Finance III to a new company owned by the SSNs. As a result of the restructuring, the new owners invested €420 million in order to repay senior debt and fund Wind Hellas’ long term development and business plan.
Wind Hellas was released of its previous material debt obligations, totaling €1.9 billion. Through a complete de-leveraging, saving an estimated €129 million in annual cash interest payments, and significant new investment, the company has been well placed to capitalize on its strategic competitive advantages and extend its footprint in the Greek telecom market.
